Latest news with #LifewayFoods
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lifeway Foods Expands Distribution to San Diego Region Costco Wholesale Warehouse Locations with Kefir Variety Packs
Costco Members Can Now Enjoy Lifeway's Probiotic, Protein-Packed Kefir in Convenient 8oz Multi-Pack Boxes MORTON GROVE, Ill., Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWAY) ("Lifeway" or "the Company"), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, is proud to announce the launch of its signature Lifeway Kefir in the San Diego Costco region, which includes parts of California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The rollout will place Lifeway's cultured dairy beverages in 60 Costco Wholesale Warehouse locations, providing easy access for millions of Costco members across the region. Each Costco box will contain a 12-count variety pack of 8oz bottles of Lifeway Kefir, featuring fan-favorite strawberry and peach flavors. The boxes will be in refrigerated dairy and prominently display key health callouts, for protein and probiotics on the packaging. "We're thrilled to bring the probiotic power of Lifeway Kefir to even more families through our partnership with Costco in California," said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods. "Consumers today are more focused than ever on functional foods that support gut health, immunity and overall well-being. Our 8oz bottles are a perfect, convenient option for busy lifestyles –delicious, nutritious and easy to grab and go." Lifeway Kefir is a tart and tangy cultured dairy drink made from high-quality milk and live and active probiotic cultures. Each 8oz serving contains: 10g of complete protein 12 live & active probiotic cultures Lactose intolerance-friendly No artificial sweeteners or preservatives The new Costco multi-packs are ideal for families, lunchboxes, post-workout recovery and anyone looking to support digestive and immune health in a delicious way. This expansion into the San Diego Costco region marks another milestone in Lifeway's ongoing mission to make probiotic-rich foods more accessible nationwide. Visit Lifeway's website to find a Costco Wholesale Warehouse near you with the new Lifeway Kefir multipacks. About Lifeway Foods, Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at Derek Miller Vice President of Communications, Lifeway FoodsEmail: derekm@ Perceptual AdvisorsDan TarmanEmail: dtarman@ General inquiries:Lifeway Foods, 847-967-1010Email: info@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lifeway Foods, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Danone strikes Lifeway NDA to weigh-up takeover move
Danone has signed an NDA with Lifeway Foods to allow the French giant to weigh up whether to make another bid for the US kefir business. Last year, Lifeway turned down two takeover offers from Danone, one of the company's largest shareholders. Relations between the two companies since then have been less than smooth, with Danone launching a lawsuit claiming Lifeway breached a shareholder agreement. Lifeway has said Danone's offers amount to a 'hostile takeover'. Amid the tension between Danone and Lifeway, a long-running family feud has festered at the US firm between chair and CEO Julie Smolyansky, and her mother and brother, Ludmila and Edward Smolyansky, the company's largest shareholders. In an SEC filing on 1 August, it emerged 'representatives' of Danone and Lifeway started talks to 'reset' the relationship and hold discussions over a 'potential acquisition'. The NDA was signed on 1 August 'in order to facilitate Danone's further review of a potential acquisition transaction', the SEC filing read. The terms of the NDA 'restrict the ability of Danone' to publicly make further acquisition proposals, attempt to remove anyone from Lifeway's board or participate in any consent solicitation not recommended by the US company. That includes the pending consent solicitation of Edward Smolyansky to replace the entire Lifeway board. Last month, Edward and Ludmila, who own around 23.2% of Lifeway's shares, said they had filed a 'definitive consent statement' to the SEC to overhaul Lifeway's board, including replacing CEO Julie, with new nominees 'focused on restoring accountability, transparency and long-term shareholder value'. Lifeway called the move 'legally deficient'. The NDA terms expire on a 'standstill expiration date' of 15 September – although it can be extended by a week if the companies are in 'good faith discussions'. The filing added: 'If a definitive acquisition agreement has not been executed by the standstill expiration date, Danone presently intends to consent with respect to all of the shares of common stock it owns in favour of Edward Smolyansky's proposals set forth in his pending consent solicitation statement to replace the entire Lifeway board of directors.' Danone holds around 22.7% of Lifeway. "Danone strikes Lifeway NDA to weigh-up takeover move" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Business Insider
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Lifeway Foods announces 'Do not vote' recommendation from ISS advisor
