grepcent / static financial knowledge base

SYSCO CORP (SYY)

CIK: 0000096021. SIC: 5140 Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products. Latest 10-K as of: 2025-08-22.

SIC breadcrumb: Wholesale Trade > Wholesale Trade - Nondurable Goods > SIC 5140 Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products

SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=96021. Latest filing source: 0000096021-25-000099.

Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.

Selected Fundamentals

MetricValueUnitFYFiled
Revenue81,370,000,000USD20252025-08-22
Net income1,828,000,000USD20252025-08-22
Assets26,774,000,000USD20252025-08-22

Financials

Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2025-08-22. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000096021.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.

Flow metrics use full-year FY periods from 10-K/10-K/A filings; balance-sheet metrics use FY-end instants. Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures. Missing metrics are omitted rather than fabricated.

Metric20082009201020112016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Revenue55,371,139,00058,727,324,00060,113,922,00052,893,310,00051,297,843,00068,636,000,00076,325,000,00078,844,000,00081,370,000,000
Net income1,106,151,0001,055,948,0001,179,983,0001,152,030,000215,475,000524,209,0001,359,000,0001,770,000,0001,955,000,0001,828,000,000
Operating income1,850,500,0002,054,616,0002,314,056,0002,330,150,000749,505,0001,447,188,0002,346,000,0003,039,000,0003,202,000,0003,088,000,000
Gross profit9,040,472,00010,557,507,00011,085,391,00011,408,987,0009,901,664,0009,356,749,00012,320,000,00013,955,000,00014,608,000,00014,969,000,000
Diluted EPS1.642.082.703.200.421.022.643.473.893.73
Operating cash flow1,988,347,0002,232,567,0002,155,380,0002,411,207,0001,618,680,0001,903,842,0001,791,000,0002,868,000,0002,989,000,0002,510,000,000
Capital expenditures527,346,000686,378,000687,815,000692,391,000720,423,000470,676,000633,000,000793,000,000832,000,000906,000,000
Dividends paid698,869,000698,647,000722,158,000775,430,000856,312,000917,564,000959,000,000996,000,0001,008,000,0001,000,000,000
Share buybacks1,949,445,0001,886,121,000978,901,0001,022,033,000844,699,0000.00500,000,000500,000,0001,232,000,0001,250,000,000
Assets16,721,804,00017,756,655,00018,070,404,00017,966,522,00022,628,266,00021,413,539,00022,086,000,00022,821,000,00024,917,000,00026,774,000,000
Stockholders' equity3,479,608,0002,381,516,0002,506,957,0002,502,603,0001,158,613,0001,553,000,0001,382,000,0002,009,000,0001,860,000,0001,830,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents3,919,300,000869,502,000552,325,000513,460,0006,059,427,0003,007,123,000867,000,000745,000,000696,000,0001,071,000,000
Free cash flow1,461,001,0001,546,189,0001,467,565,0001,718,816,000898,257,0001,433,166,0001,158,000,0002,075,000,0002,157,000,0001,604,000,000

Ratios

ROE and ROA use period-end equity/assets. Liabilities / equity uses total liabilities divided by stockholders' equity. Current ratio uses current assets divided by current liabilities when both are reported.

Metric20082009201020112016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Net margin0.41%1.02%1.98%2.32%2.48%2.25%
Operating margin3.71%3.94%3.88%1.42%2.82%3.42%3.98%4.06%3.80%
Return on equity18.60%33.75%98.34%88.10%105.11%99.89%
Return on assets0.95%2.45%6.15%7.76%7.85%6.83%
Current ratio2.271.321.211.331.841.471.201.241.201.21

Financial Charts

Quarterly

Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-29. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000096021.json.

Flow metrics use discrete quarter-length periods from 10-Q/10-Q/A filings. Q4 revenue and net income are derived only when annual FY and nine-month YTD facts exist for the same fiscal year; derived Q4 values are labeled. EPS Q4 is not derived.

QuarterEnd DateRevenueNet IncomeDiluted EPSMethod
2023-Q12022-10-010.91reported discrete quarter
2023-Q22022-12-310.28reported discrete quarter
2023-Q32023-04-010.84reported discrete quarter
2023-Q42023-07-0119,728,216,000733,736,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2024-Q12023-09-3019,620,454,000503,392,0000.99reported discrete quarter
2024-Q22023-12-3019,287,942,000415,242,0000.82reported discrete quarter
2024-Q32024-03-3019,379,500,000424,688,0000.85reported discrete quarter
2024-Q42024-06-2920,556,104,000611,678,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2025-Q12024-09-2820,484,000,000490,000,0000.99reported discrete quarter
2025-Q22024-12-2820,151,000,000406,000,0000.82reported discrete quarter
2025-Q32025-03-2919,598,000,000401,000,0000.82reported discrete quarter
2025-Q42025-06-2821,138,000,000531,000,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2026-Q12025-09-2721,148,000,000476,000,0000.99reported discrete quarter
2026-Q22025-12-2720,762,000,000389,000,0000.81reported discrete quarter
2026-Q32026-03-2820,519,000,000340,000,0000.71reported discrete quarter

Quarterly Charts

Macro Cross-References

Latest quarter (10-Q)

Latest 10-Q source: 0000096021-26-000022.

Extracted structurally from real Item 2 body heading to real Item 3/4 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-04-29. Report date: 2026-03-28.

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of June 28, 2025, and for

the fiscal year then ended, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both

contained in our fiscal 2025 Form 10-K, as well as the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and notes to the

consolidated financial statements (unaudited) contained in this report.

Highlights

Our third quarter of fiscal 2026 results included sales growth of 4.7% as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025,

primarily driven by volume improvements across our business. Sales increased in our U.S. Foodservice Operations,

International Foodservice Operations, and SYGMA segments. Our gross profit increased 6.5% compared to the third quarter of

fiscal 2025, due to our strategic sourcing efforts, favorable changes in customer mix, and the effective management of product

cost inflation. Operating income decreased 9.1% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025, due to higher incentive

compensation, increased restructuring and transformational project costs, and higher acquisition and due diligence costs. We

consider restructuring and transformational project costs and acquisition and due diligence costs to be “Certain Item” expenses

(as defined below). Excluding Certain Item expenses, adjusted operating income decreased 0.6% as compared to the third

quarter of fiscal 2025, primarily due to higher incentive compensation. Our net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2026

decreased 15.2% as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Excluding Certain Item expenses, adjusted net earnings

decreased by 3.6% as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2025. See below for a comparison of our fiscal 2026 results to our

fiscal 2025 results, both including and excluding Certain Items.

Comparisons of results from the third quarter of fiscal 2026 to the third quarter of fiscal 2025 are presented below:

•Sales:

◦increased 4.7%, or $921 million, to $20.5 billion;

•Operating income:

◦decreased 9.1%, or $62 million, to $619 million;

◦adjusted operating income decreased 0.6%, or $5 million, to $768 million;

•Net earnings:

◦decreased 15.2%, or $61 million, to $340 million;

◦adjusted net earnings decreased 3.6%, or $17 million, to $452 million;

•Basic earnings per share:

◦decreased 13.4%, or $0.11, to $0.71 per share;

•Diluted earnings per share:

◦decreased 13.4% or $0.11, to $0.71 per share;

◦adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 2.1%, or $0.02, to $0.94 per share;

•EBITDA:

◦decreased 5.1%, or $46 million, to $864 million; and

◦adjusted EBITDA increased 0.1%, or $1 million, to $970 million.

Comparisons of results from the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2026 to the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2025 are presented below:

•Sales:

◦increased 3.6%, or $2.2 billion, to $62.4 billion;

•Operating income:

◦decreased 4.0%, or $88 million, to $2.1 billion;

◦adjusted operating income increased 1.9%, or $46 million, to $2.5 billion;

•Net earnings:

◦decreased 7.0%, or $91 million, to $1.2 billion;

◦adjusted net earnings increased 1.0%, or $14 million, to $1.5 billion;

•Basic earnings per share:

◦decreased 4.9%, or $0.13, to $2.52 per share;

•Diluted earnings per share:

◦decreased 4.9% , or $0.13 to $2.51 per share;

◦adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 3.4%, or $0.10, to $3.08 per share;

•EBITDA:

◦decreased 3.0%, or $85 million, to $2.8 billion; and

◦adjusted EBITDA increased 1.2%, or $36 million, to $3.0 billion.

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The discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted

EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than EBITDA and

free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove: (1) restructuring charges;

(2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives; (3) severance charges; and (4) acquisition-related costs

consisting of (a) intangible amortization expense and (b) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions.

Adjustments provided herein for fiscal 2026 results of operations also remove the impact of a charge associated with a legal

matter. No similar charge was applicable in fiscal 2025.

The fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2025 items discussed above are collectively referred to as “Certain Items.” The results of

our operations can be impacted by changes in exchange rates applicable to converting from local currencies to U.S. dollars. We

measure our results on a constant currency basis.

Trends

Economic and Industry Trends

Foot traffic to restaurants experienced a decrease of 1.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2026. Our U.S. Foodservice

Operations local case growth trends experienced a sequential improvement of 210 basis points compared to the second quarter

of fiscal 2026, despite the industry’s foot traffic performance. The macroeconomic environment was similar in the third quarter

of fiscal 2026 as compared to the previous quarter, which has continued to adversely impact consumer sentiment. Despite the

current macroeconomic landscape, we expect to grow our sales in fiscal 2026. We believe the food-away-from-home sector is a

healthy, long-term growth market, and Sysco is diversified and well positioned as a market leader in food service.

Sales and Gross Profit Trends

Sales increased 4.7% and 3.6% in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2026, respectively, as compared to the

third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2025. Our sales and gross profit performance are influenced by multiple factors,

including price, volume, inflation, customer mix and product mix. We experienced a 2.3% and 1.0% increase in U.S.

Foodservice Operations case volume in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2026, respectively, as compared to the third

quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2025. Our volume growth trends were attributable to local case volume increasing 3.3% and

1.4% in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2026, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of

fiscal 2025. Our local case volumes have improved due to improved sales colleague retention and incremental sales colleague

productivity improvements. National case volume increased 1.4% and 0.9% in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal

2026, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2025. Our volume reflects our broadline and

specialty businesses. Beginning in fiscal 2026, we are now including volumes from our specialty meat business for all periods

presented. We expect continued local volume growth in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 of at least 2.5% due to continued sales

consultant productivity improvements. In addition, we expect national case volume growth in the fourth quarter due to the

strength of our non-restaurant business and the onboarding of new national restaurant customers.

We experienced inflation at a rate of 2.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, at the total enterprise level, primarily

driven by inflation in the dairy, meat, and seafood categories. We continue to address inflation by successfully managing

through cost increases in a timely manner. Gross margin increased 31 and 20 basis points in the third quarter and first 39 weeks

of fiscal 2026, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2025, primarily due to benefits from

our strategic sourcing initiatives, stronger volume performance from local customers and improving mix from Sysco Brand

penetration rates, and the effective management of product cost inflation.

Operating Expense Trends

Total operating expenses were $3.2 billion and $9.4 billion in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2026, a

10.1% and 6.9% increase compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2025, respectively. Total adjusted operating

expenses were $3.0 billion and $9.0 billion in the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2026, an 8.4% and 5.6% increase

compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2025, respectively. Operating expenses increased primarily due to

higher incentive compensation, sales headcount investments, increased acquisition and due diligence costs, and increased costs

associated with expanded building capacity, partially offset by decreases in insurance costs. Adjusted operating expenses were

14.8% and 14.5% of sales during the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2026, which represents a 51 and 27 basis point

increase as compared to the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2025, respectively, as a result of higher incentive

compensation, sales headcount investments, and increased costs associated with expanded building capacity, partially offset by

decreases in insurance costs.

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Amortization Expense Trends

Sysco’s operations within the United Kingdom, located within the International Foodservice Operations segment,

initiated a rebranding effort in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 to transition the Brakes® brand and other smaller brands to

“Sysco GB.” This rebranding initiative will take approximately two years to complete and will result in Sysco amortizing

previously indefinite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over this two-year period. The rebranding is expected to

result in approximately $100 million of additional amortization expense over two years, including approximately $29 million in

fiscal 2026. This amortization expense will be treated as a Certain Item, which is consistent with our treatment of amortization

expense of other previously acquired intangible assets.

Mergers and Acquisitions

In October 2025, we acquired Fairfax Meadow, a leading specialty meat supplier based in the United Kingdom. This

acquisition follows our acquisition of Campbells Prime Meat last fiscal year and positions our team in the United Kingdom to

achieve additional growth by leveraging additional specialty meat capabilities geographically. This company’s results are

included within International Foodservice Operations and were not material to our results for the third quarter and first 39

weeks of fiscal 2026.

In December 2025, we acquired Ginsberg’s Foods, a broadline distributor servicing restaurants, schools, and

healthcare facilities across eastern New York and neighboring states. This acquisition opens opportunities to new customers

while creating procurement efficiencies through Sysco buying programs and expanded access to Sysco brand products. This

company’s results are included within U.S. Foodservice Operations and were not material to our results for the third quarter and

first 39 weeks of fiscal 2026.

In March 2026, we announced an agreement to acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot (JRD), a leading U.S. wholesale cash-

and-carry foodservice provider serving smaller, independent restaurants and businesses (the Proposed Transaction). JRD

operates 167 large-format warehouse stores across 35 states that serve more than 725,000 independent restaurants and

foodservice operators with a broad assortment of fresh and low-priced products. This transaction is expected to close by the

third quarter of Sysco’s fiscal 2027, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearance

under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. See Note 15 "Subsequent Events" for more information on the terms of the Proposed

Transaction.

Interest Expense and Other Income and Expense Trends

The cash portion of the purchase price in the Proposed Transaction is expected to be financed with a combination of

new senior unsecured notes, hybrid debt, cash on hand and equity or equity-linked securities. Sysco has executed a commitment

letter for a $22 billi

[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]

Latest 10-K MD&A

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2025-08-22. Report date: 2025-06-28.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of Sysco’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the fiscal years ended June 28, 2025 and June 29, 2024 should be read as a supplement to our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes contained in Item 8 of this report, and in conjunction with the “Forward-looking Statements” section set forth in Part II and the “Risk Factors” section set forth in Item 1A of Part I. All discussion of changes in our results of operations from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2023 has been omitted from this Form 10-K, but may be found in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the year ended June 29, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 28, 2024.

Overview

Sysco distributes food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. Our primary operations are in North America and Europe. Under the accounting provisions related to disclosures about segments of an enterprise, we have combined certain operations into three reportable segments. “Other” financial information is attributable to our other operations that do not meet the quantitative disclosure thresholds.

•U.S. Foodservice Operations – primarily includes (a) our U.S. Broadline operations, which distribute a full line of food products, including custom-cut meat, seafood, produce, specialty Italian, specialty imports and a wide variety of non-food products and (b) our U.S. Specialty operations, which include our FreshPoint fresh produce

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distribution business, our Buckhead | Newport Meat & Seafood specialty protein operations, our growing Italian Specialty platform anchored by Greco & Sons, Inc., our Edward Don restaurant equipment and supplies distribution business, our Asian specialty distribution company and a number of other small specialty businesses that are not material to the operations of Sysco;

•International Foodservice Operations – includes operations outside of the United States (U.S.), which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products. The Americas primarily consists of operations in Canada, Bahamas, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as our export operations that distribute to international customers. Our European operations primarily consist of operations in the United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Ireland and Sweden;

•SYGMA – our U.S. customized distribution operations serving quick-service chain restaurant customer locations; and

•Other – primarily our hotel supply operations, Guest Worldwide.

We estimate that we serve about 17% of an approximately $370 billion annual foodservice market in the U.S. based on industry data obtained from Technomic, Inc. (Technomic) as of the end of calendar year 2024. Technomic projects the market size to increase to approximately $382 billion by the end of calendar year 2025. From time to time, Technomic may revise the methodology used to calculate the size of the foodservice market and, as a result, our percentage can change not only from our sales results, but also from such revisions. We also serve certain international geographies that vary in size and amount of market share.

According to industry sources, the foodservice, or food-away-from-home, market represents approximately 56% of the total dollars spent on food purchases made at the consumer level in the U.S. as of the end of calendar year 2024.

Highlights

Our fiscal 2025 results were driven by sales growth of 3.2% as compared to fiscal 2024. This growth was driven by inflation and volume growth, partially from recent acquisitions. Gross profit increased 2.5% as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily attributable to effective management of product cost inflation. Operating income decreased 3.6% as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily due to a noncash goodwill impairment charge in our Guest Worldwide business. Adjusted operating income increased 1.2% as compared to fiscal 2024. See below for a comparison of our fiscal 2025 results to our fiscal 2024 results, both including and excluding Certain Items (as defined below).

Below is a comparison of results from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2024:

•Sales:

◦increased 3.2%, or $2.5 billion, to $81.4 billion;

•Operating income:

◦decreased 3.6%, or $114 million, to $3.1 billion;

◦adjusted operating income increased 1.2%, or $42 million, to $3.5 billion;

•Net earnings:

◦decreased 6.5%, or $127 million, to $1.8 billion;

◦adjusted net earnings increased 0.8%, or $17 million, to $2.2 billion;

•Basic earnings per share:

◦decreased 4.1%, or $0.16, to $3.74 from the comparable prior year amount of $3.90 per share;

•Diluted earnings per share:

◦decreased 4.1%, or $0.16, to $3.73 from the comparable prior year amount of $3.89 per share;

◦adjusted diluted earnings per share were $4.46 in fiscal 2025, a $0.15 increase from the comparable prior year amount of $4.31 per share;

•EBITDA:

◦decreased 1.2%, or $50 million, to $4.0 billion; and

◦adjusted EBITDA increased 2.4%, or $101 million, to $4.3 billion.

The discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than EBITDA and free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove (1) restructuring charges; (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives; (3) severance charges; and (4) acquisition-related costs consisting of: (a) intangible amortization expense and (b) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions.

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Fiscal 2025 results of operations were also negatively impacted by a noncash goodwill impairment charge. No similar charge was applicable in fiscal 2024.

The fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 items discussed above are collectively referred to as “Certain Items.” The results of our operations can be impacted by changes in exchange rates applicable to converting from local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our results on a constant currency basis. Our discussion below of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures and exclude the impact from Certain Items, and certain metrics are stated on a constant currency basis.

Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, other (income) expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results. Additionally, it provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations, (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis and (3) removes those items that are difficult to predict and are often unanticipated and that, as a result, are difficult to include in analysts’ financial models and our investors’ expectations with any degree of specificity.

The company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results as well as for internal planning and forecasting purposes. These financial measures should not be used as a substitute for GAAP measures in assessing the company’s results of operations for periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Any metric within this section referred to as “adjusted” will reflect the applicable impact of Certain Items. More information on the rationale for the use of these measures and reconciliations to GAAP numbers can be found under “Non-GAAP Reconciliations.”

Key Performance Indicators

Sysco seeks to meet its strategic goals by continually measuring its success in its key performance metrics that drive stakeholder value through sales growth and capital allocation and deployment. We believe the following are our most significant performance metrics in our current business environment:

•Adjusted operating income growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted diluted earnings per share growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP);

•Case volume growth for U.S. Foodservice and International Foodservice operations;

•Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline operations; and

•Free cash flow (non-GAAP).

We use these financial metrics and related computations, as well as sales and gross profit growth, to evaluate our business and to plan for near and long-term operating and strategic decisions. We believe it is useful to provide investors with the same financial information that we use internally to make comparisons of our historical operating results, identify trends in our underlying operating results and evaluate our business.

Key Financial Definitions

•Sales – Sales are equal to gross sales subtracted by, (1) sales returns and (2) sales incentives that we offer to certain customers, such as upfront monies and discounts. Our sales are driven by changes in case volumes and product inflation that is reflected in the pricing of our products and mix of products sold.

•Gross profit – Gross profit is equal to our net sales subtracted by our cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold primarily includes inventory costs (net of supplier consideration) and inbound freight. Cost of goods sold generally changes as we incur higher or lower costs from our suppliers and as our customer and product mix changes.

Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share Growth

Adjusted operating income represents our consolidated operating income, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Adjusted diluted earnings per share represents our consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Sysco’s management considers growth in these metrics to be useful measures of operating efficiency and profitability as they facilitate comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business.

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Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net earnings plus: (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense and benefit, (3) depreciation and (4) amortization. The net earnings component of our EBITDA calculation is impacted by Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. As a result, in the non-GAAP reconciliations below for each period presented, adjusted EBITDA is computed as EBITDA plus the impact of Certain Items, excluding Certain Items related to interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Sysco’s management considers growth in this metric to be a measure of overall financial performance that provides useful information to management and investors about the profitability of the business. It facilitates comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business. Additionally, it is a commonly used component metric used to inform on capital structure decisions.

Case Volume Growth for U.S. Foodservice and International Foodservice Operations

Case volume represents the volume of products sold to customers during a period of time and improvements in this metric are a primary driver of Sysco’s top line performance. We define a case as the lowest level of packaged products that are sold from our warehouses, with one case potentially containing several pieces of a product packaged in bulk. Case size does not generally vary by location or from period to period due to the design of our warehouses but can vary within our international operations. Case volume growth is calculated by dividing the change in the volume of cases sold year-over-year by the volume of cases sold in the prior year. Sysco management considers case volume growth within its U.S. Foodservice and International Foodservice operations to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating sales performance and as an indicator of gross margin performance. Management monitors case volume growth by customer type, with bifurcation between local customers and national customers, as this provides a measure of gross profit performance due to the pricing strategies attached to each customer type. Local customers are primarily street customers, such as independent restaurants that do not have long-term contracts, or locally managed customers, such as local chain restaurants, while national customers are the multi-unit customers requiring national coverage from a customer-centric view and are managed centrally from our Global Support Center, specific to U.S. Foodservice. Sysco management seeks to drive higher case volume growth to local customers, which allows more favorable pricing terms for these operations and generates higher gross margins as a result. National customers benefit from purchasing power as they are able to negotiate pricing agreements across multiple businesses reducing our gross profit potential, but reducing our overall cost per case, as national customers have bigger drop sizes. While overall case volume growth reflects a key component of sales growth, local customer case growth provides additional context around gross profit performance.

Sysco Brand Penetration for U.S. Broadline Operations

Sysco management considers Sysco brand penetration to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating the gross profit performance of the company’s U.S. Broadline operations. Sysco offers an assortment of Sysco-branded products which are differentiated from privately branded products. These Sysco Branded products enable us to achieve higher gross margin by administering and leveraging a consolidated product procurement program for quality food and non-food products. Due to cost efficiencies, Sysco-branded products generate a higher gross margin than sales from other privately branded products. We define Sysco brand penetration as the percentage of Sysco-branded case volume sold to U.S. Broadline customers over all cases sold to U.S. Broadline customers. It is calculated by dividing Sysco-branded case volume sold to U.S. Broadline customers by total cases sold to U.S. Broadline customers. This performance indicator, also measured at the customer type level, including local and national customers, is driven by growth in the distribution of Sysco branded products to more customers and more geographies, as well as increasing Sysco branded offerings through innovation and the launch of new products.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow represents net cash provided from operating activities, subtracted by purchases of plant and equipment, added to proceeds from sales of plant and equipment. Sysco management considers free cash flow to be a non-GAAP liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases and sales of buildings, fleet, equipment and technology, which may potentially be used to pay for, among other things, strategic uses of cash, including dividend payments, share repurchases and acquisitions. However, free cash flow may not be available for discretionary expenditures as it may be necessary that we use it to make mandatory debt service or other payments. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. See “Liquidity and

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Capital Resources” for discussions of GAAP metrics, including net cash provided by operating activities and our reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

Trends

Economic and Industry Trends

During fiscal 2025, Sysco was impacted by negative year-over-year foot traffic to restaurants. Foot traffic trends improved in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. We expect foot traffic in fiscal 2026 to be similar to foot traffic trends in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. We believe the food-away-from-home sector is a healthy long-term growth market, and Sysco is diversified and well positioned as a market leader in food service.

Sales and Gross Profit Trends

Our sales and gross profit performance are influenced by multiple factors including price, volume, inflation, customer mix and product mix. The most significant factor affecting our sales and gross profit performance in fiscal 2025 was product cost inflation, as we experienced 2.5% inflation at the total enterprise level. U.S. Foodservice experienced a 0.5% improvement in total case volume and a 1.4% decrease in local case volume as compared to fiscal 2024. This volume reflects our broadline and specialty businesses, except for our specialty meats business, which measures its volume in pounds. We experienced growth in local case volume in our International Foodservice segment of approximately 4.0% in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024.

We experienced inflation at a rate of 3.5% and 2.5% in the fourth quarter and for fiscal 2025, respectively, at the total enterprise level, primarily driven by inflation in the dairy, poultry, and meat categories. We have been successful in managing inflation, resulting in an increase in gross profit dollars. Gross margin decreased 13 basis points in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily as a result of a shift in our customer mix driven by national sales volumes outpacing local sales volumes and a decrease in Sysco brand penetration rates. Gross margin increased 19 basis points in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, primarily as a result of disciplined strategic sourcing efforts.

We expect to grow our revenue and earnings in fiscal 2026. We expect the rate of inflation for fiscal 2026 to be approximately 2%, which is consistent with recent trends experienced in fiscal 2025. We also expect volume growth in fiscal 2026 as a result of improved sales consultant retention, increased sales consultant tenure, and from contributions from potential mergers and acquisitions. In total, we expect these factors to result in net sales growth across the enterprise of 3% to 5% in fiscal 2026.

Operating Expense Trends

Total operating expenses increased 4.2% during fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, driven by business and sales headcount investments, cost inflation, as well as a noncash impairment charge on our Guest Worldwide business. These increases were partially offset by lower incentive compensation as our operating results were lower than our target payout criteria. Our Global Support Center expenses experienced a decrease of 5.7% in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily as a result of progress on our existing cost savings program.

In fiscal 2026, we expect to achieve target operating results thereby increasing our incentive compensation by approximately $100 million compared to fiscal 2025. In fiscal 2026, we expect to achieve cost savings benefits as we leverage our unique scale advantages to expand strategic sourcing efforts to include a broader range of categories, more efficiently harness our global buying power, improve inbound freight logistics to minimize points across our network, and take actions to improve organizational optimization at our Global Support Center. We believe the advancements that have been made in our physical capabilities, and the investments made to improve training, will result in continued supply chain productivity improvements and in lowered costs to serve our customers.

Goodwill Impairment

In our annual fiscal 2025 goodwill impairment assessment, we concluded that one reporting unit, Guest Worldwide, had a fair value that was less than book value due to its recent financial performance and downward revisions in its long-range financial outlook. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 we recorded a noncash goodwill impairment charge of $92 million for a portion of the goodwill attributable to our Guest Worldwide reporting unit. This charge is included within operating

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expenses in the consolidated results of operations. All other reporting units were concluded to have a fair value that exceeded book value. We do not anticipate to incur additional goodwill impairment charges in fiscal 2026.

Income Tax Trends

Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2025 was 24.3% and is expected to be approximately 23.5% to 24.0% in fiscal 2026.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the legislation commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The OBBBA includes various provisions, such as the permanent extension of certain expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, modifications to the international tax framework and the restoration of favorable tax treatment for certain business provisions. Certain provisions will be effective for Sysco beginning in our fiscal 2026 tax year. We are currently evaluating the future impact of these tax law changes on our financial statements.

Divestitures

In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, we sold our interest in our joint venture partnership in Mexico, which was a part of our International Foodservice Operations. This operation was not significant to Sysco’s business, and the divestiture will facilitate our efforts to improve our return on invested capital position.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We continue to focus on mergers and acquisitions as a part of our growth strategy. Our strategy is to grow our existing businesses, while cultivating new channels, new business lines and new capabilities.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, we acquired Campbells Prime Meat, a leading specialty meat business based in Scotland. By combining the Campbells Prime Meat product offering with our broadline business, this acquisition provides a strategic opportunity to enable total team selling in this region. This company’s results are included within International Foodservice Operations and were not material to our results in fiscal 2025.

Strategy

Our purpose is “Connecting the World to Share Food and Care for One Another.” Purpose driven companies are believed to perform better, and we believe our purpose will assist us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our “Recipe for Growth” transformation. This growth transformation is supported by strategic pillars that we believe will continue to enable us to better serve our customers, including:

•Digital – We have and will continue to enrich the customer experience through personalized digital tools that reduce friction in the purchase experience and introduce innovation to our customers.

•Products and Solutions – We are providing customer-focused marketing and merchandising solutions that inspire increased sales of our broad assortment of fair priced products and services. We continue to improve our merchandising strategies globally to secure the best possible cost for our customers.

•Supply Chain – We are efficiently and consistently serving customers with the products they need, when and how they need them, through a flexible delivery framework. We are developing a more nimble, accessible and productive supply chain that is better positioned to support our customers.

•Customer Teams – Our greatest strength is our people - people who are passionate about food and food service. Our team - diverse in perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences - delivers expertise and differentiated services designed to help our customers grow their businesses. We will continue to invest in the sales organization through incremental sales colleagues and intend to improve the effectiveness by leveraging data to increase the yield of the sales process.

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•Future Horizons – We are committed to responsible growth. We will cultivate new channels, new segments, and new capabilities, organically and through strategic acquisitions, while being stewards of our company and our planet for the long term. We will utilize cost-out and efficiency improvements to mitigate the costs of our future investments.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

20252024
Sales100.0%100.0%
Cost of sales81.681.5
Gross profit18.418.5
Operating expenses14.614.5
Operating income3.84.0
Interest expense0.80.7
Other expense (income), net
Earnings before income taxes3.03.3
Income taxes0.80.8
Net earnings2.2%2.5%

The following table sets forth the change in the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:

2025
Sales3.2%
Cost of sales3.4
Gross profit2.5
Operating expenses4.2
Operating income(3.6)
Interest expense4.6
Other expense (income), net (1)26.7
Earnings before income taxes(5.8)
Income taxes(3.8)
Net earnings(6.5)%
Basic earnings per share(4.1)%
Diluted earnings per share(4.1)
Average shares outstanding(2.6)
Diluted shares outstanding(2.6)
Column 1Column 2
(1)Other expense (income), net was expense of $38 million in fiscal 2025 and expense of $30 million in fiscal 2024.

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Segment Results

The following represents our results by reportable segments:

Year Ended Jun. 28, 2025
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherGlobal Support CenterConsolidated Totals
(In millions)
Sales$56,965$14,905$8,410$1,090$$81,370
Sales increase (decrease)2.9%2.4%8.3%(7.3)%3.2%
Percentage of total70.0%18.3%10.3%1.4%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$3,516$437$81$(73)$(873)$3,088
Operating income increase (decrease)(4.3)%16.5%12.5%(282.5)%(3.6)%
Percentage of total segments88.8%11.0%2.0%(1.8)%100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales6.2%2.9%1.0%(6.7)%3.8%
Year Ended Jun. 29, 2024
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherGlobal Support CenterConsolidated Totals
(In millions)
Sales$55,339$14,561$7,768$1,176$$78,844
Percentage of total70.2%18.5%9.9%1.4%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$3,673$375$72$40$(958)$3,202
Percentage of total segments88.3%9.0%1.7%1.0%100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales6.6%2.6%0.9%3.4%4.1%

Our U.S. Foodservice Operations and our International Foodservice Operations segments represent a substantial majority of our total segment results when compared to other reportable segments. In fiscal 2025, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations represented approximately 70.0% and 18.3%, respectively, of Sysco’s overall sales, compared to 70.2% and 18.5%, respectively, in fiscal 2024. In fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, U.S. Foodservice Operations represented approximately 88.8% and 88.3%, respectively, of the total segment operating income. See Note 21, “Business Segment Information,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information.

Cost of sales primarily includes our product costs, net of vendor consideration, and includes in-bound freight. Operating expenses include the costs of facilities, product handling, delivery, selling and general and administrative activities. Fuel surcharges are reflected within sales and gross profit; fuel costs are reflected within operating expenses. Along with sales, operating income is the most relevant measure for evaluating segment performance and allocating resources, as operating income includes cost of goods sold in addition to the costs to warehouse and deliver goods, which are significant and relevant costs when evaluating a distribution business.

Results of U.S. Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2025, the U.S. Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 70.0% of Sysco’s overall sales and 88.8% of the aggregated operating income of Sysco’s reporting segments. Several factors contributed to these higher operating results as compared to the other operating segments. We have invested substantial amounts in assets, operating methods, technology and management expertise in this segment. The breadth of its sales force, geographic reach of its distribution area and its purchasing power enable this segment to generate its relatively stronger results of operations.

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The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20252024Change in Dollars% Change
(Dollars in millions)
Sales$56,965$55,339$1,6262.9%
Gross profit10,87510,7081671.6
Operating expenses7,3597,0353244.6
Operating income$3,516$3,673$(157)(4.3)%
Gross profit$10,875$10,708$1671.6%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)7,2436,9642794.0
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$3,632$3,744$(112)(3.0)%
Column 1Column 2
(1)See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the prior year in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2025
(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Case volume (1)0.4%$201
Inflation2.61,460
Other (2)(0.1)(35)
Total change in sales2.9%$1,626
(1)Case volumes increased 0.5% compared to fiscal 2024. This volume increase resulted in a 0.4% increase in the dollar value of sales compared to fiscal 2024.
(2)Case volume reflects our broadline and specialty businesses, with the exception of our specialty meats business, which measures its volume in pounds. Any impact in volumes from our specialty meats operations is included within “Other.”

The sales growth in our U.S. Foodservice Operations was driven by higher inflation in fiscal 2025. Case volumes from our U.S. Foodservice Operations increased 0.5%, as compared to fiscal 2024. This included a 1.4% decrease in local customer case volume as compared to fiscal 2024.

Operating Income

The decrease in operating income for fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, was driven by increases in operating expenses, partially offset by gross profit dollar growth and case volume growth.

Gross profit dollar growth in fiscal 2025 was driven primarily by disciplined strategic sourcing efforts and case volume growth from recent acquisitions. The estimated change in product costs, an internal measure of inflation or deflation, increased in fiscal 2025. For fiscal 2025, this change in product costs was primarily driven by inflation in the dairy and poultry categories. Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline decreased by 81 basis points to 35.8% for fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024. Specific to local customers, Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline decreased by 81 basis points to 46.2% for fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024.

Gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of sales, was 19.1% in fiscal 2025. This was a decrease of 26 basis points compared to gross margin of 19.4% in fiscal 2024, primarily due to a shift in our customer mix driven by national sales volumes outpacing local sales volume and a decrease in Sysco brand penetration rates.

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The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, was primarily driven by cost inflation and increases in colleague-related costs, depreciation expense, and bad debt, partially offset by lower incentive compensation and gains from sale leaseback transactions.

Results of International Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2025, the International Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 18.3% of Sysco’s overall sales.

The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20252024Change in Dollars% Change
(Dollars in millions)
Sales$14,905$14,561$3442.4%
Gross profit3,1092,9471625.5
Operating expenses2,6722,5721003.9
Operating income$437$375$6216.5%
Gross profit$3,109$2,947$1625.5%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)2,5242,455692.8
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$585$492$9318.9%
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$14,934$14,561$3732.6%
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)3,0982,9471515.1
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)2,5132,455582.4
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$585$492$9318.9%
Column 1Column 2
(1)See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2025
(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Inflation2.1%$302
Foreign currency(0.2)(29)
Case growth1.7241
Impact of divestiture(2.4)(329)
Other1.2159
Total change in sales2.4%$344

Sales increased 2.4% in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily due to higher inflation and local case growth. Excluding the impact of the Mexico joint venture, which was divested during the second quarter of fiscal 2025, sales increased 4.8% in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024.

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Operating Income

The $62 million increase in operating income for fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, was primarily due to growth in local case volumes, success in our strategic sourcing program, and positive contributions from our recent mergers and acquisitions efforts.

The increase in gross profit dollars in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, was primarily attributable to increases in local case volumes. Local case volumes increased approximately 4.0% in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024.

The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, was primarily due to increases in colleague-related costs and depreciation expense.

Results of SYGMA and Other Segment

Our SYGMA segment sales were 8.3% higher in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily driven by the growth of new customers. Operating income increased by $9 million in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily due to the growth of new customers and productivity improvements. We expect SYGMA’s sales growth rates to moderate in fiscal 2026 as we reach the one-year anniversary mark of fiscal 2025’s substantial customer additions.

For the operations that are grouped within our Other segment, sales were 7.3% lower in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024. Operating income decreased $113 million in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024. The operations of this group mainly consist of our hospitality business, Guest Worldwide. In fiscal 2025, a noncash goodwill impairment charge of $92 million was recorded within operating expenses for a portion of the goodwill attributable to our Guest Worldwide reporting unit. This impairment charge is considered a Certain Item (defined above). We do not expect a similar impairment charge in fiscal 2026 and as a result, are expecting improved operating results within our Other segment in fiscal 2026.

Global Support Center Expenses

Our Global Support Center generally includes all expenses of the corporate office and Sysco’s shared service operations. These expenses decreased $56 million in fiscal 2025, or 5.7% as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily due to decreases in colleague-related costs, including lower incentive compensation.

Included in Global Support Center expenses are Certain Items that totaled $79 million in fiscal 2025, as compared to $81 million in fiscal 2024. Certain Items impacting fiscal 2025 were primarily expenses associated with severances, our business technology transformation initiatives, and expenses associated with acquisitions. In fiscal 2024, Certain Items that impacted the year were primarily expenses associated with severances, our business technology transformation initiatives, and expenses associated with acquisitions.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $28 million for fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, primarily due to interest on new senior notes issued. We expect to incur $700 million in interest expense in fiscal 2026.

Net Earnings

Net earnings decreased 6.5% in fiscal 2025, as compared to fiscal 2024, due primarily to the items noted previously for operating income and interest expense, as well as items impacting our income taxes that are discussed in Note 19, “Income Taxes,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Adjusted net earnings, excluding Certain Items, increased 0.8% in fiscal 2025, primarily due to an increase in sales volume as a result of recent acquisitions and disciplined strategic sourcing efforts.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share in fiscal 2025 were $3.74, a 4.1% decrease from the fiscal 2024 amount of $3.90 per share. Diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2025 were $3.73, a 4.1% decrease from the fiscal 2024 amount of $3.89 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is

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provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” on the subsequent page), in fiscal 2025 were $4.46, a 3.5% increase from the fiscal 2024 amount of $4.31 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed previously related to net earnings in fiscal 2025.

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Non-GAAP Reconciliations

The discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than EBITDA and free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove (1) restructuring charges; (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives; (3) severance charges; and (4) acquisition-related costs consisting of: (a) intangible amortization expense and (b) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions. Adjustments provided herein for fiscal 2025 results of operations also remove the impact of a goodwill impairment charge. No similar charge was applicable in fiscal 2024.
The results of our operations can be impacted due to changes in exchange rates applicable in converting local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our results on a constant currency basis. Constant currency operating results are calculated by translating current-period local currency operating results with the currency exchange rates used to translate the financial statements in the comparable prior-year period to determine what the current-period U.S. dollar operating results would have been if the currency exchange rate had not changed from the comparable prior-year period. We also measure our sales growth excluding the impact of our joint venture in Mexico which was divested in the second quarter of fiscal 2025.
Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, operating margin, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items, presenting its results on a constant currency basis, and adjusting its sales results to exclude the impact of its joint venture in Mexico provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results. It provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations and (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis.
Sysco has a history of growth through acquisitions and excludes from its non-GAAP financial measures the impact of acquisition-related intangible amortization, acquisition costs and due diligence costs for those acquisitions. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco’s results for fiscal year 2025 and fiscal year 2024.
Set forth on the following page is a reconciliation of sales, operating expenses, operating income, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented. Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not be equal to the total presented when added due to rounding. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.

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20252024Change in Dollars%/bps Change
(In millions, except for share and per share data)
Sales (GAAP)$81,370$78,844$2,5263.2%
Impact of Mexico joint venture sales(207)(536)3290.4
Comparable sales excluding Mexico joint venture (Non-GAAP)$81,163$78,308$2,8553.6%
Sales (GAAP)$81,370$78,844$2,5263.2%
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)3333
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$81,403$78,844$2,5593.2%
Cost of sales (GAAP)$66,401$64,236$2,1653.4%
Gross profit (GAAP)$14,969$14,608$3612.5%
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(10)(10)(0.1)
Comparable gross profit adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$14,959$14,608$3512.4%
Gross margin (GAAP)18.40%18.53%-13 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(0.02)-2 bps
Comparable gross margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)18.38%18.53%-15 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$11,881$11,406$4754.2%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)(183)(120)(63)(52.5)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)(160)(159)(1)(0.6)
Impact of goodwill impairment(92)(92)NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)11,44611,1273192.9
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(11)(11)(0.1)
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$11,435$11,127$3082.8%
Operating expense as a percentage of sales (GAAP)14.60%14.47%13 bps
Impact of certain item adjustments(0.53)(0.36)-17 bps
Adjusted operating expense as a percentage of sales (Non-GAAP)14.07%14.11%-4 bps
Operating income (GAAP)$3,088$3,202$(114)(3.6)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)1831206352.5
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)16015910.6
Impact of goodwill impairment9292NM
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)3,5233,481421.2
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)220.1
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$3,525$3,481$441.3%
Operating margin (GAAP)3.80%4.06%-26 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)4.33%4.42%-9 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)4.33%4.42%-9 bps
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,828$1,955$(127)(6.5)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)1831206352.5
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)16015910.6
Impact of goodwill impairment9292NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)(42)(29)(13)(44.8)
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (4)(37)(38)12.6

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20252024Change in Dollars%/bps Change
(In millions, except for share and per share data)
Tax impact of goodwill impairment (4)(10)(10)NM
Impact of other non-routine tax adjustments1010NM
Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$2,184$2,167$170.8%
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$3.73$3.89$(0.16)(4.1)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)0.370.240.1354.2
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)0.330.320.013.1
Impact of goodwill impairment0.190.19NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)(0.09)(0.06)(0.03)(50.0)
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (4)(0.08)(0.08)
Tax impact of goodwill impairment (4)(0.02)(0.02)NM
Impact of other non-routine tax adjustments0.020.02NM
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (5)$4.46$4.31$0.153.5%
Diluted shares outstanding489,825,648503,096,086
(1)Represents a constant currency adjustment which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the current year results.
(2)Fiscal 2025 includes $57 million related to restructuring and severance charges and $126 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of supply chain transformation costs and changes to our business technology strategy. Fiscal 2024 includes $56 million related to restructuring and severance charges and $64 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(3)Fiscal 2025 includes $133 million of intangible amortization expense and $27 million in acquisition and due diligence costs. Fiscal 2024 includes $128 million of intangible amortization expense and $31 million in acquisition and due diligence costs.
(4)The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items is calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred.
(5)Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add up to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.
NMRepresents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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Set forth below is a reconciliation by segment of actual operating expenses and operating income to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

20252024Change in Dollars%/bps Change
U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$56,965$55,339$1,6262.9%
Gross profit (GAAP)10,87510,7081671.6%
Gross margin (GAAP)19.09%19.35%-26 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$7,359$7,035$3244.6%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)(45)(10)(35)NM
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)(71)(61)(10)(16.4)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$7,243$6,964$2794.0%
Operating income (GAAP)$3,516$3,673$(157)(4.3)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)451035NM
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)71611016.4
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$3,632$3,744$(112)(3.0)%
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$14,905$14,561$3442.4%
Impact of Mexico joint venture sales(207)(536)3292.4
Comparable sales excluding Mexico joint venture (Non-GAAP)$14,698$14,025$6734.8%
Sales (GAAP)$14,905$14,561$3442.4%
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)29290.2
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$14,934$14,561$3732.6%
Gross profit (GAAP)$3,109$2,947$1625.5%
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)(11)(11)(0.4)
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$3,098$2,947$1515.1%
Gross margin (GAAP)20.86%20.24%62 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)(0.12)-12 bps
Comparable gross margin using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)20.74%20.24%50 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$2,672$2,572$1003.9%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)(74)(45)(29)(64.4)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (5)(74)(72)(2)(2.8)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)2,5242,455692.8
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)(11)(11)(0.4)
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$2,513$2,455$582.4%
Operating income (GAAP)$437$375$6216.5%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)74452964.4
Impact of acquisition-related costs (5)747222.8

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20252024Change in Dollars%/bps Change
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)5854929318.9
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$585$492$9318.9%
SYGMA
Sales (GAAP)$8,410$7,768$6428.3%
Gross profit (GAAP)662617457.3%
Gross margin (GAAP)7.87%7.94%-7 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$581$545$366.6%
Operating income (GAAP)8172912.5%
OTHER
Sales (GAAP)$1,090$1,176$(86)(7.3)%
Gross profit (GAAP)266307(41)(13.4)%
Gross margin (GAAP)24.40%26.11%-171 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$339$267$7227.0%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (6)(10)10NM
Impact of goodwill impairment(92)(92)NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$247$257$(10)(3.9)%
Operating (loss) income (GAAP)$(73)$40$(113)NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (6)10(10)NM
Impact of goodwill impairment9292NM
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$19$50$(31)(62.0)%
GLOBAL SUPPORT CENTER
Gross Profit (GAAP)$57$28$29NM
Operating expenses (GAAP)$930$986$(56)(5.7)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)(64)(55)(9)(16.4)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (8)(15)(26)1142.3
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$851$905$(54)(6.0)%
Operating loss (GAAP)$(873)$(958)$858.9%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)6455916.4
Impact of acquisition-related costs (8)1526(11)(42.3)
Operating loss adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(794)$(877)$839.5%

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(1)Primarily represents severance and transformation costs.
(2)Fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 include intangible amortization expense and acquisition costs.
(3)Represents a constant currency adjustment, which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on current year results.
(4)Includes restructuring and transformation costs primarily in Europe.
(5)Primarily represents intangible amortization expense and acquisition costs.
(6)Primarily represents restructuring costs.
(7)Includes various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(8)Represents due diligence costs.
NMRepresents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing Sysco’s overall financial performance for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. Set forth below is a reconciliation of actual net earnings (loss) to EBITDA and to adjusted EBITDA results for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

20252024Change in Dollars% Change
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,828$1,955$(127)(6.5)%
Interest (GAAP)635607284.6
Income taxes (GAAP)587610(23)(3.8)
Depreciation and amortization (GAAP)945873728.2
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)$3,995$4,045$(50)(1.2)%
Certain Item adjustments:
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)1791166354.3
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)2731(4)(12.9)
Impact of goodwill impairment9292NM
EBITDA adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (3)$4,293$4,192$1012.4%
Other expense (income), net, as adjusted (Non-GAAP)3830826.7
Depreciation and amortization, as adjusted (Non-GAAP) (4)(808)(741)(67)(9.0)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$3,523$3,481$421.2%
(1)Fiscal 2025 and 2024 include charges related to restructuring and severance, as well as various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of supply chain transformation costs and changes to our business technology strategy, excluding charges related to accelerated depreciation.
(2)Fiscal 2025 and 2024 include acquisition and due diligence costs.
(3)In arriving at adjusted EBITDA, Sysco does not exclude interest income of $29 million and $38 million or non-cash stock compensation expense of $93 million and $104 million for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively.
(4)Fiscal 2025 includes $945 million in GAAP depreciation and amortization expense, less $137 million of Non-GAAP depreciation and amortization expense primarily related to acquisitions. Fiscal 2024 includes $873 million in GAAP depreciation and amortization expense, less $132 million of Non-GAAP depreciation and amortization expense primarily related to acquisitions.
NMRepresents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Highlights

Below are comparisons of the cash flows from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2024:

•Cash flows from operations were $2.5 billion in fiscal 2025, compared to $3.0 billion in fiscal 2024;

•Net capital expenditures totaled $692 million in fiscal 2025, compared to $753 million in fiscal 2024;

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•Free cash flow was $1.8 billion in fiscal 2025, compared to $2.2 billion in fiscal 2024 (see “Cash Flows – Free Cash Flow – Non-GAAP Reconciliation” below for an explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure);

•Cash used for acquisition of businesses was $40 million in fiscal 2025, compared to $1.2 billion in fiscal 2024;

•Dividends paid were $1.0 billion in fiscal 2025, and in fiscal 2024;

•Cash paid for treasury stock repurchases was $1.3 billion in fiscal 2025, compared to $1.2 billion in fiscal 2024;

•We issued senior notes totaling $1.25 billion in fiscal 2025, and totaling $1.0 billion in fiscal 2024; and

•The commercial paper amount outstanding as of the end of fiscal 2025 was $205 million. There were $200 million in commercial paper amounts outstanding as of the end of fiscal 2024.

