Aramark (ARMK) 10-Q2024 Q2 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2024

or

For the transition period from _______ to _______

___________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect our current expectations as to future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our operations, our liquidity and capital resources, the conditions in our industry and our growth strategy. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "outlook," "aim," "anticipate," "have confidence," "estimate," "expect," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "see," "look to" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative versions of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those that we expected.

Some of the factors that we believe could affect or continue to affect our results include without limitation: unfavorable economic conditions; natural disasters, global calamities, climate change, pandemics, energy shortages, sports strikes and other adverse incidents; geopolitical events including, but not limited to, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the growing conflict in the Middle East, global supply chain disruptions, inflation, volatility and disruption of global financial markets; the failure to retain current clients, renew existing client contracts and obtain new client contracts; a determination by clients to reduce their outsourcing or use of preferred vendors; competition in our industries; increased operating costs and obstacles to cost recovery due to the pricing and cancellation terms of our food and support services contracts; currency risks and other risks associated with international operations, including compliance with a broad range of laws and regulations, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; risks associated with suppliers from whom our products are sourced; disruptions to our relationship with our distribution partners; the contract intensive nature of our business, which may lead to client disputes; the inability to hire and retain key or sufficient qualified personnel or increases in labor costs; our expansion strategy and our ability to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire and costs and timing related thereto; risks associated with the completed spin-off of Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") as an independent publicly traded company to our stockholders; continued or further unionization of our workforce; liability resulting from our participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans; laws and governmental regulations including those relating to food and beverages, the environment, wage and hour and government contracting; liability associated with noncompliance with applicable law or other governmental regulations; new interpretations of or changes in the enforcement of the government regulatory framework; increases or changes in income tax rates or tax-related laws; potential liabilities, increased costs, reputational harm, and other adverse effects based on our commitments and stakeholder expectations relating to environmental, social and governance considerations; the failure to maintain food safety throughout our supply chain, food-borne illness concerns and claims of illness or injury; a cybersecurity incident or other disruptions in the availability of our computer systems or privacy breaches; our leverage; variable rate indebtedness that subjects us to interest rate risk; the inability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness; debt agreements that limit our flexibility in operating our business; and other factors set forth under the headings "Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors," "Part I, Item 3 Legal Proceedings" and "Part II, Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 21, 2023 as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and which may be obtained by contacting Aramark's investor relations department via its website at www.aramark.com. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein and in our other filings with the SEC. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, us. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, changes in our expectations, or otherwise, except as required by law.

PART I

Item 1.    Financial Statements

ARAMARK AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

ARAMARK AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

ARAMARK AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated Balance Sheets:

ARAMARK AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

ARAMARK AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Aramark (the "Company") is a leading global provider of food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business & industry and sports, leisure & corrections clients. The Company's core market is the United States, which is supplemented by an additional 14-country footprint. The Company also provides services on a more limited basis in several additional countries and in offshore locations. The Company operates its business in two reportable segments that share many of the same operating characteristics: Food and Support Services United States ("FSS United States") and Food and Support Services International ("FSS International").

On September 30, 2023, the Company completed the previously announced separation and distribution of its Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") segment into an independent publicly traded company, Vestis Corporation ("Vestis"), and the historical results of the Uniform segment have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods prior to the separation and distribution. Assets and liabilities associated with the Uniform segment are classified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 29, 2023. Additional disclosures regarding the separation and distribution are provided in Note 2.

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, and the notes to those statements, included in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on November 21, 2023. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 29, 2023 was derived from audited financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. In the opinion of the Company, the statements include all adjustments, which are of a normal, recurring nature, required for a fair presentation for the periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year, due to the seasonality of some of the Company's business activities and the possibility of changes in general economic conditions.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Other new accounting pronouncements recently issued or newly effective were not applicable to the Company, did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements or are not expected to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Comprehensive income includes all changes to stockholders' equity during a period, except those resulting from investments by and distributions to stockholders. Components of comprehensive income include net income, changes in foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax), changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges (net of tax) and changes to the share of any equity investees' comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax).

The amounts in the table above exclude the impact of a $5.1 million pension plan adjustment and $26.3 million currency translation adjustment during the six months ended March 29, 2024 related to the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment (see Note 2).