Lifeway Foods (LWAY) announced that Institutional Shareholder Services, or ISS, a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders 'DO NOT VOTE' in connection with the ongoing dissident-led consent solicitation. In its report, ISS concluded that 'the dissident has not presented a compelling case for change' and advised shareholders to 'DO NOT VOTE' on all proposals put forth by Ludmila and Edward Smolyansky and their aligned group. The ISS analysis noted that: Lifeway's 'financial performance has been directionally positive' and its 'share price (has) rallied over the preceding year on multiple positive earnings announcements,' with total shareholder return significantly outperforming peers in the Russell 3000 Food Producers Index; the dissident group's critiques 'are generally presented without adequate context,' and the dissident group 'does not clearly establish how various developments have actually impacted shareholder returns.'; The dissident group 'has not presented a plan should it successfully secure a majority of board seats' for governance or operational improvement; The dissident nominees include individuals who previously contributed to governance concerns during their past tenures at the Company. Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lifeway Foods Acknowledges ISS Recommendation to Reject Dissident Campaign
MORTON GROVE, Ill., July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWAY), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, today announced that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders "DO NOT VOTE" in connection with the ongoing dissident-led consent solicitation. In its report, ISS concluded that "the dissident has not presented a compelling case for change" and advised shareholders to "DO NOT VOTE" on all proposals put forth by Ludmila and Edward Smolyansky and their aligned group. "We appreciate ISS's thorough review and are pleased that their recommendation supports our belief that this consent solicitation is unwarranted, disruptive and not in the best interest of Lifeway shareholders," said Julie Smolyansky, CEO and Chair of Lifeway Foods. The ISS analysis noted that: Lifeway's "financial performance has been directionally positive" and its "share price [has] rallied over the preceding year on multiple positive earnings announcements," with total shareholder return significantly outperforming peers in the Russell 3000 Food Producers Index. The dissident group's critiques "are generally presented without adequate context," and the dissident group "does not clearly establish how various developments have actually impacted shareholder returns." The dissident group "has not presented a plan should it successfully secure a majority of board seats" for governance or operational improvement. The dissident nominees include individuals who previously contributed to governance concerns during their past tenures at the Company. "The Lifeway Board and management team remain focused on maximizing shareholder value and will continue to pursue all opportunities to drive additional value," added Smolyansky. "We encourage shareholders to follow ISS's guidance and take no action on the consent solicitation." About Lifeway Foods, Inc. Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at Important Additional Information The Company intends to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying BLUE proxy card and other relevant documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders for the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement, an accompanying BLUE proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at no charge at the SEC's website at Copies will also be available at no charge by visiting the "Investor Relations" tab of the Company's website at The Company may file a consent revocation statement, in which case all references to a proxy statement, proxies, proxy cards and solicitation of proxies referenced in this "Important Additional Information" section and the "Participants in the Solicitation" section below shall be deemed to refer to such consent revocation statement, consent revocations, revocation cards and solicitation of consent revocations. Participants in the Solicitation The Company, each of its independent directors (Juan Carlos Dalto, Jody Levy, Dorri McWhorter, Perfecto Sanchez, Jason Scher and Pol Sikar) and certain of its executive officers (Julie Smolyansky, Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary, and Eric Hanson, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer) are deemed to be "participants" (as defined in Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with matters to be considered at the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Information about the names of the Company's directors and officers, their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise and their respective compensation is set forth in the "Information About Our Directors and Executive Officers" section in Part III, Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025 (the "Form 10-K Amendment"), in Part III, Item 11 – Executive Compensation of the Form 10-K Amendment and in the "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" section in Part III, Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of the Form 10-K Amendment. Supplemental information regarding the participants' holdings of the Company's securities can be found in SEC filings on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC on June 18, 2025 for Julie Smolyansky (available here) and Eric Hanson (available here) and on July 1, 2025 for each of Pol Sikar (available here), Juan Carlos Dalto (available here), Jason Scott Scher (available here), Dorri McWhorter (available here), Perfecto Sanchez (available here), and Jody Levy (available here). Contact: Perceptual AdvisorsDan TarmanEmail: dtarman@ Derek Miller Vice President of Communications, Lifeway FoodsEmail: derekm@ General inquiries:Lifeway Foods, 847-967-1010Email: info@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lifeway Foods, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