As of June 28, 2025, there were no borrowings outstanding under our long-term revolving credit facility and the company had approximately $3.8 billion in cash and available liquidity. As of August 5, 2025, the company had approximately $2.7 billion in cash and available liquidity.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Sysco generates cash in the U.S. and internationally. Sysco’s strategic objectives include continuous investment in our business; these investments are funded primarily by cash from operations and, to a lesser extent, external borrowings. Traditionally, our operations have produced significant cash flow and, due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access capital markets, as needed. Cash generated from operations is generally allocated to:

•working capital investments;

•capital investments in facilities, systems, fleet, other equipment and technology;

•acquisitions consistent with our growth strategy;

•debt repayments;

•cash dividends; and

•share repurchases.

Any remaining cash generated from operations may be invested in high-quality, short-term instruments. As a part of our ongoing strategic analysis, we regularly evaluate business opportunities, including potential acquisitions and sales of assets and businesses, and our overall capital structure. Any transactions resulting from these evaluations may materially impact our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability.

We continue to be in a strong financial position based on our balance sheet and operating cash flows; however, our liquidity and capital resources can be influenced by macro-economic trends and conditions that impact our results of operations. We believe our mechanisms to manage working capital, such as actively working with customers to receive payments on receivables, optimizing inventory levels and maximizing payment terms with vendors, have been sufficient to limit a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. We believe these mechanisms will continue to mitigate any unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations arising from macro-economic trends and conditions.

We extend credit terms to some of our customers based on our assessment of each customer’s creditworthiness. We monitor each customer’s account and will suspend shipments if necessary. In the ordinary course of business, customers periodically negotiate extended payment terms on trade accounts receivable. The company may utilize purchase arrangements with third-party financial institutions to transfer portions of our trade accounts receivable balance on a non-recourse basis in order to extend terms for the customer without negatively impacting our cash flow. The arrangements meet the requirements for the receivables transferred to be accounted for as sales. See Note 1, “Summary of Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information.

As of June 28, 2025, we had $1.1 billion in cash and cash equivalents, approximately 64% of which was held by our international subsidiaries and generated from our earnings of international operations. If these earnings were transferred among countries or repatriated to the U.S., such amounts may be subject to withholding and additional foreign tax obligations.

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Additionally, Sysco Corporation has provided intercompany loans to certain of its international subsidiaries. When interest and principal payments are made, some of this cash will move to the U.S.

Our wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) must maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to fund future reserve payments. As of June 28, 2025, the Captive held $132 million of fixed income marketable securities and $277 million of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in a restricted investment portfolio in order to meet solvency requirements. We purchased $32 million in marketable securities in fiscal 2025 and received $29 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities in the period.

Cash Requirements

Our cash requirements within the next twelve months include accounts payable and accrued liabilities, current maturities of long-term debt, other current liabilities, purchase commitments and other obligations. We expect the cash required to meet these obligations to be primarily generated through a combination of cash from operations and access to capital from financial markets.

Our long-term cash requirements under our various contractual obligations and commitments include:

•Debt Obligations and Interest Payments – See Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our debt and the timing of expected future principal and interest payments.

•Operating and Finance Leases – See Note 13, “Leases,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Deferred Compensation – The estimate of the timing of future payments under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and Management Savings Plan involves the use of certain assumptions, including retirement ages and payout periods. See Note 14, “Company-Sponsored Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Purchase and Other Obligations – Purchase obligations include agreements for purchases of product in the normal course of business for which all significant terms have been confirmed, including minimum quantities resulting from our category management process. Such amounts are based on estimates. Purchase obligations also include amounts committed with various third-party service providers to provide information technology services and warehouse management services for periods up to fiscal 2036. See discussion under Note 20, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Purchase obligations exclude full requirements electricity contracts where no stated minimum purchase volume is required.

•Other Liabilities – These include other long-term liabilities reflected in our consolidated balance sheets as of June 28, 2025, including obligations associated with certain employee benefit programs, unrecognized tax benefits and various long-term liabilities which have some inherent uncertainty in the timing of these payments.

•Contingent Consideration – Certain acquisitions involve contingent consideration typically payable only if certain operating results are attained or certain outstanding contingencies are resolved.

We believe the following sources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next twelve months while maintaining sufficient liquidity for normal operating purposes:

•our cash flows from operations;

•the availability of additional capital under our existing commercial paper programs, supported by our revolving credit facility; and

•our ability to access capital from financial markets, including issuances of debt securities, either privately or under our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC.

Due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets if necessary.

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Cash Flows

Operating Activities

We generated $2.5 billion in cash flows from operations in fiscal 2025, compared to cash flows from operations of $3.0 billion in fiscal 2024. In fiscal 2025, these amounts included year-over-year unfavorable comparisons on working capital of $317 million due to an unfavorable comparison on inventory and accounts receivable of $260 million and $96 million, respectively, partially offset by a favorable comparison on accounts payable of $39 million. Income taxes negatively impacted cash flows from operations by $115 million, as estimated payments made were higher than in fiscal 2024.

Investing Activities

Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024 capital expenditures included:

•buildings and building improvements;

•fleet replacements;

•investments in technology; and

•warehouse equipment.

The following table sets forth the company’s total plant and equipment additions:

20252024
(In millions)
Net cash capital expenditures$692$753
Plant and equipment acquired through financing programs281402
Assets obtained in exchange for finance lease obligations202115
Total net plant and equipment additions$1,175$1,270

Our capital expenditures in fiscal 2025 were $74 million higher than in fiscal 2024, as we made investments to advance our Recipe for Growth strategy. We expect our capital expenditures in fiscal 2026 to be approximately $700 million.

During fiscal 2025, we paid $40 million, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions. During fiscal 2024, we paid $1.2 billion, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions.

During fiscal 2025, we received $214 million in proceeds from sales of plant and equipment, which was primarily attributable to proceeds received from sale leaseback transactions. During fiscal 2024, we received $79 million in proceeds from sales of plant and equipment.

Free Cash Flow

Our free cash flow for fiscal 2025 decreased by $418 million, to $1.8 billion, as compared to fiscal 2024, principally as a result of a decrease in cash flows from operations, an increase in capital expenditures, partially offset by an increase in proceeds from sales of plant and equipment.

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Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing the company’s liquidity for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. In the table that follows, free cash flow for each period presented is reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities.

20252024Change in Dollars% Change
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)$2,510$2,989$(479)(16.0)%
Additions to plant and equipment(906)(832)(74)(8.9)
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment21479135170.9
Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)$1,818$2,236$(418)(18.7)%

Financing Activities

Equity Transactions

Proceeds from exercises of share-based compensation awards were $110 million and $120 million in fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively. The level of option exercises, and thus proceeds, will vary from period to period and is largely dependent on movements in our stock price and the time remaining before option grants expire.

We have traditionally engaged in share repurchase programs to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of the company’s common stock which will remain available until fully utilized. We repurchased 16,988,703 shares for $1.3 billion during fiscal 2025. As of June 28, 2025, we had a remaining authorization of approximately $1.5 billion. We expect to complete approximately $1.0 billion in share repurchases in fiscal 2026; however, this amount is subject to change based on economic conditions and the level of any acquisition activity in fiscal 2026. As of August 5, 2025, we have repurchased no additional shares under this authorization.

We have made dividend payments to our shareholders in each fiscal year since our company’s inception. Dividends paid in fiscal 2025 were $1.0 billion, or $2.04 per share, as compared to $1.0 billion, or $2.00 per share, in fiscal 2024. In April 2025, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 of $0.54 per share, representing an increase of $0.03 per share. This dividend was paid in July 2025.

In August 2024, we filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC under which we, as a well-known seasoned issuer, have the ability to issue and sell an indeterminate amount of various types of debt and equity securities. The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

In November 2000, we filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement covering 30,000,000 shares of common stock to be offered from time to time in connection with acquisitions. As of August 5, 2025, there were 29,477,835 shares remaining for issuance under this registration statement.

Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability

Our debt activity, including issuances and repayments, and our borrowing availability is described in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Our outstanding borrowings at June 28, 2025, and repayment activity since the end of fiscal 2025 are disclosed within those notes. Updated amounts at August 5, 2025, include:

•No outstanding borrowings from the long-term revolving credit facility supporting our commercial paper programs;

•$746 million outstanding borrowings under our U.S. commercial paper program; and

•$341 million outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program in Europe.

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Our aggregate commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings had weighted average interest rates of 4.57% for fiscal 2025 and 5.49% for fiscal 2024.

Senior notes classified within current maturities of long-term debt totaling $750 million will mature on October 1, 2025. Senior notes classified within long-term debt totaling $999 million will mature on July 15, 2026. We expect to fund the repayment of this debt using a combination of cash flows from operations and the proceeds from issuances of commercial paper and long-term debt.

The availability of financing in the form of debt is influenced by many factors, including our profitability, free cash flows, debt levels, credit ratings, debt covenants and economic and market conditions. As of August 5, 2025, Moody’s Investors Service has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of Baa1 and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Standard & Poor’s has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of BBB and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Fitch Ratings Inc. has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of BBB and a ratings outlook of “stable.” A significant downgrade in our credit ratings or adverse conditions in the capital markets may increase the cost of borrowing for us or limit our access to capital. To date, we have not experienced difficulty accessing the credit markets. As of August 5, 2025, the company had approximately $2.7 billion in cash and available liquidity.

Our long-term revolving credit facility includes aggregate commitments of the lenders thereunder of $3.0 billion with an option to increase such commitments to $4.0 billion. The facility includes a covenant, among others, requiring Sysco to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense of 3.0 to 1.0 over four consecutive fiscal quarters. The revolving credit facility expires on April 29, 2027. As of June 28, 2025, Sysco was in compliance with all of its debt covenants and the company expects to remain in compliance through the next twelve months.

Sysco’s U.S. commercial paper dealer agreement includes an issuance allowance for an aggregate amount not to exceed $3.0 billion. Our commercial paper dealer agreement in Europe includes an issuance allowance for an aggregate amount not to exceed €500 million. Any outstanding commercial paper balances are classified within long-term debt, as the programs are supported by the long-term revolving credit facility.

Guarantor Summarized Financial Information

On January 19, 2011, the wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries of Sysco Corporation, which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products, entered into full and unconditional guarantees of all outstanding senior notes and debentures of Sysco Corporation. A list of the current guarantors is included in Exhibit 22 to this Form 10-K. All subsequent issuances of senior notes and debentures in the U.S. and borrowings under the company’s $3.0 billion long-term revolving credit facility have also been guaranteed by these subsidiaries, as discussed in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of June 28, 2025, Sysco had a total of $11.8 billion in senior notes, debentures and borrowings under the long-term revolving credit facility that were guaranteed by these subsidiary guarantors. Our remaining consolidated subsidiaries (non-guarantor subsidiaries) are not obligated under the senior notes indenture, debentures indenture or our long-term revolving credit facility.

All subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company, all guarantees are full and unconditional, and all guarantees are joint and several. The guarantees rank equally and ratably in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the respective guarantors.

The assets of Sysco Corporation consist principally of the stock of its subsidiaries. Therefore, the rights of Sysco Corporation and the rights of its creditors to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon liquidation, recapitalization or otherwise will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that claims of Sysco Corporation itself and/or the claims of those creditors themselves may be recognized as creditor claims of the subsidiary. Furthermore, the ability of Sysco Corporation to service its indebtedness and other obligations is dependent upon the earnings and cash flow of its subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment to it of such earnings or cash flow. If any of Sysco Corporation’s subsidiaries becomes insolvent, the direct creditors of that subsidiary will have a prior claim on its assets. Sysco Corporation’s rights and the rights of its creditors, including the rights of a holder of senior notes as an owner of debt securities, will be subject to that prior claim unless Sysco Corporation or such noteholder, if such noteholder’s debt securities are guaranteed by such subsidiary, also is a direct creditor of that subsidiary.

The guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor with respect to a series of senior notes or debentures may be released under certain customary circumstances. If we exercise our defeasance option with respect to the senior notes or debentures of any series, then any subsidiary guarantor effectively will be released with respect to that series. Further, each subsidiary guarantee

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will remain in full force and effect until the earliest to occur of the date, if any, on which (1) the applicable subsidiary guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation or (2) Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation consolidates with or merges into the applicable subsidiary guarantor.

Basis of Preparation of the Summarized Financial Information

The summarized financial information of Sysco Corporation (issuer), and certain wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries (guarantors) (together, the obligor group) is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the obligor group eliminated. Investments in and equity in the earnings of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, which are not members of the obligor group, have been excluded from the summarized financial information. The obligor group’s amounts due to, amounts due from and transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries have been presented in separate line items, if they are material to the obligor financials. The following table includes summarized financial information of the obligor group for the periods presented.

Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Balance SheetJun. 28, 2025
(In millions)
ASSETS
Receivables due from non-obligor subsidiaries$377
Current assets6,015
Total current assets$6,392
Notes receivable from non-obligor subsidiaries$20
Other noncurrent assets5,211
Total noncurrent assets$5,231
LIABILITIES
Payables due to non-obligor subsidiaries$61
Other current liabilities3,214
Total current liabilities$3,275
Notes payable to non-obligor subsidiaries$334
Long-term debt11,890
Other noncurrent liabilities1,538
Total noncurrent liabilities$13,762
Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Results of Operations2025
(In millions)
Sales$49,558
Gross profit8,822
Operating income2,598
Interest expense from non-obligor subsidiaries32
Net earnings1,495

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses in the accompanying financial statements. Significant accounting policies employed by Sysco are presented in the notes to the financial statements.

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Critical accounting estimates are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. These policies require our most subjective or complex judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors the development and selection of the critical accounting estimates and this related disclosure. Our most critical accounting estimates pertain to the goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes and company-sponsored pension plans.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We account for acquired businesses using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that once control of a business is obtained, 100% of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. We use multiple valuation methods to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For intangible assets, we generally use the income method which uses a forecast of the expected future net cash flows associated with each asset. These cash flows are then adjusted to present value by applying an appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk factors associated with the cash flow streams. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the income method or other methods include the amount and timing of projected future cash flows and the discount rate selected to measure the risks inherent in the future cash flows. Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment, as different types of intangible assets will have different useful lives. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. More information on our acquisitions can be found in Note 4, “Acquisitions,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Annually in our fiscal fourth quarter, we assess the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles by determining whether the fair values exceed the carrying values of these assets. Impairment reviews, outside our annual review time frame, are performed if events or circumstances occur that include changes in 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. Our testing may be performed utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment; however, if a qualitative assessment is performed and we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be less than its carrying amount, a quantitative test is performed.

When using a quantitative test, we arrive at our estimates of fair value using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. The results from each of these models are then weighted and combined into a single estimate of fair value for each reporting unit. We use a higher weighting for our discounted cash flow valuation compared to the earnings multiple models because the forecasted operating results that serve as a basis for the analysis incorporate management’s outlook and anticipated changes for the businesses consistent with a market participant. The primary assumptions used in these various models include future cash flow estimates of the reporting units which are dependent on internal forecasts and projected growth rates, weighted average cost of capital, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, along with earnings multiples of acquisitions completed by Sysco and those estimated of comparable acquisitions in the industry, including control premiums. When possible, we use observable market inputs in our models to arrive at the fair values of our reporting units.

Certain reporting units have a greater proportion of goodwill recorded to estimated fair value as compared to the U.S. Foodservice Operations, Canada Broadline or SYGMA reporting units. This is primarily due to these businesses having been more recently acquired, and as a result there has been less history of organic growth than in the U.S. Foodservice Operations, Canadian Broadline and SYGMA reporting units. As such, these reporting units have a greater risk of future impairment if their operations were to suffer a significant downturn. Goodwill totals $3.1 billion for our U.S. Foodservice Operations, Canada Broadline and SYGMA reporting units, with $2.1 billion remaining for our other reporting units.

In our annual fiscal 2025 assessment, we concluded that one reporting unit, Guest Worldwide, had a fair value that was less than book value due to its recent financial performance and downward revisions in its long-range financial outlook. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 we recorded a noncash goodwill impairment charge of $92 million for a portion of the goodwill attributable to our Guest Worldwide reporting unit. This charge is included within operating expenses in the consolidated results of operations. All other reporting units were concluded to have a fair value that exceeded book value.

We estimate the fair value of our reporting units using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. For the purposes of the discounted cash flow models, fair value was determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk adjusted rate. Our fair value conclusions as of June 28, 2025 for the reporting units are sensitive to changes in the assumptions used in the income approach which include forecasted revenues and EBITDA, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others, all of which require significant judgments by management. Fair value of the reporting unit is, therefore, determined using significant unobservable inputs, or level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. We used recent historical performance, current forecasted financial information, and broad-based industry

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and economic statistics as a basis to estimate the key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow model. These key assumptions are inherently uncertain and require a high degree of estimation and judgment and are subject to change based on actual results, industry and global economic and geo-political conditions, and the timing and success of the implementation of current strategic initiatives. The fair value estimates of two of our more significant reporting units, with total goodwill of $1.5 billion, are more sensitive to changes in significant assumptions, including changes in projected cash flows or weighted average cost of capital.

Income Taxes

The determination of our provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. Certain of our operations have carryforward attributes, such as operating losses. If these operations do not produce sufficient income, it could lead to the recognition of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets in the future if losses occur or growth is insufficient beyond our current expectations. This would negatively impact our income tax expense, net earnings, and balance sheet.

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment in estimating the exposures associated with our various filing positions. We believe that the judgments and estimates discussed herein are reasonable; however, actual results could differ, and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. To the extent we prevail in matters for which a liability has been established, or pay amounts in excess of recorded liabilities, our effective income tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement generally would require use of our cash and may result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement may be recognized as a reduction in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, Sysco received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service, mainly related to foreign tax credits generated in fiscal 2018 from repatriated earnings primarily from our Canadian operations. On April 18, 2023, during the company’s fourth fiscal quarter, the company filed suit in the U.S. Tax Court challenging the validity of certain tax regulations related to the one-time transition tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings, which was enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). The lawsuit seeks to have the court invalidate these regulations, which would affirm the company’s position regarding its foreign tax credits. Sysco previously recorded a benefit of $131 million attributable to its interpretation of the TCJA and the Internal Revenue Code. If the company is ultimately unsuccessful in defending its position, it may be required to reverse all, or some portion, of the benefit previously recorded.

Company-Sponsored Pension Plans

Amounts related to defined benefit plans recognized in the financial statements are determined on an actuarial basis. Two of the more critical assumptions in the actuarial calculations are the discount rate for determining the current value of plan benefits and the expected rate of return on plan assets. Our U.S. Retirement Plan is largely frozen and is only open to a small number of employees. Our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) is frozen and is not open to any employees. None of these plans have a significant sensitivity to changes in discount rates specific to our results of operations, but such changes could impact our balance sheet due to a change in our funded status. Due to the low level of active employees in our retirement plans, our assumption for the rate of increase in future compensation is not a critical assumption.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 5.63% for fiscal 2025. The expectations of future returns are derived from a mathematical asset model that incorporates assumptions as to the various asset class returns reflecting a combination of historical performance analysis, the forward-looking views of the financial markets regarding the yield on bonds, historical returns of the major stock markets, and returns on alternative investments. The rate of return assumption is reviewed annually and revised as deemed appropriate.

The expected return on plan assets impacts the recorded amount of net pension costs. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan is 5.70% for fiscal 2026. A 25 basis point increase (decrease) in the assumed rate of return in the Plan for fiscal 2026 would decrease (increase) Sysco’s net company-sponsored pension costs for fiscal 2026 by approximately $6 million.

Pension accounting standards require the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans in the Statement of Financial Position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as

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of June 28, 2025 was a charge, net of tax, of $918 million. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of June 29, 2024 was a charge, net of tax, of $917 million.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein that look forward in time or express management’s expectations or beliefs with respect to the occurrence of future events are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “projected,” “continues,” “continuously,” variations of such terms, and similar terms and phrases denoting anticipated or expected occurrences or results. This report contains various statements relating to future financial performance and results, business strategy, plans, goals and objectives, including certain outlook, business trends, our dividend and share repurchase programs, our expectation of future macroeconomic conditions and other statements that are not historical facts.

These statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially due in part to the risk factors set forth below and those within Part I, Item 1A of this report:

•the risk that if sales from our locally managed customers do not grow at the same rate as sales from multi-unit customers, our gross margins may decline;

•periods of significant or prolonged inflation or deflation and their impact on our product costs and profitability generally, and our inability to predict inflation over the long term;

•the risk that our efforts to modify truck routing, including our small truck initiative, in order to reduce outbound transportation costs may be unsuccessful;

•the risk that we that we may not realize anticipated benefits from our operating cost reduction efforts, including our ability to accelerate and/or identify additional administrative cost savings;

•risks related to unfavorable conditions in the Americas and Europe and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition;

•the risks related to our efforts to implement our transformation initiatives and meet our other long-term strategic objectives, including the risk that these efforts may not provide the expected benefits in our anticipated time frame, if at all, and may prove costlier than expected;

•the risk that competition in our industry and the impact of GPOs may adversely impact our margins and our ability to retain customers and make it difficult for us to maintain our market share, growth rate and profitability;

•the risk that our relationships with long-term customers may be materially diminished or terminated;

•the risk that changes in consumer eating habits could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations;

•the impact and effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, and the adverse impact thereof on our business, financial condition and results of operations;

•the risk that we may not be able to fully compensate for increases in fuel costs, and forward purchase commitments intended to contain fuel costs could result in above market fuel costs;

•the risk of interruption of supplies and increase in product costs as a result of conditions beyond our control;

•the potential impact on our reputation and earnings of adverse publicity or lack of confidence in our products;

•risks related to unfavorable changes to the mix of locally managed customers versus corporate-managed customers;

•difficulties in successfully expanding into international markets and complimentary lines of business;

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•the potential impact of product liability claims;

•the risk that we fail to comply with requirements imposed by applicable law or government regulations, including but not limited to those related to environmental and tax and accounting laws, rules and regulations;

•risks related to our ability to effectively finance and integrate acquired businesses;

•risks related to our access to borrowed funds in order to grow and any default by us under our indebtedness that could have a material adverse impact on cash flow and liquidity;

•our level of indebtedness and the terms of our indebtedness could adversely affect our business and liquidity position;

•the risk that we may not be able to effectively execute our capital allocation framework;

•the risk that divestiture of one or more of our businesses may not provide the anticipated effects on our operations;

•risks related to our ability to return capital to stockholders, including those related to the timing and amounts (including any plans or commitments in respect thereof) of any dividends and share repurchases;

•due to our reliance on technology, any technology disruption or delay in implementing new technology could have a material negative impact on our business;

•the risk of negative impacts to our business and our relationships with customers from a cybersecurity incident and/or other technology disruptions;

•risks related to our ability to attract, motivate and retain employees, including key personnel;

•risks related to labor issues, including the renegotiation of union contracts and shortage of qualified labor; and

•the risk that the exclusive forum provisions in our amended and restated bylaws could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

You should carefully consider these risks, as well as the additional risks described in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements.

In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that such results will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents we file with the SEC, with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by the cautionary statements referenced above.

MD&A history

Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.

FY 2024 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0000096021-24-000128.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2024-08-28. Report date: 2024-06-29.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of Sysco’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the fiscal years ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 should be read as a supplement to our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes contained in Item 8 of this report, and in conjunction with the “Forward-looking Statements” section set forth in Part II and the “Risk Factors” section set forth in Item 1A of Part I. All discussion of changes in our results of operations from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2022 has been omitted from this Form 10-K, but may be found in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the year ended July 1, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2023.

Overview

Sysco distributes food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. Our primary operations are in North America and Europe. Under the accounting provisions related to disclosures about segments of an enterprise, we have combined certain operations into three reportable segments. “Other” financial information is attributable to our other operations that do not meet the quantitative disclosure thresholds.

•U.S. Foodservice Operations – primarily includes (a) our U.S. Broadline operations, which distribute a full line of food products, including custom-cut meat, seafood, produce, specialty Italian, specialty imports and a wide variety of non-food products and (b) our U.S. Specialty operations, which include our FreshPoint fresh produce

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distribution business, our Specialty Meats and Seafood Group specialty protein operations, our growing Italian Specialty platform anchored by Greco & Sons, Inc., Edward Don, acquired in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, which distributes restaurant equipment and supplies, our Asian specialty distribution company and a number of other small specialty businesses that are not material to the operations of Sysco;

•International Foodservice Operations – includes operations outside of the United States (U.S.), which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products. The Americas primarily consists of operations in Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as our export operations that distribute to international customers. Our European operations primarily consist of operations in the United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Ireland and Sweden;

•SYGMA – our U.S. customized distribution operations serving quick-service chain restaurant customer locations; and

•Other – primarily our hotel supply operations, Guest Worldwide.

We estimate that we serve about 17% of an approximately $360 billion annual foodservice market in the U.S. based on industry data obtained from Technomic, Inc. (Technomic) as of the end of calendar year 2023. Technomic projects the market size to increase to approximately $370 billion by the end of calendar year 2024. From time to time, Technomic may revise the methodology used to calculate the size of the foodservice market and, as a result, our percentage can change not only from our sales results, but also from such revisions. We also serve certain international geographies that vary in size and amount of market share.

According to industry sources, the foodservice, or food-away-from-home, market represents approximately 56% of the total dollars spent on food purchases made at the consumer level in the U.S. as of the end of calendar year 2023.

Highlights

Our fiscal 2024 results were driven by sales growth that surpassed fiscal 2023 levels by 3.3%. Sales growth was driven by both volume growth, partially from acquisitions, and inflation. We also made continued gains in overall market share in fiscal 2024. We demonstrated continued positive operating leverage, with gross profit growing faster than operating expenses, and operating income growing faster than sales. See below for a comparison of our fiscal 2024 results to our fiscal 2023 results, both including and excluding Certain Items (as defined below).

Below is a comparison of results from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2023:

•Sales:

◦increased 3.3%, or $2.5 billion, to $78.8 billion;

•Operating income:

◦increased 5.4%, or $163 million, to $3.2 billion;

◦adjusted operating income increased 8.4%, or $271 million, to $3.5 billion;

•Net earnings:

◦increased 10.5%, or $185 million, to $2.0 billion;

◦adjusted net earnings increased 6.0%, or $123 million, to $2.2 billion;

•Basic earnings per share:

◦increased 11.7%, or $0.41, to $3.90 from the comparable prior year amount of $3.49 per share;

•Diluted earnings per share:

◦increased 12.1%, or $0.42, to $3.89 from the comparable prior year amount of $3.47 per share;

◦adjusted diluted earnings per share were $4.31 in fiscal 2024, a $0.30 increase from the comparable prior year amount of $4.01 per share;

•EBITDA:

◦increased 12.7%, or $457 million, to $4.0 billion; and

◦adjusted EBITDA increased 9.0%, or $346 million, to $4.2 billion.

The discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than EBITDA and free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove (1) restructuring charges; (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives; (3) severance charges; and (4) acquisition-related costs consisting of: (a) intangible amortization expense and (b) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions. Our results for fiscal 2023 were also impacted by a pension settlement charge that resulted from the purchase of a

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nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer, adjustments to our bad debt reserve specific to aged receivables existing prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, adjustments to a product return allowance related to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory and a gain on a litigation financing agreement.

The fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 items discussed above are collectively referred to as “Certain Items.” The results of our operations can be impacted by changes in exchange rates applicable to converting from local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our results on a constant currency basis. Our discussion below of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures and exclude the impact from Certain Items, and certain metrics are stated on a constant currency basis.

Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, other (income) expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results. Additionally, it provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations, (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis and (3) removes those items that are difficult to predict and are often unanticipated and that, as a result, are difficult to include in analysts’ financial models and our investors’ expectations with any degree of specificity.

The company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results as well as for internal planning and forecasting purposes. These financial measures should not be used as a substitute for GAAP measures in assessing the company’s results of operations for periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Any metric within this section referred to as “adjusted” will reflect the applicable impact of Certain Items. More information on the rationale for the use of these measures and reconciliations to GAAP numbers can be found under “Non-GAAP Reconciliations.”

Key Performance Indicators

Sysco seeks to meet its strategic goals by continually measuring its success in its key performance metrics that drive stakeholder value through sales growth and capital allocation and deployment. We believe the following are our most significant performance metrics in our current business environment:

•Adjusted operating income growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted diluted earnings per share growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP);

•Case volume growth for U.S. Foodservice and International Foodservice operations;

•Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline operations; and

•Free cash flow (non-GAAP).

We use these financial metrics and related computations, as well as sales and gross profit growth, to evaluate our business and to plan for near and long-term operating and strategic decisions. We believe it is useful to provide investors with the same financial information that we use internally to make comparisons of our historical operating results, identify trends in our underlying operating results and evaluate our business.

Key Financial Definitions

•Sales – Sales are equal to gross sales subtracted by, (1) sales returns and (2) sales incentives that we offer to certain customers, such as upfront monies and discounts. Our sales are driven by changes in case volumes and product inflation that is reflected in the pricing of our products and mix of products sold.

•Gross profit – Gross profit is equal to our net sales subtracted by our cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold primarily includes inventory costs (net of supplier consideration) and inbound freight. Cost of goods sold generally changes as we incur higher or lower costs from our suppliers and as our customer and product mix changes.

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Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share Growth

Adjusted operating income represents our consolidated operating income, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Adjusted diluted earnings per share represents our consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Sysco’s management considers growth in these metrics to be useful measures of operating efficiency and profitability as they facilitate comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business.

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net earnings plus: (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense and benefit, (3) depreciation and (4) amortization. The net earnings component of our EBITDA calculation is impacted by Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. As a result, in the non-GAAP reconciliations below for each period presented, adjusted EBITDA is computed as EBITDA plus the impact of Certain Items, excluding Certain Items related to interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Sysco’s management considers growth in this metric to be a measure of overall financial performance that provides useful information to management and investors about the profitability of the business. It facilitates comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business. Additionally, it is a commonly used component metric used to inform on capital structure decisions.

Case Volume Growth for U.S. Foodservice and International Foodservice Operations

Case volume represents the volume of products sold to customers during a period of time and improvements in this metric are a primary driver of Sysco’s top line performance. We define a case as the lowest level of packaged products that are sold from our warehouses, with one case potentially containing several pieces of a product packaged in bulk. Case size does not generally vary by location or from period to period due to the design of our warehouses but can vary within our international operations. Case volume growth is calculated by dividing the change in the volume of cases sold year-over-year by the volume of cases sold in the prior year. Sysco management considers case volume growth within its U.S. Foodservice and International Foodservice operations to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating sales performance and as an indicator of gross margin performance. Management monitors case volume growth by customer type, with bifurcation between local customers and national customers, as this provides a measure of gross profit performance due to the pricing strategies attached to each customer type. Local customers are primarily street customers, such as independent restaurants that do not have long-term contracts, or locally managed customers, such as local chain restaurants, while national customers are the multi-unit customers requiring national coverage from a customer-centric view and are managed centrally from our Global Support Center, specific to U.S. Foodservice. Sysco management seeks to drive higher case volume growth to local customers, which allows more favorable pricing terms for these operations and generates higher gross margins as a result. National customers benefit from purchasing power as they are able to negotiate pricing agreements across multiple businesses reducing our gross profit potential, but reducing our overall cost per case, as national customers have bigger drop sizes. While overall case volume growth reflects a key component of sales growth, local customer case growth provides additional context around gross profit performance.

Sysco Brand Penetration for U.S. Broadline Operations

Sysco management considers Sysco brand penetration to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating the gross profit performance of the company’s U.S. Broadline operations. Sysco offers an assortment of Sysco-branded products which are differentiated from privately branded products. These Sysco Branded products enable us to achieve higher gross margin by administering and leveraging a consolidated product procurement program for quality food and non-food products. Due to cost efficiencies, Sysco-branded products generate a higher gross margin than sales from other privately branded products. We define Sysco brand penetration as the percentage of Sysco-branded case volume sold to U.S. Broadline customers over all cases sold to U.S. Broadline customers. It is calculated by dividing Sysco-branded case volume sold to U.S. Broadline customers by total cases sold to U.S. Broadline customers. This performance indicator, also measured at the customer type level, including local and national customers, is driven by growth in the distribution of Sysco branded products to more customers and more geographies, as well as increasing Sysco branded offerings through innovation and the launch of new products.

Free Cash Flow

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Free cash flow represents net cash provided from operating activities, subtracted by purchases of plant and equipment, added to proceeds from sales of plant and equipment. Sysco management considers free cash flow to be a non-GAAP liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases and sales of buildings, fleet, equipment and technology, which may potentially be used to pay for, among other things, strategic uses of cash, including dividend payments, share repurchases and acquisitions. However, free cash flow may not be available for discretionary expenditures as it may be necessary that we use it to make mandatory debt service or other payments. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for discussions of GAAP metrics, including net cash provided by operating activities and our reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

Trends

Economic and Industry Trends

During fiscal 2024, Sysco continued to outperform the foodservice market and successfully grew its market share, despite the foodservice market experiencing negative year-over-year foot traffic to restaurants. We expect negative foot traffic trends to continue into the first quarter of fiscal 2025, with modest industry traffic improvements in the second half of fiscal 2025. We believe the food-away-from-home sector is a healthy long-term market, and Sysco is diversified and well positioned as a market leader in food service.

Sales and Gross Profit Trends

Our sales and gross profit performance are influenced by multiple factors including price, volume, inflation, customer mix and product mix. The most significant factor affecting performance in fiscal 2024 was volume growth, as we experienced a 3.1% improvement in U.S. Foodservice case volume and a 1.1% improvement in local case volume within our U.S. segment in each instance as compared to fiscal 2023. U.S. Foodservice case volume increased 3.5% and local case volume within our U.S. segment increased 0.7% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. This volume reflects our broadline and specialty businesses, except for our specialty meats business, which measures its volume in pounds. Edward Don positively impacted our U.S. Foodservice volumes by 2.7% and local case volumes within our U.S. segment by 1.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Within our International Foodservice segment, we experienced a 5.3% improvement in local case volume compared to fiscal 2023. This growth enabled us to gain market share during fiscal 2024, as we grew more than 1.75 times the market, which exceeded our target of 1.5 times.

Product cost inflation has also been a driver of our sales and gross profit performance. We experienced inflation at a rate of 1.6% and 1.5% in the fourth quarter and for fiscal 2024, respectively, at the total enterprise level, primarily driven by inflation in the poultry and meat categories. We have been successful in managing inflation, resulting in an increase in gross profit dollars. Gross margin decreased one basis point in the fourth quarter and increased 25 basis points for fiscal 2024, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, primarily driven by higher volumes, the effective management of inflation and progress from our strategic sourcing efforts in our U.S. and International segments.

We expect to grow our revenue and earnings in fiscal 2025. We expect the rate of inflation for fiscal 2025 to be approximately 2%, which is consistent with recent trends experienced in fiscal 2024. Volume growth is expected to be in the low single-digits for fiscal 2025. In total, we expect these factors to result in net sales growth across the enterprise of 4% to 5%.

Operating Expense Trends

Total operating expenses increased 4.5% during fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, driven by increased volumes and cost inflation. We continued to experience supply chain productivity improvements and successfully managed operating expenses at our Global Support Center, which experienced an expense decrease of 7% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. We expect to have continued improvement in our operating leverage in fiscal 2025, based on a continuation of the productivity improvements from fiscal 2024 across our supply chain, including sustained retention improvements, and lower Global Support Center expenses. We believe the advancements we are making in our physical capabilities, and the investments we are making in improved training, will result in continued supply chain productivity improvements and in lowered costs to serve our customers.

Income Tax Trends

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Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2024 was 23.8% and is expected to increase to approximately 25% in fiscal 2025 due to an increase in the global minimum tax rate, geographic mix, and increases in state tax rates.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We continue to focus on mergers and acquisitions as a part of our growth strategy. We plan to grow our existing businesses, while cultivating new channels, new business lines and new capabilities.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, we acquired BIX Produce Company, a leading produce specialty distributor based in Minnesota. This acquisition is expected to provide a strategic opportunity for specialty produce operations to expand its geographic footprint in an area of the country where it does not currently have operations. This company’s results are included within the U.S. Foodservice Operations segment.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we acquired Edward Don, one of the largest kitchen equipment and supplies distributors, based in Chicago, Illinois. Edward Don has a robust supply chain that is expected to enable cost effective distribution of restaurant equipment and supplies. This acquisition further demonstrates our Recipe for Growth strategy of focusing on building strategic specialty platforms that help us better support restaurant and hospitality customers. This company’s results are included within the U.S. Foodservice Operations segment.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we acquired Ready Chef, a fresh produce distributor in Ireland. This company’s results are included within the International Foodservice Operations segment.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we acquired Jacmar Foodservice Distribution, a premier foodservice distribution provider based in California. This company’s results are included within the U.S. Foodservice Operations segment.

The results of our acquired companies in fiscal 2024 were not material to our results.

Strategy

Our purpose is “Connecting the World to Share Food and Care for One Another.” Purpose driven companies are believed to perform better, and we believe our purpose will assist us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our “Recipe for Growth” transformation. This growth transformation is supported by strategic pillars that we believe will continue to enable us to better serve our customers, including:

•Digital – We have and will continue to enrich the customer experience through personalized digital tools that reduce friction in the purchase experience and introduce innovation to our customers.

•Products and Solutions – We are providing customer-focused marketing and merchandising solutions that inspire increased sales of our broad assortment of fair priced products and services. We continue to improve our merchandising strategies globally to secure the best possible cost for our customers.

•Supply Chain – We are efficiently and consistently serving customers with the products they need, when and how they need them, through a flexible delivery framework. We are developing a more nimble, accessible and productive supply chain that is better positioned to support our customers.

•Customer Teams – Our greatest strength is our people - people who are passionate about food and food service. Our diverse team delivers expertise and differentiated services designed to help our customers grow their businesses. We will continue to invest in the sales organization through incremental sales colleagues and intend to improve the effectiveness by leveraging data to increase the yield of the sales process.

•Future Horizons – We are committed to responsible growth. We will cultivate new channels, new segments, and new capabilities, organically and through strategic M&A, while being stewards of our company and our planet for the long term. We will fund our journey through cost-out and efficiency improvements.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

20242023
Sales100.0%100.0%
Cost of sales81.581.7
Gross profit18.518.3
Operating expenses14.514.3
Operating income4.04.0
Interest expense0.70.7
Other (income) expense, net0.3
Earnings before income taxes3.33.0
Income taxes0.80.7
Net earnings2.5%2.3%

The following table sets forth the change in the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:

2024
Sales3.3%
Cost of sales3.0
Gross profit4.7
Operating expenses4.5
Operating income5.4
Interest expense15.2
Other (income) expense, net (1)(86.8)
Earnings before income taxes12.3
Income taxes18.4
Net earnings10.5%
Basic earnings per share11.7%
Diluted earnings per share12.1
Average shares outstanding(1.2)
Diluted shares outstanding(1.3)
Column 1Column 2
(1)Other (income) expense, net was expense of $30 million in fiscal 2024 and expense of $227 million in fiscal 2023.

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Segment Results

The following represents our results by reportable segments:

Year Ended Jun. 29, 2024
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherGlobal Support CenterConsolidated Totals
(In millions)
Sales$55,339$14,561$7,768$1,176$$78,844
Sales increase (decrease)3.1%7.4%(1.0)%(5.1)%3.3%
Percentage of total70.2%18.5%9.9%1.4%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$3,673$375$72$40$(958)$3,202
Operating income increase (decrease)2.4%19.4%28.6%(29.8)%5.4%
Percentage of total segments88.3%9.0%1.7%1.0%100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales6.6%2.6%0.9%3.4%4.1%
Year Ended Jul. 1, 2023
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherGlobal Support CenterConsolidated Totals
(In millions)
Sales$53,683$13,560$7,843$1,239$$76,325
Percentage of total70.3%17.8%10.3%1.6%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$3,587$314$56$57$(975)$3,039
Percentage of total segments89.4%7.8%1.4%1.4%100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales6.7%2.3%0.7%4.6%4.0%

Our U.S. Foodservice Operations and our International Foodservice Operations segments represent a substantial majority of our total segment results when compared to other reportable segments. In fiscal 2024, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations represented approximately 70.2% and 18.5%, respectively, of Sysco’s overall sales, compared to 70.3% and 17.8%, respectively, in fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, U.S. Foodservice Operations represented approximately 88.3% and 89.4%, respectively, of the total segment operating income. See Note 21, “Business Segment Information,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information.

Cost of sales primarily includes our product costs, net of vendor consideration, and includes in-bound freight. Operating expenses include the costs of facilities, product handling, delivery, selling and general and administrative activities. Fuel surcharges are reflected within sales and gross profit; fuel costs are reflected within operating expenses. Along with sales, operating income is the most relevant measure for evaluating segment performance and allocating resources, as operating income includes cost of goods sold in addition to the costs to warehouse and deliver goods, which are significant and relevant costs when evaluating a distribution business.