Gains and losses resulting from the translation of financial statements of non-United States subsidiaries are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholder's equity. Beginning in fiscal 2018, Argentina was determined to have a highly inflationary economy. As a result, the Company remeasures the financial statements of Argentina's operations in accordance with the accounting guidance for highly inflationary economies. The impact of the Argentina remeasurement was a foreign currency transaction loss of $0.9 million and $4.8 million during the three and six month periods ended March 29, 2024. The impact of the Argentina remeasurement was a foreign currency transaction loss of $2.8 million and $3.9 million during the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2023. The impact of foreign currency transaction gains and losses exclusive of Argentina's operations included in the Company's operating results during the three and six month periods of both fiscal 2024 and 2023 were immaterial to the condensed consolidated financial statements. 

The Company insures portions of its risk in general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation liability claims as well as certain property damage risks through a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the "Captive") as part of its approach to risk finance. The Captive is subject to regulations within its domicile of Bermuda, including regulations established by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the "BMA") relating to levels of liquidity and solvency as such concepts are defined by the BMA. The Captive was in compliance with these regulations as of March 29, 2024. These regulations may have the effect of limiting the Company's ability to access certain cash and cash equivalents held by the Captive for uses other than for the payment of its general liability, automobile liability, workers' compensation liability, certain property damage and related Captive costs. As of March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023, cash and cash equivalents at the Captive were $13.2 million and $32.8 million, respectively. The Captive also invests in United States Treasury securities where the amount as of March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023 was $112.8 million and $110.7 million, respectively, and is recorded in "Prepayments and other current assets" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Within the FSS International segment, the Company receives certain cash on behalf of the Company's clients, which is contractually restricted from withdrawal and usage. This restricted cash is recorded in "Prepayments and other current assets" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During fiscal 2023, the Company completed a strategic review of certain administrative locations, taking into account facility capacity and current utilization, among other factors. Based on this review, the Company vacated or otherwise reduced its usage at certain of these locations, resulting in an analysis of the recoverability of the assets associated with the locations. As a result, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million and $19.0 million within its FSS United States segment, which is included in "Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2023, the non-cash impairment charges within the FSS United States segment consisted of operating lease right-of-use assets of $0.7 million and $8.6 million, respectively, and property and equipment of zero and $10.4 million, respectively.

Other assets consist primarily of costs to obtain or fulfill contracts (including employee sales commissions), long-term receivables, investments in 50% or less owned entities and computer software costs.

For investments in 50% or less owned entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting, the carrying amount as of March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023 was $71.6 million and $73.5 million, respectively.

For investments in 50% or less owned entities, other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, the Company measures these investments at cost, less any impairment and adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from

observable price changes for an identical or a similar investment of the same issuer due to the lack of readily available fair values related to those investments. The carrying amount of equity investments without readily determinable fair values as of both March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023 was $83.6 million.

Supply Chain Finance Program

The Company has agreements with third-party administrators that allow participating vendors to voluntarily elect to sell payment obligations from the Company to financial institutions as part of a Supply Chain Finance Program ("SCF Program"). The Company's payment terms to the financial institutions, including the timing and amount of payments, are based on the original supplier invoices. When participating vendors elect to sell one or more of the Company's payment obligations, the Company's rights and obligations to settle the payable on their contractual due date are not impacted. The Company has no economic or commercial interest in a vendor's decision to sell the Company's payment obligations. The Company agrees on commercial terms with vendors for the goods and services procured, which are consistent with payment terms observed at other peer companies in the industry, and the terms are not impacted by the SCF Program. For the SCF Program, the Company does not provide asset pledges, or other forms of guarantees, as security for the committed payment to the financial institutions. As of March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023, the Company had $2.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of outstanding payment obligations to the financial institutions as part of the SCF Program recorded in "Accounts payable" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company is self-insured for certain obligations related to its employee health care benefit programs as well as for certain risks retained under its general liability, automobile liability, workers' compensation liability and certain property damage programs. Reserves for these programs are estimated through actuarial methods, with the assistance of third-party actuaries using loss development assumptions based on the Company's claims history.

Impact of COVID-19

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") provided for deferred payment of the employer portion of social security taxes through the end of calendar 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% of the amount due December 31, 2022. Approximately $47.6 million of deferred social security taxes were paid in fiscal 2023.