29-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Lifeway Foods Acknowledges ISS Recommendation to Reject Dissident Campaign
MORTON GROVE, Ill., July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWAY), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, today announced that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders 'DO NOT VOTE' in connection with the ongoing dissident-led consent solicitation. In its report, ISS concluded that 'the dissident has not presented a compelling case for change' and advised shareholders to 'DO NOT VOTE' on all proposals put forth by Ludmila and Edward Smolyansky and their aligned group. 'We appreciate ISS's thorough review and are pleased that their recommendation supports our belief that this consent solicitation is unwarranted, disruptive and not in the best interest of Lifeway shareholders,' said Julie Smolyansky, CEO and Chair of Lifeway Foods. The ISS analysis noted that: Lifeway's 'financial performance has been directionally positive' and its 'share price [has] rallied over the preceding year on multiple positive earnings announcements,' with total shareholder return significantly outperforming peers in the Russell 3000 Food Producers Index. The dissident group's critiques 'are generally presented without adequate context,' and the dissident group 'does not clearly establish how various developments have actually impacted shareholder returns.' The dissident group 'has not presented a plan should it successfully secure a majority of board seats' for governance or operational improvement. The dissident nominees include individuals who previously contributed to governance concerns during their past tenures at the Company. 'The Lifeway Board and management team remain focused on maximizing shareholder value and will continue to pursue all opportunities to drive additional value,' added Smolyansky. 'We encourage shareholders to follow ISS's guidance and take no action on the consent solicitation.' About Lifeway Foods, Inc. Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at Important Additional Information The Company intends to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying BLUE proxy card and other relevant documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders for the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement, an accompanying BLUE proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at no charge at the SEC's website at Copies will also be available at no charge by visiting the 'Investor Relations' tab of the Company's website at The Company may file a consent revocation statement, in which case all references to a proxy statement, proxies, proxy cards and solicitation of proxies referenced in this 'Important Additional Information' section and the 'Participants in the Solicitation' section below shall be deemed to refer to such consent revocation statement, consent revocations, revocation cards and solicitation of consent revocations. Participants in the Solicitation The Company, each of its independent directors (Juan Carlos Dalto, Jody Levy, Dorri McWhorter, Perfecto Sanchez, Jason Scher and Pol Sikar) and certain of its executive officers (Julie Smolyansky, Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary, and Eric Hanson, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer) are deemed to be 'participants' (as defined in Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with matters to be considered at the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Information about the names of the Company's directors and officers, their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise and their respective compensation is set forth in the 'Information About Our Directors and Executive Officers' section in Part III, Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025 (the 'Form 10-K Amendment'), in Part III, Item 11 – Executive Compensation of the Form 10-K Amendment and in the 'Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management' section in Part III, Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of the Form 10-K Amendment. Supplemental information regarding the participants' holdings of the Company's securities can be found in SEC filings on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC on June 18, 2025 for Julie Smolyansky (available here) and Eric Hanson (available here) and on July 1, 2025 for each of Pol Sikar (available here), Juan Carlos Dalto (available here), Jason Scott Scher (available here), Dorri McWhorter (available here), Perfecto Sanchez (available here), and Jody Levy (available here). Contact: Perceptual AdvisorsDan TarmanEmail: dtarman@ Derek Miller Vice President of Communications, Lifeway FoodsEmail: derekm@ General inquiries:Lifeway Foods, 847-967-1010Email: info@