Results of U.S. Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2024, the U.S. Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 70.2% of Sysco’s overall sales and 88.3% of the aggregated operating income of Sysco’s reporting segments. Several factors contributed to these higher operating results as compared to the other operating segments. We invested substantial amounts in assets, operating methods, technology and management expertise in this segment. The breadth of its sales force, geographic reach of its distribution area and its purchasing power enable this segment to generate its relatively stronger results of operations.

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The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20242023Change in Dollars% Change
(Dollars in millions)
Sales$55,339$53,683$1,6563.1%
Gross profit10,70810,3593493.4
Operating expenses7,0356,7722633.9
Operating income$3,673$3,587$862.4%
Gross profit$10,708$10,359$3493.4%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)6,9646,7302343.5
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$3,744$3,629$1153.2%
Column 1Column 2
(1)See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the prior year in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2024
(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Case volume (1)2.8%$1,491
Inflation0.5291
Other (2)(0.2)(126)
Total change in sales3.1%$1,656
(1)Case volumes increased 3.1% compared to fiscal 2023. This volume increase resulted in a 2.8% increase in the dollar value of sales compared to fiscal 2023. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, our volume reporting includes case volumes attributable to Edward Don.
(2)Case volume reflects our broadline and specialty businesses, with the exception of our specialty meats business, which measures its volume in pounds. Any impact in volumes from our specialty meats operations is included within “Other.”

The sales growth in our U.S. Foodservice Operations was driven by higher inflation and volume growth, inclusive of benefits from acquisitions in fiscal 2024. Case volumes from our U.S. Foodservice Operations increased 3.1%, as compared to fiscal 2023. This included a 1.1% increase in local customer case volume as compared to fiscal 2023.

Operating Income

The increase in operating income for fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, was driven by gross profit dollar growth and case volume growth as a result of acquisitions, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses.

Gross profit dollar growth was driven primarily by case volume growth as a result of acquisitions, effective management of product cost fluctuations, and progress from our strategic sourcing efforts. The estimated change in product costs, an internal measure of inflation or deflation, increased in fiscal 2024. For fiscal 2024, this change in product costs was primarily driven by inflation in the poultry and meat categories. Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline decreased by 19 basis points to 36.7% for fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023. Specific to local customers, Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline improved by 11 basis points to 47.0% for fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023.

Gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of sales, was 19.4% in fiscal 2024. This was an increase of 5 basis points compared to gross margin of 19.3% in fiscal 2023 due to the effective management of inflation, along with specific efforts to optimize our gross profit dollars. This included pricing and sourcing improvements.

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The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, was primarily driven by increased volumes and recent costs associated with severances, transformation projects, and acquisitions.

Results of International Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2024, the International Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 18.5% of Sysco’s overall sales.

The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20242023Change in Dollars% Change
(Dollars in millions)
Sales$14,561$13,560$1,0017.4%
Gross profit2,9472,64130611.6
Operating expenses2,5722,32724510.5
Operating income$375$314$6119.4%
Gross profit$2,947$2,641$30611.6%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)2,4552,2432129.5
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$492$398$9423.6%
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$14,305$13,560$7455.5%
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)2,8842,6412439.2
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)2,3962,2431536.8
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$488$398$9022.6%
Column 1Column 2
(1)See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2024
(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Inflation3.6%$482
Foreign currency1.9255
Other (1)1.9264
Total change in sales7.4%$1,001
Column 1Column 2
(1)The impact of volumes as a component of sales growth from international operations are included within “Other.”

Sales in fiscal 2024 were higher due to inflation, a positive impact of foreign currency translation, and an improvement in local case volume.

Operating Income

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The $61 million increase in operating income for fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, was primarily a result of the continuing increase in sales and specific efforts to optimize our gross profit. This included the ability to effectively manage product cost fluctuations and progress from our strategic sourcing efforts.

The increase in gross profit dollars in fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, was attributable to the increase in sales volume, the effective management of inflation, and progress from our strategic sourcing efforts.

The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, was primarily due to increases in sales volume, inflation, and the impact of foreign currency translation.

Results of SYGMA and Other Segment

For SYGMA, sales were 1.0% lower in fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023. Operating income increased by $16 million in fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, due to decreases in operating expenses driven by the planned exit of customers. We expect SYGMA to have both sales and operating income growth in fiscal 2025.

For the operations that are grouped within our Other segment, sales were 5.1% lower in fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023. Operating income decreased $17 million in fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023. The operations of this group mainly consist of our hospitality business, Guest Worldwide. We expect our Other segment to have modest operating income growth in fiscal 2025.

Global Support Center Expenses

Our Global Support Center generally includes all expenses of the corporate office and Sysco’s shared service operations. These expenses increased $13 million in fiscal 2024, or 1.3% as compared to fiscal 2023, primarily due to increases in self-insurance reserves, depreciation expense, miscellaneous expenses, partially offset by decreases in fuel hedging program expenses, colleague-related costs, and professional fees.

Included in Global Support Center expenses are Certain Items that totaled $81 million in fiscal 2024, as compared to $45 million in fiscal 2023. Certain Items impacting fiscal 2024 were primarily expenses associated with severances, our business technology transformation initiatives, and expenses associated with acquisitions. In fiscal 2023, Certain Items that impacted the year were primarily expenses associated with our business technology transformation initiatives.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $80 million for fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, primarily due to new issuances of senior notes, an increase in commercial paper borrowing activity and increased interest rates on borrowings. This higher debt is primarily associated with our acquisition of Edward Don and share repurchases. We expect to incur $650 million in interest expense in fiscal 2025. Consistent with fiscal 2024, we expect to operate within our stated target of 2.5 to 2.75 times of net leverage in fiscal 2025.

Other income and expense

Other expense decreased $197 million for fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, primarily due to fiscal 2023 consisting of a pension settlement charge, partially offset by a gain on a litigation financing agreement.

Net Earnings

Net earnings increased 10.5% in fiscal 2024, as compared to fiscal 2023, due primarily to the items noted previously for operating income and interest expense, as well as items impacting our income taxes that are discussed in Note 19, “Income Taxes,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Adjusted net earnings, excluding Certain Items, increased 6.0% in fiscal 2024, primarily due to an increase in sales volume as a result of acquisitions.

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Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share in fiscal 2024 were $3.90, an 11.7% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $3.49 per share. Diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2024 were $3.89, a 12.1% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $3.47 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” on the subsequent page), in fiscal 2024 were $4.31, a 7.5% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $4.01 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed previously related to net earnings in fiscal 2024.

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Non-GAAP Reconciliations

The discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than EBITDA and free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove (1) restructuring charges; (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives; (3) severance charges; and (4) acquisition-related costs consisting of: (a) intangible amortization expense and (b) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions. Our results for fiscal 2023 were also impacted by a pension settlement charge that resulted from the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer, adjustments to our bad debt reserve specific to aged receivables existing prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, adjustments to a product return allowance related to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory and a gain on a litigation financing agreement.
The results of our operations can be impacted due to changes in exchange rates applicable in converting local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our results on a constant currency basis. Constant currency operating results are calculated by translating current-period local currency operating results with the currency exchange rates used to translate the financial statements in the comparable prior-year period to determine what the current-period U.S. dollar operating results would have been if the currency exchange rate had not changed from the comparable prior-year period.
Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, other (income) expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items and presenting its results on a constant currency basis provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results. It provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations and (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis.
Sysco has a history of growth through acquisitions and excludes from its non-GAAP financial measures the impact of acquisition-related intangible amortization, acquisition costs and due diligence costs for those acquisitions. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco’s results for fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2023.
Set forth on the following page is a reconciliation of sales, operating expenses, operating income, other (income) expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented. Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not be equal to the total presented when added due to rounding. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.

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20242023Change in Dollars%/bps Change
(In millions, except for share and per share data)
Sales (GAAP)$78,844$76,325$2,5193.3%
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(253)(253)(0.3)
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$78,591$76,325$2,2663.0%
Cost of sales (GAAP)$64,236$62,370$1,8663.0%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)3(3)
Cost of sales adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$64,236$62,373$1,8633.0%
Gross profit (GAAP)$14,608$13,955$6534.7%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(3)3
Gross profit adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)14,60813,9526564.7
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(62)(62)(0.4)
Comparable gross profit adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$14,546$13,952$5944.3%
Gross margin (GAAP)18.53%18.28%25 bps
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)0 bps
Gross margin adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)18.5318.2825 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(0.02)-2 bps
Comparable gross margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)18.51%18.28%23 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$11,406$10,916$4904.5%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)(120)(63)(57)(90.5)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)(159)(116)(43)(37.1)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)5(5)NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)11,12710,7423853.6
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(61)(61)(0.6)
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$11,066$10,742$3243.0%
Operating expense as a percentage of sales (GAAP)14.47%14.30%17 bps
Impact of certain item adjustments(0.36)(0.23)-13 bps
Adjusted operating expense as a percentage of sales (Non-GAAP)14.11%14.07%4 bps
Operating income (GAAP)$3,202$3,039$1635.4%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(3)3NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)120635790.5
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)1591164337.1
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(5)5NM
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)3,4813,2102718.4
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(1)(1)
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$3,480$3,210$2708.4%
Operating margin (GAAP)4.06%3.98%8 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)4.42%4.21%21 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)4.43%4.21%22 bps
Other expense (GAAP)$30$227$(197)(86.8)%
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)(194)194NM
Other expense adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$30$33$(3)(9.1)%

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20242023Change in Dollars%/bps Change
(In millions, except for share and per share data)
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,955$1,770$18510.5%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(3)3NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)120635790.5
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)1591164337.1
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(5)5NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)194(194)NM
Tax impact of inventory valuation adjustment (7)1(1)NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)(29)(15)(14)(93.3)
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (7)(38)(29)(9)(31.0)
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (7)1(1)NM
Tax impact of other non-routine gains and losses (7)(49)49NM
Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$2,167$2,044$1236.0%
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$3.89$3.47$0.4212.1%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(0.01)0.01NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)0.240.120.12100.0
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)0.320.230.0939.1
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(0.01)0.01NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)0.38(0.38)NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)(0.06)(0.03)(0.03)(100.0)
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (7)(0.08)(0.06)(0.02)(33.3)
Tax impact of other non-routine gains and losses (7)(0.10)0.10NM
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (8)$4.31$4.01$0.307.5%
Diluted shares outstanding503,096,086509,719,756
(1)Represents a constant currency adjustment which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the current year results.
(2)Fiscal 2023 represents an adjustment to a product return allowance related to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory.
(3)Fiscal 2024 includes $56 million related to restructuring and severance charges and $64 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy. Fiscal 2023 includes $20 million related to restructuring and severance charges and $43 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(4)Fiscal 2024 includes $128 million of intangible amortization expense and $31 million in acquisition and due diligence costs. Fiscal 2023 includes $105 million of intangible amortization expense and $10 million in acquisition and due diligence costs.
(5)Fiscal 2023 represents the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(6)Fiscal 2023 primarily includes a pension settlement charge of $315 million that resulted from the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer and $122 million in income from a litigation financing agreement.
(7)The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items is calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred.
(8)Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add up to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.
NMRepresents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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Set forth below is a reconciliation by segment of actual operating expenses and operating income to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

20242023Change in Dollars%/bps Change
U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$55,339$53,683$1,6563.1%
Gross profit (GAAP)10,70810,3593493.4%
Gross margin (GAAP)19.35%19.30%5 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$7,035$6,772$2633.9%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)(10)(1)(9)NM
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)(61)(46)(15)(32.6)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (3)5(5)NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$6,964$6,730$2343.5%
Operating income (GAAP)$3,673$3,587$862.4%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)1019NM
Impact of acquisition-related costs (2)61461532.6
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (3)(5)5NM
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$3,744$3,629$1153.2%
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$14,561$13,560$1,0017.4%
Impact of currency fluctuations (4)(256)(256)(1.9)
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$14,305$13,560$7455.5%
Gross profit (GAAP)$2,947$2,641$30611.6%
Impact of currency fluctuations (4)(63)(63)(2.4)
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$2,884$2,641$2439.2%
Gross margin (GAAP)20.24%19.48%76 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (4)(0.08)-8 bps
Comparable gross margin using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)20.16%19.48%68 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$2,572$2,327$24510.5%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (5)(45)(19)(26)NM
Impact of acquisition-related costs (6)(72)(65)(7)(10.8)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)2,4552,2432129.5
Impact of currency fluctuations (4)(59)(59)(2.7)
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$2,396$2,243$1536.8%
Operating income (GAAP)$375$314$6119.4%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (5)451926NM
Impact of acquisition-related costs (6)7265710.8
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)4923989423.6
Impact of currency fluctuations (4)(4)(4)(1.0)
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$488$398$9022.6%
SYGMA
Sales (GAAP)$7,768$7,843$(75)(1.0)%

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20242023Change in Dollars%/bps Change
Gross profit (GAAP)617631(14)(2.2)%
Gross margin (GAAP)7.94%8.05%-11 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$545$575$(30)(5.2)%
Operating income (GAAP)72561628.6%
OTHER
Sales (GAAP)$1,176$1,239$(63)(5.1)%
Gross profit (GAAP)307326(19)(5.8)%
Gross margin (GAAP)26.11%26.31%-20 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$267$269$(2)(0.7)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)(10)(10)NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$257$269$(12)(4.5)%
Operating income (GAAP)$40$57$(17)(29.8)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)1010NM
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$50$57$(7)(12.3)%
GLOBAL SUPPORT CENTER
Gross loss (GAAP)$28$(2)$30NM
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (8)(3)3NM
Gross loss adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$28$(5)$33NM
Operating expenses (GAAP)$986$973$131.3%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (9)(55)(43)(12)(27.9)%
Impact of acquisition-related costs (10)(26)(5)(21)NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$905$925$(20)(2.2)%
Operating loss (GAAP)$(958)$(975)$171.7%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (8)(3)3NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (9)55431227.9%
Impact of acquisition-related costs (10)26521NM
Operating loss adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(877)$(930)$535.7%
(1)Primarily represents severance and transformation costs.
(2)Primarily represents intangible amortization expense and acquisition costs.
(3)Fiscal 2023 represents the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(4)Represents a constant currency adjustment, which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on current year results.
(5)Includes restructuring and transformation costs primarily in Europe.
(6)Represents intangible amortization expense.
(7)Primarily represents restructuring costs.
(8)Fiscal 2023 represents an adjustment to a product return allowance related to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory.
(9)Includes various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(10)Represents due diligence costs.
NMRepresents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing Sysco’s overall financial performance for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. Set forth below is a reconciliation of actual net earnings (loss) to EBITDA and to adjusted EBITDA results for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

20242023Change in Dollars% Change
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,955$1,770$18510.5%
Interest (GAAP)6075278015.2
Income taxes (GAAP)6105159518.4
Depreciation and amortization (GAAP)8737769712.5
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)$4,045$3,588$45712.7%
Certain Item adjustments:
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)$$(3)$3NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)116615590.2
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)311021NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(4)4NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (5)194(194)NM
EBITDA adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (6)$4,192$3,846$3469.0%
Other expense (income), net, as adjusted (Non-GAAP) (7)3033(3)(9.1)
Depreciation and amortization, as adjusted (Non-GAAP) (8)(741)(669)(72)(10.8)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$3,481$3,210$2718.4%
(1)Fiscal 2023 represents an adjustment to a product return allowance related to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory.
(2)Fiscal 2024 and 2023 include charges related to restructuring and severance, as well as various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy and exclude charges related to accelerated depreciation.
(3)Fiscal 2024 and 2023 include acquisition and due diligence costs.
(4)Fiscal 2023 represents the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(5)Fiscal 2023 primarily includes a pension settlement charge of $315 million that resulted from the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer and $122 million in income from a litigation financing agreement.
(6)In arriving at adjusted EBITDA, Sysco does not exclude interest income of $38 million and $24 million or non-cash stock compensation expense of $104 million and $95 million for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively.
(7)Fiscal 2024 represents $30 million in GAAP other expense (income), net. Fiscal 2023 represents $227 million in GAAP other expense (income), net less $315 million due to the certain items impact of a pension settlement charge that resulted from the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer and $122 million in income from a litigation financing agreement.
(8)Fiscal 2024 includes $873 million in GAAP depreciation and amortization expense, less $132 million of Non-GAAP depreciation and amortization expense primarily related to acquisitions. Fiscal 2023 includes $776 million in GAAP depreciation and amortization expense, less $107 million of Non-GAAP depreciation and amortization expense primarily related to acquisitions.
NMRepresents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Highlights

Below are comparisons of the cash flows from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2023:

•Cash flows from operations were $3.0 billion in fiscal 2024, compared to $2.9 billion in fiscal 2023;

•Net capital expenditures totaled $753 million in fiscal 2024, compared to $751 million in fiscal 2023;

•Free cash flow was $2.2 billion in fiscal 2024, compared to $2.1 billion in fiscal 2023 (see “Cash Flows – Free Cash Flow – Non-GAAP Reconciliation” below for an explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure);

•Cash used for acquisition of businesses was $1.2 billion in fiscal 2024, compared to $37 million in fiscal 2023;

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•Dividends paid were $1.0 billion in fiscal 2024, compared to $996 million in fiscal 2023;

•Cash paid for treasury stock repurchases was $1.2 billion in fiscal 2024, compared to $500 million in fiscal 2023;

•We issued senior notes totaling $1.0 billion in fiscal 2024. We repaid senior notes in the amount of $549 million in fiscal 2023; and

•The commercial paper amount outstanding as of the end of fiscal 2024 was $200 million. There were no commercial paper amounts outstanding as of the end of fiscal 2023.

As of June 29, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding under our long-term revolving credit facility and the company had approximately $3.5 billion in cash and available liquidity. As of August 16, 2024, the company had approximately $2.5 billion in cash and available liquidity.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Sysco generates cash in the U.S. and internationally. Sysco’s strategic objectives include continuous investment in our business; these investments are funded primarily by cash from operations and, to a lesser extent, external borrowings. Traditionally, our operations have produced significant cash flow and, due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access capital markets, as needed. Cash generated from operations is generally allocated to:

•working capital-investments;

•capital investments in facilities, systems, fleet, other equipment and technology;

•acquisitions consistent with our growth strategy;

•debt repayments;

•cash dividends; and

•share repurchases.

Any remaining cash generated from operations may be invested in high-quality, short-term instruments. As a part of our ongoing strategic analysis, we regularly evaluate business opportunities, including potential acquisitions and sales of assets and businesses, and our overall capital structure. Any transactions resulting from these evaluations may materially impact our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability.

We continue to be in a strong financial position based on our balance sheet and operating cash flows; however, our liquidity and capital resources can be influenced by macro-economic trends and conditions that impact our results of operations. We believe our mechanisms to manage working capital, such as actively working with customers to receive payments on receivables, optimizing inventory levels and maximizing payment terms with vendors, have been sufficient to limit a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. We believe these mechanisms will continue to mitigate any unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations arising from macro-economic trends and conditions.

We extend credit terms to some of our customers based on our assessment of each customer’s creditworthiness. We monitor each customer’s account and will suspend shipments if necessary. In the ordinary course of business, customers periodically negotiate extended payment terms on trade accounts receivable. The company may utilize purchase arrangements with third-party financial institutions to transfer portions of our trade accounts receivable balance on a non-recourse basis in order to extend terms for the customer without negatively impacting our cash flow. The arrangements meet the requirements for the receivables transferred to be accounted for as sales. See Note 1, “Summary of Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information.

As of June 29, 2024, we had $696 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately 91% of which was held by our international subsidiaries and generated from our earnings of international operations. If these earnings were transferred among countries or repatriated to the U.S., such amounts may be subject to withholding and additional foreign tax obligations. Additionally, Sysco Corporation has provided intercompany loans to certain of its international subsidiaries. When interest and principal payments are made, some of this cash will move to the U.S.

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Our wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) must maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to fund future reserve payments. As of June 29, 2024, the Captive held $126 million of fixed income marketable securities and $249 million of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in a restricted investment portfolio in order to meet solvency requirements. We purchased $33 million in marketable securities in fiscal 2024 and received $29 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities in the period.

Cash Requirements

Our cash requirements within the next twelve months include accounts payable and accrued liabilities, current maturities of long-term debt, other current liabilities, purchase commitments and other obligations. We expect the cash required to meet these obligations to be primarily generated through a combination of cash from operations and access to capital from financial markets.

Our long-term cash requirements under our various contractual obligations and commitments include:

•Debt Obligations and Interest Payments – See Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our debt and the timing of expected future principal and interest payments.

•Operating and Finance Leases – See Note 13, “Leases,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Deferred Compensation – The estimate of the timing of future payments under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and Management Savings Plan involves the use of certain assumptions, including retirement ages and payout periods. See Note 14, “Company-Sponsored Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Purchase and Other Obligations – Purchase obligations include agreements for purchases of product in the normal course of business for which all significant terms have been confirmed, including minimum quantities resulting from our category management process. Such amounts are based on estimates. Purchase obligations also include amounts committed with various third-party service providers to provide information technology services and warehouse management services for periods up to fiscal 2036. See discussion under Note 20, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Purchase obligations exclude full requirements electricity contracts where no stated minimum purchase volume is required.

•Other Liabilities – These include other long-term liabilities reflected in our consolidated balance sheets as of June 29, 2024, including obligations associated with certain employee benefit programs, unrecognized tax benefits and various long-term liabilities which have some inherent uncertainty in the timing of these payments.

•Contingent Consideration – Certain acquisitions involve contingent consideration typically payable only if certain operating results are attained or certain outstanding contingencies are resolved.

We believe the following sources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next twelve months while maintaining sufficient liquidity for normal operating purposes:

•our cash flows from operations;

•the availability of additional capital under our existing commercial paper programs, supported by our revolving credit facility; and

•our ability to access capital from financial markets, including issuances of debt securities, either privately or under our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC.

Due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets if necessary.

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Cash Flows

Operating Activities

We generated $3.0 billion in cash flows from operations in fiscal 2024, compared to cash flows from operations of $2.9 billion in fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2024, these amounts included year-over-year favorable comparisons on working capital of $21 million due to a favorable comparison on accounts receivable of $161 million, partially offset by an unfavorable comparison on accounts payable and inventory of $92 million and $48 million, respectively. Accrued expenses also had an unfavorable comparison of $34 million, primarily related to accrued payroll and earnout liabilities. Income taxes negatively impacted cash flows from operations by $36 million, as estimated payments made were higher than in fiscal 2023.

Tax relief provided by the IRS related to the effects of severe storms in Texas that began on April 26, 2024 resulted in the deferral of approximately $85 million of fiscal 2024 fourth quarter U.S. federal estimated tax payments to the second quarter of fiscal 2025.

Investing Activities

Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023 capital expenditures included:

•buildings and building improvements;

•fleet replacements;

•investments in technology; and

•warehouse equipment.

The following table sets forth the company’s total plant and equipment additions:

20242023
(In millions)
Net cash capital expenditures$753$751
Plant and equipment acquired through financing programs402197
Assets obtained in exchange for finance lease obligations115114
Total net plant and equipment additions$1,270$1,062

Our capital expenditures in fiscal 2024 were $39 million higher than in fiscal 2023, as we made investments to advance our Recipe for Growth strategy. Consistent with fiscal 2024, we expect our capital expenditures in fiscal 2025 to be approximately 1.0% of sales.

During fiscal 2024, we paid $1.2 billion, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions. During fiscal 2023, we paid $37 million, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions.

Free Cash Flow

Our free cash flow for fiscal 2024 increased by $119 million, to $2.2 billion, as compared to fiscal 2023, principally as a result of an increase in cash flows from operations, partially offset by a year-over-year increase in capital expenditures.

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Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing the company’s liquidity for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. In the table that follows, free cash flow for each period presented is reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities.

20242023Change in Dollars% Change
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)$2,989$2,868$1214.2%
Additions to plant and equipment(832)(793)(39)(4.9)
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment79423788.1
Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)$2,236$2,117$1195.6%

Financing Activities

Equity Transactions

Proceeds from exercises of share-based compensation awards were $120 million and $79 million in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively. The level of option exercises, and thus proceeds, will vary from period to period and is largely dependent on movements in our stock price and the time remaining before option grants expire.

We have traditionally engaged in share repurchase programs to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of the company’s common stock which will remain available until fully utilized. We repurchased 16,128,932 shares for $1.2 billion during fiscal 2024. As of June 29, 2024, we had a remaining authorization of approximately $2.8 billion. We expect to complete approximately $1 billion in share repurchases in fiscal 2025. As of August 16, 2024, we have repurchased 862,718 additional shares for approximately $63 million under this authorization.

We have made dividend payments to our shareholders in each fiscal year since our company’s inception. Dividends paid in fiscal 2024 were $1.0 billion, or $2.00 per share, as compared to $996 million, or $1.96 per share, in fiscal 2023. In April 2024, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 of $0.51 per share, a $0.01 per share increase from the prior quarter, which was paid in July 2024.

In August 2021, we filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC under which we, as a well-known seasoned issuer, have the ability to issue and sell an indeterminate amount of various types of debt and equity securities. The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement, which we expect to replace with a new universal shelf registration statement to be filed shortly after this Form 10-K, will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

In November 2000, we filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement covering 30,000,000 shares of common stock to be offered from time to time in connection with acquisitions. As of August 16, 2024, 29,477,835 shares remained available for issuance under this registration statement.

Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability

Our debt activity, including issuances and repayments, and our borrowing availability is described in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Our outstanding borrowings at June 29, 2024, and repayment activity since the end of fiscal 2024 are disclosed within those notes. Updated amounts at August 16, 2024, include:

•No outstanding borrowings from the long-term revolving credit facility supporting our commercial paper programs;

•$1.0 billion outstanding borrowings under our U.S. commercial paper program; and

•$132 million outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program in Europe.

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Our aggregate commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings had weighted average interest rates of 5.49% for fiscal 2024 and 4.10% for fiscal 2023.

The availability of financing in the form of debt is influenced by many factors, including our profitability, free cash flows, debt levels, credit ratings, debt covenants and economic and market conditions. As of August 16, 2024, Moody’s Investors Service has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of Baa1 and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Standard & Poor’s has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of BBB and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Fitch Ratings Inc. has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of BBB and a ratings outlook of “stable.” A significant downgrade in our credit ratings or adverse conditions in the capital markets may increase the cost of borrowing for us or limit our access to capital. To date, we have not experienced difficulty accessing the credit markets. As of August 16, 2024, the company had approximately $2.5 billion in cash and available liquidity.

Our long-term revolving credit facility includes aggregate commitments of the lenders thereunder of $3.0 billion with an option to increase such commitments to $4.0 billion. The facility includes a covenant, among others, requiring Sysco to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense of 3.0 to 1.0 over four consecutive fiscal quarters. The revolving credit facility expires on April 29, 2027. As of June 29, 2024, Sysco was in compliance with all of its debt covenants and the company expects to remain in compliance through the next twelve months.

Sysco’s U.S. commercial paper dealer agreement includes an issuance allowance for an aggregate amount not to exceed $3.0 billion. Our commercial paper dealer agreement in Europe includes an issuance allowance for an aggregate amount not to exceed €250 million. Any outstanding commercial paper balances are classified within long-term debt, as the programs are supported by the long-term revolving credit facility.

Guarantor Summarized Financial Information

On January 19, 2011, the wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries of Sysco Corporation, which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products, entered into full and unconditional guarantees of all outstanding senior notes and debentures of Sysco Corporation. A list of the current guarantors is included in Exhibit 22 to this Form 10-K. All subsequent issuances of senior notes and debentures in the U.S. and borrowings under the company’s $3.0 billion long-term revolving credit facility have also been guaranteed by these subsidiaries, as discussed in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of June 29, 2024, Sysco had a total of $10.5 billion in senior notes, debentures and borrowings under the long-term revolving credit facility that were guaranteed by these subsidiary guarantors. Our remaining consolidated subsidiaries (non-guarantor subsidiaries) are not obligated under the senior notes indenture, debentures indenture or our long-term revolving credit facility.

All subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company, all guarantees are full and unconditional, and all guarantees are joint and several. The guarantees rank equally and ratably in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the respective guarantors.

The assets of Sysco Corporation consist principally of the stock of its subsidiaries. Therefore, the rights of Sysco Corporation and the rights of its creditors to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon liquidation, recapitalization or otherwise will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that claims of Sysco Corporation itself and/or the claims of those creditors themselves may be recognized as creditor claims of the subsidiary. Furthermore, the ability of Sysco Corporation to service its indebtedness and other obligations is dependent upon the earnings and cash flow of its subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment to it of such earnings or cash flow. If any of Sysco Corporation’s subsidiaries becomes insolvent, the direct creditors of that subsidiary will have a prior claim on its assets. Sysco Corporation’s rights and the rights of its creditors, including the rights of a holder of senior notes as an owner of debt securities, will be subject to that prior claim unless Sysco Corporation or such noteholder, if such noteholder’s debt securities are guaranteed by such subsidiary, also is a direct creditor of that subsidiary.

The guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor with respect to a series of senior notes or debentures may be released under certain customary circumstances. If we exercise our defeasance option with respect to the senior notes or debentures of any series, then any subsidiary guarantor effectively will be released with respect to that series. Further, each subsidiary guarantee will remain in full force and effect until the earliest to occur of the date, if any, on which (1) the applicable subsidiary guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation or (2) Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation consolidates with or merges into the applicable subsidiary guarantor.

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Basis of Preparation of the Summarized Financial Information

The summarized financial information of Sysco Corporation (issuer), and certain wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries (guarantors) (together, the obligor group) is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the obligor group eliminated. Investments in and equity in the earnings of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, which are not members of the obligor group, have been excluded from the summarized financial information. The obligor group’s amounts due to, amounts due from and transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries have been presented in separate line items, if they are material to the obligor financials. The following table includes summarized financial information of the obligor group for the periods presented.

Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Balance SheetJun. 29, 2024
(In millions)
ASSETS
Receivables due from non-obligor subsidiaries$428
Current assets5,417
Total current assets$5,845
Notes receivable from non-obligor subsidiaries$78
Other noncurrent assets4,714
Total noncurrent assets$4,792
LIABILITIES
Payables due to non-obligor subsidiaries$215
Other current liabilities2,396
Total current liabilities$2,611
Notes payable to non-obligor subsidiaries$250
Long-term debt11,276
Other noncurrent liabilities1,334
Total noncurrent liabilities$12,860
Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Results of Operations2024
(In millions)
Sales$48,648
Gross profit8,796
Operating income2,596
Interest expense from non-obligor subsidiaries64
Net earnings1,616

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses in the accompanying financial statements. Significant accounting policies employed by Sysco are presented in the notes to the financial statements.

Critical accounting estimates are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. These policies require our most subjective or complex judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors the development and selection of the critical accounting estimates and this related disclosure. Our most critical accounting estimates pertain to the goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes and company-sponsored pension plans.

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We account for acquired businesses using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that once control of a business is obtained, 100% of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. We use multiple valuation methods to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For intangible assets, we generally use the income method which uses a forecast of the expected future net cash flows associated with each asset. These cash flows are then adjusted to present value by applying an appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk factors associated with the cash flow streams. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the income method or other methods include the amount and timing of projected future cash flows and the discount rate selected to measure the risks inherent in the future cash flows. Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment, as different types of intangible assets will have different useful lives. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. More information on our acquisitions can be found in Note 4, “Acquisitions,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Annually in our fiscal fourth quarter, we assess the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles by determining whether the fair values exceed the carrying values of these assets. Impairment reviews, outside our annual review time frame, are performed if events or circumstances occur that include changes in 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. Our testing may be performed utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment; however, if a qualitative assessment is performed and we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be less than its carrying amount, a quantitative test is performed.

When using a quantitative test, we arrive at our estimates of fair value using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. The results from each of these models are then weighted and combined into a single estimate of fair value for each reporting unit. We use a higher weighting for our discounted cash flow valuation compared to the earnings multiple models because the forecasted operating results that serve as a basis for the analysis incorporate management’s outlook and anticipated changes for the businesses consistent with a market participant. The primary assumptions used in these various models include future cash flow estimates of the reporting units which are dependent on internal forecasts and projected growth rates, weighted average cost of capital, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, along with earnings multiples of acquisitions completed by Sysco and those estimated of comparable acquisitions in the industry, including control premiums. When possible, we use observable market inputs in our models to arrive at the fair values of our reporting units.

Certain reporting units have a greater proportion of goodwill recorded to estimated fair value as compared to the U.S. Foodservice Operations, Canada Broadline or SYGMA reporting units. This is primarily due to these businesses having been more recently acquired, and as a result there has been less history of organic growth than in the U.S. Foodservice Operations, Canadian Broadline and SYGMA reporting units. As such, these reporting units have a greater risk of future impairment if their operations were to suffer a significant downturn. Goodwill totals $3.1 billion for our U.S. Foodservice Operations, Canada Broadline and SYGMA reporting units, with $2.1 billion remaining for our other reporting units. In our annual fiscal 2024 assessment, we concluded that all reporting units had a fair value that exceeded book value, and no reporting units were at risk of impairment.

We estimated the fair value of these reporting units using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. For the purposes of the discounted cash flow models, fair value was determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk adjusted rate. Our fair value conclusions as of June 29, 2024 for the reporting units are sensitive to changes in the assumptions used in the income approach which include forecasted revenues, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others, all of which require significant judgments by management. Fair value of the reporting unit is, therefore, determined using significant unobservable inputs, or level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. We used recent historical performance, current forecasted financial information, and broad-based industry and economic statistics as a basis to estimate the key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow model. These key assumptions are inherently uncertain and require a high degree of estimation and judgment and are subject to change based on actual results, industry and global economic and geo-political conditions, and the timing and success of the implementation of current strategic initiatives. The fair value estimates of two of our more significant reporting units, with total goodwill of $1.4 billion, are more sensitive to changes in significant assumptions, including changes in projected cash flows or weighted average cost of capital.

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Income Taxes

The determination of our provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. Certain of our operations have carryforward attributes, such as operating losses. If these operations do not produce sufficient income, it could lead to the recognition of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets in the future if losses occur or growth is insufficient beyond our current expectations. This would negatively impact our income tax expense, net earnings, and balance sheet.

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment in estimating the exposures associated with our various filing positions. We believe that the judgments and estimates discussed herein are reasonable; however, actual results could differ, and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. To the extent we prevail in matters for which a liability has been established, or pay amounts in excess of recorded liabilities, our effective income tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement generally would require use of our cash and may result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement may be recognized as a reduction in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, Sysco received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service, mainly related to foreign tax credits generated in fiscal 2018 from repatriated earnings primarily from our Canadian operations. On April 18, 2023, during the company’s fourth fiscal quarter, the company filed suit in the U.S. Tax Court challenging the validity of certain tax regulations related to the one-time transition tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings, which was enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). The lawsuit seeks to have the court invalidate these regulations, which would affirm the company’s position regarding its foreign tax credits. Sysco previously recorded a benefit of $131 million attributable to its interpretation of the TCJA and the Internal Revenue Code. If the company is ultimately unsuccessful in defending its position, it may be required to reverse all, or some portion, of the benefit previously recorded.

Company-Sponsored Pension Plans

Amounts related to defined benefit plans recognized in the financial statements are determined on an actuarial basis. Two of the more critical assumptions in the actuarial calculations are the discount rate for determining the current value of plan benefits and the expected rate of return on plan assets. Our U.S. Retirement Plan is largely frozen and is only open to a small number of employees. Our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) is frozen and is not open to any employees. None of these plans have a significant sensitivity to changes in discount rates specific to our results of operations, but such changes could impact our balance sheet due to a change in our funded status. Due to the low level of active employees in our retirement plans, our assumption for the rate of increase in future compensation is not a critical assumption.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 5.50% for fiscal 2024. The expectations of future returns are derived from a mathematical asset model that incorporates assumptions as to the various asset class returns reflecting a combination of historical performance analysis, the forward-looking views of the financial markets regarding the yield on bonds, historical returns of the major stock markets, and returns on alternative investments. The rate of return assumption is reviewed annually and revised as deemed appropriate.

The expected return on plan assets impacts the recorded amount of net pension costs. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan is 5.63% for fiscal 2025. A 25 basis point increase (decrease) in the assumed rate of return in the Plan for fiscal 2025 would decrease (increase) Sysco’s net company-sponsored pension costs for fiscal 2025 by approximately $6 million.

Pension accounting standards require the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans in the Statement of Financial Position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of June 29, 2024 was a charge, net of tax, of $917 million. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of July 1, 2023 was a charge, net of tax, of $840 million.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein that look forward in time or express management’s expectations or beliefs with respect to the occurrence of future events are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “projected,” “continues,” “continuously,” variations of such terms, and similar terms and phrases denoting anticipated or expected occurrences or results. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

•our expectations of an improving market over the course of fiscal 2025;

•our expectations regarding the ability of our supply chain and facilities to remain in place and operational;

•our plans regarding our transformation initiatives and the expected effects from such initiatives, including the Sysco Driver Academy;

•statements regarding uncollectible accounts, including that if collections continue to improve, additional reductions in bad debt expense could occur;

•our expectations that our Recipe for Growth strategy will allow us to better serve our customers and differentiate Sysco from our competition;

•our expectations regarding our fiscal 2025 sales and our rate of sales growth in fiscal 2025 and the three years of our long-range plan;

•our expectations regarding the impact of inflation on sales, gross margin rates and gross profit dollars;

•our expectations regarding gross margins in fiscal 2025;

•our plans regarding cost savings, including our target for cost savings through fiscal 2025 and the impact of costs savings on the company;

•our belief that our purpose will allow us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our Recipe for Growth transformation, and statements regarding our plans with respect to our strategic pillars that support this growth transformation;

•our expectations regarding the use and investment of remaining cash generated from operations;

•the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan;

•the sufficiency of our available liquidity to sustain our operations for multiple years;

•estimates regarding the outcome of legal proceedings;

•the impact of seasonal trends on our free cash flow;

•estimates regarding our capital expenditures and the sources of financing for our capital expenditures;

•our expectations regarding the impact of potential acquisitions and sales of assets on our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability;

•our expectations regarding real sales growth in the U.S. foodservice market and trends in produce markets;

•our expectations regarding the calculation of adjusted return on invested capital, adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share;

•our expectations regarding the impact of future Certain Items on our projected future non-GAAP and GAAP results;

•our expectations regarding our effective tax rate in fiscal 2025;

•the sufficiency of our mechanisms for managing working capital and competitive pressures, and our beliefs regarding the impact of these mechanisms;

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•our ability to meet future cash requirements, including the ability to access financial markets effectively, including issuances of debt securities, and maintain sufficient liquidity;

•our expectations regarding the payment of dividends, and the growth of our dividend, in the future;

•our expectations regarding future activity under our share repurchase program;

•future compliance with the covenants under our revolving credit facility;

•our ability to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets; and

•our intention to repay our long-term debt with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, issuances of commercial paper, issuances of senior notes, or a combination thereof.

These statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially due in part to the risk factors set forth below and those within Part I, Item 1A of this document:

•the risk that if sales from our locally managed customers do not grow at the same rate as sales from multi-unit customers, our gross margins may decline;

•periods of significant or prolonged inflation or deflation and their impact on our product costs and profitability generally;

•the risk that we are unlikely to be able to predict inflation over the long term, and lower inflation is likely to produce lower gross profit;

•the risk that our efforts to modify truck routing, including our small truck initiative, in order to reduce outbound transportation costs may be unsuccessful;

•the risk that we may not be able to accelerate and/or identify additional administrative cost savings in order to compensate for any gross profit or supply chain cost leverage challenges;

•risks related to unfavorable conditions in the Americas and Europe and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition;

•the risks related to our efforts to implement our transformation initiatives and meet our other long-term strategic objectives, including the risk that these efforts may not provide the expected benefits in our anticipated time frame, if at all, and may prove costlier than expected;

•the impact of unexpected future changes to our business initiatives based on management’s subjective evaluation of our overall business needs;

•the risk that the actual costs of any business initiatives may be greater or less than currently expected;

•the risk that competition in our industry and the impact of GPOs may adversely impact our margins and our ability to retain customers and make it difficult for us to maintain our market share, growth rate and profitability;

•the risk that our relationships with long-term customers may be materially diminished or terminated;

•the risk that changes in consumer eating habits could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations;

•the impact and effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, and the adverse impact thereof on our business, financial condition and results of operations;

•the risk that changes in applicable tax laws or regulations and the resolution of tax disputes could negatively affect our financial results;

•the risk that we may not be able to fully compensate for increases in fuel costs, and forward purchase commitments intended to contain fuel costs could result in above market fuel costs;

•the risk of interruption of supplies and increase in product costs as a result of conditions beyond our control;

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•the potential impact on our reputation and earnings of adverse publicity or lack of confidence in our products;

•risks related to unfavorable changes to the mix of locally managed customers versus corporate-managed customers;

•the risk that we may not realize anticipated benefits from our operating cost reduction efforts;

•difficulties in successfully expanding into international markets and complimentary lines of business;

•the potential impact of product liability claims;

•the risk that we fail to comply with requirements imposed by applicable law or government regulations;

•risks related to our ability to effectively finance and integrate acquired businesses;

•risks related to our access to borrowed funds in order to grow and any default by us under our indebtedness that could have a material adverse impact on cash flow and liquidity;

•our level of indebtedness and the terms of our indebtedness could adversely affect our business and liquidity position;

•the risk that the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

•the risk that divestiture of one or more of our businesses may not provide the anticipated effects on our operations;

•the risk that future labor disruptions or disputes could disrupt the integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France and our operations in France and the EU generally;

•the risk that factors beyond management’s control, including fluctuations in the stock market, as well as management’s future subjective evaluation of the company’s needs, would impact the timing of share repurchases;

•due to our reliance on technology, any technology disruption or delay in implementing new technology could have a material negative impact on our business;

•the risk of negative impacts to our business and our relationships with customers from a cybersecurity incident and/or other technology disruptions;

•the risk that changes in the method of determining LIBOR, or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect interest expense related to outstanding debt;

•the potential requirement to pay material amounts under our multiemployer defined benefit pension plans;

•our funding requirements for our company-sponsored qualified pension plan may increase should financial markets experience future declines;

•labor issues, including the renegotiation of union contracts and shortage of qualified labor;

•capital expenditures may vary based on changes in business plans and other factors, including risks related to the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

•the risk that the anti-takeover benefits provided by our preferred stock may not be viewed as beneficial to stockholders; and

•the risk that the exclusive forum provisions in our amended and restated bylaws could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

You should carefully consider these risks, as well as the additional risks described in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements.

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In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that such results will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents we file with the SEC, with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by the cautionary statements referenced above.

FY 2023 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0000096021-23-000117.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2023-08-25. Report date: 2023-07-01.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of Sysco’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the fiscal years ended July 1, 2023 and July 2, 2022 should be read as a supplement to our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes contained in Item 8 of this report, and in conjunction with the “Forward-looking Statements” section set forth in Part II and the “Risk Factors” section set forth in Item 1A of Part I. All discussion of changes in our results of operations from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2021 has been omitted from this Form 10-K, but may be found in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the year ended July 2, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 26, 2022.

Overview

Sysco distributes food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. Our primary operations are in North America and Europe. Under the accounting provisions related to disclosures about segments of an enterprise, we have combined certain operations into three reportable segments. “Other” financial information is attributable to our other operations that do not meet the quantitative disclosure thresholds.

•U.S. Foodservice Operations – primarily includes (a) our U.S. Broadline operations, which distribute a full line of food products, including custom-cut meat, seafood, produce, specialty Italian, specialty imports and a wide variety of non-food products and (b) our U.S. Specialty operations, which include our FreshPoint fresh produce

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distribution business, our Specialty Meats and Seafood Group specialty protein operations, our growing Italian Specialty platform anchored by Greco & Sons, our Asian specialty distribution company and a number of other small specialty businesses that are not material to the operations of Sysco;

•International Foodservice Operations – includes operations outside of the United States (U.S.), which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products. The Americas primarily consists of operations in Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as our export operations that distribute to international customers. Our European operations primarily consist of operations in the United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Ireland and Sweden;

•SYGMA – our U.S. customized distribution operations serving quick-service chain restaurant customer locations; and

•Other – primarily our hotel supply operations, Guest Worldwide.

We estimate that we serve about 17% of an approximately $350 billion annual foodservice market in the U.S. based on industry data obtained from Technomic, Inc. (Technomic) as of the end of calendar year 2022. Technomic projects the market size to increase to approximately $370 billion by the end of calendar year 2023. From time to time, Technomic may revise the methodology used to calculate the size of the foodservice market and, as a result, our percentage can change not only from our sales results, but also from such revisions. We also serve certain international geographies that vary in size and amount of market share.