On September 30, 2023, the Company completed the previously announced separation and distribution of its Uniform segment into an independent publicly traded company, Vestis. The separation was structured as a tax free spin-off, which occurred by way of a pro rata distribution to Aramark stockholders. Each of the Aramark stockholders received one share of Vestis common stock for every two shares of Aramark common stock held of record as of the close of business on September 20, 2023. Vestis is now an independent public company under the symbol “VSTS” on the New York Stock Exchange.

In connection with the separation and distribution, the Company entered into or adopted several agreements that provide a framework for the relationship between the Company and Vestis, including, but not limited to the following:

Under these agreements, the Company will continue to provide certain services to Vestis following the separation and distribution. The agreements do not provide the Company with the ability to influence the operating or financial policies of Vestis subsequent to the separation date. During the three and six months ended March 29, 2024, the value of the services provided to Vestis were $3.5 million and $8.1 million, respectively. Current amounts due to Aramark from Vestis as of March 29, 2024 were not material.

The historical results of the Uniform segment have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company's consolidated financial statements for all periods prior to the separation and distribution on September 30, 2023.

Details of "Income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax" are as follows (in thousands):

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company incurred charges of $5.4 million and $10.4 million, respectively, related to the Company's separation and distribution of its Uniform segment, including salaries and benefits, recruiting and relocation costs, accounting and legal related expenses, branding and other costs, of which $3.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively, were recorded within "Income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax" and $1.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, were recorded within "Selling and general corporate expenses" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

During the six months ended March 29, 2024, the Company incurred $20.0 million of transaction fees related to the separation and distribution of its Uniform segment and $8.8 million of charitable contribution expense for the contribution of Vestis shares to a donor advised fund in order to fund charitable contributions, which were recorded within "Selling and general corporate expenses" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table summarizes the Uniform segment assets and liabilities classified as discontinued operations in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Uniform legal entity entered into the Uniform credit agreement. The Uniform credit agreement included a revolving credit facility, a United States dollar denominated term loan in the amount of $800.0 million due September 2025 and a United States dollar denominated term loan in the amount of $700.0 million due September 2028, which are recorded in "Noncurrent Liabilities of Discontinued Operations" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 29, 2023. Also in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Uniform legal entity paid a cash dividend to the Company of $1,456.7 million. On October 2, 2023, the Company used the proceeds from the cash dividend, along with cash on hand, to repay the $1,500.0 million 6.375% Senior Notes due May 1, 2025 (the "6.375% 2025 Notes") (see Note 5).

The Company recorded its distribution of Vestis' net assets as a change in "Retained Earnings". The amount recorded reflected the carrying amounts, as of September 29, 2023, of the net assets distributed offset by the holdback of Vestis shares upon distribution of $8.8 million, net cash received from Vestis post-separation of $6.1 million and other adjustments of $0.6 million. The Company also recorded a net decrease to "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" of $31.4 million to derecognize foreign currency translation adjustments and pension plan adjustments which were attributable to Vestis.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company approved headcount reductions to streamline and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational and administrative functions. As a result of these actions, severance charges of $29.7 million were recorded within “Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)” and "Selling and general corporate expenses" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2023.

The following table summarizes the severance charges by segment recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2023 (in millions):

As of March 29, 2024, the Company had an accrual of approximately $7.6 million related to these unpaid severance obligations.

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration paid for an acquired entity over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to an impairment test that the Company conducts annually or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists, using discounted cash flows.

Amortization of intangible assets for the six months ended March 29, 2024 and March 31, 2023 was $51.3 million and $44.1 million, respectively.

As of March 29, 2024, the Company had approximately $757.5 million of outstanding foreign currency borrowings.

As of March 29, 2024, the Company had approximately $771.2 million of availability under the senior secured revolving credit facility.

On March 27, 2024, the Company amended its existing Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 14”), to provide for, among other things, the repricing of all the United States dollar denominated Term B-5 Loans previously outstanding under the Credit Agreement (“U.S. Term B-5 Loans due 2028”) and the repricing of all the United States dollar denominated Term B-6 Loans previously outstanding under the Credit Agreement (“U.S. Term B-6 Loans due 2030”).

As a result of the Amendment No. 14, (i) U.S. Term B-5 Loans due 2028 previously outstanding under the Credit Agreement were replaced with new United States dollar denominated Term B-7 Loans (“U.S. Term B-7 Loans due 2028”) in an amount equal to $730.5 million due in April 2028 and (ii) U.S. Term B-6 Loans due 2030 previously outstanding under the Credit Agreement were replaced with the new United States dollar denominated Term B-8 Loans (“U.S. Term B-8 Loans due 2030”) in an amount equal to $1,094.5 million due in June 2030, each with an interest rate equal to the sum of (a) the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus (b) an applicable margin of 2.00% plus (c) a credit spread adjustment of 0.0% (as compared to the interest rate for the U.S. Term B-5 Loans due 2028 and the U.S. Term B-6 Loans due 2030 equal to the sum of (a) the Term SOFR Rate plus (b) an applicable margin of 2.50% plus (c) a credit spread adjustment between 0.11448% and 0.42826% (depending on the selected interest period)).

The U.S. Term B-7 Loans due 2028 do not require any quarterly repayments of the principal amount and require the payment of $730.5 million at maturity. The U.S. Term B-8 Loans due 2030 require repayment of principal in quarterly installments of $2.8 million from March 31, 2024 through March 31, 2030 and $1,025.8 million at maturity.

The Company capitalized $0.9 million of transaction costs directly attributable to the repricings in Amendment No. 14, which are included in “Long-Term Borrowings” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 29, 2024. Amounts paid for capitalized transaction costs are included within “Other financing activities” on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 29, 2024. Additionally, the Company recorded $1.6 million of charges to "Interest Expense, net" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended March 29, 2024, consisting of a $1.2 million non-cash loss for the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and discount on the U.S. Term B-5 Loans due 2028 and U.S. Term B-6 Loans due 2030 and the payment of $0.4 million of transaction costs related to the repricings.

On October 2, 2023, the Company repaid the $1,500.0 million 6.375% 2025 Notes in conjunction with the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment (see Note 2). The Company recorded $31.8 million of charges to "Interest Expense, net" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended March 29, 2024, consisting of the payment of a $23.9 million call premium and a $7.9 million non-cash loss for the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs on the 6.375% 2025 Notes. The amount paid for the call premium is included within "Other financing activities" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 29, 2024.

The Company enters into contractual derivative arrangements to manage changes in market conditions related to interest on debt obligations, including interest rate swap agreements, that are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value at the end of each quarter. The counterparties to the Company's contractual derivative agreements are all major international financial institutions. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. The Company continually monitors its positions and the credit ratings of its counterparties and does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties. The Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively for designated hedges. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting cash flows of hedged items.

The Company has $2.3 billion notional amount of outstanding interest rate swap agreements as of March 29, 2024, which fix the rate on a like amount of variable rate borrowings with varying maturities through December of fiscal 2028. During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, $100.0 million notional amount of previously forward starting interest rate swap agreements to hedge the cash flow risk of variability in interest payments on variable rate borrowings became effective.

Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as and meets all the required criteria for a cash flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged item affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. As of March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023, $80.9 million and $109.1 million, respectively, of unrealized net of tax gains related to the interest rate swaps were included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of March 29, 2024, the Company has a Euro denominated term loan in the amount of €65.0 million. The term loan was designated as a hedge of the Company's net Euro currency exposure represented by certain holdings in the Company's European affiliates.

At March 29, 2024, the net of tax gain expected to be reclassified from "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" into earnings over the next twelve months based on current market rates is approximately $45.9 million.

The Company generates revenue through sales of food and facility services to customers based on written contracts at the locations it serves. The Company provides food and beverage services, including catering and retail services, and facilities services, including plant operations and maintenance, custodial, housekeeping, landscaping and other services. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company accounts for a customer contract when both parties have approved the arrangement and are committed to perform their respective obligations, each party's rights can be identified, payment terms can be identified, the contract has commercial substance and it is probable the Company will collect substantially all of the consideration to which it is entitled. Revenue is recognized upon the transfer of control of the promised product or service to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods and services.

The Company recognizes revenue when its performance obligation is satisfied. Each contract generally has one performance obligation, which is satisfied over time. The Company primarily accounts for its performance obligations under the series guidance, using the as-invoiced practical expedient when applicable. The Company applies the right to invoice practical expedient to record revenue as the services are provided, given the nature of the services provided and the frequency of billing under the customer contracts. Under this practical expedient, the Company recognizes revenue in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the Company’s performance completed to date and for which the Company has the right to invoice the customer. Certain arrangements include performance obligations which include variable consideration (primarily per transaction fees). For these arrangements, the Company does not need to estimate the variable consideration for the contract and allocate to the entire performance obligation; therefore, the variable fees are recognized in the period they are earned.