According to industry sources, the foodservice, or food-away-from-home, market represents approximately 53% of the total dollars spent on food purchases made at the consumer level in the U.S. as of the end of calendar year 2022.

Highlights

Our fiscal 2023 results were strong, reflecting growth in volumes and market share. Our market share gains in the U.S. segments continued to accelerate through the fiscal year. This demonstrates the favorable impact of our Recipe for Growth strategy on our business, now in its third year. This strategy is helping us advance our capabilities in supply chain and sales. As a result, Sysco achieved an all-time record for annual sales and operating income. We made significant improvements in operating expense leverage, resulting in improved productivity that drove profitable growth. See below for a comparison of our fiscal 2023 results to our fiscal 2022 results, both including and excluding Certain Items (as defined below).

Below is a comparison of results from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2022:

•Sales:

◦increased 11.2%, or $7.7 billion, to $76.3 billion;

•Operating income:

◦increased 29.5%, or $692.0 million, to $3.0 billion;

◦adjusted operating income increased 21.7%, or $572.0 million, to $3.2 billion;

•Net earnings:

◦increased 30.3%, or $411.4 million, to $1.8 billion;

◦adjusted net earnings increased 22.2%, or $371.2 million, to $2.0 billion;

•Basic earnings per share:

◦increased 31.2%, or $0.83, to $3.49 from the comparable prior year amount of $2.66 per share;

•Diluted earnings per share:

◦increased 31.4%, or $0.83, to $3.47 from the comparable prior year amount of $2.64 per share;

◦adjusted diluted earnings per share were $4.01 in fiscal 2023, a $0.76 increase from the comparable prior year amount of $3.25 per share.

•EBITDA:

◦increased 14.1%, or $444.4 million, to $3.6 billion; and

◦adjusted EBITDA increased 15.6%, or $519.2 million, to $3.8 billion.

The discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove the impact of restructuring and transformational project costs consisting of: (1) restructuring charges, (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives and (3) severance charges; acquisition-related costs consisting of: (a) intangible amortization expense and (b) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions; and the reduction of bad debt expense previously

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recognized in fiscal 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the collectability of our pre-pandemic trade receivable balances. Our results for fiscal 2023 were also impacted by adjustments to a product return allowance pertaining to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory, a pension settlement charge that resulted from the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer, and a litigation financing agreement. Our results for fiscal 2022 were also impacted by a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory, losses on the extinguishment of long-term debt and an increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions.

The fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 items discussed above are collectively referred to as “Certain Items.” The results of our operations can be impacted by changes in exchange rates applicable to converting from local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our results on a constant currency basis. Our discussion below of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures and exclude the impact from Certain Items, and certain metrics are stated on a constant currency basis.

Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, interest expense, other (income) expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results. Additionally, it provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations, (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis and (3) removes those items that are difficult to predict and are often unanticipated and that, as a result, are difficult to include in analysts’ financial models and our investors’ expectations with any degree of specificity.

The company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results as well as for internal planning and forecasting purposes. These financial measures should not be used as a substitute for GAAP measures in assessing the company’s results of operations for periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Any metric within this section referred to as “adjusted” will reflect the applicable impact of Certain Items. More information on the rationale for the use of these measures and reconciliations to GAAP numbers can be found under “Non-GAAP Reconciliations.”

Key Performance Indicators

Sysco seeks to meet its strategic goals by continually measuring its success in its key performance metrics that drive stakeholder value through sales growth and capital allocation and deployment. We believe the following are our most significant performance metrics in our current business environment:

•Adjusted operating income growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted diluted earnings per share growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP);

•Case volume growth by customer type for U.S. Foodservice operations;

•Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline operations;

•Free cash flow (non-GAAP); and

•Adjusted return on invested capital (non-GAAP).

We use these financial metrics and related computations, as well as sales and gross profit growth, to evaluate our business and to plan for near and long-term operating and strategic decisions. We believe it is useful to provide investors with the same financial information that we use internally to make comparisons of our historical operating results, identify trends in our underlying operating results and evaluate our business.

Key Financial Definitions

•Sales – Sales is equal to gross sales subtracted by, (1) sales returns and (2) sales incentives that we offer to certain customers, such as upfront monies and discounts. Our sales are driven by changes in case volumes, product inflation that is reflected in the pricing of our products and mix of products sold.

•Gross profit – Gross profit is equal to our net sales subtracted by our cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold primarily includes inventory costs (net of supplier consideration) and inbound freight. Cost of goods sold generally changes as we incur higher or lower costs from our suppliers and as our customer and product mix changes.

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Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share Growth

Adjusted operating income represents our consolidated operating income, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Adjusted diluted earnings per share represents our consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Sysco’s management considers growth in these metrics to be useful measures of operating efficiency and profitability as they facilitate comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business.

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net earnings plus: (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense and benefit, (3) depreciation and (4) amortization. The net earnings component of our EBITDA calculation is impacted by Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. As a result, in the non-GAAP reconciliations below for each period presented, adjusted EBITDA is computed as EBITDA plus the impact of Certain Items, excluding Certain Items related to interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Sysco’s management considers growth in this metric to be a measure of overall financial performance that provides useful information to management and investors about the profitability of the business. It facilitates comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business. Additionally, it is a commonly used component metric used to inform on capital structure decisions.

Case Volume Growth by Customer Type for U.S. Foodservice Operations

Case volume represents the volume of product sold to customers during a period of time and improvements in this metric are a primary driver of Sysco’s top line performance. We define a case, specifically for our U.S. Foodservice operations, as the lowest level of packaged products that are sold from our warehouses, with one case potentially containing several pieces of a product packaged in bulk. Case size does not generally vary by location or from period to period due to the design of our warehouses. Case volume growth is calculated by dividing the change in the volume of cases sold year-over-year by the volume of cases sold in the prior year. Sysco management considers case volume growth within its U.S. Foodservice operations to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating sales performance and as an indicator of gross margin performance. Management monitors case volume growth by customer type, with bifurcation between local customers and national customers, as this provides a measure of gross profit performance due to the pricing strategies attached to each customer type. Local customers are primarily street customers, such as independent restaurants that do not have long-term contracts, or locally managed customers, such as local chain restaurants, while national customers are the multi-unit customers requiring national coverage from a customer-centric view and are managed centrally from our Global Shared Center. Sysco management seeks to drive higher case volume growth to local customers, which allows more favorable pricing terms for our U.S. Foodservice operations and generates higher gross margins as a result. National customers benefit from purchasing power as they are able to negotiate pricing agreements across multiple businesses reducing our gross profit potential, but reducing our overall cost per case, as national customers have bigger drop sizes. While overall case volume growth reflects a key component of sales growth, local customer case growth provides additional context around gross profit performance.

Sysco Brand Penetration for U.S. Broadline Operations

Sysco management considers Sysco brand penetration to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating the gross profit performance of the company’s U.S. Broadline operations. Sysco offers an assortment of Sysco-branded products which are differentiated from privately branded products. These Sysco Branded products enable us to achieve higher gross margin by administering and leveraging a consolidated product procurement program for quality food and non-food products. Due to cost efficiencies, Sysco-branded products generate a higher gross margin than sales from other privately branded products. We define Sysco brand penetration as the percentage of Sysco-branded case volume sold to U.S. Broadline customers over all cases sold to U.S. Broadline customers. It is calculated by dividing Sysco-branded case volume sold to U.S. Broadline customers by total cases sold to U.S. Broadline customers. This performance indicator, also measured at the customer type level, including local and national customers, is driven by growth in the distribution of Sysco branded products to more customers and more geographies, as well as increasing Sysco branded offerings through innovation and the launch of new products.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow represents net cash provided from operating activities, subtracted by purchases of plant and equipment, added to proceeds from sales of plant and equipment. Sysco management considers free cash flow to be a non-GAAP liquidity

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measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases and sales of buildings, fleet, equipment and technology, which may potentially be used to pay for, among other things, strategic uses of cash, including dividend payments, share repurchases and acquisitions. However, free cash flow may not be available for discretionary expenditures as it may be necessary that we use it to make mandatory debt service or other payments. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for discussions of GAAP metrics, including net cash provided by operating activities and our reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

Adjusted Return on Invested Capital

Although adjusted return on invested capital (ROIC) is considered a non-GAAP financial measure, Sysco management considers adjusted ROIC to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the company’s long-term capital investments and it has been reintroduced as a component of long-term incentive compensation for fiscal 2024. We calculate adjusted ROIC as adjusted net earnings divided by the sum of: (1) stockholders’ equity, computed as the average of adjusted stockholders’ equity at the beginning of the year and at the end of each fiscal quarter during the year; and (2) long-term debt, computed as the average of the long-term debt at the beginning of the year and at the end of each fiscal quarter during the year. Trends in ROIC can fluctuate over time as management balances long-term strategic initiatives with possible short-term impacts.

Trends

Economic and Industry Trends

Sysco continues to outperform the foodservice market due to the success of the Recipe for Growth strategy. The food-away-from-home sector is a healthy long-term market. Sysco is diversified and well positioned as a market leader in food service. We expect the foodservice market to grow at a lower rate in fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023.

Sales and Gross Profit Trends

Our sales and gross profit performance are influenced by multiple factors including price, volume, inflation, customer mix and product mix. The most significant factor affecting performance in fiscal 2023 was volume growth, as we experienced a 5.2% improvement in U.S. Foodservice case volume and a 3.3% improvement in local case volume within our U.S. segment in each instance as compared to fiscal 2022. This volume reflects our broadline and specialty businesses, except for our specialty meats business, which measures its volume in pounds. This growth enabled us to gain market share during fiscal 2023 and contributed to Sysco achieving an all-time record for annual sales.

Product cost inflation has also been a driver of our sales and gross profit performance. We experienced inflation at a rate of 2.1% and 6.1% in the fourth quarter and fiscal 2023, respectively, at the total enterprise level, primarily driven by inflation in the dairy, frozen, and canned and dry categories. The rate of inflation, as compared to the prior year, declined at an accelerated rate during the fourth quarter. We have been successful in managing inflation, resulting in an increase in gross profit dollars. Gross margin increased 51 basis points in the fourth quarter and increased 33 basis points for fiscal 2023, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, primarily driven by higher volumes, the effective management of inflation and progress with our partnership growth management initiatives.

We expect the rate of inflation for fiscal 2024 to be below historical trends. We expect deflation within our U.S. Broadline operations for the first half of fiscal 2024, followed by minimal inflation in the second half of fiscal 2024. Our International Foodservice operations are expected to remain inflationary during fiscal 2024 given the unique marketplace conditions present in those operations. At the total enterprise level, inflation is expected to be slightly positive for fiscal 2024.

Given our expectation for slower market growth and inflation as noted previously, we expect sales growth to increase in the mid-single digits in fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023, as we reach approximately $80 billion in annual sales.

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Operating Expense Trends

Total operating expenses increased 9.4% during fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, driven by increased volumes, cost inflation, continued operational cost pressures from the operating environment and our planned investments to drive our transformation initiatives under our Recipe for Growth strategy. We continued to improve our supply chain efficiency, while investing in associate retention and best-in-class training, primarily for transportation and warehouse colleagues. These efficiency efforts are expected to continue to improve in fiscal 2024. Our Sysco Driver Academy and industry leading training programs are contributing to improved retention and productivity, and we expect to see this trend improve as the percentage of drivers and warehouse colleagues trained from within Sysco continues to grow. We believe the advancements we are making in our physical capabilities, and the investments we are making in improved training, will provide higher service levels to our customers and strengthen Sysco’s ability to profitably win market share.

Non-Routine Gains and Losses

In fiscal 2023, we completed two transactions that created non-routine gains and losses, both of which were treated as Certain Items. First, the Sysco Corporation Retirement Plan (the Plan) executed a commitment agreement to purchase a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred $695.0 million of the Plan’s defined benefit pension obligations related to certain pension benefits. As a result of this transaction, we recognized a one-time, non-cash pre-tax pension settlement charge of $315.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Second, Sysco had been pursuing claims against a variety of vendors from which the company purchased products. To mitigate the risk of incurring significant legal fees on these claims without any ultimate gain, in calendar 2019 and 2020, we entered into agreements with a third party whereby the company secured a minimum amount of cash proceeds from the third party in exchange for assigning to the third party the rights to a portion of the future litigation proceeds. At the time of receipt of these cash proceeds, the amounts were deferred in “Other long-term liabilities.” In June 2023, an agreement was reached in which the company assigned all its remaining claims against these vendors to the third party. As a result, Sysco is no longer obligated to pursue litigation against these vendors; therefore, previous deferred proceeds were recognized within “Other expense (income), net.” In total, this agreement resulted in $122.0 million being recognized in “Other expense (income), net” in June 2023. We do not expect similar transactions to these in fiscal 2024.

Income Tax Trends

Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2023 was 22.55% and is expected to increase to approximately 24.50% in fiscal 2024 due to geographic mix, strong international growth and increases in state tax rates.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We continue to focus on mergers and acquisitions as a part of our growth strategy. We plan to reinforce our existing businesses, while cultivating new channels, new segments and new capabilities. In the first and second quarters of fiscal 2023, we acquired a total of three small U.S.-based independent Italian food distributors as part of our plan to meaningfully scale our growing Italian platform. The results of these acquisitions were not material to the consolidated results of the company for fiscal 2023. In August 2023, we acquired BIX Produce, a leading produce specialty distributor based in Minnesota. This acquisition is expected to provide a strategic opportunity for specialty produce operations to expand its geographic footprint in an area of the country where it does not currently have operations.

Strategy

Our purpose is “Connecting the World to Share Food and Care for One Another.” Purpose driven companies are believed to perform better, and we believe our purpose will assist us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our “Recipe for Growth” transformation. This growth transformation is supported by strategic pillars that we believe will continue to enable us to better serve our customers, including:

•Digital – We have and will continue to enrich the customer experience through personalized digital tools that reduce friction in the purchase experience and introduce innovation to our customers. We continue to invest in our personalization engine and upgraded our digital shopping platform with more than 100 new feature enhancements, including Spanish language capability, implemented in fiscal 2023. We successfully leveraged our centralized pricing

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tool in the U.S. in fiscal 2023 that gave us the ability to be right on price at the region, customer, and item level even during periods of rapid inflation, dis-inflation, and even deflation.

•Products and Solutions – We are providing customer-focused marketing and merchandising solutions that inspire increased sales of our broad assortment of fair priced products and services. We continue to improve our merchandising strategies globally to secure the best possible cost for our customers and in fiscal 2023, we stood up a Sysco Brand team to accelerate progress within our owned-brands.

•Supply Chain – We are efficiently and consistently serving customers with the products they need, when and how they need them, through a flexible delivery framework. We are developing a more nimble, accessible and productive supply chain that is better positioned to support our customers. In fiscal 2023, our work on deploying strengthened engineered labor standards allowed us to consistently improve supply chain efficiency quarter over quarter. We also completed the roll out of our Driver Academy nationally. Our strategic initiatives to enable omni-channel inventory fulfillment are being piloted.

•Customer Teams – Our greatest strength is our people, people who are passionate about food and food service. Our diverse team delivers expertise and differentiated services designed to help our customers grow their businesses. We intend to improve the effectiveness of our sales organization by leveraging data to increase the yield of the sales process. In fiscal 2023, we meaningfully advanced our Total Team Selling model that brings together our Broadline and Specialty businesses in shared geography to best meet the needs of our customers.

•Future Horizons – We are committed to responsible growth. We will cultivate new channels, new segments, and new capabilities while being stewards of our company and our planet for the long-term. We will fund our journey through cost-out and efficiency improvements. In August 2023, we acquired BIX Produce – a leading produce specialty distributor based in Minnesota that allows us to expand our geographic footprint and continue to add new capabilities, including fresh cut produce, grab-and-go sandwiches, and value-added products.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

20232022
Sales100.0%100.0%
Cost of sales81.782.0
Gross profit18.318.0
Operating expenses14.314.6
Operating income4.03.4
Interest expense0.70.9
Other (income) expense, net0.3
Earnings before income taxes3.02.5
Income taxes0.70.5
Net earnings2.3%2.0%

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The following table sets forth the change in the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:

2023
Sales11.2%
Cost of sales10.8
Gross profit13.3
Operating expenses9.4
Operating income29.5
Interest expense(15.5)
Other (income) expense, net (1)(1,046.8)
Earnings before income taxes30.8
Income taxes32.8
Net earnings30.3%
Basic earnings per share31.2%
Diluted earnings per share31.4
Average shares outstanding(0.6)
Diluted shares outstanding(0.8)
Column 1Column 2
(1)Other (income) expense, net was expense of $226.4 million in fiscal 2023 and income of $23.9 million in fiscal 2022.

Segment Results

The following represents our results by reportable segments:

Year Ended Jul. 1, 2023
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherGlobal Support CenterConsolidated Totals
(In thousands)
Sales$53,682,894$13,559,610$7,843,111$1,239,060$$76,324,675
Sales increase10.6%15.0%8.2%14.5%11.2%
Percentage of total70.3%17.8%10.3%1.6%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$3,586,576$313,449$56,526$56,877$(974,879)$3,038,549
Operating income increase12.8%213.3%NM227.0%29.5%
Percentage of total segments89.4%7.8%1.4%1.4%100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales6.7%2.3%0.7%4.6%4.0%
Year Ended Jul. 2, 2022
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherGlobal Support CenterConsolidated Totals
(In thousands)
Sales$48,520,562$11,787,449$7,245,824$1,082,311$$68,636,146
Percentage of total70.7%17.2%10.6%1.5%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$3,180,705$100,033$(3,124)$17,392$(948,506)$2,346,500
Percentage of total segments96.5%3.1%(0.1)%0.5%100.0%
Operating income (loss) as a percentage of sales6.6%0.8%%1.6%3.4%

In fiscal 2023, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations represented approximately 70.3% and 17.8%, respectively, of Sysco’s overall sales, compared to 70.7% and 17.2%, respectively, in fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, U.S. Foodservice Operations represented approximately 89.4% and 96.5%, respectively, of the total segment operating income. This illustrates that these segments represent a substantial majority of our total segment results when

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compared to other reportable segments. See Note 21, “Business Segment Information,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Cost of sales primarily includes our product costs, net of vendor consideration, and includes in-bound freight. Operating expenses include the costs of facilities, product handling, delivery, selling and general and administrative activities. Fuel surcharges are reflected within sales and gross profit; fuel costs are reflected within operating expenses. Along with sales, operating income is the most relevant measure for evaluating segment performance and allocating resources, as operating income includes cost of goods sold in addition to the costs to warehouse and deliver goods, which are significant and relevant costs when evaluating a distribution business.

Results of U.S. Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2023, the U.S. Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 70.3% of Sysco’s overall sales and 89.4% of the aggregated operating income of Sysco’s reporting segments. Several factors contributed to these higher operating results as compared to the other operating segments. We invested substantial amounts in assets, operating methods, technology and management expertise in this segment. The breadth of its sales force, geographic reach of its distribution area and its purchasing power enable this segment to generate its relatively stronger results of operations.

The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20232022Change in Dollars% Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Sales$53,682,894$48,520,562$5,162,33210.6%
Gross profit10,359,0039,196,1331,162,87012.6
Operating expenses6,772,4276,015,428756,99912.6
Operating income$3,586,576$3,180,705$405,87112.8%
Gross profit$10,359,003$9,196,133$1,162,87012.6%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)6,729,7385,998,824730,91412.2
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$3,629,265$3,197,309$431,95613.5%
Column 1Column 2
(1)See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the prior year in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2023
(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Case volume (1)4.5%$2,175.3
Inflation5.62,716.7
Other (2)0.5270.3
Total change in sales10.6%$5,162.3
(1)Case volumes increased 5.2% compared to fiscal 2022. This volume increase resulted in a 4.5% increase in the dollar value of sales compared to fiscal 2022.
(2)Case volume reflects our broadline and specialty businesses, with the exception of our specialty meats business, which measures its volume in pounds. Any impact in volumes from our specialty meats operations is included within “Other.”

The sales growth in our U.S. Foodservice Operations was fueled by three factors: inflation, market growth, and strong market share gains. Case volumes from our U.S. Foodservice Operations increased 5.2%, as compared to fiscal 2022. This included a 3.3% increase in local customer case volume as compared to fiscal 2022.

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Operating Income

The increase in operating income for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, was driven by gross profit dollar growth and partially offset by an increase in operating expenses.

Gross profit dollar growth was driven primarily by higher volumes as well as continued progress with effective management of product cost inflation and our strategic sourcing initiatives. The estimated change in product costs, an internal measure of inflation or deflation, increased in fiscal 2023. For fiscal 2023, this change in product costs was primarily driven by inflation in the dairy, frozen, and canned and dry categories. Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline improved by 36 basis points to 37.0% for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022. Specific to local customers, Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline improved by 118 basis points to 46.8% for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022.

Gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of sales, was 19.3% in fiscal 2023. This was an increase of 35 basis points compared to gross margin of 19.0% in fiscal 2022 due to the effective management of inflation, along with specific efforts to optimize our gross profit dollars.

The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, was primarily driven by increased volumes, operational pressures from the operating environment, cost inflation and our planned investments to drive our transformation initiatives. We also experienced an increase in operating expenses due to investments for our Recipe for Growth strategy in fiscal 2023.

Results of International Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2023, the International Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 17.8% of Sysco’s overall sales.

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The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20232022Change in Dollars% Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Sales$13,559,610$11,787,449$1,772,16115.0%
Gross profit2,640,8602,377,093263,76711.1
Operating expenses2,327,4112,277,06050,3512.2
Operating income$313,449$100,033$213,416213.3%
Gross profit$2,640,860$2,377,093$263,76711.1%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)2,243,1372,148,55194,5864.4
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$397,723$228,542$169,18174.0%
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$14,451,906$11,787,449$2,664,45722.6%
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)2,823,6632,377,093446,57018.8
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)2,409,4932,148,551260,94212.1
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$414,170$228,542$185,62881.2%
Column 1Column 2
(1)See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2023
(Dollars in millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Inflation14.3%$1,680.7
Foreign currency(7.6)(892.3)
Other (1)8.3983.8
Total change in sales15.0%$1,772.2
Column 1Column 2
(1)The impact of volumes as a component of sales growth from international operations are included within “Other.” Volume in our foreign operations includes volume metrics that differ from country to country and cannot be aggregated on a consistent comparable basis.

Sales in fiscal 2023 were higher primarily due to inflation, along with an increase in volume, some of which was attributable to our Recipe for Growth initiatives. Partially offsetting these increases was the negative impact of foreign currency translation.

Operating Income

The $213.4 million increase in operating income for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, was primarily a result of the continuing increase in sales volumes along with specific efforts to optimize our gross profit while managing our operating expenses.

The increase in gross profit dollars in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, was attributable to the increase in sales volume and the management of inflation along with specific efforts to optimize our gross profit dollars.

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The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, was primarily due to increased volume and inflation.

Results of SYGMA and Other Segment

For SYGMA, sales were 8.2% higher in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, primarily from inflation and fee increases to customers. Operating income increased by $59.7 million in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to fee increases to customers.

For the operations that are grouped within our Other segment, operating income increased $39.5 million in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to the recovery of our hospitality business, Guest Worldwide. Volume for this business has improved as hospitality occupancy rates have grown from prior year levels.

Global Support Center Expenses

Our Global Support Center generally includes all expenses of the corporate office and Sysco’s shared service operations. These expenses increased $101.2 million in fiscal 2023, or 11.6% as compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to increases in self-insurance costs, technology expense and employee-related expenses, partially offset by reduced acquisition-related costs.

Included in Global Support Center expenses are Certain Items that totaled $44.9 million in fiscal 2023, as compared to $146.8 million in fiscal 2022. Certain Items impacting fiscal 2023 were primarily expenses associated with our business technology transformation initiatives. In fiscal 2022, Certain Items that impacted the year were primarily expenses associated with our business technology transformation initiatives and acquisitions, as well as a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $96.9 million for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to a $115.6 million charge taken for debt extinguished in fiscal 2022.

Other income and expense

Other income decreased $250.4 million for fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to a pension settlement charge partially offset by a gain on a litigation financing agreement.

Net Earnings

Net earnings increased 30.3% in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, due primarily to the items noted previously for operating income and interest expense, as well as items impacting our income taxes that are discussed in Note 19, “Income Taxes,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Adjusted net earnings, excluding Certain Items, increased 22.2% in fiscal 2023, primarily due to an increase in sales volume.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share in fiscal 2023 were $3.49, a 31.2% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $2.66 per share. Diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2023 were $3.47, a 31.4% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $2.64 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” on the subsequent page), in fiscal 2023 were $4.01, a 23.4% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $3.25 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed previously related to net earnings in fiscal 2023.

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Non-GAAP Reconciliations

The discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove the impact of restructuring and transformational project costs consisting of: (1) restructuring charges, (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives and (3) severance charges; acquisition-related costs consisting of: (a) intangible amortization expense and (b) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions; and the reduction of bad debt expense previously recognized in fiscal 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the collectability of our pre-pandemic trade receivable balances. Our results for fiscal 2023 were also impacted by adjustments to a product return allowance pertaining to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory, a pension settlement charge that resulted from the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer, and a litigation financing agreement. Our results for fiscal 2022 were also impacted by a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory, losses on the extinguishment of long-term debt and an increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions.
The results of our operations can be impacted due to changes in exchange rates applicable in converting local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our results on a constant currency basis. Constant currency operating results are calculated by translating current-period local currency operating results with the currency exchange rates used to translate the financial statements in the comparable prior-year period to determine what the current-period U.S. dollar operating results would have been if the currency exchange rate had not changed from the comparable prior-year period.
Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items and presenting its results on a constant currency basis, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results. It provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations and (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis.
Sysco has a history of growth through acquisitions and excludes from its non-GAAP financial measures the impact of acquisition-related intangible amortization, acquisition costs and due-diligence costs for those acquisitions. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco’s results for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.
Set forth on the following page is a reconciliation of sales, operating expenses, operating income, other (income) expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented. Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not be equal to the total presented when added due to rounding. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.

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20232022Change in Dollars%/bps Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Sales (GAAP)$76,324,675$68,636,146$7,688,52911.2%
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)910,290910,2901.3
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$77,234,965$68,636,146$8,598,81912.5%
Cost of sales (GAAP)$62,369,678$56,315,622$6,054,05610.8%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)2,571(73,224)75,7950.1
Cost of sales adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$62,372,249$56,242,398$6,129,85110.9%
Gross profit (GAAP)$13,954,997$12,320,524$1,634,47313.3%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(2,571)73,224(75,795)(0.7)
Gross profit adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)13,952,42612,393,7481,558,67812.6
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)188,796188,7961.5
Comparable gross profit adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$14,141,222$12,393,748$1,747,47414.1%
Gross margin (GAAP)18.28%17.95%33 bps
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)0.11-11 bps
Gross margin adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)18.2818.0622 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)0.033 bps
Comparable gross margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)18.31%18.06%25 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$10,916,448$9,974,024$942,4249.4%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)(62,965)(107,475)44,51041.4
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)(115,889)(139,173)23,28416.7
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)4,42527,999(23,574)(84.2)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)10,742,0199,755,375986,64410.1
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)182,873182,8731.9
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$10,924,892$9,755,375$1,169,51712.0%
Operating expense as a percentage of sales (GAAP)14.30%14.53%-23 bps
Impact of certain item adjustments(0.23)(0.32)9 bps
Adjusted operating expense as a percentage of sales (Non-GAAP)14.07%14.21%-14 bps
Operating income (GAAP)$3,038,549$2,346,500$692,04929.5%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(2,571)73,224(75,795)NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)62,965107,475(44,510)(41.4)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)115,889139,173(23,284)(16.7)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(4,425)(27,999)23,57484.2
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)3,210,4072,638,373572,03421.7
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)5,9235,9230.2
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$3,216,330$2,638,373$577,95721.9%
Operating margin (GAAP)3.98%3.42%56 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)4.21%3.84%37 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)4.16%3.83%33 bps
Interest expense (GAAP)$526,752$623,643$(96,891)(15.5)%
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(115,603)115,603NM

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20232022Change in Dollars%/bps Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Interest expense adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$526,752$508,040$18,7123.7%
Other expense (income) (GAAP)$226,442$(23,916)$250,358NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)(194,459)(194,459)NM
Other expense (income) adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$31,983$(23,916)$55,899NM
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,770,124$1,358,768$411,35630.3%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(2,571)73,224(75,795)NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)62,965107,475(44,510)(41.4)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)115,889139,173(23,284)(16.7)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(4,425)(27,999)23,57484.2
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt115,603(115,603)NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)194,459194,459NM
Tax impact of inventory valuation adjustment (7)647(18,902)19,549NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)(15,847)(27,743)11,89642.9
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (7)(29,166)(35,926)6,76018.8
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (7)1,1147,228(6,114)(84.6)
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (7)(29,841)29,841NM
Tax impact of other non-routine gains and losses (7)(48,941)(48,941)NM
Impact of adjustments to uncertain tax positions12,000(12,000)NM
Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$2,044,248$1,673,060$371,18822.2%
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$3.47$2.64$0.8331.4%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(0.01)0.14(0.15)NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)0.120.21(0.09)(42.9)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)0.230.27(0.04)(14.8)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(0.01)(0.05)0.0480.0
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt0.22(0.22)NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)0.380.38NM
Tax impact of inventory valuation adjustment (7)(0.04)0.04NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)(0.03)(0.05)0.0240.0
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (7)(0.06)(0.07)0.0114.3
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (7)0.01(0.01)NM
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (7)(0.06)0.06NM
Tax impact of other non-routine gains and losses (7)(0.10)(0.10)NM
Impact of adjustments to uncertain tax positions0.02(0.02)NM
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (8)$4.01$3.25$0.7623.4%
Diluted shares outstanding509,719,756514,005,827

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(1)Represents a constant currency adjustment which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the current year results.
(2)Fiscal 2023 represents an adjustment to a product return allowance related to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory. Fiscal 2022 represents a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.
(3)Fiscal 2023 includes $20 million related to restructuring and severance charges and $43 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy. Fiscal 2022 includes $59 million related to restructuring and severance charges and $49 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(4)Fiscal 2023 includes $105 million of intangible amortization expense and $10 million in acquisition and due diligence costs. Fiscal 2022 includes $106 million of intangible amortization expense and $33 million in acquisition and due diligence costs.
(5)Fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 represent the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(6)Fiscal 2023 primarily includes a pension settlement charge of $315 million that resulted from the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer and $122 million in income from a litigation financing agreement.
(7)The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items is calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred.
(8)Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add up to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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Set forth below is a reconciliation by segment of actual operating expenses and operating income to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

20232022Change in Dollars%/bps Change
U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$53,682,894$48,520,562$5,162,33210.6%
Gross profit (GAAP)10,359,0039,196,1331,162,87012.6%
Gross margin (GAAP)19.30%18.95%35 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$6,772,427$6,015,428$756,99912.6%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs(817)(1,162)34529.7
Impact of acquisition-related costs (1)(46,042)(36,207)(9,835)(27.2)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)4,17020,765(16,595)(79.9)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$6,729,738$5,998,824$730,91412.2%
Operating income (GAAP)$3,586,576$3,180,705$405,87112.8%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs8171,162(345)(29.7)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (1)46,04236,2079,83527.2
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)(4,170)(20,765)16,59579.9
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$3,629,265$3,197,309$431,95613.5%
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$13,559,610$11,787,449$1,772,16115.0%
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)892,296892,2967.6
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$14,451,906$11,787,449$2,664,45722.6%
Gross profit (GAAP)$2,640,860$2,377,093$263,76711.1%
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)182,803182,8037.7
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$2,823,663$2,377,093$446,57018.8%
Gross margin (GAAP)19.48%20.17%-69 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)0.066 bps
Comparable gross margin using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)19.54%20.17%-63 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$2,327,411$2,277,060$50,3512.2%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)(19,018)(57,683)38,66567.0
Impact of acquisition-related costs (5)(65,511)(78,062)12,55116.1
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)2557,236(6,981)(96.5)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)2,243,1372,148,55194,5864.4
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)166,356166,3567.7
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$2,409,493$2,148,551$260,94212.1%
Operating income (GAAP)$313,449$100,033$213,416NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)19,01857,683(38,665)(67.0)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (5)65,51178,062(12,551)(16.1)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)(255)(7,236)6,98196.5
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)397,723228,542169,18174.0
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)16,44716,4477.2
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$414,170$228,542$185,62881.2%
SYGMA
Sales (GAAP)$7,843,111$7,245,824$597,2878.2%

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20232022Change in Dollars%/bps Change
Gross profit (GAAP)631,135576,28054,8559.5%
Gross margin (GAAP)8.05%7.95%10 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$574,609$579,404$(4,795)(0.8)%
Operating income (loss) (GAAP)56,526(3,124)59,650NM
OTHER
Sales (GAAP)$1,239,060$1,082,311$156,74914.5%
Gross profit (GAAP)326,315248,12578,19031.5%
Gross margin (GAAP)26.34%22.93%341 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$269,438$230,733$38,70516.8%
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)(2)2NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$269,438$230,731$38,70716.8%
Operating income (GAAP)$56,877$17,392$39,485NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)2(2)NM
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$56,877$17,394$39,483NM
GLOBAL SUPPORT CENTER
Gross loss (GAAP)$(2,316)$(77,107)$74,79197.0%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (6)(2,571)73,224(75,795)NM
Gross loss adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(4,887)$(3,883)$(1,004)(25.9)%
Operating expenses (GAAP)$972,563$871,399$101,16411.6%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)(43,130)(48,630)5,50011.3
Impact of acquisition-related costs (8)(4,336)(24,904)20,56882.6
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$925,097$797,865$127,23215.9%
Operating loss (GAAP)$(974,879)$(948,506)$(26,373)(2.8)%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (6)(2,571)73,224(75,795)NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)43,13048,630(5,500)(11.3)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (8)4,33624,904(20,568)(82.6)
Operating loss adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(929,984)$(801,748)$(128,236)(16.0)%
(1)Fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 include intangible amortization expense and acquisition costs.
(2)Fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 represent the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(3)Represents a constant currency adjustment, which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on current year results.
(4)Includes restructuring and severance costs, primarily in Europe.
(5)Represents intangible amortization expense.
(6)Fiscal 2023 represents an adjustment to a product return allowance related to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory. Fiscal 2022 represents a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.
(7)Includes various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(8)Represents due diligence costs.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing Sysco’s overall financial performance for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. Set forth below is a reconciliation of actual net earnings (loss) to EBITDA and to adjusted EBITDA results for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

20232022Change in Dollars% Change
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,770,124$1,358,768$411,35630.3%
Interest (GAAP)526,752623,643(96,891)(15.5)
Income taxes (GAAP)515,231388,005127,22632.8
Depreciation and amortization (GAAP)775,604772,8812,7230.4
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)$3,587,711$3,143,297$444,41414.1%
Certain Item adjustments:
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)$(2,571)$73,224$(75,795)NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)61,009106,091(45,082)(42.5)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)10,39332,738(22,345)(68.3)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(4,425)(27,999)23,57484.2
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (5)194,459194,459NM
EBITDA adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)(6)$3,846,576$3,327,351$519,22515.6%
(1)Fiscal 2023 represents an adjustment to a product return allowance related to COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory. Fiscal 2022 represents a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.
(2)Fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 include charges related to restructuring and severance, as well as various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy and exclude charges related to accelerated depreciation.
(3)Fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 include acquisition and due diligence costs.
(4)Fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 represent the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(5)Fiscal 2023 primarily includes a pension settlement charge of $315 million that resulted from the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred defined benefit plan obligations to an insurer and $122 million in income from a litigation financing agreement.
(6)In arriving at adjusted EBITDA, Sysco does not exclude interest income of $24 million and $7 million or non-cash stock compensation expense of $95 million and $122 million for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Highlights

Below are comparisons of the cash flows from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2022:

•Cash flows from operations were $2.9 billion in fiscal 2023, compared to $1.8 billion in fiscal 2022;

•Net capital expenditures totaled $751.2 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $608.7 million in fiscal 2022;

•Free cash flow was $2.1 billion in fiscal 2023, compared to $1.2 billion in fiscal 2022 (see “Cash Flows – Free Cash Flow – Non-GAAP Reconciliation” below for an explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure);

•Cash used for acquisition of businesses was $37.4 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $1.3 billion in fiscal 2022;

•Dividends paid were $996.0 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $958.9 million in fiscal 2022;

•Cash paid for treasury stock repurchases was $500.1 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $499.8 million in fiscal 2022;

•We repaid senior notes in the amount of $549.3 million in fiscal 2023; and

•There were no commercial paper amounts outstanding as of the end of fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.

40

As of July 1, 2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under our long-term revolving credit facility and the company had approximately $3.7 billion in cash and available liquidity. As of August 8, 2023, the company had approximately $3.1 billion in cash and available liquidity.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Sysco generates cash in the U.S. and internationally. Sysco’s strategic objectives include continuous investment in our business; these investments are funded primarily by cash from operations and, to a lesser extent, external borrowings. Traditionally, our operations have produced significant cash flow and, due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access capital markets, as needed. Cash generated from operations is generally allocated to:

•working capital-investments;

•capital investments in facilities, systems, fleet, other equipment and technology;

•acquisitions consistent with our growth strategy;

•debt repayments;

•cash dividends; and

•share repurchases.

Any remaining cash generated from operations may be invested in high-quality, short-term instruments. As a part of our ongoing strategic analysis, we regularly evaluate business opportunities, including potential acquisitions and sales of assets and businesses, and our overall capital structure. Any transactions resulting from these evaluations may materially impact our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability.

We continue to be in a strong financial position based on our balance sheet and operating cash flows; however, our liquidity and capital resources can be influenced by macro-economic trends and conditions that impact our results of operations. We believe our mechanisms to manage working capital, such as actively working with customers to receive payments on receivables, optimizing inventory levels and maximizing payment terms with vendors, have been sufficient to limit a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. We believe these mechanisms will continue to mitigate any unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations arising from macro-economic trends and conditions.

We extend credit terms to some of our customers based on our assessment of each customer’s creditworthiness. We monitor each customer’s account and will suspend shipments if necessary. In the ordinary course of business, customers periodically negotiate extended payment terms on trade accounts receivable. The company may utilize purchase arrangements with third-party financial institutions to transfer portions of our trade accounts receivable balance on a non-recourse basis in order to extend terms for the customer without negatively impacting our cash flow. The arrangements meet the requirements for the receivables transferred to be accounted for as sales. See Note 1, “Summary of Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information.

As of July 1, 2023, we had $745.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately 83% of which was held by our international subsidiaries and generated from our earnings of international operations. If these earnings were transferred among countries or repatriated to the U.S., such amounts may be subject to withholding and additional foreign tax obligations. Additionally, Sysco Corporation has provided intercompany loans to certain of its international subsidiaries. When interest and principal payments are made, some of this cash will move to the U.S.

Our wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) must maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to fund future reserve payments. As of July 1, 2023, the Captive held $120.7 million of fixed income marketable securities and $220.8 million of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in a restricted investment portfolio in order to meet solvency requirements. We purchased $16.2 million in marketable securities in fiscal 2023 and received $11.6 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities in the period.

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Cash Requirements

The Company’s cash requirements within the next twelve months include accounts payable and accrued liabilities, current maturities of long-term debt, other current liabilities, purchase commitments and other obligations. We expect the cash required to meet these obligations to be primarily generated through a combination of cash from operations and access to capital from financial markets.

Our long-term cash requirements under our various contractual obligations and commitments include:

•Debt Obligations and Interest Payments – See Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our debt and the timing of expected future principal and interest payments.

•Operating and Finance Leases – See Note 13, “Leases,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Deferred Compensation – The estimate of the timing of future payments under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and Management Savings Plan involves the use of certain assumptions, including retirement ages and payout periods. See Note 14, “Company-Sponsored Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Purchase and Other Obligations – Purchase obligations include agreements for purchases of product in the normal course of business for which all significant terms have been confirmed, including minimum quantities resulting from our category management process. Such amounts are based on estimates. Purchase obligations also include amounts committed with various third-party service providers to provide information technology services for periods up to fiscal 2029. See discussion under Note 20, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Purchase obligations exclude full requirements electricity contracts where no stated minimum purchase volume is required.

•Other Liabilities – These include other long-term liabilities reflected in our consolidated balance sheets as of July 1, 2023, including obligations associated with certain employee benefit programs, unrecognized tax benefits and various long-term liabilities which have some inherent uncertainty in the timing of these payments.

•Contingent Consideration – Certain acquisitions involve contingent consideration typically payable only if certain operating results are attained or certain outstanding contingencies are resolved. See Note 4, “Acquisitions,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for aggregate contingent consideration amounts outstanding as of July 1, 2023.

We believe the following sources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next twelve months while maintaining sufficient liquidity for normal operating purposes:

•our cash flows from operations;

•the availability of additional capital under our existing commercial paper programs, supported by our revolving credit facility; and

•our ability to access capital from financial markets, including issuances of debt securities, either privately or under our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC.

Due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets if necessary.

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Cash Flows

Operating Activities

We generated $2.9 billion in cash flows from operations in fiscal 2023, compared to cash flows from operations of $1.8 billion in fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2023, these amounts included year-over-year favorable comparisons on working capital of $772.1 million due to a favorable comparison on accounts receivable and inventory of $700.5 million and $686.4 million, respectively, partially offset by an unfavorable comparison on accounts payable of $614.8 million. Accrued expenses also had an unfavorable comparison of $401.1 million, primarily from accrued payroll. Income taxes positively impacted cash flows from operations by $149.8 million, as estimated payments made were lower than in fiscal 2022 due to overpayments in the prior year.

Investing Activities

Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 capital expenditures included:

•buildings and building improvements;

•fleet replacements;

•investments in technology; and

•warehouse equipment.

The Company had net cash used by plant and equipment purchases and sales of $751.2 million and financed $311.2 million of non-cash capital expenditures for the year ended July 1, 2023.

The following table sets forth the company’s total plant and equipment additions:

20232022
(In thousands)
Net cash capital expenditures$751,178$608,658
Plant and equipment acquired through financing programs197,096
Assets obtained in exchange for finance lease obligations114,098191,523
Total net plant and equipment additions$1,062,372$800,181

Our capital expenditures in fiscal 2023 were $160.5 million higher than in fiscal 2022, as we made investments to advance our Recipe for Growth strategy. Consistent with fiscal 2023, we expect our capital expenditures in fiscal 2024 to be approximately 1.0% of sales.

During fiscal 2023, we paid $37.4 million, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions. During fiscal 2022, we paid $1.3 billion, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions. These payments decreased in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 due to the smaller size of acquisitions during the year.

Free Cash Flow

Our free cash flow for fiscal 2023 increased by $933.8 million, to $2.1 billion, as compared to fiscal 2022, principally as a result of an increase in cash flows from operations, offset by a year-over-year increase in capital expenditures.

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Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing the company’s liquidity for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. In the table that follows, free cash flow for each period presented is reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities.

20232022Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)$2,867,602$1,791,286$1,076,31660.1%
Additions to plant and equipment(793,325)(632,802)(160,523)(25.4)
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment42,14724,14418,00374.6
Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)$2,116,424$1,182,628$933,79679.0%

Financing Activities

Equity Transactions

Proceeds from exercises of share-based compensation awards were $79.2 million and $128.2 million in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively. The level of option exercises, and thus proceeds, will vary from period to period and is largely dependent on movements in our stock price and the time remaining before option grants expire.

We have traditionally engaged in share repurchase programs to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of the company’s common stock which will remain available until fully utilized. We repurchased 6,231,071 shares for $500.1 million during fiscal 2023. As of July 1, 2023, we had a remaining authorization of approximately $4.0 billion. We expect to complete approximately $750 million in shares repurchases in fiscal 2024. Depending on the volume of acquisitions completed in fiscal 2024, we could increase share repurchases above this amount. We repurchased 552,463 additional shares for $41.3 million under our authorization through August 8, 2023.

We have made dividend payments to our shareholders in each fiscal year since our company’s inception. Dividends paid in fiscal 2023 were $996.0 million, or $1.96 per share, as compared to $958.9 million, or $1.88 per share, in fiscal 2022. In April 2023, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 of $0.50 per share, a $0.01 per share increase from the prior quarter, which was paid in July 2023.

In August 2021, we filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC under which we, as a well-known seasoned issuer, have the ability to issue and sell an indeterminate amount of various types of debt and equity securities. The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

In November 2000, we filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement covering 30,000,000 shares of common stock to be offered from time to time in connection with acquisitions. As of August 8, 2023, 29,477,835 shares remained available for issuance under this registration statement.

Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability

Our debt activity, including issuances and repayments, and our borrowing availability is described in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Our outstanding borrowings at July 1, 2023, and repayment activity since the end of fiscal 2023 are disclosed within those notes. Updated amounts at August 8, 2023, include:

•No outstanding borrowings from the long-term revolving credit facility supporting our U.S. commercial paper program; and

•$339.0 million outstanding borrowings under our U.S. commercial paper program.

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Our aggregate commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings had weighted average interest rates of 4.10% for fiscal 2023 and 1.35% for fiscal 2022.

The availability of financing in the form of debt is influenced by many factors, including our profitability, free cash flows, debt levels, credit ratings, debt covenants and economic and market conditions. As of August 8, 2023, Moody’s Investors Service has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of Baa1 and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Standard & Poor’s has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of BBB and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Fitch Ratings Inc. has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of BBB and a ratings outlook of “stable.” A significant downgrade in our credit ratings or adverse conditions in the capital markets may increase the cost of borrowing for us or limit our access to capital. To date, we have not experienced difficulty accessing the credit markets. As of August 8, 2023, the company had approximately $3.1 billion in cash and available liquidity.

Our long-term revolving credit facility includes aggregate commitments of the lenders thereunder of $3.0 billion with an option to increase such commitments to $4.0 billion. The facility includes a covenant, among others, requiring Sysco to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense of 3.0 to 1.0 over four consecutive fiscal quarters. The revolving credit facility expires on April 29, 2027. As of July 1, 2023, Sysco was in compliance with all of its debt covenants and the company expects to remain in compliance through the next twelve months.

Sysco’s commercial paper dealer agreement includes an issuance allowance for an aggregate amount not to exceed $3.0 billion. Any outstanding amounts are classified within long-term debt, as the program is supported by the long-term revolving credit facility.

Guarantor Summarized Financial Information

On January 19, 2011, the wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries of Sysco Corporation, which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products, entered into full and unconditional guarantees of all outstanding senior notes and debentures of Sysco Corporation. A list of the current guarantors is included in Exhibit 22 to this Form 10-K. All subsequent issuances of senior notes and debentures in the U.S. and borrowings under the company’s $3.0 billion long-term revolving credit facility have also been guaranteed by these subsidiaries, as discussed in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of July 1, 2023, Sysco had a total of $9.5 billion in senior notes, debentures and borrowings under the long-term revolving credit facility that were guaranteed by these subsidiary guarantors. Our remaining consolidated subsidiaries (non-guarantor subsidiaries) are not obligated under the senior notes indenture, debentures indenture or our long-term revolving credit facility.

All subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company, all guarantees are full and unconditional, and all guarantees are joint and several. The guarantees rank equally and ratably in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the respective guarantors.

The assets of Sysco Corporation consist principally of the stock of its subsidiaries. Therefore, the rights of Sysco Corporation and the rights of its creditors to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon liquidation, recapitalization or otherwise will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that claims of Sysco Corporation itself and/or the claims of those creditors themselves may be recognized as creditor claims of the subsidiary. Furthermore, the ability of Sysco Corporation to service its indebtedness and other obligations is dependent upon the earnings and cash flow of its subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment to it of such earnings or cash flow. If any of Sysco Corporation’s subsidiaries becomes insolvent, the direct creditors of that subsidiary will have a prior claim on its assets. Sysco Corporation’s rights and the rights of its creditors, including the rights of a holder of senior notes as an owner of debt securities, will be subject to that prior claim unless Sysco Corporation or such noteholder, if such noteholder’s debt securities are guaranteed by such subsidiary, also is a direct creditor of that subsidiary.

The guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor with respect to a series of senior notes or debentures may be released under certain customary circumstances. If we exercise our defeasance option with respect to the senior notes or debentures of any series, then any subsidiary guarantor effectively will be released with respect to that series. Further, each subsidiary guarantee will remain in full force and effect until the earliest to occur of the date, if any, on which (1) the applicable subsidiary guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation or (2) Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation consolidates with or merges into the applicable subsidiary guarantor.

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Basis of Preparation of the Summarized Financial Information

The summarized financial information of Sysco Corporation (issuer), and certain wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries (guarantors) (together, the obligor group) is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the obligor group eliminated. Investments in and equity in the earnings of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, which are not members of the obligor group, have been excluded from the summarized financial information. The obligor group’s amounts due to, amounts due from and transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries have been presented in separate line items, if they are material to the obligor financials. The following table includes summarized financial information of the obligor group for the periods presented.

Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Balance SheetJul. 1, 2023
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Receivables due from non-obligor subsidiaries$321,476
Current assets5,149,509
Total current assets$5,470,985
Notes receivable from non-obligor subsidiaries$108,380
Other noncurrent assets4,254,145
Total noncurrent assets$4,362,525
LIABILITIES
Payables due to non-obligor subsidiaries$71,175
Other current liabilities2,305,435
Total current liabilities$2,376,610
Notes payable to non-obligor subsidiaries$240,874
Long-term debt9,793,541
Other noncurrent liabilities1,121,884
Total noncurrent liabilities$11,156,299
Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Results of Operations2023
(In thousands)
Sales$47,919,810
Gross profit8,722,554
Operating income2,621,532
Interest expense from non-obligor subsidiaries16,754
Net earnings1,390,966

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses in the accompanying financial statements. Significant accounting policies employed by Sysco are presented in the notes to the financial statements.

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. These policies require our most subjective or complex judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors the development and selection of the critical accounting policies and estimates and this related disclosure. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates pertain to the goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, company-sponsored pension plans and inventory valuation.

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We account for acquired businesses using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that once control of a business is obtained, 100% of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. We use multiple valuation methods to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For intangible assets, we generally use the income method which uses a forecast of the expected future net cash flows associated with each asset. These cash flows are then adjusted to present value by applying an appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk factors associated with the cash flow streams. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the income method or other methods include the amount and timing of projected future cash flows and the discount rate selected to measure the risks inherent in the future cash flows. Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment, as different types of intangible assets will have different useful lives. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. More information on our acquisitions can be found in Note 4, “Acquisitions,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Annually in our fiscal fourth quarter, we assess the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles by determining whether the fair values exceed the carrying values of these assets. Impairment reviews, outside our annual review time frame, are performed if events or circumstances occur that include changes in 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. Our testing may be performed utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment; however, if a qualitative assessment is performed and we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be less than its carrying amount, a quantitative test is performed.

When using a quantitative test, we arrive at our estimates of fair value using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. The results from each of these models are then weighted and combined into a single estimate of fair value for each reporting unit. We use a higher weighting for our discounted cash flow valuation compared to the earnings multiple models because the forecasted operating results that serve as a basis for the analysis incorporate management’s outlook and anticipated changes for the businesses consistent with a market participant. The primary assumptions used in these various models include estimated earnings multiples of comparable acquisitions in the industry, including control premiums, earnings or revenue multiples on acquisitions completed by Sysco in the past, future cash flow estimates of the reporting units which are dependent on internal forecasts and projected growth rates, and weighted average cost of capital, along with working capital and capital expenditure requirements. When possible, we use observable market inputs in our models to arrive at the fair values of our reporting units.

Certain reporting units have a greater proportion of goodwill recorded to estimated fair value as compared to the U.S. Broadline, Canada Broadline or SYGMA reporting units. This is primarily due to these businesses having been more recently acquired, and as a result there has been less history of organic growth than in the U.S. Broadline, Canadian Broadline and SYGMA reporting units. As such, these reporting units have a greater risk of future impairment if their operations were to suffer a significant downturn. In the annual fiscal 2023 assessment, we concluded that all reporting units have a fair value that exceeded book value by at least 30%, with one exception. Impairment charges would have been applicable for this reporting unit if our estimate of fair value was decreased by approximately 6%, with goodwill of $119.0 million in the aggregate as of July 1, 2023.

The company estimated the fair value of these reporting units using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. For the purposes of the discounted cash flow models, fair value was determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk adjusted rate. The fair value conclusions as of July 1, 2023 for the reporting units are highly sensitive to changes in the assumptions used in the income approach which include forecasted revenues, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others, all of which require significant judgments by management. Fair value of the reporting unit is: therefore, determined using significant unobservable inputs, or level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The company has used recent historical performance, current forecasted financial information, and broad-based industry and economic statistics as a basis to estimate the key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow model. These key assumptions are inherently uncertain and require a high degree of estimation and judgment and are subject to change based on future changes, industry and global economic and geo-political conditions, and the timing and success of the implementation of current strategic initiatives.

Income Taxes

The determination of our provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income

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earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. Certain of our operations have carryforward attributes, such as operating losses. If these operations do not produce sufficient income, it could lead to the recognition of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets in the future if losses occur or growth is insufficient beyond our current expectations. This would negatively impact our income tax expense, net earnings, and balance sheet.

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment in estimating the exposures associated with our various filing positions. We believe that the judgments and estimates discussed herein are reasonable; however, actual results could differ, and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. To the extent we prevail in matters for which a liability has been established, or pay amounts in excess of recorded liabilities, our effective income tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement generally would require use of our cash and may result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement may be recognized as a reduction in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, Sysco received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service, mainly related to foreign tax credits generated in fiscal 2018 from repatriated earnings primarily from our Canadian operations. On April 18, 2023, during the company’s fourth fiscal quarter, the company filed suit in the U.S. Tax Court challenging the validity of certain tax regulations related to the one-time transition tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings, which was enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). The lawsuit seeks to have the court invalidate these regulations, which would affirm the company’s position regarding its foreign tax credits. Sysco previously recorded a benefit of $131.0 million attributable to its interpretation of the TCJA and the Internal Revenue Code. If the company is ultimately unsuccessful in defending its position, it may be required to reverse all, or some portion, of the benefit previously recorded.

Company-Sponsored Pension Plans

Amounts related to defined benefit plans recognized in the financial statements are determined on an actuarial basis. Two of the more critical assumptions in the actuarial calculations are the discount rate for determining the current value of plan benefits and the expected rate of return on plan assets. Our U.S. Retirement Plan is largely frozen and is only open to a small number of employees. Our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) is frozen and is not open to any employees. None of these plans have a significant sensitivity to changes in discount rates specific to our results of operations, but such changes could impact our balance sheet due to a change in our funded status. Due to the low level of active employees in our retirement plans, our assumption for the rate of increase in future compensation is not a critical assumption.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan was 4.50% for the period of July 2022 to October 2022. Due to the settlement that occurred, as discussed in Note 14, “Company-Sponsored Employee Benefit Plans” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, the rate changed to 6.00% from November 2022 to June 2023. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 4.50% for fiscal 2022. The expectations of future returns are derived from a mathematical asset model that incorporates assumptions as to the various asset class returns reflecting a combination of historical performance analysis, the forward-looking views of the financial markets regarding the yield on bonds, historical returns of the major stock markets, and returns on alternative investments. The rate of return assumption is reviewed annually and revised as deemed appropriate.

The expected return on plan assets impacts the recorded amount of net pension costs. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan is 5.50% for fiscal 2024. A 25 basis point increase (decrease) in the assumed rate of return in the Plan for fiscal 2024 would decrease (increase) Sysco’s net company-sponsored pension costs for fiscal 2024 by approximately $6.0 million.

Pension accounting standards require the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans in the Statement of Financial Position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of July 1, 2023 was a charge, net of tax, of $839.5 million. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of July 2, 2022 was a charge, net of tax, of $1.0 billion. The decrease compared to July 2, 2022 is due to a portion of the accumulated other comprehensive loss being recognized in our consolidated results of operations as a result of the purchase of a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract that transferred a portion of the U.S. Retirement Plan’s pension obligations related to certain pension benefits over to an insurer.

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Inventory Valuation

Inventories consisting primarily of finished goods include food and related products and lodging products held for sale. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) and net realizable value. Inventory balances are adjusted for slow-moving, excess, and obsolete inventories. Inventory valuation reserves require certain management estimates and judgments which may significantly affect the ending inventory valuation. We estimate our reserves based on the consideration of a variety of factors, including but not limited to, current economic conditions and business trends, seasonal demand, future merchandising strategies and the age of our products.

We have not made any material changes in the methodology used to establish our inventory valuation or the related reserves. We believe that we have sufficient current and historical knowledge to record reasonable estimates, and the risk of inventory obsolescence is largely mitigated because of the speed with which our inventory typically turns. However, these assumptions are inherently uncertain and require estimation and judgment and are subject to change. During fiscal year 2023, the change in our inventory valuation reserve was not material to our results of operations or balance sheet.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein that look forward in time or express management’s expectations or beliefs with respect to the occurrence of future events are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “projected,” “continues,” “continuously,” variations of such terms, and similar terms and phrases denoting anticipated or expected occurrences or results. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

•our expectations of an improving market over the course of fiscal 2024;

•our expectations regarding the ability of our supply chain and facilities to remain in place and operational;

•our plans regarding our transformation initiatives and the expected effects from such initiatives, including the Sysco Driver Academy;

•statements regarding uncollectible accounts, including that if collections continue to improve, additional reductions in bad debt expense could occur;

•our expectations that our Recipe for Growth strategy will allow us to better serve our customers and differentiate Sysco from our competition;

•our expectations regarding our fiscal 2024 sales and our rate of sales growth in fiscal 2024 and the three years of our long-range plan;

•our expectations regarding the impact of inflation on sales, gross margin rates and gross profit dollars;

•our expectations regarding gross margins in fiscal 2024;

•our plans regarding cost savings, including our target for cost savings through fiscal 2024 and the impact of costs savings on the company;

•our belief that our purpose will allow us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our Recipe for Growth transformation, and statements regarding our plans with respect to our strategic pillars that support this growth transformation;

•our expectations regarding the use and investment of remaining cash generated from operations;

•the effect, impact, potential duration or other implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and any expectations we may have with respect thereto, including our ability to withstand and recover from the crisis;

•the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan;

•the sufficiency of our available liquidity to sustain our operations for multiple years;

•estimates regarding the outcome of legal proceedings;

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•the impact of seasonal trends on our free cash flow;

•estimates regarding our capital expenditures and the sources of financing for our capital expenditures;

•our expectations regarding the impact of potential acquisitions and sales of assets on our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability;

•our expectations regarding real sales growth in the U.S. foodservice market and trends in produce markets;

•our expectations regarding the calculation of adjusted return on invested capital, adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share;

•our expectations regarding the impact of future Certain Items on our projected future non-GAAP and GAAP results;

•our expectations regarding our effective tax rate in fiscal 2024;

•the sufficiency of our mechanisms for managing working capital and competitive pressures, and our beliefs regarding the impact of these mechanisms;

•our ability to meet future cash requirements, including the ability to access financial markets effectively, including issuances of debt securities, and maintain sufficient liquidity;

•our expectations regarding the payment of dividends, and the growth of our dividend, in the future;

•our expectations regarding future activity under our share repurchase program;

•future compliance with the covenants under our revolving credit facility;

•our ability to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets;

•our intention to repay our long-term debt with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, issuances of commercial paper, issuances of senior notes, or a combination thereof.

These statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially due in part to the risk factors set forth below and those within Part I, Item 1A of this document:

•the risk that if sales from our locally managed customers do not grow at the same rate as sales from multi-unit customers, our gross margins may decline;

•periods of significant or prolonged inflation or deflation and their impact on our product costs and profitability generally;

•the risk that we are unlikely to be able to predict inflation over the long term, and lower inflation is likely to produce lower gross profit;

•the risk that our efforts to modify truck routing, including our small truck initiative, in order to reduce outbound transportation costs may be unsuccessful;

•the risk that we may not be able to accelerate and/or identify additional administrative cost savings in order to compensate for any gross profit or supply chain cost leverage challenges;

•risks related to unfavorable conditions in the Americas and Europe and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition;

•the risks related to our efforts to implement our transformation initiatives and meet our other long-term strategic objectives, including the risk that these efforts may not provide the expected benefits in our anticipated time frame, if at all, and may prove costlier than expected;

•the impact of unexpected future changes to our business initiatives based on management’s subjective evaluation of our overall business needs;

•the risk that the actual costs of any business initiatives may be greater or less than currently expected;

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•the risk that competition in our industry and the impact of GPOs may adversely impact our margins and our ability to retain customers and make it difficult for us to maintain our market share, growth rate and profitability;

•the risk that our relationships with long-term customers may be materially diminished or terminated;

•the risk that changes in consumer eating habits could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations;

•the impact and effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, and the adverse impact thereof on our business, financial condition and results of operations;

•the risk that changes in applicable tax laws or regulations and the resolution of tax disputes could negatively affect our financial results;

•the risk that we may not be able to fully compensate for increases in fuel costs, and forward purchase commitments intended to contain fuel costs could result in above market fuel costs;

•the risk of interruption of supplies and increase in product costs as a result of conditions beyond our control;

•the potential impact on our reputation and earnings of adverse publicity or lack of confidence in our products;

•risks related to unfavorable changes to the mix of locally managed customers versus corporate-managed customers;

•the risk that we may not realize anticipated benefits from our operating cost reduction efforts;

•difficulties in successfully expanding into international markets and complimentary lines of business;

•the potential impact of product liability claims;

•the risk that we fail to comply with requirements imposed by applicable law or government regulations;

•risks related to our ability to effectively finance and integrate acquired businesses;

•risks related to our access to borrowed funds in order to grow and any default by us under our indebtedness that could have a material adverse impact on cash flow and liquidity;

•our level of indebtedness and the terms of our indebtedness could adversely affect our business and liquidity position;

•the risk that the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

•the risk that divestiture of one or more of our businesses may not provide the anticipated effects on our operations;

•the risk that future labor disruptions or disputes could disrupt the integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France and our operations in France and the EU generally;

•the risk that factors beyond management’s control, including fluctuations in the stock market, as well as management’s future subjective evaluation of the company’s needs, would impact the timing of share repurchases;

•due to our reliance on technology, any technology disruption or delay in implementing new technology could have a material negative impact on our business;

•the risk of negative impacts to our business and our relationships with customers from a cybersecurity incident and/or other technology disruptions;

•the risk that changes in the method of determining LIBOR, or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect interest expense related to outstanding debt;

•the potential requirement to pay material amounts under our multiemployer defined benefit pension plans;

•our funding requirements for our company-sponsored qualified pension plan may increase should financial markets experience future declines;

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•labor issues, including the renegotiation of union contracts and shortage of qualified labor;

•capital expenditures may vary based on changes in business plans and other factors, including risks related to the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

•the risk that the anti-takeover benefits provided by our preferred stock may not be viewed as beneficial to stockholders; and

•the risk that the exclusive forum provisions in our amended and restated bylaws could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

FY 2022 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0000096021-22-000151.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2022-08-26. Report date: 2022-07-02.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of Sysco’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the fiscal years ended July 2, 2022 and July 3, 2021 should be read as a supplement to our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes contained in Item 8 of this report, and in conjunction with the “Forward-looking Statements” section set forth in Part II and the “Risk Factors” section set forth in Item 1A of Part I. All discussion of changes in our results of operations from fiscal 2020 to fiscal 2021 has been omitted from this Form 10-K, but may be found in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the year ended July 3, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2021.

Overview

Sysco distributes food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. Our primary operations are located in North America and Europe. Under the accounting provisions related to disclosures about segments of an enterprise, we have combined certain operations into three reportable segments. “Other” financial information is attributable to our other operations that do not meet the quantitative disclosure thresholds.

•U.S. Foodservice Operations – primarily includes (a) the company’s U.S. Broadline operations, which distribute a full line of food products, including custom-cut meat, seafood, produce, specialty Italian, specialty imports and a

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wide variety of non-food products and (b) our U.S. Specialty operations, which include our FreshPoint fresh produce distribution business, our Specialty Meats and Seafood Group specialty protein operations, our growing Italian Specialty platform anchored by Greco & Sons, our Asian specialty distribution company and a number of other small specialty businesses that are not material to the operations of Sysco;

•International Foodservice Operations – includes operations outside of the United States (U.S.), which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products. The Americas primarily consists of operations in Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as our export operations that distribute to international customers. Our European operations primarily consist of operations in the United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Ireland and Sweden;

•SYGMA – our U.S. customized distribution operations serving quick-service chain restaurant customer locations; and

•Other – primarily our hotel supply operations, Guest Worldwide.

We estimate that we serve about 17% of an approximately $300 billion annual foodservice market in the U.S. based on industry data obtained from Technomic, Inc. as of the end of calendar 2021. Technomic projects the market size to increase to approximately $345 billion by the end of calendar 2022. From time to time, Technomic may revise the methodology used to calculate the size of the foodservice market and, as a result, our percentage can change not only from our sales results, but also from such revisions. We also serve certain international geographies that vary in size and amount of market share.

According to industry sources, the foodservice, or food-away-from-home, market represents approximately 53% of the total dollars spent on food purchases made at the consumer level in the U.S. as of the end of calendar year 2021, which is consistent with pre-pandemic levels as of the end of calendar year 2019.

Highlights

Our fiscal 2022 results were strong, reflecting growth in volumes and sales, effective management of inflation and improved profitability. Our market share gains in the U.S. segments continued to accelerate through the fiscal year and demonstrated the impact of our Recipe for Growth strategy on our business, advancing our capabilities in supply chain and sales. As a result, Sysco achieved an all-time record for annual sales. Additionally, our teams made significant improvements in operating expense leverage, with lower business recovery costs, as we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and continued re-investments in our supply chain and operations productivity performance to drive profitable growth. See below for a comparison of our fiscal 2022 results to our fiscal 2021 results, both including and excluding Certain Items (as defined below).

Below is a comparison of results from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2021:

•Sales:

◦increased 33.8%, or $17.3 billion, to $68.6 billion;

◦increased 37.2% or $18.7 billion on a comparable 52-week basis;

•Operating income:

◦increased 62.7%, or $901.8 million, to $2.3 billion;

◦adjusted operating income increased 80.3%, or $1.2 billion, to $2.6 billion;

•Net earnings:

◦increased 159.2%, or $834.6 million, to $1.4 billion;

◦adjusted net earnings increased 126.0%, or $932.6 million, to $1.7 billion;

•Basic earnings per share:

◦increased 158.3%, or $1.63, to $2.66 from the comparable prior year amount of $1.03 per share;

•Diluted earnings per share:

◦increased 158.8%, or $1.62, to $2.64 from the comparable prior year amount of $1.02 per share;

◦adjusted diluted earnings per share were $3.25 in fiscal 2022, a $1.81 increase from the comparable prior year amount of $1.44 per share.

•EBITDA:

◦increased 42.7%, or $940.5 million, to $3.1 billion; and

◦adjusted EBITDA increased 54.4%, or $1.2 billion, to $3.3 billion.

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The discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove the impact of (A) restructuring and transformational project costs consisting of (1) restructuring charges, (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives and (3) facility closure and severance charges; acquisition-related costs consisting of: (1) intangible amortization expense and (2) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions; and (B) the reduction of bad debt expense previously recognized in fiscal 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the collectability of our pre-pandemic trade receivable balances. Our results for fiscal 2022 were also impacted by (1) a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory; (2) debt extinguishment costs; and (3) the increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions. Our results for fiscal 2021 were also impacted by the reduction of bad debt expense previously recognized in fiscal 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the collectability of our pre-pandemic trade receivable balances, as well as non-operating gains and losses including (1) losses on the extinguishment of debt, (2) losses on the sale of businesses and (3) gains on the sale of property.

The fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 items discussed above are collectively referred to as “Certain Items.” The results of our foreign operations can be impacted by changes in exchange rates applicable to converting from local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our total Sysco and our International Foodservice Operations results on a constant currency basis. Our discussion below of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures and exclude the impact from Certain Items, and certain metrics are stated on a constant currency basis.

Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, interest expense, other (income) expense, net, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results and provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations, (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis and (3) removes those items that are difficult to predict and are often unanticipated and that, as a result, are difficult to include in analysts’ financial models and our investors’ expectations with any degree of specificity.

Sysco’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to June 30th. This resulted in a 52-week year ended July 2, 2022 for fiscal 2022, a 53-week year ended July 3, 2021 for fiscal 2021 and a 52-week year ended June 27, 2020 for fiscal 2020. We will have a 52-week year ending July 1, 2023 for fiscal 2023. Because fiscal 2021 contained an additional week as compared to fiscal 2022, our Consolidated Results of Operations for fiscal 2022 are not directly comparable to the prior year. In some cases, our disclosure will include a fiscal 2022 comparison to fiscal 2021 on a 52-week year basis. Management believes that adjusting the fiscal 2021 Consolidated Results of Operations for the estimated impact of the additional week provides more comparable financial results on a year-over-year basis. This is calculated by taking one-fourteenth of the total metric for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.

The company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results, as well as for internal planning and forecasting purposes. These financial measures should not be used as a substitute for GAAP measures in assessing the company’s results of operations for periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Any metric within this section referred to as “adjusted” will reflect the applicable impact of Certain Items. More information on the rationale for the use of these measures and reconciliations to GAAP numbers can be found under “Non-GAAP Reconciliations.”

Key Performance Indicators

Sysco seeks to meet its strategic goals by continually measuring its success in its key performance metrics that drive stakeholder value through sales growth and capital allocation and deployment. We believe the following are our most significant performance metrics in our current business environment:

•Adjusted operating income growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted diluted earnings per share growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP);

•Case volume growth by customer type for U.S. Broadline operations;

•Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline operations; and

•Free cash flow (non-GAAP).

We use these financial metrics and related computations, as well as sales and gross profit growth, to evaluate our business and to plan for near-and long-term operating and strategic decisions. We believe it is useful to provide investors with

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the same financial information that we use internally to make comparisons of our historical operating results, identify trends in our underlying operating results and evaluate our business.

Key Financial Definitions

•Sales – Sales is equal to gross sales, minus (1) sales returns and (2) sales incentives that we offer to certain customers, such as upfront monies and discounts. Our sales are driven by changes in case volumes, product inflation that is reflected in the pricing of our products and mix of products sold.

•Gross profit – Gross profit is equal to our net sales minus our cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold primarily includes inventory costs (net of supplier consideration) and inbound freight. Cost of goods sold generally changes as we incur higher or lower costs from our suppliers and as our customer and product mix changes.

Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share Growth

Adjusted operating income represents our consolidated operating income, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Adjusted diluted earnings per share represents our consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Sysco’s management considers growth in these metrics to be useful measures of operating efficiency and profitability, as they facilitate comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business.

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net earnings (loss) plus (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense and benefit, (3) depreciation and (4) amortization. The net earnings (loss) component of our EBITDA calculation is impacted by Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. As a result, in the non-GAAP reconciliations below for each period presented, adjusted EBITDA is computed as EBITDA plus the impact of Certain Items, excluding Certain Items related to interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Sysco’s management considers growth in this metric to be a measure of overall financial performance that provides useful information to management and investors about the profitability of the business, as it facilitates comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business. Additionally, it is a commonly used component metric used to inform on capital structure decisions.

Case Volume Growth by Customer Type for U.S. Broadline Operations

Case volume represents the volume of product sold to customers during a period of time, and improvements in this metric are a primary driver of Sysco’s top line performance. We define a case, specifically for our U.S. Broadline operations, as the lowest level of packaged products that are sold from our warehouses, with one case potentially containing several pieces of a product packaged in bulk. Case size does not generally vary by location or from period to period, due to the design of our warehouses. Case volume growth is calculated by dividing the change in the volume of cases sold year-over-year by the volume of cases sold in the prior year. Sysco management considers case volume growth within its U.S. Broadline operations to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating sales performance and as an indicator of gross margin performance. Management monitors case volume growth by customer type, with bifurcation between local customers and national customers, as this provides a measure of gross profit performance due to the pricing strategies attached to each customer type. Local customers are primarily street customers, such as independent restaurants that do not have long-term contracts, or locally managed customers, such as local chain restaurants, while national customers are the multi-unit customers requiring national coverage from a customer-centric view and are managed centrally from the Corporate office. Sysco management seeks to drive higher case volume growth to local customers, which allows more favorable pricing terms for our U.S. Broadline operations and generates higher gross margins as a result. National customers benefit from purchasing power, as they are able to negotiate pricing agreements across multiple businesses, reducing our gross profit potential, but reducing our overall cost per case, as national customers have bigger drop sizes. While overall case volume growth reflects a key component of sales growth, local customer case growth provides additional context around gross profit performance.

Sysco Brand Penetration for U.S. Broadline Operations

Sysco management considers Sysco brand penetration to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating the gross profit performance of the company’s U.S. Broadline operations. Sysco offers an assortment of Sysco-branded products that can be differentiated from privately branded products, which enables us to achieve higher gross margin by administering and leveraging a consolidated product procurement program for quality food and non-

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food products. Due to cost efficiencies, Sysco-branded products generate a higher gross margin than sales from other privately branded products. We define Sysco brand penetration as the percentage of Sysco-branded case volume sold to U.S. Broadline customers over all cases sold to U.S. Broadline customers. This performance indicator, also measured at the customer type level, including local and national customers, is driven by growth in the distribution of branded products to more customers and more geographies, as well as increasing branded offerings through innovation and the launch of new products.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow represents net cash provided from operating activities, less purchases of plant and equipment, plus proceeds from sales of plant and equipment. Sysco management considers free cash flow to be a non-GAAP liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases and sales of buildings, fleet, equipment and technology, which may potentially be used to pay for, among other things, strategic uses of cash, including dividend payments, share repurchases and acquisitions. However, free cash flow may not be available for discretionary expenditures, as it may be necessary that we use it to make mandatory debt service or other payments. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for discussions of GAAP metrics, including net cash provided by operating activities and our reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

Trends

Economic and Industry Trends

The food-away-from-home sector experienced an overall recovery in fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2021. In the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the company experienced disruptions from the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which negatively impacted consumer demand and our customers due to the reintroduction of significant restrictions on their businesses. We experienced a strong market rebound beginning in late February, which continued into the fourth quarter, and we achieved an all-time record for quarterly and annual sales at Sysco. While the company has experienced macroeconomic pressures from major waves of COVID-19, double-digit inflation, and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia impacting the food supply, we have delivered profitable growth. While we anticipate that recent macroeconomic pressures may continue to create challenges in fiscal 2023, the food away from home industry has demonstrated its resilience and importance over the past few years, and we expect top-line growth in fiscal 2023 of at least 10% over fiscal year 2022.

Sales and Gross Profit Trends

Our sales and gross profit performance can be influenced by multiple factors, including price, volume, customer mix, product mix and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest factor affecting performance in fiscal 2022 was volume growth, as we experienced strong results from both independent and chain customers, driven by a 10.3% improvement in local case volume and a 15.4% improvement in total case volume within our U.S. Broadline operations, in each instance as compared to fiscal 2021. Sysco continues to lead the industry in supporting our customers during this challenging supply chain period, including converting our supply chain to a full six-day work week. This growth enabled us to gain market share during fiscal 2022 at a rate of over 1.3 times the industry, which exceeded our stated goal for the year and contributed to Sysco achieving an all-time record for annual sales. That rate of growth is expected to accelerate across the three years of our long-range plan, and we intend to deliver 1.5 times the market growth by the end of our fiscal 2024.

Product cost inflation has also been a driver of our sales and gross profit performance. We experienced inflation in our U.S. Broadline operations, at a rate of 15.3% and 15.0% in the fourth quarter and fiscal 2022, respectively, primarily driven by inflation in the dairy, poultry and fresh produce categories. We have been successful in managing our inflation, resulting in an increase in gross profit dollars. Gross margin increased 10 basis points in the fourth quarter and decreased 29 basis points for fiscal 2022, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, largely due to the impact of product cost inflation. We are expecting mid-single digit inflation for fiscal 2023 on an enterprise basis across all categories, with elevated rates in the first quarter that are expected to moderate over the course of the year; we are not planning for a deflationary environment, though some categories may be individually deflationary. We are continuing to take actions to mitigate the long-term effect of elevated inflation, including actively working to improve our cost of goods sold to Sysco, so that we can pass along value to our customers. However, the relative price of eating out has been less impacted by inflation than the cost of food at the grocery store, and we believe that the food away from home industry will prove resilient.

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Operating Expense Trends

Total operating expenses increased 26.0% during fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, driven by the variable costs associated with significantly increased volumes, our transformation initiatives under our Recipe for Growth strategy, investments in business recovery costs and expenses due to lower productivity resulting from newer associates. Our operating results in fiscal 2022 included $183 million of operating expense investments for our Recipe for Growth strategy, with supply chain investments ramping up significantly in the fourth quarter. We have made a purposeful response to the COVID-19 generated labor and safety environment in which we are operating, with $193 million in business recovery operating investments, such as recruiting costs, hiring marketing, vaccination promotion, contract labor and sign-on and retention bonuses during fiscal 2022. During the fourth quarter, we returned to employment levels higher than fiscal 2019, but continued to experience overtime costs to address growing demand and lower productivity of the new staff. Productivity and overtime costs were approximately $40 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, which is higher than the approximately $30 million for these same costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2022. We expect elevated operating expenses during fiscal 2023, as we continue to deal with a hiring environment that is still recovering, productivity issues that we expect to improve over the course of this year and continued investments for our transformation, all partially offset by our cost-out efforts. We are making these necessary investments to ensure that we can serve our customers, which enables us to continue increasing market share, profitably, at the national and local level. Even with those significant business recovery and transformation operating expense investments, partially offset by the continued benefit of our cost-savings efforts, we leveraged our adjusted operating expense structure.

Comparisons to Fiscal 2019

In assessing our financial performance through the business recovery, Sysco’s management compared our results in fiscal 2022 against our corresponding fiscal 2019 results.

Comparisons of results from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2019 are presented below:

•Sales:

◦increased 14.2%, or $8.5 billion, as compared to fiscal 2019;

•Operating income:

◦increased 0.4%, or $8.9 million, as compared to fiscal 2019;

◦adjusted operating income decreased 3.7%, or $100.3 million, as compared to fiscal 2019;

•EBITDA:

◦increased 0.40%, or $13.1 million, as compared to fiscal 2019;

◦adjusted EBITDA decreased 0.7%, or $23.9 million, as compared to fiscal 2019;

•Diluted earnings per share:

◦decreased 17.5%, or $0.56, as compared to fiscal 2019; and

◦adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 8.5%, or $0.30, as compared to fiscal 2019.

Key items impacting the comparability of Sysco’s results in fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2019 included the impact of operation during COVID-19, particularly the Omicron variant, one-time and on-going expenses associated with the business recovery and the operating expense investments made in support of our Recipe for Growth strategy.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We continue to focus on mergers and acquisitions as a part of our growth strategy. We plan to reinforce our existing businesses, while cultivating new channels, new segments and new capabilities. We have completed the following acquisitions in fiscal 2022:

•In the first quarter of fiscal 2022, we acquired Greco and Sons, a leading independent specialty Italian distributor in the United States. The acquisition is operating as part of Sysco’s U.S. Foodservice Segment.

•In the first quarter of fiscal 2022, we acquired a specialty food distributor in the United Kingdom.

•In the second quarter of fiscal 2022, we acquired Paragon Foodservice, a regional broadline fresh produce distributor in western Pennsylvania. The acquisition is operating as part of Sysco’s U.S. Foodservice Segment.

•In the third quarter of fiscal 2022, we acquired The Coastal Companies, a leading fresh produce distributor and value-added processer on the East Coast. The acquisition is operating as part of Sysco’s U.S. Foodservice Segment.

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Strategy

Our purpose is “Connecting the World to Share Food and Care for One Another.” Purpose driven companies are believed to perform better and we believe our purpose will assist us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our “Recipe for Growth” transformation. This growth transformation is supported by strategic pillars that we believe will allow us to better serve our customers, including:

•Digital – We will enrich the customer experience through personalized digital tools that reduce friction in the purchase experience and introduce innovation to our customers. We continue to invest in our personalization engine and see excellent utilization of our Sysco SHOP platform by customers. We successfully implemented our pricing software in the U.S. in fiscal 2022. We also have a new personalization engine that is currently under construction and has proved to be beneficial to our pilot customers.

•Products and Solutions – We will provide customer-focused marketing and merchandising solutions that inspire increased sales of our broad assortment of fair priced products and services. We are improving our merchandising and marketing solutions by developing improved strategies for specific cuisine segments.

•Supply Chain – We will efficiently and consistently serve customers with the products they need, when and how they need them, through a flexible, agile delivery framework. We are developing a more nimble, accessible and productive supply chain that is better positioned to support customers in their business recovery, we remain the only national broadliner with no order minimums for our customers. Our strategic initiatives to increase delivery frequency and enable omni-channel inventory fulfillment remain on track.

•Customer Teams – Our greatest strength is our people, people who are passionate about food and food service. Our diverse team delivers expertise and differentiated services designed to help our customers grow their business. We intend to improve the effectiveness of our sales organization by leveraging data to increase the yield of the sales process.

•Future Horizons – We are committed to responsible growth. We will cultivate new channels, new segments, and new capabilities while being stewards of our company and our planet. We will fund our journey through cost-out and efficiency improvements.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

20222021
Sales100.0%100.0%
Cost of sales82.081.8
Gross profit18.018.2
Operating expenses14.615.4
Operating income3.42.8
Interest expense0.91.7
Other (income) expense, net
Earnings before income taxes2.51.1
Income taxes0.50.1
Net earnings2.0%1.0%

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The following table sets forth the change in the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:

2022
Sales33.8%
Cost of sales34.3
Gross profit31.7
Operating expenses26.0
Operating income62.7
Interest expense(29.1)
Other (income) expense, net (1)13.6
Earnings before income taxes198.7
Income taxes541.1
Net earnings159.2%
Basic earnings per share158.3%
Diluted earnings per share158.8
Average shares outstanding
Diluted shares outstanding0.1
Column 1Column 2
(1)Other (income) expense, net was income of $31.4 million in fiscal 2022 and income of $27.6 million in fiscal 2021.

Segment Results

The following represents our results by reportable segments:

Year Ended Jul. 2, 2022
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherGlobal Support CenterConsolidated Totals
(In thousands)
Sales$48,520,562$11,787,449$7,245,824$1,082,311$$68,636,146
Sales increase35.8%41.2%11.5%49.5%33.8%
Percentage of total70.7%17.2%10.6%1.5%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$3,172,776$102,306$(3,646)$17,407$(949,808)$2,339,035
Operating income (loss) increase (decrease)29.2%144.0%(106.9)%NM62.7%
Percentage of total segments96.5%3.1%(0.1)%0.5%100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales6.5%0.9%(0.1)%1.6%3.4%
Year Ended Jul. 3, 2021
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherGlobal Support CenterConsolidated Totals
(In thousands)
Sales$35,724,843$8,350,638$6,498,601$723,761$$51,297,843
Percentage of total69.6%16.3%12.7%1.4%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$2,456,564$(232,403)$52,654$(396)$(839,177)$1,437,242
Percentage of total segments107.9%(10.2)%2.3%%100.0%
Operating income (loss) as a percentage of sales6.9%(2.8)%0.8%(0.1)%2.8%

In fiscal 2022, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations represented approximately 70.7% and 17.2%, respectively, of Sysco’s overall sales, compared to 69.6% and 16.3%, respectively, in fiscal 2021. In fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, U.S. Foodservice Operations represented approximately 96.5% and 107.9%, respectively, of the total segment operating income. This illustrates that these segments represent a substantial majority of our total segment results when

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compared to other reportable segments. See Note 21, “Business Segment Information,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Cost of sales primarily includes our product costs, net of vendor consideration, and includes in-bound freight. Operating expenses include the costs of facilities, product handling, delivery, selling and general and administrative activities. Fuel surcharges are reflected within sales and gross profit; fuel costs are reflected within operating expenses. Along with sales, operating income is the most relevant measure for evaluating segment performance and allocating resources, as operating income includes cost of goods sold, as well as the costs to warehouse and deliver goods, which are significant and relevant costs when evaluating a distribution business.

Results of U.S. Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2022, the U.S. Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 70.7% of Sysco’s overall sales and 96.5% of the aggregated operating income of Sysco’s reporting segments. Several factors contributed to these higher operating results as compared to the other operating segments. We have invested substantial amounts in assets, operating methods, technology and management expertise in this segment. The breadth of its sales force, geographic reach of its distribution area and its purchasing power enable this segment to generate its relatively stronger results of operations.

The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20222021Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands)
Sales$48,520,562$35,724,843$12,795,71935.8%
Gross profit9,196,1337,008,6872,187,44631.2
Operating expenses6,023,3574,552,1231,471,23432.3
Operating income$3,172,776$2,456,564$716,21229.2%
Gross profit$9,196,133$7,008,687$2,187,44631.2%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)6,006,7534,691,1031,315,65028.0
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$3,189,380$2,317,584$871,79637.6%
Column 1Column 2
(1)See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the prior year in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2022
(In millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Case volume (1), (4)17.6%$6,300.4
Inflation (2)14.25,072.9
Acquisitions (3)3.71,334.7
Other (4)0.387.7
Total change in sales35.8%$12,795.7
(1)Includes case volume of 15.4% for U.S. Broadline operations.
(2)Includes product cost inflation of 15.0% for U.S. Broadline operations.
(3)Includes the impact of our fiscal 2022 acquisitions.
(4)Case volume excludes the volume impact from our custom-cut meat and seafood subsidiaries that do not measure volume in cases. Any impact in volumes from these operations are included within “Other.”

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The primary driver of the sales increase in fiscal 2022 was the significant improvement in case volume in our U.S. Broadline operations as a result of two factors: (a) the ongoing business recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) the impact of our Recipe for Growth initiatives. Case volumes from our U.S. Broadline operations increased 15.4% in fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021 and 17.9% on a comparable 52-week basis. This included a 10.3% improvement in local customer case growth and a 22.0% increase in national customer case volume in fiscal 2022. The increases in U.S. Broadline case volumes represent organic growth.

Operating Income

The increase in operating income for fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, was driven by gross profit dollar growth and partially offset by an increase in operating expenses.

Gross profit dollar growth was driven primarily by the improvement in local cases stemming from (a) the ongoing business recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, (b) the impact of our Recipe for Growth initiatives, (c) management of higher inflation, and (d) optimization of our business processes and performance. The estimated change in product costs, an internal measure of inflation or deflation, for fiscal 2022 for our U.S. Broadline operations was inflation of 15.0%. For fiscal 2022, this change in product costs was primarily driven by inflation in the dairy, poultry and fresh produce categories. Gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of sales, was 18.95% in fiscal 2022, which was a decrease of 67 basis points compared to gross margin of 19.62% in fiscal 2021, primarily attributable to inflationary pressure.

The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, was primarily driven by variable costs associated with increased volumes and largely from increased investments associated with the ongoing business recovery, including increases in costs for associates, such as recruiting costs, overtime costs, hiring costs, marketing, vaccination promotion, contract labor and sign-on and retention bonuses. We have also experienced an increase in operating expenses due to investments for our Recipe for Growth strategy in fiscal 2022. Additionally, we experienced a $115.0 million unfavorable comparison of bad debt expense in fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, which included a net bad debt benefit due to the significant reduction of reserves on pre-pandemic receivables that were collected in fiscal 2021. Excluding the impact of these pre-pandemic receivables, our year-over-year change in bad debt expense was not material.

Results of International Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2022, the International Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 17.2% of Sysco’s overall sales.

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The following table sets forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20222021Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands)
Sales$11,787,449$8,350,638$3,436,81141.2%
Gross profit2,377,0931,645,448731,64544.5
Operating expenses2,274,7871,877,851396,93621.1
Operating income (loss)$102,306$(232,403)$334,709(144.0)%
Gross profit$2,377,093$1,645,448$731,64544.5%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)2,144,2211,774,245369,97620.9
Adjusted operating income (loss) (Non-GAAP) (1)$232,872$(128,797)$361,669(280.8)%
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$11,968,011$8,350,638$3,617,37343.3%
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)2,427,8171,645,448782,36947.5%
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)2,195,1291,774,245420,88423.7%
Comparable operating income (loss) adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$236,402$(128,797)$365,199283.5%
Column 1Column 2
(1)See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2022
(In millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Inflation9.6%$798.5
Foreign currency(2.2)(180.1)
Other (1)33.82,818.4
Total change in sales41.2%$3,436.8
Column 1Column 2
(1)The impact of volumes as a component of sales growth from international operations are included within “Other.” Volume in our foreign operations includes volume metrics that differ from country to country and cannot be aggregated on a consistent comparable basis.

Sales in fiscal 2022 were higher primarily due to the significant improvement in volume as a result of the business recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the easing of restrictions across our European, Canadian and Latin American businesses during the fiscal year. The impact of our Recipe for Growth initiatives also contributed to volume growth.

Operating Income

Our International Foodservice Operations segment returned to profitability in fiscal 2022. The $334.7 million increase in operating income for fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, was primarily a result of an increased sales volumes attributable to the business recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with specific efforts to optimize our gross profit, while effectively managing our operating expenses.

The increase in gross profit dollars in fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, was attributable to the increase in sales volume and effectively managing inflation, along with specific efforts to optimize our gross profit dollars.

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The increase in operating expenses for fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, was primarily due to an increase in costs for associates, including overtime and hiring associates to manage the ongoing business recovery. Additionally, we had an unfavorable comparison of bad debt expense, as fiscal 2021 included a reduction of reserves on pre-pandemic receivables. Excluding the impact of these pre-pandemic receivables, our year-over-year change in bad debt expense was not material.

Results of SYGMA and Other Segment

For SYGMA, sales were 11.5% higher in fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, primarily from an increase in case volume driven by the success of national and regional quick service restaurants, and inflation and fee increases, partially offset by a decrease in volume due to the planned exit of a large regional customer. Operating income decreased by $56.3 million in fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, as our increased investments in business recovery staffing drove an increase in operating expenses in excess of our gross profit dollar growth from increased case volume. SYGMA operated at a loss for the first half of fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher than expected labor costs, but returned to profitability in the second half of the year.

For the operations that are grouped within our Other segment, operating income increased $17.8 million in fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, primarily due to the recovery of our hospitality business, Guest Worldwide. Volume for this business has improved as hospitality occupancy rates have grown from prior year levels.

Global Support Center Expenses

Our Global Support Center generally includes all expenses of the corporate office and Sysco’s shared service operations. These expenses increased $45.3 million in fiscal 2022, or 5.5%, as compared to fiscal 2021, primarily due to investments for our Recipe for Growth strategy, an increase in self-insurance reserves, acquisition and due diligence costs and higher associate-related expenses.

Included in Global Support Center expenses are Certain Items that totaled $146.8 million in fiscal 2022, as compared to $62.9 million in fiscal 2021. Certain Items impacting fiscal 2022 were primarily expenses associated with our business technology transformation initiatives and expenses associated with acquisitions. Certain Items impacting fiscal 2021 were primarily expenses associated with our business transformation initiatives.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $256.5 million for fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, primarily attributable to lower debt volume, partially offset by a loss on extinguishment of debt of $115.6 million for the redemption of $1.25 billion in combined aggregate principal amount of senior notes.

Net Earnings

Net earnings increased 159.2% in fiscal 2022, as compared to fiscal 2021, due primarily to the items noted above for operating income and interest expense, as well as items impacting our income taxes that are discussed in Note 19, “Income Taxes,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Adjusted net earnings, excluding Certain Items, increased 126.0% in fiscal 2022, primarily due to a significant increase in sales volume, partially offset by an unfavorable tax expense compared to the prior year.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share in fiscal 2022 were $2.66, a 158.3% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $1.03 per share. Diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2022 were $2.64, a 158.8% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $1.02 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below), in fiscal 2022 were $3.25, a 125.7% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $1.44 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed above related to net earnings in fiscal 2022.

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Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Our discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove the impact of (A) restructuring and transformational project costs consisting of: (1) restructuring charges, (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives and (3) facility closure and severance charges; (B) acquisition-related costs consisting of: (1) intangible amortization expense and (2) acquisition costs and due diligence costs related to our acquisitions; and (C) the reduction of bad debt expense previously recognized in fiscal 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the collectability of our pre-pandemic trade receivable balances. Our results for fiscal 2022 were also impacted by: (1) a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory, (2) debt extinguishment costs and (3) the increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions. Our results for fiscal 2021 were also impacted by losses on the sale of businesses.
The results of our foreign operations can be impacted due to changes in exchange rates applicable in converting local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our total Sysco and our International Foodservice Operations results on a constant currency basis. Constant currency operating results are calculated by translating current-period local currency operating results with the currency exchange rates used to translate the financial statements in the comparable prior-year period to determine what the current-period U.S. dollar operating results would have been if the currency exchange rate had not changed from the comparable prior-year period.
Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items and presenting its International Foodservice Operations results on a constant currency basis, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results and provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations and (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis.
Sysco has a history of growth through acquisitions and excludes from its non-GAAP financial measures the impact of acquisition-related intangible amortization, acquisition costs and due-diligence costs for those acquisitions. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco’s results for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021.
Set forth below is a reconciliation of sales, operating expenses, operating income, other (income) expense, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented. Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add up to the total presented due to rounding. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.

33

20222021Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Sales (GAAP) (A)$68,636,146$51,297,843$17,338,30333.8%
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)178,629178,6290.3
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)68,814,77551,297,84317,516,93234.1
Less 1 week fourth quarter sales (B)(1,152,635)1,152,6353.1
Comparable sales using a constant currency and a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)68,814,77550,145,20818,669,56737.2
Comparable sales using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP) (C)(D)$68,636,146$50,145,208$18,490,93836.9%
Cost of sales (GAAP)$56,315,622$41,941,094$14,374,52834.3%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)(73,224)(73,224)(0.2)
Cost of sales adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)56,242,39841,941,09414,301,30434.1
Less 1 week fourth quarter cost of sales(944,365)944,3653.1
Comparable cost of sales adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)$56,242,398$40,996,729$15,245,66937.2%
Gross profit (GAAP)$12,320,524$9,356,749$2,963,77531.7%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)73,22473,2240.8
Comparable gross profit adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (A)12,393,7489,356,7493,036,99932.5
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)50,13150,1310.5
Comparable gross profit adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)12,443,8799,356,7493,087,13033.0
Less 1 week fourth quarter gross profit (B)(208,270)208,2703.0
Comparable gross profit adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency and a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)12,443,8799,148,4793,295,40036.0
Comparable gross profit adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP) (C)$12,393,748$9,148,479$3,245,26935.5%
Gross margin (GAAP)17.95%18.24%-29 bps
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)0.1111 bps
Comparable gross margin adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (A)18.0618.24-18 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)0.022 bps
Comparable gross margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)18.0818.24-16 bps
Less 1 week fourth quarter gross margin (B)0 bps
Comparable gross margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency and a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)18.08%18.24-16 bps
Comparable gross margin adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP) (C)18.06%18.24%-18 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$9,981,489$7,919,507$2,061,98226.0%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)(109,532)(128,187)18,65514.6
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)(139,173)(79,540)(59,633)(75.0)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)27,999184,813(156,814)(84.9)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (A)9,760,7837,896,5931,864,19023.6
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)50,90850,9080.7
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)9,811,6917,896,5931,915,09824.3
Less 1 week fourth quarter operating expenses (B)(165,043)165,0432.6
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency and a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)9,811,6917,731,5502,080,14126.9
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP) (C)$9,760,783$7,731,550$2,029,23326.2%

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20222021Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Operating expense as a percentage of sales (GAAP)14.54%15.44%-90 bps
Impact of certain item adjustments(0.32)%(0.05)%-27 bps
Adjusted operating expense as a percentage of sales (Non-GAAP)14.22%15.39%-117 bps
Operating income (GAAP)$2,339,035$1,437,242$901,79362.7%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)73,22473,224NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)109,532128,187(18,655)(14.6)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)139,17379,54059,63375.0
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(27,999)(184,813)156,81484.9
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (A)2,632,9651,460,1561,172,80980.3
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(776)(776)
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)2,632,1891,460,1561,172,03380.3
Less 1 week fourth quarter operating income (B)(43,227)43,2275.5
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency and a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)2,632,1891,416,9291,215,26085.8
Comparable operating income adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP) (C)(E)$2,632,965$1,416,929$1,216,03685.8%
Operating margin (GAAP)3.41%2.80%61 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)3.84%2.85%99 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)3.83%2.85%98 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency and a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)3.83%2.83%100 bps
Operating margin adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP) (F)3.84%2.83%101 bps
Interest expense (GAAP)$623,643$880,137$(256,494)(29.1)%
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(115,603)(293,897)178,29460.7
Interest expense adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)508,040586,240(78,200)(13.3)
Less 1 week fourth quarter interest expense(10,518)10,5181.5
Interest expense adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)$508,040$575,722$(67,682)(11.8)%
Other income (GAAP)$(31,381)$(27,623)$(3,758)(13.6)%
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses2,057(10,460)12,517119.7
Other income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)(29,324)(38,083)8,75923.0
Less 1 week fourth quarter other income79(79)(0.2)
Other income adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)$(29,324)$(38,004)$8,68022.8%
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,358,768$524,209$834,559159.2%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)73,22473,224NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)109,532128,187(18,655)(14.6)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)139,17379,54059,63375.0
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(27,999)(184,813)156,81484.9
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt115,603293,897(178,294)(60.7)
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses(2,057)10,460(12,517)(119.7)
Tax impact of inventory valuation adjustment (6)(18,902)(18,902)NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (6)(28,274)(32,416)4,14212.8
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (6)(35,926)(19,675)(16,251)(82.6)
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (6)7,22846,260(39,032)(84.4)
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (6)(29,841)(79,323)49,48262.4

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20222021Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Tax impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)531(2,692)3,223119.7
Impact of adjustments to uncertain tax positions12,00012,000NM
Impact of foreign tax rate change(23,197)23,197NM
Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)1,673,060740,437932,623126.0
Less 1 week fourth quarter net earnings(26,165)26,1658.2
Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)$1,673,060$714,272$958,788134.2%
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$2.64$1.02$1.62158.8%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (2)0.140.14NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)0.210.25(0.04)(16.0)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)0.270.150.1280.0
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (5)(0.05)(0.36)0.3186.1
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt0.220.57(0.35)(61.4)
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses0.02(0.02)NM
Tax impact of inventory valuation adjustment (6)(0.04)(0.04)NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (6)(0.06)(0.06)
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (6)(0.07)(0.04)(0.03)(75.0)
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (6)0.010.09(0.08)(88.9)
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (6)(0.06)(0.15)0.0960.0
Tax impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)(0.01)0.01NM
Impact of adjustments to uncertain tax positions0.020.02NM
Impact of foreign tax rate change(0.05)0.05NM
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (7)3.251.441.81125.7
Less 1 week fourth quarter earnings per share(0.05)0.058.1
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)$3.25$1.39$1.86133.8%
Diluted shares outstanding514,005,827513,555,088
For purposes of comparable items using a 52 week basis, items are mathematically calculated using the row labels as follows: A+B=C and E/D=F
(1)Represents a constant currency adjustment, which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the current year results.
(2)Represents a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.
(3)Fiscal 2022 includes $61 million related to restructuring charges, severance and facility closure charges and $49 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy. Fiscal 2021 includes $72 million related to restructuring, severance and facility closure charges, and $56 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(4)Fiscal 2022 includes $106 million of intangible amortization expense and $33 million in acquisition and due diligence costs. Fiscal 2021 represents intangible amortization expense.
(5)Fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 represent the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(6)The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items is calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred.
(7)Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add up to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

36

20222019Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Sales (GAAP)$68,636,146$60,113,922$8,522,22414.2%
Cost of sales (GAAP)$56,315,622$48,704,935$7,610,68715.6%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)(73,224)(73,224)(0.1)
Cost of sales adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$56,242,398$48,704,935$7,537,46315.5%
Gross profit (GAAP)$12,320,524$11,408,987$911,5378.0%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)73,22473,2240.6
Comparable gross profit adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$12,393,748$11,408,987$984,7618.6%
Gross margin (GAAP)17.95%18.98%-103 bps
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)0.1111 bps
Comparable Gross margin adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)18.06%18.98%-92 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$9,981,489$9,078,837$902,6529.9%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)(109,532)(325,300)215,76866.3
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)(139,173)(77,832)(61,341)(78.8)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)27,99927,999NM
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$9,760,783$8,675,705$1,085,07812.5%
Operating income (GAAP)$2,339,035$2,330,150$8,8850.4%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)73,22473,224NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)109,532325,300(215,768)(66.3)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)139,17377,83261,34178.8
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(27,999)(27,999)NM
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$2,632,965$2,733,282$(100,317)(3.7)%
Interest expense (GAAP)$623,643$360,423$263,22073.0%
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(115,603)(115,603)NM
Interest expense adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$508,040$360,423$147,61741.0%
Other income (GAAP)$(31,381)$(36,109)$4,72813.1%
Impact of gain on sale of Iowa Premium (5)66,309(66,309)NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses2,0572,057NM
Other income (expense) adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(29,324)$30,200$(59,524)(197.1)%
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,358,768$1,674,271$(315,503)(18.8)%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)73,22473,224NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)109,532325,300(215,768)(66.3)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)139,17377,83261,34178.8
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(27,999)(27,999)NM
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt115,603115,603NM
Impact of gain on sale of Iowa Premium (5)(66,309)66,309NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses(2,057)(2,057)NM
Tax impact of inventory valuation adjustment (6)(18,902)(18,902)NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (6)(28,274)(81,722)53,44865.4
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (6)(35,926)(19,553)(16,373)(83.7)
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (6)7,2287,228NM
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (6)(29,841)(29,841)NM
Tax impact of gain on sale of Iowa Premium (6)18,119(18,119)NM
Tax impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)531531NM
Impact of adjustments to uncertain tax positions12,00012,000NM

37

20222019Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Impact of foreign tax credit benefit(95,067)95,067NM
Impact of France, U.K. and Sweden tax law changes6,464(6,464)NM
Impact of US transition tax17,516(17,516)NM
Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$1,673,060$1,856,851$(183,791)(9.9)%
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$2.64$3.20$(0.56)(17.5)%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)0.140.14NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)0.210.62(0.41)(66.1)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)0.270.150.1280.0
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(0.05)(0.05)NM
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt0.220.22NM
Impact of gain on sale of Iowa Premium (5)NM
Tax impact of inventory valuation adjustment (6)(0.04)(0.04)NM
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (6)(0.06)(0.16)0.1062.5
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (6)(0.07)(0.04)(0.03)(75.0)
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (6)0.010.01NM
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (6)(0.06)(0.06)NM
Tax impact of gain on sale of Iowa Premium (6)0.03(0.03)NM
Impact of adjustments to uncertain tax positions0.020.02NM
Impact of foreign tax credit benefit(0.18)0.18NM
Impact of France, U.K. and Sweden tax law changes0.01(0.01)NM
Impact of US transition tax0.03(0.03)NM
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (7)$3.25$3.55$(0.30)(8.5)%
(1)Represents a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.
(2)Fiscal 2022 includes $61 million related to restructuring charges, severance and facility closure charges and $49 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy. Fiscal 2019 includes $151 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy, of which $18 million related to accelerated depreciation related to software that was being replaced, and $174 million related to severance, restructuring and facility closure charges in Europe, Canada and at our Global Support Center, of which $61 million related to our France restructuring as part of our integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France.
(3)Fiscal 2022 includes $106 million of intangible amortization expense and $33 million in acquisition and due diligence costs. Fiscal 2019 includes $77 million of intangible amortization expense and $1 million related to integration costs.
(4)Fiscal 2022 represents the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(5)Represents a gain on sale from disposition of a business, Iowa Premium.
(6)The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items is calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred.
(7)Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add up to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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Set forth below is a reconciliation by segment of actual operating expenses and operating income to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

20222021Change in Dollars% Change
U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$48,520,562$35,724,843$12,795,71935.8%
Gross profit (GAAP)9,196,1337,008,6872,187,44631.2%
Gross margin (GAAP)18.95%19.62%-67 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$6,023,357$4,552,123$1,471,23432.3%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs(1,162)(4,056)2,89471.4
Impact of acquisition-related costs (1)(36,207)(36,207)NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)20,765143,036(122,271)(85.5)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$6,006,753$4,691,103$1,315,65028.0%
Operating income (GAAP)$3,172,776$2,456,564$716,21229.2%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs1,1624,056(2,894)(71.4)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (1)36,20736,207NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)(20,765)(143,036)122,27185.5
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$3,189,380$2,317,584$871,79637.6%
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$11,787,449$8,350,638$3,436,81141.2%
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)180,562180,5622.1
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$11,968,011$8,350,638$3,617,37343.3%
Gross profit (GAAP)$2,377,093$1,645,448$731,64544.5%
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)50,72450,7243.0
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$2,427,817$1,645,448$782,36947.5%
Gross margin (GAAP)20.17%19.70%47 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)0.12%%12 bps
Comparable gross margin using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)20.29%19.70%59 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$2,274,787$1,877,851$396,93621.1%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)(59,740)(66,147)6,4079.7
Impact of acquisition-related costs (5)(78,062)(73,673)(4,389)(6.0)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)7,23636,214(28,978)(80.0)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)2,144,2211,774,245369,97620.9
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)50,90850,9082.8
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$2,195,129$1,774,245$420,88423.7%
Operating income (loss) (GAAP)$102,306$(232,403)$334,709144.0%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (4)59,74066,147(6,407)(9.7)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (5)78,06273,6734,3896.0
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)(7,236)(36,214)28,97880.0
Operating income (loss) adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)232,872(128,797)361,669280.8
Impact of currency fluctuations (3)3,5303,5302.7
Comparable operating income (loss) adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$236,402$(128,797)$365,199283.5%
SYGMA
Sales (GAAP)$7,245,824$6,498,601$747,22311.5%

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20222021Change in Dollars% Change
Gross profit (GAAP)576,280554,01422,2664.0%
Gross margin (GAAP)7.95%8.53%-58 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$579,926$501,360$78,56615.7%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs(7)7NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$579,926$501,353$78,57315.7%
Operating (loss) income (GAAP)$(3,646)$52,654$(56,300)(106.9)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs7(7)NM
Operating (loss) income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(3,646)$52,661$(56,307)(106.9)%
OTHER
Sales (GAAP)$1,082,311$723,761$358,55049.5%
Gross profit (GAAP)248,125160,39487,73154.7%
Gross margin (GAAP)22.93%22.16%77 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$230,718$160,790$69,92843.5%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs(956)956NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)(2)5,563(5,565)(100.0)
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$230,716$165,397$65,31939.5%
Operating income (loss) GAAP$17,407$(396)$17,803NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs956(956)NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)2(5,563)5,565100.0
Operating income (loss) adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$17,409$(5,003)$22,412NM
GLOBAL SUPPORT CENTER
Gross loss (GAAP)$(77,107)$(11,794)$(65,313)NM
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (6)73,22473,224NM
Comparable gross profit (loss) adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(3,883)$(11,794)$7,91167.1%
Operating expenses (GAAP)$872,701$827,383$45,3185.5%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)(48,631)(57,021)8,39014.7
Impact of acquisition-related costs (8)(24,904)(5,867)(19,037)NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$799,166$764,495$34,6714.5%
Operating loss (GAAP)$(949,808)$(839,177)$(110,631)(13.2)%
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (6)73,22473,224NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (7)48,63157,021(8,390)(14.7)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (8)24,9045,86719,037NM
Operating loss adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(803,049)$(776,289)$(26,760)(3.4)%
(1)Fiscal 2022 includes intangible amortization expense and acquisition costs.
(2)Fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 represent the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(3)Represents a constant currency adjustment, which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on current year results.
(4)Includes restructuring, severance and facility closure costs primarily in Europe.
(5)Represents intangible amortization expense.
(6)Represents a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.
(7)Includes various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(8)Represents due diligence costs.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing Sysco’s overall financial performance for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. Set forth below is a reconciliation of actual net earnings (loss) to EBITDA and to adjusted EBITDA results for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

20222021Change in Dollars% Change
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,358,768$524,209$834,559159.2%
Interest (GAAP)623,643880,137(256,494)(29.1)
Income taxes (GAAP)388,00560,519327,486NM
Depreciation and amortization (GAAP)772,881737,91634,9654.7
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)3,143,2972,202,781940,51642.7
Less 1 week fourth quarter EBITDA(55,615)55,6153.7
EBITDA using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)$3,143,297$2,147,166$996,13146.4%
Certain Item adjustments:
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)$73,224$$73,224NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)108,148120,693(12,545)(10.4)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)32,7385,86726,871NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(27,999)(184,813)156,81484.9
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses(2,057)10,460(12,517)(119.7)
EBITDA adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)(5)3,327,3512,154,9881,172,36354.4
Less 1 week fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA(55,793)55,7934.1
EBITDA adjusted for Certain Items using a 52 week basis (Non-GAAP)$3,327,351$2,099,195$1,228,15658.5%
(1)Represents a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.
(2)Includes various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy, excluding charges related to accelerated depreciation.
(3)Fiscal 2022 includes acquisition and due diligence costs.
(4)Fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 represent the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(5)In arriving at adjusted EBITDA, Sysco does not adjust out interest income of $7 million and $15 million or non-cash stock compensation expense of $122 million and $96 million for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

41

20222019Change in Dollars% Change
Net earnings (GAAP)$1,358,768$1,674,271$(315,503)(18.8)%
Interest (GAAP)623,643360,423263,22073.0
Income taxes (GAAP)388,005331,56556,44017.0
Depreciation and amortization (GAAP)772,881763,9358,9461.2
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)$3,143,297$3,130,194$13,1030.4%
Certain Item adjustments:
Impact of inventory valuation adjustment (1)$73,224$$73,224NM
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)108,148286,022(177,874)(62.2)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)32,7381,30831,430NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(27,999)(27,999)NM
Impact of gain on sale of Iowa Premium (5)(66,309)66,309NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses(2,057)(2,057)NM
EBITDA adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (6)$3,327,351$3,351,215$(23,864)(0.7)%
(1)Represents a write-down of COVID-related personal protection equipment inventory due to the reduction in the net realizable value of inventory.
(2)Fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2019 include charges related to restructuring, severance, and facility closures, as well as various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy, excluding charges related to accelerated depreciation.
(3)Fiscal 2022 includes acquisition and due diligence costs. Fiscal 2019 represents acquisition costs.
(4)Fiscal 2022 represents the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020.
(5)Represents a gain on sale from disposition of a business, Iowa Premium
(6)In arriving at adjusted EBITDA, Sysco does not adjust out interest income of $7 million and $7 million or non-cash stock compensation expense of $122 million and $105 million for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2019, respectively.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

Impact of 14th Week on Case Growth

13-Week Period Ended Jul. 2, 2022Impact of 14th Week (1)14-Week Period Ended Jul. 3, 202152-Week Period Ended Jul. 2, 2022Impact of 14th Week (1)53-Week Period Ended Jul. 3, 2021
Case Growth:
U.S. Broadline(2.1)%7.5%5.4%15.4%2.5%17.9%
Column 1Column 2
(1)In Fiscal 2021, the fourth quarter included 14 weeks, and the year included 53 weeks.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Highlights

Below are comparisons of the cash flows from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2021:

•Cash flows from operations were $1.8 billion in fiscal 2022, compared to $1.9 billion in fiscal 2021;

•Net capital expenditures totaled $608.7 million in fiscal 2022, compared to $411.5 million in fiscal 2021;

•Free cash flow was $1.2 billion in fiscal 2022, compared to $1.5 billion in fiscal 2021 (see “Cash Flows – Free Cash Flow – Non-GAAP Reconciliation” below for an explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure);

•Cash used for acquisition of businesses was $1.3 billion in fiscal 2022;

•There was no significant bank or commercial paper activity in fiscal 2022, compared to $826.2 million of bank and commercial paper repayments, net in fiscal 2021;

•Dividends paid were $958.9 million in fiscal 2022, compared to $917.6 million in fiscal 2021; and

•Cash paid for treasury stock repurchases was $499.8 million in fiscal 2022, compared to none in fiscal 2021.

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We repaid senior notes in the amount of $1.7 billion and issued an aggregate of $1.3 billion in new senior notes in fiscal 2022.

As of July 2, 2022, there were no borrowings outstanding under our long-term revolving credit facility. As of August 9, 2022, the company has approximately $3.2 billion in cash and available liquidity.

In fiscal 2020, in order to ensure our liquidity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we significantly increased our cash balances using short and long-term borrowings and ended the year with $6.1 billion in cash. With an improved operating environment in fiscal 2021, we paid down $3.4 billion of debt and ended the year with $3.0 billion in cash. In fiscal 2022, we returned to more normal levels of cash, with $867.1 million on the balance sheet at the end of the fiscal year. As described above, our uses of cash during the year included business acquisitions, dividends, share repurchases and senior note redemptions.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Sysco generates cash in the U.S. and internationally. Sysco’s strategic objectives include continuous investment in our business; these investments are funded primarily by cash from operations and, to a lesser extent, external borrowings. Traditionally, our operations have produced significant cash flow and, due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access capital markets, as needed. Cash generated from operations is generally allocated to:

•working capital-investments;

•capital investments in facilities, systems, fleet, other equipment and technology;

•acquisitions consistent with our growth strategy;

•debt repayments;

•cash dividends; and

•share repurchases.

Any remaining cash generated from operations may be invested in high-quality, short-term instruments. As a part of our ongoing strategic analysis, we regularly evaluate business opportunities, including potential acquisitions and sales of assets and businesses, and our overall capital structure. Any transactions resulting from these evaluations may materially impact our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability.

We continue to be in a strong financial position based on our balance sheet and operating cash flows; however, our liquidity and capital resources can be influenced by macro-economic trends and conditions that impact our results of operations. We believe our mechanisms to manage working capital, such as actively working with customers to receive payments on receivables, optimizing inventory levels and maximizing payment terms with vendors, have been sufficient to limit a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. We believe these mechanisms will continue to mitigate any unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations arising from macro-economic trends and conditions.

We extend credit terms to some of our customers based on our assessment of each customer’s creditworthiness. We monitor each customer’s account and will suspend shipments if necessary. In the ordinary course of business, customers periodically negotiate extended payment terms on trade accounts receivable. The company may utilize purchase arrangements with third-party financial institutions to transfer portions of our trade accounts receivable balance on a non-recourse basis in order to extend terms for the customer without negatively impacting our cash flow. The arrangements meet the requirements for the receivables transferred to be accounted for as sales. See Note 1, “Summary of Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information.

As of July 2, 2022, we had $867.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately 49% of which was held by our international subsidiaries and generated from our earnings of international operations. If these earnings were transferred among countries or repatriated to the U.S., such amounts may be subject to withholding and additional foreign tax obligations. Additionally, Sysco Corporation has provided intercompany loans to certain of its international subsidiaries, and when interest and principal payments are made, some of this cash will move to the U.S.

Our wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) must maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to fund future reserve payments. As of July 2, 2022, the Captive held $119.9 million of fixed income marketable securities and $64.3

43

million of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in a restricted investment portfolio in order to meet solvency requirements. We purchased $19.3 million in marketable securities in fiscal 2022 and received $16.6 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities in that period.

Cash Requirements

The Company’s cash requirements within the next twelve months include accounts payable and accrued liabilities, current maturities of long-term debt, other current liabilities, and purchase commitments and other obligations. We expect the cash required to meet these obligations to be primarily generated through a combination of cash from operations and access to capital from financial markets.

Our long-term cash requirements under our various contractual obligations and commitments include:

•Debt Obligations and Interest Payments – See Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our debt and the timing of expected future principal and interest payments.

•Operating and Finance leases – See Note 13, “Leases,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Deferred Compensation – The estimate of the timing of future payments under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and Management Savings Plan involves the use of certain assumptions, including retirement ages and payout periods. See Note 14, “Company-Sponsored Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Purchase and Other Obligations – Purchase obligations include agreements for purchases of product in the normal course of business for which all significant terms have been confirmed, including minimum quantities resulting from our category management process. Such amounts are based on estimates. Purchase obligations also include amounts committed with various third-party service providers to provide information technology services for periods up to fiscal 2027. See discussion under Note 20, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Purchase obligations exclude full requirements electricity contracts where no stated minimum purchase volume is required.

•Other Liabilities – These include other long-term liabilities reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 2, 2022, including obligations associated with certain employee benefit programs, unrecognized tax benefits and various long-term liabilities, which have some inherent uncertainty in the timing of these payments.

•Contingent Consideration – Certain acquisitions involve contingent consideration, typically payable only if certain operating results are attained or certain outstanding contingencies are resolved. See Note 4, “Acquisitions,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for aggregate contingent consideration amounts outstanding as of July 2, 2022.

We believe the following sources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next twelve months, while maintaining sufficient liquidity for normal operating purposes:

•our cash flows from operations;

•the availability of additional capital under our existing commercial paper programs, supported by our revolving credit facility; and

•our ability to access capital from financial markets, including issuances of debt securities, either privately or under our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC.

Due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets, if necessary.

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Cash Flows

Operating Activities

We generated $1.8 billion in cash flows from operations in fiscal 2022, compared to cash flows from operations of $1.9 billion in fiscal 2021. In fiscal 2022, these amounts included year-over-year unfavorable comparisons on working capital due to investment in volume growth that resulted from business recovery and the Recipe for Growth as well as accrued income taxes, partially offset by higher operating results and a favorable comparison on accrued expenses.

Changes in working capital had a negative impact of $1.1 billion on cash flow from operations period-over-period. With rising sales and profitability, accounts receivable and inventory increased in fiscal 2022, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable.

Income taxes negatively impacted cash flow from operations, as our payments increased commensurate with increased earnings in fiscal 2022.

Accrued expenses was a positive comparison, primarily from favorable comparisons of accrued interest, accrued payroll, incentive payment accruals, and customer rebate payments resulting from an increase in volume purchase incentives earned by our customers, as sales volumes increased through fiscal 2022.

Investing Activities

Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021 capital expenditures included:

•buildings and building improvements;

•investments in technology;

•warehouse equipment; and

•fleet replacements.

Our capital expenditures in fiscal 2022 were $162.1 million higher than in fiscal 2021, as we made investments to advance our Recipe for Growth strategy.

During fiscal 2022, we paid $1.3 billion, net of cash acquired, for acquisitions. There were no acquisitions made in fiscal 2021.

Free Cash Flow

Our free cash flow for fiscal 2022 decreased by $309.7 million, to $1.2 billion, as compared to fiscal 2021, principally as a result of a decrease in cash flows from operations due to investments in working capital and a year-over-year increase in capital expenditures.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing the company’s liquidity for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. In the table that follows, free cash flow for each period presented is reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities.

20222021Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)$1,791,286$1,903,842$(112,556)(5.9)%
Additions to plant and equipment(632,802)(470,676)(162,126)34.4
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment24,14459,147(35,003)(59.2)
Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)$1,182,628$1,492,313$(309,685)(20.8)%

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Financing Activities

Equity Transactions

Proceeds from exercises of share-based compensation awards were $128.2 million and $130.4 million in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively. The level of option exercises, and thus proceeds, will vary from period to period and is largely dependent on movements in our stock price and the time remaining before option grants expire.

We have traditionally engaged in share repurchase programs to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of the company’s common stock, which will remain available until fully utilized. We repurchased 6,698,991 shares for $499.8 million during fiscal 2022. As of July 2, 2022, we had a remaining authorization of approximately $4.5 billion. We repurchased 3,099,268 additional shares for $267.7 million under our authorization through August 9, 2022.

We have made dividend payments to our shareholders in each fiscal year since our company’s inception. Dividends paid in fiscal 2022 were $958.9 million, or $1.88 per share, as compared to $917.6 million, or $1.80 per share, in fiscal 2021. In April 2022, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 of $0.49 per share, a $0.02 per share increase from the prior quarter, which was paid in July 2022.

In August 2021, we filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC under which we, as a well-known seasoned issuer, have the ability to issue and sell an indeterminate amount of various types of debt and equity securities. The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

In November 2000, we filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement covering 30,000,000 shares of common stock to be offered from time to time in connection with acquisitions. As of August 9, 2022, 29,477,835 shares remained available for issuance under this registration statement.

Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability

Our debt activity, including issuances and repayments, and our borrowing availability is described in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Our outstanding borrowings at July 2, 2022, and repayment activity since the end of fiscal 2022 are disclosed within those notes. Updated amounts at August 9, 2022, include:

•No outstanding borrowings from the credit facility supporting our U.S. commercial paper program; and

•$259.0 million outstanding borrowings under our U.S. commercial paper program.

Our aggregate commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings had weighted average interest rates of 1.35% for fiscal 2022 and 0.97% for fiscal 2021.

In the next 12 months, $517.8 million of long-term debt will mature. We expect to repay these senior notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.

The availability of financing in the form of debt is influenced by many factors, including our profitability, free cash flows, debt levels, credit ratings, debt covenants and economic and market conditions. As of August 9, 2022, Moody’s Investors Service has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of Baa1 and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Standard & Poor’s has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of BBB and a ratings outlook of “stable.” Fitch Ratings Inc. has assigned us an unsecured debt credit rating of BBB and a ratings outlook of “negative.” A significant downgrade in our credit ratings or adverse conditions in the capital markets may increase the cost of borrowing for us or limit our access to capital. To date, we have not experienced difficulty accessing the credit markets. As of August 9, 2022, the company had approximately $3.2 billion in cash and available liquidity.

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On April 29, 2022, Sysco entered into a long-term revolving credit facility to replace its previous $2.0 billion facility. The new facility includes aggregate commitments of the lenders thereunder of $3.0 billion, with an option to increase such commitments to $4.0 billion. The new facility includes a covenant, among others, requiring Sysco to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense of 3.0 to 1.0 over four consecutive fiscal quarters. The new revolving credit facility expires on April 29, 2027. As of July 2, 2022, Sysco was in compliance with all of its debt covenants, and the company expects to remain in compliance through the next twelve months.

Guarantor Summarized Financial Information

On January 19, 2011, the wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries of Sysco Corporation, which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products, entered into full and unconditional guarantees of all outstanding senior notes and debentures of Sysco Corporation. A list of the current guarantors is included in Exhibit 22 to this Form 10-K. All subsequent issuances of senior notes and debentures in the U.S. and borrowings under the company’s now $3.0 billion long-term revolving credit facility have also been guaranteed by these subsidiaries, as discussed in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of July 2, 2022, Sysco had a total of $10.0 billion in senior notes, debentures and borrowings under the long-term revolving credit facility that were guaranteed by these subsidiary guarantors. Our remaining consolidated subsidiaries (non-guarantor subsidiaries) are not obligated under the senior notes indenture, debentures indenture or our long-term revolving credit facility.

All subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company, all guarantees are full and unconditional, and all guarantees are joint and several. The guarantees rank equally and ratably in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the respective guarantors.

The assets of Sysco Corporation consist principally of the stock of its subsidiaries. Therefore, the rights of Sysco Corporation and the rights of its creditors to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon liquidation, recapitalization or otherwise will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that claims of Sysco Corporation itself and/or the claims of those creditors themselves may be recognized as creditor claims of the subsidiary. Furthermore, the ability of Sysco Corporation to service its indebtedness and other obligations is dependent upon the earnings and cash flow of its subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment to it of such earnings or cash flow. If any of Sysco Corporation’s subsidiaries becomes insolvent, the direct creditors of that subsidiary will have a prior claim on its assets. Sysco Corporation’s rights and the rights of its creditors, including the rights of a holder of senior notes as an owner of debt securities, will be subject to that prior claim, unless Sysco Corporation or such noteholder, if such noteholder’s debt securities are guaranteed by such subsidiary, also is a direct creditor of that subsidiary.

The guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor with respect to a series of senior notes or debentures may be released under certain customary circumstances. If we exercise our defeasance option with respect to the senior notes or debentures of any series, then any subsidiary guarantor effectively will be released with respect to that series. Further, each subsidiary guarantee will remain in full force and effect until the earliest to occur of the date, if any, on which (1) the applicable subsidiary guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation or (2) Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation consolidates with or merges into the applicable subsidiary guarantor.

Basis of Preparation of the Summarized Financial Information

The summarized financial information of Sysco Corporation (issuer), and certain wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries (guarantors) (together, the obligor group) is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the obligor group eliminated. Investments in and equity in the earnings of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, which are not members of the obligor group, have been excluded from the summarized financial information. The obligor group’s amounts due to, amounts due from and transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries have been presented in separate line items, if they are material to the obligor financials. The following table includes summarized financial information of the obligor group for the periods presented.

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Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Balance SheetJul. 2, 2022
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Receivables due from non-obligor subsidiaries$264,378
Current assets5,658,972
Total current assets$5,923,350
Notes receivable from non-obligor subsidiaries$91,067
Other noncurrent assets3,910,951
Total noncurrent assets$4,002,018
LIABILITIES
Payables due to non-obligor subsidiaries$62,441
Other current liabilities2,765,756
Total current liabilities$2,828,197
Notes payable to non-obligor subsidiaries$315,753
Long-term debt9,501,842
Other noncurrent liabilities1,190,177
Total noncurrent liabilities$11,007,772
Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Results of Operations2022
(In thousands)
Sales$43,703,043
Gross profit7,876,901
Operating income2,349,666
Interest expense from non-obligor subsidiaries30,836
Net earnings1,346,544

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses in the accompanying financial statements. Significant accounting policies employed by Sysco are presented in the notes to the financial statements.

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. These policies require our most subjective or complex judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors the development and selection of the critical accounting policies and estimates and this related disclosure. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates pertain to the goodwill and intangible assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, income taxes, company-sponsored pension plans and inventory valuation.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We account for acquired businesses using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that, once control of a business is obtained, 100% of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. We use multiple valuation methods to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For intangible assets, we generally use the income method, which uses a forecast of the expected future net cash flows associated with each asset. These cash flows are then adjusted to present value by applying an appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk factors associated with the cash flow streams. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent

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in the income method or other methods include the amount and timing of projected future cash flows and the discount rate selected to measure the risks inherent in the future cash flows. Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment, as different types of intangible assets will have different useful lives. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. More information on our acquisitions can be found in Note 4, “Acquisitions,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Annually in our fiscal fourth quarter, we assess the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles by determining whether the fair values exceed the carrying values of these assets. Impairment reviews, outside our annual review time frame, are performed if events or circumstances occur that include changes in 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. Our testing may be performed utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment; however, if a qualitative assessment is performed and we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be less than its carrying amount, a quantitative test is performed.

When using a quantitative test, we arrive at our estimates of fair value using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. The results from each of these models are then weighted and combined into a single estimate of fair value for each reporting unit. We use a higher weighting for our discounted cash flow valuation compared to the earnings multiple models because the forecasted operating results that serve as a basis for the analysis incorporate management’s outlook and anticipated changes for the businesses consistent with a market participant. The primary assumptions used in these various models include estimated earnings multiples of comparable acquisitions in the industry, including control premiums, earnings or revenue multiples on acquisitions completed by Sysco in the past, future cash flow estimates of the reporting units, which are dependent on internal forecasts and projected growth rates, and weighted average cost of capital, along with working capital and capital expenditure requirements. When possible, we use observable market inputs in our models to arrive at the fair values of our reporting units.

Certain reporting units have a greater proportion of goodwill recorded to estimated fair value as compared to the U.S. Broadline, Canada Broadline or SYGMA reporting units. This is primarily due to these businesses having been more recently acquired, and as a result there has been less history of organic growth than in the U.S. Broadline, Canadian Broadline and SYGMA reporting units. As such, these reporting units have a greater risk of future impairment if their operations were to suffer a significant downturn. In the annual fiscal 2022 assessment, all reporting units were concluded to have a fair value that exceeded book value by at least 30%.

The company estimated the fair value of these reporting units using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. For the purposes of the discounted cash flow models, fair value was determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk adjusted rate. The fair value conclusions as of July 2, 2022 for the reporting units are highly sensitive to changes in the assumptions used in the income approach, which include forecasted revenues, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others, all of which require significant judgments by management. Fair value of the reporting unit is therefore determined using significant unobservable inputs, or level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The company has used recent historical performance, current forecasted financial information, and broad-based industry and economic statistics as a basis to estimate the key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow model. These key assumptions are inherently uncertain and require a high degree of estimation and judgment and are subject to change based on future changes, industry and global economic and geo-political conditions, uncertainty around the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the timing and success of the implementation of current strategic initiatives.

Income Taxes

The determination of our provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state, as well as foreign, jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. The impact of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic may change our mix of earnings by jurisdiction and has increased the risk that carryforward attributes, such as operating losses, may occur within certain of our jurisdictions that could lead to the recognition of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets in the future, if these losses are prolonged beyond our current expectations. This would negatively impact our income tax expense, net earnings, and balance sheet.

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment in estimating the exposures associated with our various filing positions. We believe that the judgments

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and estimates discussed herein are reasonable; however, actual results could differ, and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. To the extent we prevail in matters for which a liability has been established, or pay amounts in excess of recorded liabilities, our effective income tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement generally would require use of our cash and may result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement may be recognized as a reduction in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution.

Company-Sponsored Pension Plans

Amounts related to defined benefit plans recognized in the financial statements are determined on an actuarial basis. Two of the more critical assumptions in the actuarial calculations are the discount rate for determining the current value of plan benefits and the expected rate of return on plan assets. Our U.S. Retirement Plan is largely frozen and is only open to a small number of employees. Our SERP is frozen and is not open to any employees. None of these plans have a significant sensitivity to changes in discount rates specific to our results of operations, but such changes could impact our balance sheet due to a change in our funded status. Due to the low level of active employees in our retirement plans, our assumption for the rate of increase in future compensation is not a critical assumption.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan is 4.50% for fiscal 2022, consistent with fiscal 2021. The expectations of future returns are derived from a mathematical asset model that incorporates assumptions as to the various asset class returns, reflecting a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets regarding the yield on bonds, historical returns of the major stock markets and returns on alternative investments. The rate of return assumption is reviewed annually and revised as deemed appropriate.

The expected return on plan assets impacts the recorded amount of net pension costs. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan is 4.50% for fiscal 2023, as our long-term rate of return remains the same as fiscal 2022. A 25 basis point increase (decrease) in the assumed rate of return in the Plan for fiscal 2023 would decrease (increase) Sysco’s net company-sponsored pension costs for fiscal 2023 by approximately $9.0 million.

Pension accounting standards require the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans in the statement of financial position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of July 2, 2022 was a charge, net of tax, of $1.0 billion, driven by an increase in the discount rates and a decline in expected return on assets. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of July 3, 2021 was a charge, net of tax, of $1.1 billion.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Sysco determines the past due status of trade receivables based on contractual terms with each customer and evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable to determine an appropriate allowance for credit losses on trade receivables. To calculate an allowance for credit losses, the company estimates uncollectible amounts based on historical loss experience, including those experienced during times of local and regional disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, current conditions and collection rates, and expectations regarding future losses.

In the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2020, the company experienced an increase in past due receivables and recognized additional bad debt charges on its trade receivables that were outstanding at the time the pandemic caused closures among our customers in mid-March 2020. These receivables were all created in fiscal 2020 and are referred to as pre-pandemic receivables. In fiscal 2022, we recorded a net credit to the provision for losses on receivables totaling $15.5 million, which reflects a benefit on the reduction of our allowance for pre-pandemic receivable balances, as we have made excellent progress on obtaining payments from our customers. We continue to work with our customers to collect past due balances, including through the use of payment plans. Our balance for the allowance of doubtful accounts as of July 2, 2022 was $70.8 million. Our judgment is required as to the impact of certain of these items and other factors as to ultimate realization of our accounts receivable.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories consisting primarily of finished goods include food and related products and lodging products held for sale and are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) and net realizable value. Inventory balances are adjusted for slow-moving, excess, and obsolete inventories. Inventory valuation reserves require certain management estimates and judgments which may significantly affect the ending inventory valuation. We estimate our reserves based on the consideration of a variety

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of factors, including but not limited to, current economic conditions and business trends, seasonal demand, future merchandising strategies and the age of our products.