Deferred income is recognized in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets when the Company has received consideration, or has the right to receive consideration, in advance of the transfer of the performance obligation of the contract to the customer, primarily prepaid meal plans. The consideration received remains a liability until the goods or services have been provided to the customer. The Company classifies deferred income as current as the deferred income is expected to be recognized in the next 12 months. If the Company cannot render its performance obligation according to contract terms after receiving the consideration in advance, amounts may be contractually required to be refunded to the customer.

During the six months ended March 29, 2024, the Company recorded a valuation allowance to the "Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income of $7.1 million against certain foreign tax credits, as it is more likely than not a tax benefit will not be realized due to the reduction of future forecasted foreign income as a result of the separation and distribution of the Uniform segment.

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded a benefit to the "Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income of $3.8 million for the reversal of a valuation allowance at a foreign subsidiary driven by the Company's ability to utilize the deferred tax assets based on future taxable income expected due to the acquisition of a business.

On April 26, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors approved a $0.095 dividend per share of common stock, payable on May 28, 2024, to stockholders of record on the close of business on May 13, 2024.

The Company has 100.0 million shares of preferred stock authorized, with a par value of $0.01 per share. At March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023, zero shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding.

The below table summarizes the number of shares granted and the weighted-average grant-date fair value per unit during the six months ended March 29, 2024:

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted to include the potentially dilutive effect of stock awards.

Share-based awards to purchase 10.2 million and 8.3 million shares were outstanding for the three months ended March 29, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share, as their effect would have been antidilutive. In addition, PSUs related to 1.4 million and 0.8 million shares were outstanding for the three months ended March 29, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share, as the performance targets were not yet met.

Share-based awards to purchase 11.5 million and 8.4 million shares were outstanding for the six months ended March 29, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share, as their effect would have been antidilutive. In addition, PSUs related to 1.4 million and 0.8 million shares were outstanding for the six months ended March 29, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share, as the performance targets were not yet met.

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are a party to various legal actions, proceedings and investigations involving claims incidental to the conduct of their business, including actions by clients, customers, employees, government entities and third parties, including under federal, state, international, national, provincial and local employment laws, wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, immigration laws, human health and safety laws, import and export controls and customs laws, environmental laws, false claims or whistleblower statutes, minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprise statutes, tax codes, antitrust and competition laws, consumer protection statutes, procurement regulations, intellectual property laws, food safety and sanitation laws, cost and accounting principles, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, other anti-corruption laws, lobbying laws, motor carrier safety laws, data privacy and security laws and alcohol licensing and service laws, or alleging negligence and/or breaches of contractual and other obligations. Based on information currently available, advice of

counsel, available insurance coverage, established reserves and other resources, the Company does not believe that any such actions are likely to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, in the event of unexpected further developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these matters, or other similar matters, if unfavorable, may be materially adverse to the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company reports its operating results in two reportable segments: FSS United States and FSS International. Corporate includes general expenses not specifically allocated to an individual segment and share-based compensation expense (see Note 10). Approximately 74% of the global revenue is related to food services and 26% is related to facilities services. During the six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company received proceeds of $19.8 million relating to the recovery of the Company's investment (possessory interest) at one of the National Park Service sites within the FSS United States segment. The Company recorded a gain related to the recovery of its investment, which is included in "Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are classified based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. The hierarchical levels related to the subjectivity of the valuation inputs are defined as follows:

The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, borrowings and derivatives. Management believes that the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are representative of their respective fair values. In conjunction with the fair value measurement of the derivative instruments, the Company made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio, as the gross values would not be materially different. The fair value of the Company's debt at March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023 was $5,910.4 million and $6,606.7 million, respectively. The carrying value of the Company's debt at March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023 was $5,921.5 million and $6,641.7 million, respectively. The fair values were computed using market quotes, if available, or based on discounted cash flows using market interest rates as of the end of the respective periods. The inputs utilized in estimating the fair value of the Company's debt have been classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy levels.