We have not made any material changes in the methodology used to establish our inventory valuation or the related reserves. We believe that we have sufficient current and historical knowledge to record reasonable estimates, and the risk of inventory obsolescence is largely mitigated because of the speed with which our inventory typically turns. However, these assumptions are inherently uncertain and require estimation and judgment and are subject to change. During fiscal year 2022, the change in our inventory valuation reserve was not material to our results of operations or balance sheet.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein that look forward in time or express management’s expectations or beliefs with respect to the occurrence of future events are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “projected,” “continues,” “continuously,” variations of such terms, and similar terms and phrases denoting anticipated or expected occurrences or results. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

•the effect, impact, potential duration or other implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and any expectations we may have with respect thereto, including our ability to withstand and recover from the crisis;

•our expectations of an improving market over the course of fiscal 2023;

•our expectations regarding the ability of our supply chain and facilities to remain in place and operational;

•our plans regarding our transformation initiatives and the expected effects from such initiatives, including the Sysco Driver Academy;

•statements regarding uncollectible accounts, including that if collections continue to improve, additional reductions in bad debt expense could occur;

•our expectations that our Recipe for Growth strategy will allow us to better serve our customers and differentiate Sysco from our competition;

•our expectations regarding our fiscal 2023 sales and our rate of sales growth in fiscal 2023 and the three years of our long-range plan;

•our expectations regarding the impact of inflation on sales, gross margin rates and gross profit dollars;

•our expectations regarding gross margins in fiscal 2023;

•our plans regarding cost savings, including our target for cost savings through fiscal 2024 and the impact of costs savings on the company;

•our belief that our purpose will allow us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our Recipe for Growth transformation, and statements regarding our plans with respect to our strategic pillars that support this growth transformation;

•our expectations regarding the use and investment of remaining cash generated from operations;

•the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan;

•the sufficiency of our available liquidity to sustain our operations for multiple years;

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•estimates regarding the outcome of legal proceedings;

•the impact of seasonal trends on our free cash flow;

•estimates regarding our capital expenditures and the sources of financing for our capital expenditures;

•our expectations regarding the impact of potential acquisitions and sales of assets on our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability;

•our expectations regarding real sales growth in the U.S. foodservice market and trends in produce markets;

•our expectations regarding the calculation of adjusted return on invested capital, adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share;

•our expectations regarding the impact of future Certain Items on our projected future non-GAAP and GAAP results;

•our expectations regarding our effective tax rate in fiscal 2023;

•the sufficiency of our mechanisms for managing working capital and competitive pressures, and our beliefs regarding the impact of these mechanisms;

•our ability to meet future cash requirements, including the ability to access financial markets effectively, including issuances of debt securities, and maintain sufficient liquidity;

•our expectations regarding the payment of dividends, and the growth of our dividend, in the future;

•our expectations regarding future activity under our share repurchase program;

•future compliance with the covenants under our revolving credit facility;

•our ability to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets;

•the expected redemption of $517.8 million of debt maturing in the next 12 months;

•our intention to repay our long-term debt with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, issuances of commercial paper, issuances of senior notes, or a combination thereof.

These statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially due in part to the risk factors set forth below and those within Part I, Item 1A of this document:

•the impact and effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, and the adverse impact thereof on our business, financial condition and results of operations;

•the risk that if sales from our locally managed customers do not grow at the same rate as sales from multi-unit customers, our gross margins may decline;

•periods of significant or prolonged inflation or deflation and their impact on our product costs and profitability generally;

•the risk that we are unlikely to be able to predict inflation over the long term, and lower inflation is likely to produce lower gross profit;

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•the risk that our efforts to modify truck routing, including our small truck initiative, in order to reduce outbound transportation costs may be unsuccessful;

•the risk that we may not be able to accelerate and/or identify additional administrative cost savings in order to compensate for any gross profit or supply chain cost leverage challenges;

•risks related to unfavorable conditions in the Americas and Europe and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition;

•the risks related to our efforts to implement our transformation initiatives and meet our other long-term strategic objectives, including the risk that these efforts may not provide the expected benefits in our anticipated time frame, if at all, and may prove costlier than expected;

•the impact of unexpected future changes to our business initiatives based on management’s subjective evaluation of our overall business needs;

•the risk that the actual costs of any business initiatives may be greater or less than currently expected;

•the risk that competition in our industry and the impact of GPOs may adversely impact our margins and our ability to retain customers and make it difficult for us to maintain our market share, growth rate and profitability;

•the risk that our relationships with long-term customers may be materially diminished or terminated;

•the risk that changes in consumer eating habits could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations;

•the risk that changes in applicable tax laws or regulations and the resolution of tax disputes could negatively affect our financial results;

•the risk that we may not be able to fully compensate for increases in fuel costs, and forward purchase commitments intended to contain fuel costs could result in above market fuel costs;

•the risk of interruption of supplies and increase in product costs as a result of conditions beyond our control;

•the potential impact on our reputation and earnings of adverse publicity or lack of confidence in our products;

•risks related to unfavorable changes to the mix of locally managed customers versus corporate-managed customers;

•the risk that we may not realize anticipated benefits from our operating cost reduction efforts;

•difficulties in successfully expanding into international markets and complimentary lines of business;

•the potential impact of product liability claims;

•the risk that we fail to comply with requirements imposed by applicable law or government regulations;

•risks related to our ability to effectively finance and integrate acquired businesses;

•risks related to our access to borrowed funds in order to grow and any default by us under our indebtedness that could have a material adverse impact on cash flow and liquidity;

•our level of indebtedness and the terms of our indebtedness could adversely affect our business and liquidity position;

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•the risk that the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

•the risk that divestiture of one or more of our businesses may not provide the anticipated effects on our operations;

•the risk that Brexit may adversely impact our operations in the U.K., including those of the Brakes Group;

•the risk that future labor disruptions or disputes could disrupt the integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France and our operations in France and the EU generally;

•the risk that factors beyond management’s control, including fluctuations in the stock market, as well as management’s future subjective evaluation of the company’s needs, would impact the timing of share repurchases;

•due to our reliance on technology, any technology disruption or delay in implementing new technology could have a material negative impact on our business;

•the risk that a cybersecurity incident and other technology disruptions could negatively impact our business and our relationships with customers;

•the risk that changes in the method of determining LIBOR, or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect interest expense related to outstanding debt;

•the potential requirement to pay material amounts under our multiemployer defined benefit pension plans;

•our funding requirements for our company-sponsored qualified pension plan may increase should financial markets experience future declines;

•labor issues, including the renegotiation of union contracts and shortage of qualified labor;

•capital expenditures may vary based on changes in business plans and other factors, including risks related to the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

•the risk that the anti-takeover benefits provided by our preferred stock may not be viewed as beneficial to stockholders; and

•the risk that the exclusive forum provisions in our amended and restated bylaws could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

FY 2021 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0000096021-21-000093.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2021-08-30. Report date: 2021-07-03.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of Sysco’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the fiscal years ended July 3, 2021 and June 27, 2020 should be read as a supplement to our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes contained in Item 8 of this report, and in conjunction with the “Forward-looking Statements” section set forth in Part II and the “Risk Factors” section set forth in Item 1A of Part I. All discussion of changes in our results of operations from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2020 has been omitted from this Form 10-K, but may be found in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2020.

Overview

Sysco distributes food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. Our primary operations are located in North America and Europe. Under the accounting provisions related to disclosures about segments of an enterprise, we have aggregated certain operating segments into three reportable segments. “Other” financial information is attributable to our other operating segments that do not meet the quantitative disclosure thresholds.

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•U.S. Foodservice Operations – primarily includes U.S. Broadline operations, which distribute a full line of food products, including custom-cut meat, seafood, specialty produce, specialty imports and a wide variety of non-food products;

•International Foodservice Operations – includes operations in the Americas (primarily outside of the United States (U.S.)) and Europe, which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products. The Americas primarily consists of operations in Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, as well as our operations that distribute to international customers. Our European operations primarily consist of operations in the United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Ireland and Sweden;

•SYGMA – our U.S. customized distribution operations serving quick-service chain restaurant customer locations; and

•Other – primarily our hotel supply operations, Guest Worldwide. Sysco sold its interests in Cake Corporation in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

We estimate that we serve about 17% of an approximately $230 billion annual foodservice market in the U.S. based on industry data obtained from Technomic, Inc as of the end of calendar 2020. Technomic projects the market size to increase to approximately $285 billion by the end of calendar 2021. From time to time, Technomic may revise the methodology used to calculate the size of the foodservice market and, as a result, our percentage can change not only from our sales results, but also from such revisions. We also serve certain international geographies that vary in size and amount of market share.

According to industry sources, the foodservice, or food-away-from-home, market represents approximately 45% of the total dollars spent on food purchases made at the consumer level in the U.S. as of the end of calendar year 2020.

COVID-19 Response

We have closely monitored developments in the COVID-19 pandemic as the situation has evolved, and we are continuously revising our approach to create new processes and guidelines to keep associates and customers safe, with careful consideration to remaining aligned with guidance from relevant health authorities.

•Supporting employees – We defined and implemented procedures to protect the health and safety of our employees while also ensuring business continuity and our ability to service our customers. Per our protocols, all employees at our offices or warehouses take part in daily temperature checks upon entry. Our policies for wearing face coverings at all Sysco and customer locations are aligned with the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unless local or state regulations differ.

•Serving customers – We have procedures available to limit the contact between our drivers and customers’ employees, including alternative delivery methods, not collecting signatures for customer invoices, and guidelines for safely accepting customer returns. These contact-less procedures are available to all customers by request.

•Assisting our communities – We have donated over 27 million meals in fiscal 2021 across our global operations as part of our community response strategy to the pandemic. These donations were valued at over $55 million. Additionally, we continue to support community organizations in their efforts to address hunger and food insecurity by providing direct delivery to food banks and other hunger relief organizations by loaning refrigerated trucks and facility storage space to increase capacity for local food distribution and by providing volunteer and staffing support for mobile distribution efforts.

Highlights

Our fiscal 2021 results were strong due to improved sales and disciplined expense management. Our business recovery is stronger than anticipated in the U.S., and the recovery is beginning to present itself in our international markets. Our increased profitability drove an improved cash flow performance and allowed us to pay down a large amount of debt. We are also making meaningful progress in advancing our Recipe for Growth strategy, which we expect will allow us to better serve our customers and differentiate Sysco from our competition. See below for a comparison of our fiscal 2021 results to our fiscal 2020 results, both including and excluding Certain Items (as defined below).

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Below is a comparison of results from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2020:

•Sales:

◦decreased 3.0%, or $1.6 billion, to $51.3 billion;

•Operating income:

◦increased 91.8%, or $687.7 million, to $1.4 billion;

◦adjusted operating income decreased 14.7%, or $251.8 million, to $1.5 billion;

•Net earnings:

◦increased 143.3%, or $308.7 million, to $524.2 million;

◦adjusted net earnings decreased 28.3%, or $291.6 million, to $740.4 million;

•Basic earnings per share:

◦increased 145.2%, or $0.61, to $1.03 from the comparable prior year amount of $0.42 per share;

•Diluted earnings per share:

◦increased 142.9%, or $0.60, to $1.02 from the comparable prior year amount of $0.42 per share;

◦adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.44 in fiscal 2021, a $0.57 decrease from the comparable prior year amount of $2.01 per share.

•EBITDA:

◦increased 46.1%, or $695.4 million, to $2.2 billion; and

◦adjusted EBITDA decreased 9.1%, or $216.2 million, to $2.2 billion.

Our discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures to remove the impact of restructuring and transformational project costs consisting of: (1) restructuring charges, (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives and (3) facility closure and severance charges; and by acquisition-related costs consisting of: (1) intangible amortization expense related to the fiscal 2017 acquisition of Cucina Lux Investments Limited (the Brakes Acquisition) and (2) due diligence and integration costs incurred in fiscal 2021 associated with the acquisition of Greco and Sons, which closed in August 2021. Our results for fiscal 2021 were also impacted by the reduction of bad debt expense previously recognized in fiscal 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the collectability of our pre-pandemic trade receivable balances, as well as non-operating gains and losses including (1) losses on the extinguishment of debt, (2) losses on the sale of businesses and (3) gains on the sale of property.

Fiscal 2020 results of operations were also negatively impacted by costs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and are also adjusted to remove the impact of (1) excess bad debt expense, as we experienced an increase in past due receivables and recognized additional bad debt charges, (2) goodwill and intangibles impairment charges and (3) fixed asset impairment charges. While Sysco traditionally incurs bad debt expense, the magnitude of such expenses and benefits that we have experienced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is not indicative of our normal operations. Our adjusted results have not been normalized in a manner that would exclude the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. As such, Sysco has not adjusted its results for lost sales, inventory write-offs or other costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic not previously stated.

The fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 items discussed above are collectively referred to as “Certain Items.” The results of our foreign operations can be impacted by changes in exchange rates applicable to converting from local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our total Sysco and our International Foodservice Operations results on a constant currency basis. Our discussion below of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide important perspective with respect to underlying business trends. Other than free cash flow, any non-GAAP financial measures will be denoted as adjusted measures and exclude the impact from Certain Items, and certain metrics are stated on a constant currency basis.

Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, interest expense, other (income) expense, net, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results and provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations, (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis and (3) removes those items that are difficult to predict and are often unanticipated and that, as a result, are difficult to include in analysts’ financial models and our investors’ expectations with any degree of specificity.

Sysco’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to June 30th. This resulted in a 53-week year ended July 3, 2021 for fiscal 2021, a 52-week year ended June 27, 2020 for fiscal 2020 and a 52-week year ended June 29, 2019 for fiscal 2019. We will have a 52-week year ending July 2, 2022 for fiscal 2022. Because fiscal 2021 contained an additional week as compared to fiscal 2020, our Consolidated Results of Operations for fiscal 2021 are not directly comparable to the prior year. Management

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believes that adjusting the fiscal 2021 Consolidated Results of Operations for the estimated impact of the additional week provides more comparable financial results on a year-over-year basis. This is calculated by taking one-fourteenth of the total metric for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.

The company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results, as well as for internal planning and forecasting purposes. These financial measures should not be used as a substitute for GAAP measures in assessing the company’s results of operations for periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Any metric within this section referred to as “adjusted” will reflect the applicable impact of Certain Items. More information on the rationale for the use of these measures and reconciliations to GAAP numbers can be found under “Non-GAAP Reconciliations.”

Key Performance Indicators

Sysco seeks to meet its strategic goals by continually measuring its success in its key performance metrics that drive stakeholder value through sales growth and capital allocation and deployment. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the financial metrics used by management to evaluate the business, and certain metrics continue to be a near- and long-term focus, while other metrics do not provide meaningful comparable information in the near-term. We believe the following are our most significant performance metrics in our current business environment:

•Adjusted operating income growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted diluted earnings per share growth (non-GAAP);

•Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP);

•Case volume growth by customer type for U.S. Broadline operations;

•Sysco brand penetration for U.S. Broadline operations; and

•Free cash flow (non-GAAP).

We use these financial metrics and related computations, as well as sales and gross profit growth, to evaluate our business and to plan for near-and long-term operating and strategic decisions. We believe it is useful to provide investors with the same financial information that we use internally to make comparisons of our historical operating results, identify trends in our underlying operating results and evaluate our business.

Key Financial Definitions

•Sales – Sales is equal to gross sales, minus (1) sales returns and (2) sales incentives that we offer to certain customers, such as upfront monies and discounts. Our sales are driven by changes in case volumes, product inflation that is reflected in the pricing of our products and mix of products sold.

•Gross profit – Gross profit is equal to our net sales minus our cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold primarily includes inventory costs (net of supplier consideration) and inbound freight. Cost of goods sold generally changes as we incur higher or lower costs from our suppliers and as our customer and product mix changes.

Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share Growth

Adjusted operating income represents our consolidated operating income, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Adjusted diluted earnings per share represents our consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted for the impact of Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. Sysco’s management considers growth in these metrics to be useful measures of operating efficiency and profitability, as they facilitate comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business.

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net earnings (loss) plus (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense and benefit, (3) depreciation and (4) amortization. The net earnings (loss) component of our EBITDA calculation is impacted by Certain Items that we do not consider representative of our underlying performance. As a result, in the non-GAAP reconciliations below for each period presented, adjusted EBITDA is computed as EBITDA plus the impact of Certain Items, excluding Certain Items related to interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Sysco’s management considers growth in this metric to be a measure of overall financial performance that provides useful information to management and investors about the profitability of the business, as it facilitates comparison of performance on a consistent basis from period to period by providing a

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measurement of recurring factors and trends affecting our business. Additionally, it is a commonly used component metric used to inform on capital structure decisions.

Case Volume Growth by Customer Type for U.S. Broadline Operations

Case volume represents the volume of product sold to customers during a period of time, and improvements in this metric are a primary driver of Sysco’s top line performance. We define a case, specifically for our U.S. Broadline operations, as the lowest level of packaged products that are sold from our warehouses, with one case potentially containing several pieces of a product packaged in bulk. Case size does not generally vary by location or from period to period, due to the design of our warehouses. Case volume growth is calculated by dividing the change in the volume of cases sold year-over-year by the volume of cases sold in the prior year. Sysco management considers case volume growth within its U.S. Broadline operations to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating sales performance and as an indicator of gross margin performance. Management monitors case volume growth by customer type, with bifurcation between local customers and national customers, as this provides a measure of gross profit performance due to the pricing strategies attached to each customer type. Local customers are primarily street customers, such as independent restaurants that do not have long-term contracts, or locally managed customers, such as local chain restaurants, while national customers are the multi-unit customers requiring national coverage from a customer-centric view and are managed centrally from the Corporate office. Sysco management seeks to drive higher case volume growth to local customers, which allows more favorable pricing terms for our U.S. Broadline operations and generates higher gross margins as a result. National customers benefit from purchasing power, as they are able to negotiate pricing agreements across multiple businesses, reducing our gross profit potential, but reducing our overall cost per case, as national customers have bigger drop sizes. While overall case volume growth reflects a key component of sales growth, local customer case growth provides additional context around gross profit performance.

Sysco Brand Penetration for U.S. Broadline Operations

Sysco management considers Sysco brand penetration to be a measure that provides useful information to management and investors in evaluating the gross profit performance of the company’s U.S. Broadline operations. Sysco offers an assortment of Sysco-branded products that can be differentiated from privately branded products, which enables us to achieve higher gross margin by administering and leveraging a consolidated product procurement program for quality food and non-food products. Due to cost efficiencies, Sysco-branded products generate a higher gross margin than sales from other privately branded products. We define Sysco brand penetration as the percentage of Sysco-branded case volume sold to U.S. Broadline customers over all cases sold to U.S. Broadline customers. This performance indicator, also measured at the customer type level, including local and national customers, is driven by growth in the distribution of branded products to more customers and more geographies, as well as increasing branded offerings through innovation and the launch of new products.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow represents net cash provided from operating activities, less purchases of plant and equipment, plus proceeds from sales of plant and equipment. Sysco management considers free cash flow to be a non-GAAP liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases and sales of buildings, fleet, equipment and technology, which may potentially be used to pay for, among other things, strategic uses of cash, including dividend payments, share repurchases and acquisitions. However, free cash flow may not be available for discretionary expenditures, as it may be necessary that we use it to make mandatory debt service or other payments. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for discussions of GAAP metrics, including net cash provided by operating activities and our reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

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Trends

Economic and Industry Trends

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, national and local governments have imposed substantial restrictions upon the customers we serve in the food-away-from-home sector; however, we saw demand in the restaurant industry increase throughout the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 as restrictions continued to ease. The U.S. foodservice industry is now within 5% of calendar year 2019 levels, as foot traffic has increased since March 2021 and continues to increase more than foot traffic in grocery stores. Consumer spending power is robust, signaling that the food-away-from-home sector is not permanently impaired, but rather is vibrant and healthy. Our performance in the non-restaurant sectors of our business trailed the success of restaurants in fiscal 2021; however, we are beginning to see improvements in the travel, hospitality and food service management sectors of our business as restrictions ease and as leisure travel has returned this summer. We expect these non-restaurant business sectors to improve further as travel restrictions continue to ease and businesses return to the office setting. Our International Foodservice Operations segment improved sequentially throughout the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, as most international regions have begun meaningfully easing the restrictions affecting our customers. Sysco is best positioned to support the rapidly increasing demand due to our balance sheet, our large physical footprint, and our substantial human capital investment in salespeople and supply chain resources. The spread of the COVID-19 variants is creating uncertainty in our industry’s business environment; however, the future impact to our customers and to Sysco’s results is not yet known.

The return of robust customer demand has created pressure on us and our industry for available product supply in select categories. Our supplier partners are struggling with meeting the demand of Sysco’s orders, and certain product categories remain in short supply. We believe that Sysco is performing better than the industry at large in delivering what we refer to as customer fill rate, but we are performing below our historical performance standards. Our merchant teams are working closely with current suppliers and actively sourcing incremental supply from new suppliers, and we are working with our sales teams to offer product substitutions to our customers. In the current operating environment, we are experiencing a tight labor market, particularly with our warehouse and driver positions, which is more concentrated in certain geographic areas. This is resulting in cost pressures, as we adopt mostly temporary wage actions, such as hiring bonuses, referral bonuses, and even retention bonus programs. We are working aggressively to fill open positions and improve productivity to offset cost increases.

Sales and Gross Profit Trends

Our sales and gross profit performance can be influenced by multiple factors, including price, volume, customer mix, product mix and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest factor affecting performance in fiscal 2021 was the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced volume. The restaurant sector of our business, however, had nearly achieved full recovery as of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, as local sales volumes have exceeded fiscal 2019 volume levels. We are experiencing especially strong results from independent customers. Sysco has increased market share in this rapidly expanding market. Sales growth has continued into the first quarter of fiscal 2022, with July results indicating a further acceleration of this increase. We expect our fiscal 2022 sales will exceed fiscal 2019 sales by mid-single digits, with all segments of our business expected to exceed fiscal 2019 sales, except for our lodging supply business and food service management component of our US Foodservice Operations. During fiscal 2022, we expect to achieve growth at a rate of 1.2 times the industry. That rate of growth is expected to accelerate across the three years of our long range plan, and we intend to deliver 1.5 times the market growth in fiscal 2024.

In terms of customer mix, during fiscal 2021, we grew our local customer count by approximately 10%, as compared to fiscal 2019, which is a pace 2.5 times greater than the broadline industry. We believe these efforts demonstrate our ability to accelerate future growth. We continue to win business at the national and contract sales level. We have added commitments to over $2.0 billion of net new national account business on an annualized basis since the beginning of the pandemic, with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 representing another strong quarter of new contracts signed. The momentum shown in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 has accelerated into the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and, over the course of fiscal 2022, we expect to see an improving market, as additional sectors, including international markets, specialty foods, schools and colleges, and business office cafeterias, begin to reopen.

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Our gross margin decreased 48 points in fiscal 2021, compared to the prior year period, as we managed profitability in an inflationary environment. The primary reason for the gross margin dilution at the enterprise level was business mix; however, our higher margin U.S. Foodservice Operations segment business is currently growing alongside improvements in higher-margin business in our International Foodservice Operations segment, reducing the business mix impact on gross margin from the lower-margin SYGMA segment. Manufacturers passed inflation to us, and we have passed it on to customers across categories and customer types. In terms of the impact on pricing, we experienced inflation at a rate of 9.6% combined for the U.S. and Canada during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, primarily in the paper and disposables, poultry and meat categories. The rate accelerated towards the end of the quarter and continued into the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The majority of our customer contracts have provisions to pass through inflation, and we are working closely and carefully with customers not managed through a contract. We are educating restaurant operators that consumers currently appear willing to accept menu price increases. The increased inflation is expected to benefit sales, while slightly negatively impacting gross margin rates and positively impacting gross profit dollars. For fiscal 2022, we expect gross margins to improve over fiscal 2021 and approach our fiscal 2019 levels.

Operating Expense Trends

Total operating expenses decreased 13.5% during fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020. The largest contributors to the decrease were the reduction of variable costs early in the year, as sales declined due to COVID-19, achievement of cost-out initiatives across fiscal 2021 (see “Cost-out Measures” below), and the benefit from a reduction in our allowance for doubtful accounts resulting from improved collections. Many of Sysco’s customers were operating at a substantially reduced volume due to governmental requirements for closures or other social-distancing measures, and a portion of Sysco’s customers closed. Some of these customers ceased paying their outstanding receivables, creating uncertainty as to their collectability. We established reserves for bad debts in fiscal 2020 for these receivables; however, collections have improved in fiscal 2021. In fiscal 2021, we recorded a net credit to the provision for losses on receivables totaling $152.7 million, which reflects a benefit on the reduction of our allowance for pre-pandemic receivable balances, as we have made excellent progress on obtaining timely payments from our customers. We continue to work with our customers to collect past due balances, including through the use of payment plans. We have also discontinued charging interest on past due balances. As of July 3, 2021, our pre-pandemic receivable balance outstanding is no longer significant and a majority of the amount outstanding is reserved within our allowance for doubtful accounts. The COVID-19 pandemic is more widespread and longer in duration than historical disasters that have impacted our business, and it is possible that actual uncollectible amounts will differ and additional charges may be required; however, if collections continue to improve, it is also possible that additional reductions in our bad debt reserve could occur.

Cost-out Measures

The COVID-19 crisis has compelled us to take action to reduce costs by reducing variable expenses in response to reduced customer demand, aligning inventory to current sales trends, reducing capital expenditures to only critical projects and targeted investments and tightly managing receivables. These actions produced savings in fiscal 2021, and we have surpassed our fiscal 2021 goal of $350 million of cost savings. The majority of these savings came from selling, general and administrative costs, but some savings came from cost of goods sold as we continue to improve our capabilities to better optimize supplier relationships. From our selling, general and administrative costs, we have reduced pay-related expenses through headcount reductions across the organization, most of which occurred in fiscal 2020. With the improvement in sales volume due to the business recovery; however, we have hired over 6,000 additional associates in the second half of fiscal 2021. We continue to have hiring needs, as the business recovery is happening faster than anticipated. Other examples of the cost saving efforts are the regionalization of our Broadline and specialty produce operations and the achievements we have made in reducing healthcare contract costs, indirect sourcing and freight contract costs. We expect to drive continued cost savings opportunities to help fuel our future growth agenda, and we are now targeting over $750 million in savings through fiscal 2024, including the savings delivered in fiscal 2021. These savings are structural and permanent, and are expected to substantially benefit the company so that we can grow our profit and create growth for the future. We expect to invest most of the fiscal 2022 savings into both the recovery occurring within our industry, including the temporary wage actions noted in “Economic and Industry Trends” above, as well as our Recipe for Growth transformational initiatives.

Income Tax Trends

Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state, as well as foreign, jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may change our mix of earnings by jurisdiction and has increased the risk that operating losses may occur within certain of our jurisdictions that could

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lead to the recognition of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets in the future, if these losses are prolonged beyond our current expectations. These effects would negatively impact our income tax expense, net earnings, and balance sheet.

Our effective tax rate has been influenced by discrete events, such as tax law changes and excess tax benefits attributable to equity compensation exercises as discussed in Note 19, “Income Taxes,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. In fiscal 2022, we expect our effective tax rate to be approximately 24%.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We continue to focus on mergers and acquisitions as a part of our growth strategy. In August 2021, we acquired, within our U.S. Foodservice Operations, Greco and Sons, a leading independent Italian specialty distributor in the U.S. with approximately $800 million in annual revenue.

Divestitures

Sysco sold its interests in Davigel Spain, part of the International Foodservice Operations segment, in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and sold its interest in Cake Corporation in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. These operations were not significant to Sysco’s business, and these divestitures will facilitate our efforts to prioritize our focus and investments on our core business.

Strategy

Our purpose is “Connecting the World to Share Food and Care for One Another,” which we believe will allow us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our “Recipe for Growth” transformation. This growth transformation is supported by strategic pillars that we believe will allow us to better serve our customers, including:

•Digital – We will enrich the customer experience through personalized digital tools that reduce friction in the purchase experience and introduce innovation to our customers. We continue to see excellent utilization of our Sysco SHOP platform by customers, and the implementation of our pricing software is on track to be complete by the end of this calendar year. We also have a new personalization engine that is currently under construction and has proved to be beneficial to our pilot customers.

•Products and Solutions – We will provide customer-focused marketing and merchandising solutions that inspire increased sales of our broad assortment of fair priced products and services. We are improving our merchandising and marketing solutions by developing improved strategies for specific cuisine segments.

•Supply Chain – We will efficiently and consistently serve customers with the products they need, when and how they need them, through a flexible, agile delivery framework. We are developing a more nimble, accessible and productive supply chain that is better positioned to support customers in their business recovery, we and have eliminated order minimums for our customers. Our strategic initiatives to increase delivery frequency and enable omnichannel inventory fulfillment remain on track.

•Customer Teams – Our greatest strength is our people, people who are passionate about food and food service. Our diverse team delivers expertise and differentiated services designed to help our customers grow their business. We intend to improve the effectiveness of our sales organization by leveraging data to increase the yield of the sales process.

•Future Horizons – We are committed to responsible growth. We will cultivate new channels, new segments, and new capabilities while being stewards of our company and our planet. We will fund our journey through cost-out and efficiency improvements.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

20212020
Sales100.0%100.0%
Cost of sales81.881.3
Gross profit18.218.7
Operating expenses15.417.3
Operating income2.81.4
Interest expense1.70.8
Other (income) expense, net0.1
Earnings before income taxes1.10.5
Income taxes0.10.1
Net earnings1.0%0.4%

The following table sets forth the change in the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:

2021
Sales(3.0)%
Cost of sales(2.4)
Gross profit(5.5)
Operating expenses(13.5)
Operating income91.8
Interest expense115.6
Other (income) expense, net (1)(157.7)
Earnings before income taxes99.3
Income taxes(22.3)
Net earnings143.3%
Basic earnings per share145.2%
Diluted earnings per share142.9
Average shares outstanding0.1
Diluted shares outstanding(0.1)

(1)Other (income) expense, net was income of $27.6 million in fiscal 2021 and expense of $47.9 million in fiscal 2020.

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Segment Results

The following represents our results by reportable segments:

53-Week Period Ended Jul. 3, 2021
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherCorporateConsolidated Totals
(In thousands)
Sales$35,724,843$8,350,638$6,498,601$723,761$$51,297,843
Sales increase (decrease)(2.9)%(13.7)%17.0%(18.8)%(3.0)%
Percentage of total69.6%16.3%12.7%1.4%100.0%
Operating income (loss)$2,456,564$(232,403)$52,654$(396)$(839,177)$1,437,242
Operating income (loss) increase (decrease)22.6%(37.4)%42.8%(98.1)%91.8%
Percentage of total segments107.9%(10.2)%2.3%%100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales6.9%(2.8)%0.8%(0.1)%2.8%
52-Week Period Ended Jun. 27, 2020
U.S. Foodservice OperationsInternational Foodservice OperationsSYGMAOtherCorporateConsolidated Totals
(In thousands)
Sales$36,774,146$9,672,190$5,555,926$891,048$$52,893,310
Percentage of total69.5%18.3%10.5%1.7%100.0%
Operating income$2,003,159$(371,407)$36,880$(21,361)$(897,766)$749,505
Percentage of total segments121.6%(22.5)%2.2%(1.3)%100.0%
Operating income as a percentage of sales5.4%(3.8)%0.7%(2.4)%1.4%

Based on information in Note 21, “Business Segment Information,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, in fiscal 2021, U.S. Foodservice Operations and International Foodservice Operations represented approximately 69.6% and 16.3%, respectively, of Sysco’s overall sales, compared to 69.5% and 18.3%, respectively, in fiscal 2020. In fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, U.S. Foodservice Operations represented approximately 107.9% and 121.6%, respectively, of the total segment operating income. This illustrates that these segments represent a substantial majority of our total segment results when compared to other reportable segments.

Cost of sales primarily includes our product costs, net of vendor consideration, and includes in-bound freight. Operating expenses include the costs of facilities, product handling, delivery, selling and general and administrative activities. Fuel surcharges are reflected within sales and gross profit; fuel costs are reflected within operating expenses. Along with sales, operating income is the most relevant measure for evaluating segment performance and allocating resources, as operating income includes cost of goods sold, as well as the costs to warehouse and deliver goods, which are significant and relevant costs when evaluating a distribution business.

Results of U.S. Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2021, the U.S. Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 69.6% of Sysco’s overall sales and 107.9% of the aggregated operating income of Sysco’s reporting segments. Several factors contributed to these higher operating results as compared to the other operating segments. We have invested substantial amounts in assets, operating methods, technology and management expertise in this segment. The breadth of its sales force, geographic reach of its distribution area and its purchasing power enable this segment to generate its relatively stronger results of operations.

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The following tables set forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20212020Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands)
Sales$35,724,843$36,774,146$(1,049,303)(2.9)%
Gross profit7,008,6877,254,722(246,035)(3.4)
Operating expenses4,552,1235,251,563(699,440)(13.3)
Operating income$2,456,564$2,003,159$453,40522.6%
Gross profit$7,008,687$7,254,722$(246,035)(3.4)%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)4,691,1035,010,764(319,661)(6.4)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$2,317,584$2,243,958$73,6263.3%

(1)     See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the prior year in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2021
(In millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Case volume(8.6)%$(3,144.5)
Inflation (1)4.11,522.8
Acquisitions0.150.5
Extra week in fiscal 20212.2822.8
Other (2)(0.7)(300.9)
Total change in sales(2.9)%$(1,049.3)

(1)    Includes product cost inflation of 4.3% for U.S. Broadline operations.

(2)    Case volume excludes the volume impact from our custom-cut meat and seafood subsidiaries that do not measure volume in cases. Any impact in volumes from these operations are included within “Other.”

Sales were 2.9% lower in fiscal 2021 than in fiscal 2020. The primary driver of the decrease was the significant decline in case volume in our U.S. Broadline operations as a result of some of our customers closing and many other customers operating at a substantially reduced volume through portions of the fiscal year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $822.8 million of sales during the fiscal year. Our sales have progressively improved throughout fiscal 2021 due to volume improvements commensurate with an easing of restrictions on our customers. Case volumes for the company’s U.S. Broadline operations, including acquisitions within the last 12 months, decreased 5.8% in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 and included a 1.1% decline in locally managed customer case growth, along with a decrease of 11.5% in national customer case volume, including chain restaurants and multi-locational restaurants. Sales from acquisitions within the last 12 months favorably impacted locally managed customer sales by 0.1%; therefore, organic local case volume, which excludes acquisitions, decreased 1.2%.

Operating Income

Operating income increased by 22.6% in fiscal 2021 over fiscal 2020, as our decline in gross profits was outpaced by the reduction of operating expenses. Operating income, on an adjusted basis (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below), for fiscal 2021 increased 3.3%, or $73.6 million, compared to fiscal 2020. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $58.4 million of adjusted operating income during the fiscal year.

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Gross profit dollars decreased 3.4% in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020, driven primarily by the decline in local cases and a decline in Sysco-branded products. The decrease was partially offset by higher inflation. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $158.2 million of gross profit during the fiscal year. Our Sysco brand sales as a percentage of total U.S. cases decreased 87 basis points in fiscal 2021, which was driven by customer and product mix shift. Sysco brand sales as a percentage of local U.S. cases decreased by approximately 212 basis points in fiscal 2021, which was driven by product mix shifting into pre-packaged and takeaway ready products. The estimated change in product costs, an internal measure of inflation or deflation, in fiscal 2021 for our U.S. Broadline operations was inflation of 4.3% and was primarily driven by inflation in the paper and disposables, poultry and meat categories. Gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of sales, was 19.62% in fiscal 2021, which was a decrease of 11 basis points compared to gross margin of 19.73% in fiscal 2020, respectively, primarily attributable to customer and product mix shift.

Operating expenses in fiscal 2021 decreased 13.3%, or $699.4 million, compared to fiscal 2020. Our decline in operating expenses during fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by a favorable comparison of bad debt expense, including the reduction of reserves on pre-pandemic receivables, and a decrease in pay-related costs associated with permanent headcount reductions made in fiscal 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating expenses, on an adjusted basis (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below), for fiscal 2021 decreased 6.4%, or $319.7 million, compared to fiscal 2020. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $99.8 million of adjusted operating expense during the fiscal year.

Results of International Foodservice Operations

In fiscal 2021, the International Foodservice Operations operating results represented approximately 16.3% of Sysco’s overall sales.

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The following tables set forth a summary of the components of operating income and adjusted operating income expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the prior year:

20212020Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands)
Sales$8,350,638$9,672,190$(1,321,552)(13.7)%
Gross profit1,645,4481,955,190(309,742)(15.8)
Operating expenses1,877,8512,326,597(448,746)(19.3)
Operating (loss) income$(232,403)$(371,407)$139,004(37.4)%
Gross profit$1,645,448$1,955,190$(309,742)(15.8)%
Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP) (1)1,774,2451,847,152(72,907)(3.9)
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) (1)$(128,797)$108,038$(236,835)(219.2)%
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$7,906,258$9,672,190$(1,765,932)(18.3)%
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)1,554,0041,955,190(401,186)(20.5)
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)1,673,3001,847,152(173,852)(9.4)
Comparable operating (loss) income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP) (1)$(119,296)$108,038$(227,334)(210.4)%

(1)     See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

Sales

The following table sets forth the percentage and dollar value increase or decrease in sales over the comparable prior year period in order to demonstrate the cause and magnitude of change.

Increase (Decrease)
2021
(In millions)
Cause of changePercentageDollars
Inflation3.6%$351.7
Foreign currency4.6444.4
Extra week in fiscal 20211.8178.3
Other (1)(23.7)(2,296.0)
Total change in sales(13.7)%$(1,321.6)

(1)The impact of volumes as a component of sales growth from international operations are included within “Other.” Volume in our foreign operations includes volume metrics that differ from country to country and cannot be aggregated on a consistent comparable basis.

Sales in fiscal 2021 were 13.7% lower, as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to the significant decline in volume, as our European, Canadian and Latin American businesses have been substantially impacted by lockdowns, although the restrictions in place are currently easing in many regions. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $178.3 million of sales during the fiscal year. In fiscal 2021, changes in foreign exchange rates positively affected sales by 4.6%, resulting in an 18.3% decrease in sales on a constant currency basis.

Operating Income

Operating income decreased by $139.0 million in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to the decline in business resulting from the reductions in our customers’ business in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating income,

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on an adjusted basis (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below), decreased by $236.8 million, or 219.2%, in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020. We estimate that the extra week had a negligible impact on adjusted operating income during the fiscal year. Foreign exchange rates positively affected operating income by 8.8% in fiscal 2021; therefore, adjusted operating income decreased 210.4% on a constant currency basis, as compared to fiscal 2020.

Gross profit dollars decreased by 15.8% in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily attributable to decreased sales. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $35.4 million of gross profit during the fiscal year. Changes in foreign exchange rates in fiscal 2021 positively affected gross profit by 4.7%, resulting in a 20.5% decrease in adjusted gross profit on a constant currency basis, as compared to fiscal 2020. Gross margin decreased by 51 basis points as a result of country mix, customer mix and product mix.

Operating expenses in fiscal 2021 decreased 19.3%, or $448.7 million, as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to a decrease in pay-related costs associated with permanent workforce reductions made in fiscal 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the reduction of reserves on pre-pandemic receivables and reduced restructuring and integration charges in Europe contributed to the decrease. Operating expenses, on an adjusted basis (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below), in fiscal 2021, decreased 3.9%, or $72.9 million, compared to fiscal 2020. We estimate that the extra week accounted for $35.4 million of adjusted operating expense during the fiscal year. Changes in foreign exchange rates used to translate our foreign operating expenses into U.S. dollars in fiscal 2021 negatively affected operating expenses during the period by 5.5%, resulting in a 9.4% decrease in adjusted operating expenses on a constant currency basis, as compared to fiscal 2020.

Results of SYGMA and Other Segment

For SYGMA, sales were 17.0% higher in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily from an increase in case volume driven by the success of national and regional quick service restaurants servicing drive-through traffic through the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $133.8 million of sales during the fiscal year. Operating income increased by 42.8% in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020, as our increase in gross profit from increased case volume exceeded the increase in operating expenses. Adjusted operating income (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below) increased by 23.4% in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $1.2 million of adjusted operating income during the fiscal year.

For the operations that are grouped within Other, operating loss decreased $21.0 million in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to reduced operating expenses, as we sold a non-core asset, Cake Corporation, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Our hospitality business, Guest Worldwide, had a gross profit decrease of 24.5% in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020. This business remains challenged, as hospitality occupancy rates remain low compared to prior year levels. Despite operating in a difficult hospitality environment, the business improved its underlying profitability during the second half of fiscal 2021 as leisure travel increased and as the travel and hospitality sector continued its recovery.

Corporate Expenses

Corporate expenses in fiscal 2021 decreased $59.8 million, or 6.7%, as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to a reduction in costs associated with the business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including severance charges related to permanent headcount reductions made in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2020 and goodwill impairment charges recognized in fiscal 2020. Lower charges for professional fees and other business transformation initiatives also contributed to the decrease. Corporate expenses, on an adjusted basis, increased $97.7 million, or 14.6%, as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily due to an increase in incentives and stock-based compensation expense as compared to fiscal 2020, when these expenses were lower due to reduced performance against targets. Expenses for our transformational investments also contributed to the increase. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal 2021 accounted for $16.0 million of adjusted corporate expenses during the fiscal year.

Included in corporate expenses are Certain Items that totaled $62.9 million in fiscal 2021, as compared to $220.3 million in fiscal 2020. Certain Items impacting fiscal 2021 were primarily expenses associated with our business technology transformation initiatives. Certain Items impacting fiscal 2020 were primarily expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives, severance charges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and goodwill impairment charges.

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Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $471.9 million in fiscal 2021, as compared to fiscal 2020, primarily attributable the purchase of senior notes and debentures due 2027, 2028, 2030, 2039, 2040 and 2050 pursuant to a tender offer in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Interest charges included a loss of $293.9 million related to the purchase costs noted above, and are considered Certain Items. Excluding Certain Items, our adjusted interest expense (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below) increased $178.0 million due to higher fixed debt volume, partially offset by lower floating interest rates.

Net Earnings

Net earnings increased 143.3% in fiscal 2021 as compared to the prior year, due primarily to the items noted above for operating income and interest expense, as well as items impacting our income taxes that are discussed in Note 11, “Income Taxes,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Adjusted net earnings, excluding Certain Items, decreased $291.6 million in fiscal 2021, primarily due to a significant decrease in sales volume and a large increase in interest expense.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share in fiscal 2021 were $1.03, a 145.2% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $0.42 per share. Diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2021 were $1.02, a 142.9% increase from the comparable prior year period amount of $0.42 per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding Certain Items (which is a non-GAAP financial measure for which a reconciliation is provided in “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below), in fiscal 2021 were $1.44, a 28.4% decrease from the comparable prior year period amount of $2.01 per share. These results were primarily attributable to the factors discussed above related to net earnings in fiscal 2021.

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Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Sysco’s results of operations for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 were impacted by restructuring and transformational project costs consisting of: (1) restructuring charges; (2) expenses associated with our various transformation initiatives; and (3) facility closure and severance charges, and by acquisition-related costs consisting of: (1) intangible amortization expense related to the fiscal 2017 acquisition of Cucina Lux Investments Limited (the Brakes Acquisition); and (2) due diligence and integration costs incurred in fiscal 2021 associated with the acquisition of Greco and Sons, which closed in August 2021. Our results for fiscal 2021 were also impacted by the reduction of bad debt expense previously recognized in fiscal 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the collectability of our pre-pandemic trade receivable balances, as well as non-operating gains and losses including (1) losses on the extinguishment of debt; (2) losses on the sale of businesses; and (3) gains on the sale of property.
Fiscal 2020 results of operations were also negatively impacted by costs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and are also adjusted to remove the impact of (1) excess bad debt expense, as we experienced an increase in past due receivables and recognized additional bad debt charges; (2) goodwill and intangibles impairment charges; and (3) fixed asset impairment charges. While Sysco traditionally incurs bad debt expense, the magnitude of such expenses and benefits that we have experienced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is not indicative of our normal operations. Our adjusted results have not been normalized in a manner that would exclude the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. As such, Sysco has not adjusted its results for lost sales, inventory write-offs or other costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic not previously stated.
The results of our foreign operations can be impacted due to changes in exchange rates applicable in converting local currencies to U.S. dollars. We measure our total Sysco and our International Foodservice Operations results on a constant currency basis. Constant currency operating results are calculated by translating current-period local currency operating results with the currency exchange rates used to translate the financial statements in the comparable prior-year period to determine what the current-period U.S. dollar operating results would have been if the currency exchange rate had not changed from the comparable prior-year period. The constant currency impact on our adjusted total Sysco and our adjusted International Foodservice Operations results are disclosed when the impact exceeds a defined threshold of greater than 1% on the growth metric. If the amount does not exceed this threshold, a disclosure will be made that the impact of the currency change was not significant.
Management believes that adjusting its operating expenses, operating income, interest expense, other (income) expense, net, net earnings and diluted earnings per share to remove these Certain Items and presenting its International Foodservice Operations results on a constant currency basis, provides an important perspective with respect to our underlying business trends and results and provides meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that (1) is indicative of the performance of the company’s underlying operations and (2) facilitates comparisons on a year-over-year basis.
Although Sysco has a history of growth through acquisitions, the Brakes Group was significantly larger than the companies historically acquired by Sysco, with a proportionately greater impact on Sysco’s consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, Sysco is excluding from its non-GAAP financial measures for the relevant period the impact of acquisition-related intangible amortization specific to the Brakes Acquisition. We believe this approach significantly enhances the comparability of Sysco’s results for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020.
Set forth below is a reconciliation of sales, operating expenses, operating income, interest expense, other (income) expense net earnings and diluted earnings per share to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented. Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add up to the total presented due to rounding. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.