As part of the Union Supply acquisition completed in fiscal 2022, the Company recorded a contingent consideration obligation based on the fair value of the expected payments with a separate amount that was accounted for as compensation expense and recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income over the earnout period. The Company performed a fair value assessment of the contingent consideration obligation based on the terms and conditions of the Union Supply purchase agreement, using internal models. The inputs utilized in estimating the fair value of the contingent consideration have been classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy levels and are subject to risk and uncertainty. The calculation of fair value is dependent on several subjective factors including the determination of earnings and profitability. If assumptions or estimates vary from what was expected, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability may materially change. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company adjusted the contingent consideration liability to the fair value of the future expected payment, resulting in income of $29.7 million, which is comprised of the adjusted contingent consideration liability recorded as part of the acquisition and reversal of a portion of compensation expense previously recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income since the acquisition. The income is included in "Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The contingent consideration liability at March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023 was $9.0 million and $8.4 million, respectively.

As part of the Next Level acquisition completed in fiscal 2021, the Company recorded a contingent consideration obligation based on the fair value of the expected payments. The Company performed a fair value assessment of the contingent consideration obligation based on the terms and conditions of the Next Level purchase agreement, as amended, using internal models. The inputs utilized in estimating the fair value of the contingent consideration have been classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy levels and are subject to risk and uncertainty. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company adjusted the contingent consideration liability to the fair value of the future expected payment, resulting in income of $18.4 million and $48.4 million, respectively, which is included in "Cost of services provided (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The earnout period has ended and the fair value of the contingent consideration liability at March 29, 2024 and September 29, 2023 was zero.

Item 2.

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We are a leading global provider of food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business & industry and sports, leisure & corrections clients. Our core market is the United States, which is supplemented by an additional 14-country footprint. Through our established brand, broad geographic presence and employees, we anchor our business in our partnerships with thousands of clients. Through these partnerships, we serve millions of consumers including students, patients, employees, sports fans and guests worldwide. We operate our business in two reportable segments: Food and Support Services United States ("FSS United States") and Food and Support Services International ("FSS International").

Our FSS United States reportable segment operations focus on serving clients in five principal sectors: Business & Industry, Education, Healthcare, Sports, Leisure & Corrections and Facilities & Other. Our FSS International reportable segment provides a similar range of services as those provided to our FSS United States clients. Administrative expenses not allocated to our two reportable segments are presented separately as corporate expenses.

On September 30, 2023, we completed the previously announced separation and distribution of our Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") segment into an independent publicly traded company, Vestis Corporation ("Vestis"), and the historical results of the Uniform segment have been reflected as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods prior to the separation and distribution. Assets and liabilities associated to the Uniform segment are classified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 29, 2023. Additional disclosures regarding the separation and distribution are provided in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

We have seen improving inflation trends where inflationary costs in product, energy and labor have continued to moderate over the first half of fiscal 2024, particularly in the United States. However, inflation remains elevated as compared to historical rates within the United States and abroad. In addition, we continue to see elevated market interest rates and significant changes in foreign currencies. We expect these conditions to continue in the near-term, and we regularly evaluate and believe we take appropriate actions to mitigate risk in these areas. These actions include management of operating costs, including supply chain initiatives and pricing actions, and managing interest rate risk through the use of interest rate swaps.

Our revenue and operating results have varied, and we expect them to continue to vary, from quarter to quarter as a result of different factors. Historically, within our FSS United States segment, there has been a lower level of activity during the first half of our fiscal year in operations that provide services to sports and leisure clients. This lower level of activity, historically, has been partially offset during the first half of our fiscal year by the increased activity levels in our educational operations. Conversely, historically there has been a significant increase in the provision of services to sports and leisure clients during the second half of our fiscal year, which is partially offset by the effect of summer recess at colleges, universities and schools in our educational operations. For cash flows, historically there has been cash usage during our first fiscal quarter due to lower activity within our sports and leisure clients as well as payments related to employee incentives. Conversely, historically there have been cash inflows during our fourth fiscal quarter due to an inflow of customer prepayments particularly within our Higher Education business in anticipation of the fall semester and higher activity within our sports and leisure clients.

The impact from foreign currency translation assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period. We believe that providing the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency rates on certain financial results can facilitate analysis of period-to-period comparisons of business performance.

Our fiscal year is the fifty-two or fifty-three week period which ends on the Friday nearest September 30th. The fiscal years ending September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023 are both fifty-two week periods.