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20212020Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Sales (GAAP)$51,297,843$52,893,310$(1,595,467)(3.0)%
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(454,004)(454,004)(0.9)
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$50,843,839$52,893,310$(2,049,471)(3.9)%
Gross profit (GAAP)$9,356,749$9,901,664$(544,915)(5.5)%
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(94,664)(94,664)(1.0)
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$9,262,085$9,901,664$(639,579)(6.5)%
Gross margin (GAAP)18.24%18.72%-48 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(0.03)-3 bps
Comparable Gross margin using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)18.22%18.72%-50 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$7,919,507$9,152,159$(1,232,652)(13.5)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)(128,187)(371,088)242,90165.5
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)(79,540)(64,793)(14,747)(22.8)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)184,813(323,403)508,216157.1
Impact of goodwill impairment(203,206)203,206NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)7,896,5938,189,669(293,076)(3.6)
Impact of currency fluctuations (1)(104,438)(104,438)(1.3)
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$7,792,155$8,189,669$(397,514)(4.9)%
Operating income (GAAP)$1,437,242$749,505$687,73791.8%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)128,187371,088(242,901)(65.5)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)79,54064,79314,74722.8
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(184,813)323,403(508,216)(157.1)
Impact of goodwill impairment203,206(203,206)NM
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$1,460,156$1,711,995$(251,839)(14.7)%
Interest expense (GAAP)$880,137$408,220$471,917115.6%
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt(293,897)(293,897)NM
Interest expense adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$586,240$408,220$178,02043.6%
Other (income) expense (GAAP)$(27,623)$47,901$(75,524)157.7%
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (5)(10,460)(46,968)36,508(77.7)
Other (income) expense adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(38,083)$933$(39,016)NM
Net earnings (GAAP)$524,209$215,475$308,734143.3%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)128,187371,088(242,901)(65.5)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)79,54064,79314,74722.8
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(184,813)323,403(508,216)(157.1)
Impact of goodwill impairment203,206(203,206)NM
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt293,897293,897NM

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20212020Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (5)10,46046,968(36,508)(77.7)
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (6)(32,416)(90,683)58,26764.3
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (6)(19,675)(13,641)(6,034)(44.2)
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (6)46,260(76,864)123,124160.2
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (6)(79,323)(79,323)NM
Tax impact of other non-routine gains and losses (6)(2,692)(12,644)9,95278.7
Impact of foreign tax rate change (7)(23,197)924(24,121)NM
Net earnings adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$740,437$1,032,025$(291,588)(28.3)%
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$1.02$0.42$0.60142.9%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (2)0.250.72(0.47)(65.3)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (3)0.150.130.0215.4
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (4)(0.36)0.63(0.99)(157.1)
Impact of goodwill impairment0.40(0.40)NM
Impact of loss on extinguishment of debt0.570.57NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (5)0.020.09(0.07)(77.8)
Tax impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (6)(0.06)(0.18)0.1266.7
Tax impact of acquisition-related costs (6)(0.04)(0.03)(0.01)(33.3)
Tax impact of bad debt reserves adjustments (6)0.09(0.15)0.24160.0
Tax impact of loss on extinguishment of debt (6)(0.15)(0.15)NM
Tax impact of non-routine gains and losses (6)(0.01)(0.02)0.0150.0
Impact of foreign tax rate change (7)(0.05)(0.05)NM
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP) (8)$1.44$2.01$(0.57)(28.4)%
(1)Represents a constant currency adjustment, which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on current year results.
(2)Fiscal 2021 includes $72 million related to restructuring charges, facility closure and severance charges and $56 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy. Fiscal 2020 includes $265 million related to restructuring, facility closure and severance charges and $106 million related to various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(3)Fiscal 2021 represents $74 million of intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition, which is included in the results of International Foodservice, as well as $6 million of due diligence and integration costs related to Greco and Sons, which are included within Corporate expenses. Fiscal 2020 represents intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition.
(4)Fiscal 2021 represents the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020. Fiscal 2020 represents excess bad debt charges recognized on the increase in past due receivables arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
(5)Fiscal 2021 includes $23 million of loss from the sale of businesses, $9 million of gains on sale of property and other non-recurring gains and losses. Fiscal 2020 represents the impairment of assets held for sale.
(6)The tax impact of adjustments for Certain Items is calculated by multiplying the pretax impact of each Certain Item by the statutory rates in effect for each jurisdiction where the Certain Item was incurred.
(7)Fiscal 2021 represents a net benefit from remeasuring Sysco’s accrued income taxes, deferred tax asset and deferred tax liabilities due to changes in tax rates in the United Kingdom.
(8)Individual components of diluted earnings per share may not add up to the total presented due to rounding. Total diluted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net earnings divided by diluted shares outstanding.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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Set forth below is a reconciliation by segment of actual operating expenses and operating income to adjusted results for these measures for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

U.S. FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS20212020Change in Dollars% Change
Operating expenses (GAAP)$4,552,123$5,251,563$(699,440)(13.3)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs(4,056)(10,145)6,08960.0
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (1)143,036(230,654)373,690162.0
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$4,691,103$5,010,764$(319,661)(6.4)%
Operating income (GAAP)$2,456,564$2,003,159$453,40522.6%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs4,05610,145(6,089)(60.0)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (1)(143,036)230,654(373,690)(162.0)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$2,317,584$2,243,958$73,6263.3%
INTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
Sales (GAAP)$8,350,638$9,672,190$(1,321,552)(13.7)%
Impact of currency fluctuations (2)(444,380)(444,380)(4.6)
Comparable sales using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$7,906,258$9,672,190$(1,765,932)(18.3)%
Gross Profit (GAAP)$1,645,448$1,955,190$(309,742)(15.8)%
Impact of currency fluctuations (2)(91,444)(91,444)(4.7)
Comparable gross profit using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$1,554,004$1,955,190$(401,186)(20.5)%
Gross Margin (GAAP)19.70%20.21%-51 bps
Impact of currency fluctuations (2)0.05%%-5 bps
Comparable gross margin using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)19.66%20.21%-56 bps
Operating expenses (GAAP)$1,877,851$2,326,597$(448,746)(19.3)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)(66,147)(191,900)125,75365.5
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)(73,673)(64,793)(8,880)(13.7)
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (1)36,214(88,271)124,485141.0
Impact of goodwill impairment(134,481)134,481NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)1,774,2451,847,152(72,907)(3.9)
Impact of currency fluctuations (2)(100,945)(100,945)(5.5)
Comparable operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$1,673,300$1,847,152$(173,852)(9.4)%
Operating loss (GAAP)$(232,403)$(371,407)$139,00437.4%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (3)66,147191,900(125,753)(65.5)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (4)73,67364,7938,88013.7
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (1)(36,214)88,271(124,485)(141.0)
Impact of goodwill impairment134,481(134,481)NM
Operating (loss) income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)(128,797)108,038(236,835)(219.2)
Impact of currency fluctuations (2)9,5019,501(8.8)
Comparable operating (loss) income adjusted for Certain Items using a constant currency basis (Non-GAAP)$(119,296)$108,038$(227,334)(210.4)%

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SYGMA
Operating expenses (GAAP)$501,360$446,614$54,74612.3%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs(7)(5,793)5,78699.9
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$501,353$440,821$60,53213.7%
Operating income (GAAP)$52,654$36,880$15,77442.8%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs75,793(5,786)(99.9)
Operating income adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$52,661$42,673$9,98823.4%
OTHER
Operating expenses (GAAP)$160,790$240,245$(79,455)(33.1)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs(956)(956)NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (1)5,563(4,478)10,041224.2
Impact of goodwill impairment(11,660)11,660NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$165,397$224,107$(58,710)(26.2)%
Operating loss (GAAP)$(396)$(21,361)$20,96598.1%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs956956NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (1)(5,563)4,478(10,041)(224.2)
Impact of goodwill impairment11,660(11,660)NM
Operating loss adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(5,003)$(5,223)$2204.2%
CORPORATE
Operating expenses (GAAP)$827,383$887,140$(59,757)(6.7)%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (5)(57,021)(163,249)106,22865.1
Impact of acquisition-related costs (6)(5,867)(5,867)NM
Impact of goodwill impairment(57,066)57,066NM
Operating expenses adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$764,495$666,825$97,67014.6%
Operating loss (GAAP)$(839,177)$(897,766)$58,5896.5%
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (5)57,021163,249(106,228)(65.1)
Impact of acquisition-related costs (6)5,8675,867NM
Impact of goodwill impairment57,066(57,066)NM
Operating loss adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)$(776,289)$(677,451)$(98,838)(14.6)%
(1)Fiscal 2021 represents the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020. Fiscal 2020 represents excess bad debt charges recognized on the increase in past due receivables arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2)Represents a constant currency adjustment, which eliminates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on current year results.
(3)Includes restructuring, severance and facility closure costs primarily in Europe.
(4)Represents intangible amortization expense from the Brakes Acquisition.
(5)Includes various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy.
(6)Fiscal 2021 represents due diligence and integration costs related to the acquisition of Greco and Sons in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
NM represents that the percentage change is not meaningful.

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EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing Sysco’s overall financial performance for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. Set forth below is a reconciliation of actual net earnings (loss) to EBITDA and to adjusted EBITDA results for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

20212020Change in Dollars% Change
Net earnings (GAAP)$524,209$215,475$308,734143.3%
Interest (GAAP)880,137408,220471,917115.6
Income taxes (GAAP)60,51977,909(17,390)(22.3)
Depreciation and amortization (GAAP)737,916805,765(67,849)(8.4)
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)$2,202,781$1,507,369$695,41246.1%
Certain Item adjustments:
Impact of restructuring and transformational project costs (1)120,693290,284(169,591)(58.4)
Impact of acquisition-related costs5,8675,867NM
Impact of bad debt reserve adjustments (2)(184,813)323,403(508,216)(157.1)
Impact of goodwill impairment203,206(203,206)NM
Impact of other non-routine gains and losses (3)10,46046,968(36,508)(77.7)
EBITDA adjusted for Certain Items (Non-GAAP)(4)$2,154,988$2,371,230$(216,242)(9.1)%
(1)Includes various transformation initiative costs, primarily consisting of changes to our business technology strategy, excluding charges related to accelerated depreciation.
(2)Fiscal 2021 represents the reduction of bad debt charges previously taken on pre-pandemic trade receivable balances in fiscal 2020. Fiscal 2020 represents excess bad debt charges recognized on the increase in past due receivables arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
(3)Fiscal 2021 includes $23 million of loss from the sale of businesses, $9 million of gains on sale of property and other non-recurring items. Fiscal 2020 represents the impairment of assets held for sale.
(4)In arriving at adjusted EBITDA, Sysco does not adjust out interest income of $15 million and $12 million or non-cash stock compensation expense of $96 million and $42 million for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Highlights

Below are comparisons of the cash flows from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2020:

•Cash flows from operations were $1.9 billion in fiscal 2021, compared to $1.6 billion in fiscal 2020;

•Net capital expenditures totaled $411.5 million in fiscal 2021, compared to $691.7 million in fiscal 2020;

•Free cash flow was $1.5 billion in fiscal 2021, compared to $927.0 million in fiscal 2020 (see “Cash Flows – Free Cash Flow – Non-GAAP Reconciliation” below for an explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure);

•There were no acquisitions in fiscal 2021; cash used for acquisition of businesses was $142.8 million in fiscal 2020;

•There were $826.2 million of bank and commercial paper repayments, net, in fiscal 2021, compared to $616.7 million of bank and commercial paper borrowings, net in fiscal 2020;

•Dividends paid were $917.6 million in fiscal 2021, compared to $856.3 million in fiscal 2020; and

•There were no stock repurchases in fiscal 2021; cash paid for treasury stock repurchases was $844.7 million in fiscal 2020.

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We repaid senior notes in the amount of $1.3 billion, purchased senior notes and debentures in the amount of $712.4 million pursuant to a tender offer in fiscal 2021 and repaid $700 million of borrowings under our long-term revolving credit facility, utilizing cash flow from operations.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our working capital, as well as the uncertainty regarding our ability to generate cash flow in the near term, we took steps to increase our liquidity in the second half of fiscal 2020, including the issuance of senior notes, borrowings under our long-term revolving credit facility and borrowings under a U.K. commercial paper program. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we entered into an amendment to our long-term revolving credit facility, which required us to suspend share repurchases and dividend increases. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, we further amended our long-term revolving credit facility to increase the authorized dividend per share amount, which allowed us to declare a dividend increase of $0.02 per share, resulting in a quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share payable in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2021, we continued to reduce our debt levels, and have paid down $3.4 billion of debt. As of July 3, 2021, there were no borrowings outstanding under our long-term revolving credit facility. As of August 10, 2021, the company has approximately $4.7 billion in cash and available liquidity.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Sysco’s strategic objectives include continuous investment in our business; these investments are funded by a combination of cash from operations and access to capital from financial markets. Our operations historically have produced significant cash flow. Cash generated from operations is generally allocated to:

•working capital requirements;

•capital investments in facilities, systems, fleet, other equipment and technology;

•cash dividends;

•acquisitions consistent with our growth strategy;

•debt repayments;

•share repurchases; and

•contributions to our various retirement plans.

Any remaining cash generated from operations may be invested in high-quality, short-term instruments. As a part of our ongoing strategic analysis, we regularly evaluate business opportunities, including potential acquisitions and sales of assets and businesses, and our overall capital structure. Any transactions resulting from these evaluations may materially impact our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability.

We continue to be in a strong financial position based on our balance sheet and operating cash flows; however, our liquidity and capital resources can be influenced by economic trends and conditions that impact our results of operations. We believe our mechanisms to manage working capital, such as actively working with customers to receive payments on receivables, optimizing inventory levels and maximizing payment terms with vendors, have been sufficient to limit a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations. We believe these mechanisms will continue to prevent a significant unfavorable impact on our cash flows from operations.

We extend credit terms to some of our customers based on our assessment of each customer’s creditworthiness. We monitor each customer’s account and will suspend shipments if necessary. In the ordinary course of business, customers periodically negotiate extended payment terms on trade accounts receivable. The company may utilize purchase arrangements with third-party financial institutions to transfer portions of our trade accounts receivable balance on a non-recourse basis in order to extend terms for the customer without negatively impacting our cash flow. The arrangements meet the requirements for the receivables transferred to be accounted for as sales. See Note 1, “Summary of Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for additional information.

As of July 3, 2021, we had $3.0 billion in cash and cash equivalents, approximately 19% of which was held by our international subsidiaries generated from our earnings of international operations. If these earnings were transferred among countries or repatriated to the U.S., such amounts may be subject to withholding and additional foreign tax obligations. Additionally, Sysco Corporation has provided intercompany loans to certain of its international subsidiaries, and when interest and principal payments are made, some of this cash will move to the U.S.

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Our wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) must maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to fund future reserve payments. As of July 3, 2021, the Captive held $129.7 million of fixed income marketable securities and $30.0 million of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in a restricted investment portfolio in order to meet solvency requirements. We purchased $53.1 million in marketable securities in fiscal 2021 and received $36.0 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities in that period.

Cash Requirements

The Company’s cash requirements within the next twelve months include accounts payable and accrued liabilities, current maturities of long-term debt, other current liabilities, and purchase commitments and other obligations. We expect the cash required to meet these obligations to be primarily generated through a combination of cash from operations and access to capital from financial markets.

Our long-term cash requirements under our various contractual obligations and commitments include:

•Debt Obligations and Interest Payments – See Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our debt and the timing of expected future principal and interest payments.

•Operating and Finance leases – See Note 13, “Leases,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Deferred Compensation – The estimate of the timing of future payments under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and Management Savings Plan involves the use of certain assumptions, including retirement ages and payout periods. See Note 14, “Company-Sponsored Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further detail of our obligations and the timing of expected future payments.

•Purchase and Other Obligations – Purchase obligations include agreements for purchases of product in the normal course of business for which all significant terms have been confirmed, including minimum quantities resulting from our category management process. Such amounts are based on estimates. Purchase obligations also include amounts committed with various third-party service providers to provide information technology services for periods up to fiscal 2026. See discussion under Note 20, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Purchase obligations exclude full requirements electricity contracts where no stated minimum purchase volume is required.

•Other Liabilities – These include other long-term liabilities reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 3, 2021, including obligations associated with certain employee benefit programs, unrecognized tax benefits and various long-term liabilities, which have some inherent uncertainty in the timing of these payments.

•Contingent Consideration – Certain acquisitions involve contingent consideration, typically payable only if certain operating results are attained or certain outstanding contingencies are resolved. See Note 4, “Acquisitions,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for aggregate contingent consideration amounts outstanding as of July 3, 2021.

We believe the following sources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next twelve months, while maintaining sufficient liquidity for normal operating purposes:

•our cash flows from operations;

•the availability of additional capital under our existing commercial paper programs, supported by our revolving credit facility; and

•our ability to access capital from financial markets, including issuances of debt securities, either privately or under our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC.

Due to our strong financial position, we believe that we will continue to be able to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets, if necessary.

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Cash Flows

Operating Activities

We generated $1.9 billion and $1.6 billion in cash flows from operations in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. Fiscal 2021 reflects higher operating results, as well as year-over-year favorable comparisons on accrued expenses, income taxes and working capital.

The positive impact from accrued expenses was primarily due to a favorable comparison of customer rebate payments resulting from an increase in volume purchase incentives earned by our customers, as sales volumes increased throughout fiscal 2021, and a favorable comparison of incentive payments resulting from prior year incentive payments exceeding current payments, coupled with an increase in incentive accruals in fiscal 2021 due to improved business performance.

Income tax cash payments decreased $273.1 million year-over-year. This was a result of higher accrual of earnings in fiscal 2019 and the beginning of fiscal 2020 used to calculate estimated tax payments in fiscal 2020. Lower earnings at the end of fiscal 2020 and in fiscal 2021, including the impact of the debt tender in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, resulted in lower estimated tax payments for fiscal 2021. Additionally in fiscal 2021, we received a $50 million refund related to a payment made in fiscal 2020.

Changes in working capital had a positive impact of $49.3 million on cash flow from operations period-over-period. There was a favorable comparison on accounts payable, partially offset by unfavorable comparisons on accounts receivable and inventories. Accounts payable and inventories have increased, as we continue our business recovery efforts and investments in inventory. In the second half of fiscal 2021, we invested heavily in inventory, and we ended the fiscal year with inventory on-hand and inventory on-order in a combined amount that exceeds our pre-COVID-19 levels, which should enable us to ship product on time and in full during the upcoming period of expected volume recovery. The unfavorable comparison in cash flows from accounts receivables is primarily due to our customers beginning to purchase more in the second half of fiscal 2021, coupled with significantly lower sales in the latter half of fiscal 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fiscal 2021, we recorded a net credit to the provision for losses on receivables totaling $152.7 million, which reflects a benefit on the reduction of our allowance for pre-pandemic receivable balances, as we have made excellent progress on obtaining timely payments from our customers. We continue to work with our customers to collect past due balances, including through the use of payment plans. We have also discontinued charging interest on past due balances.

The positive impacts to cash flows from operating activities noted above were partially offset by an unfavorable comparison year-over-year with regard to the provision for losses on trade receivables. During fiscal 2021, we recognized a net benefit on our allowance for credit losses on receivables due to improved collections on Sysco’s pre-pandemic receivables, as compared to the excess bad debt charges recognized in fiscal 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers.

Investing Activities

Fiscal 2021 capital expenditures included:

•buildings and building improvements;

•investments in technology;

•warehouse equipment; and

•fleet replacements.

Fiscal 2020 capital expenditures included:

•buildings and building improvements;

•fleet replacements;

•investments in technology; and

•warehouse equipment.

The level of gross capital expenditures in fiscal 2021 decreased $249.7 million, as compared to fiscal 2020. We reduced our capital expenditures in fiscal 2021 by eliminating capital projects that were not critical for our business in order to preserve our liquidity in response to the COVID-19 crisis. We estimate our capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sales of assets, in fiscal 2022 will be approximately 1.3% of fiscal 2022 sales as we continue to invest in our business for the long-term.

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Fiscal 2022 expenditures are expected to include facility expansions and new facility construction; fleet and other equipment purchases, including replacements; and investments in technology.

During fiscal 2020, the company paid cash of $142.8 million for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, including the acquisitions of J. Kings Food Service Professionals, Armstrong Produce, and Kula Produce.

Free Cash Flow

Our free cash flow for fiscal 2021 increased by $565.3 million, to $1.5 billion, as compared to fiscal 2020, principally as a result of an increase in cash flows from operations and year-over-year decreased capital expenditures.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Free cash flow should not be used as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measure in assessing the company’s liquidity for the periods presented. An analysis of any non-GAAP financial measure should be used in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. See “Key Performance Indicators” for further discussion regarding this non-GAAP financial measure. In the table that follows, free cash flow for each period presented is reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities.

20212020Change in Dollars% Change
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)$1,903,842$1,618,680$285,16217.6%
Additions to plant and equipment(470,676)(720,423)249,747(34.7)
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment59,14728,71730,430106.0
Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)$1,492,313$926,974$565,33961.0%

Financing Activities

Equity Transactions

Proceeds from exercises of share-based compensation awards were $130.4 million and $227.6 million in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. The level of option exercises, and thus proceeds, will vary from period to period and is largely dependent on movements in our stock price and the time remaining before option grants expire.

We have traditionally engaged in share repurchase programs to allow Sysco to continue offsetting dilution resulting from shares issued under the company’s benefit plans and to make opportunistic repurchases. In August 2019, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to $2.5 billion of the company’s common stock through the end of fiscal 2021. During March 2020, we discontinued share repurchases under the program, and pursuant to the amendment to our long-term revolving credit facility as described below under “Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability,” we repurchased no shares during fiscal 2021, compared to 11.1 million shares repurchased in fiscal 2020 for $844.7 million. The remaining authorization of approximately $2.1 billion expired at the end of fiscal 2021. In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved a separate repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of the company’s common stock, which will remain available until fully utilized.

Certain conditions would need to be present for us to resume share repurchases in fiscal 2022, including but not limited to the following: the market recovery must be robust; our investments in our business must be fully funded, including acquisitions; our debt reduction must continue and our investment grade credit rating must be preserved; and excess liquidity must exist to fund the repurchase program. If current trends continue with respect to each of these conditions and our balanced capital allocation strategy is employed, we may return more capital to shareholders through share repurchases in fiscal 2022.

We have made dividend payments to our shareholders in each fiscal year since our company’s inception. Dividends paid were $917.6 million, or $1.80 per share, in fiscal 2021 and $856.3 million, or $1.68 per share, in fiscal 2020. In May 2021, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 of $0.47 per share, a $0.02 per share increase from the prior quarter, which was paid in July 2021.

In August 2018, we filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC under which we, as a well-known seasoned issuer, have the ability to issue and sell an indeterminate amount of various types of debt and equity securities. The

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specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement, which we expect to replace with a new universal shelf registration statement to be filed shortly after this Form 10-K, will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

In November 2000, we filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement covering 30,000,000 shares of common stock to be offered from time to time in connection with acquisitions. As of August 10, 2021, 29,477,835 shares remained available for issuance under this registration statement.

Debt Activity and Borrowing Availability

Our debt activity, including issuances and repayments, and our borrowing availability is described in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Our outstanding borrowings at July 3, 2021, and repayment activity since the end of fiscal 2021 are disclosed within those notes. Updated amounts at August 10, 2021, include:

•No outstanding borrowings from the credit facility supporting our U.S. commercial paper program; and

•No outstanding borrowings under our U.S. commercial paper program.

Our aggregate commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings had weighted average interest rates of 0.97% for fiscal 2021 and 1.99% for fiscal 2020.

In the next 12 months, $450 million of long-term debt will mature. We expect to repay these senior notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and to fund this repayment with internally generated funds.

The availability of financing in the form of debt is influenced by many factors, including our profitability, free cash flows, debt levels, credit ratings, debt covenants and economic and market conditions. For example, a significant downgrade in our credit ratings or adverse conditions in the capital markets may increase the cost of borrowing for us or limit our access to capital. To date, we have not experienced difficulty accessing the credit markets. As of August 10, 2021, the company had approximately $4.7 billion in cash and available liquidity.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 due to worsening business conditions, Sysco entered into an amendment to its $2 billion long-term revolving credit facility that expires on June 28, 2024. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 due to improving business conditions, we further amended our long-term revolving credit facility to (1) adjust the covenant restricting increases to Sysco’s regular quarterly dividend to enable future increases; (2) remove access to a 364-day credit facility that the company believes it no longer needs; and (3) adjust the covenant requiring Sysco to maintain a certain ratio of EBITDA to consolidated interest expense. As of July 3, 2021, Sysco was in compliance with all of its debt covenants, and the company expects to remain in compliance through the next twelve months.

Guarantor Summarized Financial Information

On January 19, 2011, the wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries of Sysco Corporation, which distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products, entered into full and unconditional guarantees of all outstanding senior notes and debentures of Sysco Corporation. A list of the current guarantors is included in Exhibit 22 to this Form 10-K. All subsequent issuances of senior notes and debentures in the U.S. and borrowings under the company’s $2.0 billion long-term revolving credit facility have also been guaranteed by these subsidiaries, as discussed in Note 12, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of July 3, 2021, Sysco had a total of $10.6 billion in senior notes, debentures and borrowings under the long-term revolving credit facility that were guaranteed by these subsidiary guarantors. Our remaining consolidated subsidiaries (non-guarantor subsidiaries) are not obligated under the senior notes indenture, debentures indenture or our long-term revolving credit facility.

All subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the parent company, all guarantees are full and unconditional, and all guarantees are joint and several. The guarantees rank equally and ratably in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the respective guarantors.

The assets of Sysco Corporation consist principally of the stock of its subsidiaries. Therefore, the rights of Sysco Corporation and the rights of its creditors to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon liquidation, recapitalization or otherwise will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that claims of Sysco Corporation itself and/or the claims of those creditors themselves may be recognized as creditor claims of the subsidiary. Furthermore, the ability of Sysco Corporation to service its indebtedness and other obligations is dependent upon the earnings and cash flow of its subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment to it of such earnings or cash flow. If any of Sysco Corporation’s

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subsidiaries becomes insolvent, the direct creditors of that subsidiary will have a prior claim on its assets. Sysco Corporation’s rights and the rights of its creditors, including the rights of a holder of senior notes as an owner of debt securities, will be subject to that prior claim, unless Sysco Corporation or such noteholder, if such noteholder’s debt securities are guaranteed by such subsidiary, also is a direct creditor of that subsidiary.

The guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor with respect to a series of senior notes or debentures may be released under certain customary circumstances. If we exercise our defeasance option with respect to the senior notes or debentures of any series, then any subsidiary guarantor effectively will be released with respect to that series. Further, each subsidiary guarantee will remain in full force and effect until the earliest to occur of the date, if any, on which (1) the applicable subsidiary guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation or (2) Sysco Corporation or any successor of Sysco Corporation consolidates with or merges into the applicable subsidiary guarantor.

Basis of Preparation of the Summarized Financial Information

The following tables include summarized financial information of Sysco Corporation (issuer), and certain wholly owned U.S. Broadline subsidiaries (guarantors) (together, the obligor group). The summarized financial information of the obligor group is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the obligor group eliminated. Investments in and equity in the earnings of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, which are not members of the obligor group, have been excluded from the summarized financial information.

The obligor group’s amounts due to, amounts due from and transactions with non-guarantor subsidiaries have been presented in separate line items, if they are material to the obligor financials.

Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Balance SheetJul. 3, 2021
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Receivables due from non-obligor subsidiaries$171,718
Current assets6,661,284
Total current assets$6,833,002
Notes receivable from non-obligor subsidiaries$83,457
Other noncurrent assets3,933,833
Total noncurrent assets$4,017,290
LIABILITIES
Payables due to non-obligor subsidiaries$203,365
Other current liabilities2,299,674
Total current liabilities$2,503,039
Notes payable to non-obligor subsidiaries$269,709
Long-term debt10,139,596
Other noncurrent liabilities1,209,598
Total noncurrent liabilities$11,618,903
Combined Parent and Guarantor Subsidiaries Summarized Results of Operations2021
(In thousands)
Sales$32,944,700
Gross profit6,206,924
Operating income1,773,215
Interest expense from non-obligor subsidiaries59,745
Net earnings816,957

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses in the accompanying financial statements. Significant accounting policies employed by Sysco are presented in the notes to the financial statements.

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. These policies require our most subjective or complex judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors the development and selection of the critical accounting policies and estimates and this related disclosure. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates pertain to the goodwill and intangible assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, income taxes, share-based compensation and company-sponsored pension plans.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We account for acquired businesses using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that, once control of a business is obtained, 100% of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. We use multiple valuation methods to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For intangible assets, we generally use the income method, which uses a forecast of the expected future net cash flows associated with each asset. These cash flows are then adjusted to present value by applying an appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk factors associated with the cash flow streams. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the income method or other methods include the amount and timing of projected future cash flows and the discount rate selected to measure the risks inherent in the future cash flows. Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment, as different types of intangible assets will have different useful lives. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. More information on our acquisitions can be found in Note 4, “Acquisitions,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Annually in our fiscal fourth quarter, we assess the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles by determining whether the fair values exceed the carrying values of these assets. Impairment reviews, outside our annual review time frame, are performed if events or circumstances occur that include changes in 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. Our testing may be performed utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment; however, if a qualitative assessment is performed and we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be less than its carrying amount, a quantitative test is performed.

When using a quantitative test, we arrive at our estimates of fair value using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. The results from each of these models are then weighted and combined into a single estimate of fair value for each reporting unit. We use a higher weighting for our discounted cash flow valuation compared to the earnings multiple models because the forecasted operating results that serve as a basis for the analysis incorporate management’s outlook and anticipated changes for the businesses consistent with a market participant. The primary assumptions used in these various models include estimated earnings multiples of comparable acquisitions in the industry, including control premiums, earnings or revenue multiples on acquisitions completed by Sysco in the past, future cash flow estimates of the reporting units, which are dependent on internal forecasts and projected growth rates, and weighted average cost of capital, along with working capital and capital expenditure requirements. When possible, we use observable market inputs in our models to arrive at the fair values of our reporting units.

Certain reporting units have a greater proportion of goodwill recorded to estimated fair value as compared to the U.S. Broadline, Canada Broadline or SYGMA reporting units. This is primarily due to these businesses having been more recently acquired, and as a result there has been less history of organic growth than in the U.S. Broadline, Canadian Broadline and SYGMA reporting units. As such, these reporting units have a greater risk of future impairment if their operations were to suffer a significant downturn.

In the annual fiscal 2021 assessment, certain reporting units did not have a fair value substantially in excess of their book value. For two reporting units with goodwill of $181.4 million in the aggregate as of July 3, 2021, headroom was considered low at 18% and 27%. All other reporting units were concluded to have a fair value that exceeded book value by at least 30%.

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The company estimated the fair value of these reporting units using a combination of discounted cash flow and earnings or revenue multiple models. For the purposes of the discounted cash flow models, fair value was determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk adjusted rate. The fair value conclusions as of July 3, 2021 for the reporting units are highly sensitive to changes in the assumptions used in the income approach, which include forecasted revenues, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others, all of which require significant judgments by management. Fair value of the reporting unit is therefore determined using significant unobservable inputs, or level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The company has used recent historical performance, current forecasted financial information, and broad-based industry and economic statistics as a basis to estimate the key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow model. These key assumptions are inherently uncertain and require a high degree of estimation and judgment and are subject to change based on future changes, industry and global economic and geo-political conditions, and the timing and success of the implementation of current strategic initiatives. The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on estimated future cash flows is uncertain and will largely depend on the outcome of future events, which could result in goodwill impairments going forward.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Sysco determines the past due status of trade receivables based on contractual terms with each customer and evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable to determine an appropriate allowance for credit losses on trade receivables. To calculate an allowance for credit losses, the company estimates uncollectible amounts based on historical loss experience, including those experienced during times of local and regional disasters, current conditions and collection rates, and expectations regarding future losses.

In the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2020, the company experienced an increase in past due receivables and recognized additional bad debt charges on its trade receivables that were outstanding at the time the pandemic caused closures among our customers in mid-March 2020. These receivables were all created in fiscal 2020 and are referred to as pre-pandemic receivables. In fiscal 2021, we recorded a net credit to the provision for losses on receivables totaling $152.7 million, which reflects a benefit on the reduction of our allowance for pre-pandemic receivable balances, as we have made excellent progress on obtaining timely payments from our customers. We continue to work with our customers to collect past due balances, including through the use of payment plans. We have also discontinued charging interest on past due balances. Our balance for the allowance of doubtful accounts as of July 3, 2021 was $117.7 million. The COVID-19 pandemic is more widespread and longer in duration than historical disasters that have impacted our business, and it is possible that actual uncollectible amounts will differ and additional charges may be required; however, if collections continue to improve, it is also possible that additional reductions in our bad debt reserve could occur. Our judgment is required as to the impact of certain of these items and other factors as to ultimate realization of our accounts receivable.

Income Taxes

The determination of our provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Our provision for income taxes primarily reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state, as well as foreign, jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and our change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may change our mix of earnings by jurisdiction and has increased the risk that operating losses may occur within certain of our jurisdictions that could lead to the recognition of valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets in the future, if these losses are prolonged beyond our current expectations. This would negatively impact our income tax expense, net earnings, and balance sheet.

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment in estimating the exposures associated with our various filing positions. We believe that the judgments and estimates discussed herein are reasonable; however, actual results could differ, and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. To the extent we prevail in matters for which a liability has been established, or pay amounts in excess of recorded liabilities, our effective income tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement generally would require use of our cash and may result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement may be recognized as a reduction in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution.

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Share-Based Compensation

Sysco provides compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors under several share-based payment arrangements including various employee stock option plans, a non-employee director plan and the 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

As of July 3, 2021, there was $124.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of Sysco’s stock, implied volatilities from traded options on Sysco’s stock and other factors. We utilize historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination behavior within the valuation model; separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. Expected dividend yield is estimated based on the historical pattern of dividends and the average stock price for the year preceding the option grant. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The fair value of each restricted stock unit award and performance share unit award granted with a dividend equivalent is based on the company’s stock price as of the date of grant. For restricted stock units and performance share units granted without dividend equivalents, the fair value is reduced by the present value of expected dividends during the vesting period. Expense recognized on performance share unit awards is subsequently adjusted based on forecasted performance compared to planned targets until the performance period concludes and the actual number of shares of Sysco common stock to be received upon the vesting of the performance share units is known.

The fair value of the stock issued under the ESPP is calculated as the difference between the stock price and the employee purchase price.

The fair value of restricted stock granted to employees or non-employee directors is based on the stock price on grant date. The application of a discount to the fair value of a restricted stock grant is dependent upon whether or not each individual grant contains a post-vesting restriction.

The compensation cost related to these share-based awards is recognized over the requisite service period. The requisite service period is generally the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The compensation cost related to stock issuances resulting from employee purchases of stock under the ESPP is recognized during the quarter in which the employee payroll withholdings are made.

Our share-based awards are generally subject to graded vesting over a service period. We will recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

In addition, certain of our share-based awards provide that the awards continue to vest as if the award holder continued to be an employee or director if the award holder meets certain age and years of service thresholds upon retirement. In these cases, we will recognize compensation cost for such awards over the period from the grant date to the date the employee or director first becomes eligible to retire with the options continuing to vest after retirement.

Our option grants include options that qualify as incentive stock options for income tax purposes. In the period the compensation cost related to incentive stock options is recorded, a corresponding tax benefit is not recorded as it is assumed that we will not receive a tax deduction related to such incentive stock options. We may be eligible for tax deductions in subsequent periods to the extent that there is a disqualifying disposition of the incentive stock option. In such cases, we would record a tax benefit related to the tax deduction in an amount not to exceed the corresponding cumulative compensation cost recorded in the financial statements on the particular options multiplied by the statutory tax rate.

Company-Sponsored Pension Plans

Amounts related to defined benefit plans recognized in the financial statements are determined on an actuarial basis. Two of the more critical assumptions in the actuarial calculations are the discount rate for determining the current value of plan benefits and the expected rate of return on plan assets. Our U.S. Retirement Plan is largely frozen and is only open to a small number of employees. Our SERP is frozen and is not open to any employees. None of these plans have a significant sensitivity to changes in discount rates specific to our results of operations, but such changes could impact our balance sheet due to a

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change in our funded status. Due to the low level of active employees in our retirement plans, our assumption for the rate of increase in future compensation is not a critical assumption.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan is 4.75% for fiscal 2021, consistent with fiscal 2020. The expectations of future returns are derived from a mathematical asset model that incorporates assumptions as to the various asset class returns, reflecting a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets regarding the yield on bonds, historical returns of the major stock markets and returns on alternative investments. The rate of return assumption is reviewed annually and revised as deemed appropriate.

The expected return on plan assets impacts the recorded amount of net pension costs. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan decreased by 25 basis points to 4.50% for fiscal 2022, due to expected lower long-term rate of return. A 25 basis point increase (decrease) in the assumed rate of return in the Plan for fiscal 2022 would decrease (increase) Sysco’s net company-sponsored pension costs for fiscal 2022 by approximately $11 million.

Pension accounting standards require the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans in the statement of financial position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of July 3, 2021 was a charge, net of tax, of $1.1 billion, driven by an increase in the discount rates and a decline in expected return on assets. The amount reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the recognition of the funded status of our defined benefit plans as of June 27, 2020 was a charge, net of tax, of $1.3 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein that look forward in time or express management’s expectations or beliefs with respect to the occurrence of future events are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “projected,” “continues,” “continuously,” variations of such terms, and similar terms and phrases denoting anticipated or expected occurrences or results. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

•the effect, impact, potential duration or other implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and any expectations we may have with respect thereto, including our ability to withstand the crisis;

•expectations regarding our business and the economic recovery generally as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, including beliefs regarding future customer activity;

•our expectations regarding the improvement in the performance of non-restaurant business sectors;

•our expectations of an improving market over the course of fiscal 2022;

•our expectations regarding the ability of our supply chain and facilities to remain in place and operational;

•our plans regarding our transformation initiatives and the expected effects from such initiatives;

•statements regarding uncollectible accounts, including that if collections continue to improve, additional reductions in bad debt expense could occur;

•our expectations that our Recipe for Growth strategy will allow us to better serve our customers and differentiate Sysco from our competition;

•our expectations regarding the Sysco Driver Academy;

•our expectations regarding our fiscal 2022 sales and our rate of sales growth in fiscal 2022 and the three years of our long-range plan;

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•our expectations regarding the impact of inflation on sales, gross margin rates and gross profit dollars;

•our expectations regarding gross margins in fiscal 2022;

•our plans regarding cost savings, including our target for cost savings through fiscal 2024 and the impact of costs savings on the company;

•our expectations that divestitures in fiscal 2021 will facilitate our efforts to prioritize our focus and investments on our core business;

•our belief that our purpose will allow us to grow substantially faster than the foodservice distribution industry and deliver profitable growth through our Recipe for Growth transformation, and statements regarding our plans with respect to our strategic pillars that support this growth transformation;

•our expectations regarding the investment of remaining cash generated from operations;

•the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of the U.S. Retirement Plan;

•the sufficiency of our available liquidity to sustain our operations for multiple years;

•estimates regarding the outcome of legal proceedings;

•the impact of seasonal trends on our free cash flow;

•our expectations regarding the use of remaining cash generated from operations;

•estimates regarding our capital expenditures and the sources of financing for our capital expenditures;

•our expectations regarding the impact of potential acquisitions and sales of assets on our liquidity, borrowing capacity, leverage ratios and capital availability;

•our expectations regarding real sales growth in the U.S. foodservice market;

•our expectations regarding trends in produce markets;

•our expectations regarding the calculation of adjusted return on invested capital, adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share;

•our expectations regarding the impact of future Certain Items on our projected future non-GAAP and GAAP results;

•our expectations regarding our effective tax rate in fiscal 2022;

•the sufficiency of our mechanisms for managing working capital and competitive pressures, and our beliefs regarding the impact of these mechanisms;

•our ability to meet future cash requirements, including the ability to access financial markets effectively, including issuances of debt securities, and maintain sufficient liquidity;

•our expectations regarding the payment of dividends, and the growth of our dividend, in the future;

•our expectations regarding future activity under our share repurchase program;

•future compliance with the covenants under our revolving credit facility;

•our ability to effectively access the commercial paper market and long-term capital markets;

•the expected redemption of $450 million of debt maturing in the next 12 months;

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•our intention to repay our long-term debt with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, issuances of commercial paper, issuances of senior notes, or a combination thereof.

These statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially due in part to the risk factors set forth below and those within Part I, Item 1A of this document:

•the impact and effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, and the adverse impact thereof on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including, but not limited to, our growth, product costs, supply chain, labor availability, logistical capabilities, customer demand for our products and industry demand generally, consumer spending, our liquidity, the price of our securities and trading markets with respect thereto, our ability to access capital markets, and the global economy and financial markets generally;

•the risk that if sales from our locally managed customers do not grow at the same rate as sales from multi-unit customers, our gross margins may decline;

•the risk that we are unlikely to be able to predict inflation over the long term, and lower inflation is likely to produce lower gross profit;

•periods of significant or prolonged inflation or deflation and their impact on our product costs and profitability generally;

•the risk that our efforts to modify truck routing, including our small truck initiative, in order to reduce outbound transportation costs may be unsuccessful;

•the risk that we may not be able to accelerate and/or identify additional administrative cost savings in order to compensate for any gross profit or supply chain cost leverage challenges;

•risks related to unfavorable conditions in North America and Europe and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition;

•the risks related to our efforts to implement our transformation initiatives and meet our other long-term strategic objectives, including the risk that these efforts may not provide the expected benefits in our anticipated time frame, if at all, and may prove costlier than expected; the risk that the actual costs of any initiatives may be greater or less than currently expected; and the risk of adverse effects to us if past and future undertakings and the associated changes to our business do not prove to be cost effective or do not result in the level of cost savings and other benefits that we anticipated;

•the impact of unexpected future changes to our business initiatives based on management’s subjective evaluation of our overall business needs;

•the risk that the actual costs of any business initiatives may be greater or less than currently expected;

•the risk that competition in our industry and the impact of GPOs may adversely impact our margins and our ability to retain customers and make it difficult for us to maintain our market share, growth rate and profitability;

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•the risk that our relationships with long-term customers may be materially diminished or terminated;

•the risk that changes in consumer eating habits could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations;

•the risk that changes in applicable tax laws or regulations and the resolution of tax disputes could negatively affect our financial results;

•the risk that we may not be able to fully compensate for increases in fuel costs, and forward purchase commitments intended to contain fuel costs could result in above market fuel costs;

•the risk of interruption of supplies and increase in product costs as a result of conditions beyond our control;

•the potential impact on our reputation and earnings of adverse publicity or lack of confidence in our products;

•risks related to unfavorable changes to the mix of locally managed customers versus corporate-managed customers;

•the risk that we may not realize anticipated benefits from our operating cost reduction efforts;

•difficulties in successfully expanding into international markets and complimentary lines of business;

•the potential impact of product liability claims;

•the risk that we fail to comply with requirements imposed by applicable law or government regulations;

•risks related to our ability to effectively finance and integrate acquired businesses;

•risks related to our access to borrowed funds in order to grow and any default by us under our indebtedness that could have a material adverse impact on cash flow and liquidity;

•our level of indebtedness and the terms of our indebtedness could adversely affect our business and liquidity position;

•the risk that the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

•the risk that divestiture of one or more of our businesses may not provide the anticipated effects on our operations;

•the risk that Brexit may adversely impact our operations in the U.K., including those of the Brakes Group;

•the risk that future labor disruptions or disputes could disrupt the integration of Brake France and Davigel into Sysco France and our operations in France and the EU generally;

•the risk that factors beyond management’s control, including fluctuations in the stock market, as well as management’s future subjective evaluation of the company’s needs, would impact the timing of share repurchases;

•due to our reliance on technology, any technology disruption or delay in implementing new technology could have a material negative impact on our business;

•the risk that a cybersecurity incident and other technology disruptions could negatively impact our business and our relationships with customers;

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•the risk that changes in the method of determining LIBOR, or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect interest expense related to outstanding debt;

•the potential requirement to pay material amounts under our multiemployer defined benefit pension plans;

•our funding requirements for our company-sponsored qualified pension plan may increase should financial markets experience future declines;

•labor issues, including the renegotiation of union contracts and shortage of qualified labor;

•capital expenditures may vary based on changes in business plans and other factors, including risks related to the implementation of various initiatives, the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending;

•the risk that the anti-takeover benefits provided by our preferred stock may not be viewed as beneficial to stockholders; and

•the risk that the exclusive forum provisions in our amended and restated bylaws could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.