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Leslie’s, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Sales and adjusted EBITDA in-line with Company expectations, reiterates full year guide

80 underperforming stores closed during Q1 2026

Improved inventory efficiency with ~23% reduction year-over-year

PHOENIX, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ: LESL), the largest and most trusted direct-to-customer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry serving residential customers and pool professionals nationwide, today announced its financial results for the fiscal first quarter 2026.

Jason McDonell, Chief Executive Officer, said, “Leslie’s transformation journey is gaining momentum as we execute with precision and urgency. Our first quarter results met our expectations, and we’ve made meaningful optimization progress across stores, distribution, SKUs, and costs. While Q1 and Q2 historically represent approximately 25% of annual revenue, to start Q2, we are seeing encouraging momentum with positive comparable store sales in January. This, coupled with the progress we’re making on our transformation initiatives, gives us conviction in delivering our full-year commitments.”

McDonell added, “As we move into the 2026 pool season, we are implementing a strategic pricing transformation, a fundamental shift to value pricing supported by our ‘New Low Prices, Same Great Quality’ campaign launching to coincide with pool season. This strategy positions our field organization to leverage our proprietary 10-point AccuBlue® water testing, enabling a consultative in-store approach that drives consumer engagement, conversion, basket size, and loyalty. Through renewed pricing and revitalized marketing, we are well positioned to grow our active customer file by re-engaging lapsed consumers and attracting new customers.” 

“Our four strategic pillars: customer centricity, convenience, asset utilization, and cost optimization continue to guide our unwavering commitment to becoming America’s one-stop shop for pool care, positioning Leslie’s for sustainable, profitable future growth. I want to thank our teams nationwide and all stakeholders for their support on Leslie’s transformation journey,” concluded McDonell.

Fiscal First Quarter Ended January 3, 2026 Results

  • Sales were $147.1 million, a decrease of 16.0% compared to $175.2 million in the prior year period. Comparable sales decreased 15.5%.
  • Gross profit was $27.1 million, a decrease of 43.3% compared to $47.7 million in the prior year period. Gross margin decreased to 18.4% compared to 27.2% in the prior year period due to $6.4 million of non-cash impairment relating to the closure of 80 stores and overall lower product margin on core chemicals.
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $85.7 million compared to $87.4 million in the prior year period.
  • Non-cash impairment charge of $10.1 million, comprised of asset write-offs related to the closure of 80 underperforming stores and one distribution center. No impairment charges were recorded in the comparable prior year period.
  • Net loss was $83.0 million compared to $44.6 million in the prior year period mainly driven by the non-cash impairment charges relating to the closure of 80 stores during the period.
  • Adjusted net loss was $48.7 million compared to $40.7 million in the prior year period.
  • Diluted loss per share was $8.92 compared to $4.82 in the prior year period. Adjusted diluted loss per share was $5.24 compared to $4.40 in the prior year period.
  • Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $(40.3) million compared to $(29.3) million in the prior year period.

Balance Sheet Highlights

  • Capital expenditures totaled $4.3 million in the period ended January 3, 2026 compared to $4.7 million in the period ended December 28, 2024.
  • Cash and cash equivalents totaled $3.6 million as of January 3, 2026, a decrease of $8.0 million, compared to $11.6 million as of December 28, 2024.
  • Inventories totaled $210.0 million as of January 3, 2026, a decrease of $61.1 million or 22.5%, compared to $271.1 million as of December 28, 2024.
  • Total liquidity of $128.3 million from cash on-hand and borrowings available under the credit facility.

Full Year Fiscal 2026 Expectations

The company reiterated its outlook for the full year fiscal 2026.

As is typical of our business, we anticipate generating the majority of our sales and earnings during the second half of the year driven by the seasonal nature of our industry. The guide provided is for the 52-week period of Fiscal Year 2026 and includes the impact on revenue of the store closures noted above as well as the addback of expected costs incurred with these closures.

Sales   $1,100 million to $1,250 million
Adjusted EBITDA   $55 million to $75 million
Capital Expenditures   $20 million to $25 million
     

*Note: A reconciliation of non-GAAP guidance measures to corresponding GAAP measures is not available on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainty of expenses that may be incurred in the future, although it is important to note that these factors could be material to our results computed in accordance with GAAP.

Conference Call Details

The company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on February 17, 2026 to discuss the financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 as well as progress against the company’s strategic transformation initiatives. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available online at https://ir.lesliespool.com/.

A replay of the conference call will be available within approximately three hours of the conclusion of the call and will be available on the company’s Investor Relations website for 180 days.

About Leslie’s

Founded in 1963, Leslie’s is the largest and most trusted direct-to-customer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry serving residential customers and pool professionals nationwide. The company serves the aftermarket needs of residential and professional consumers with an extensive and largely exclusive assortment of essential pool and spa care products. The company operates an integrated ecosystem of approximately 950 physical locations and a robust digital platform, enabling consumers to engage with Leslie’s whenever, wherever, and however they prefer to shop. Its dedicated team of associates, pool and spa care experts, and experienced service technicians are passionate about empowering Leslie’s consumers with the knowledge, products, and solutions necessary to confidently maintain and enjoy their pools and spas.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Operating Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures and other operating measures, including comparable sales growth, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net loss, and Adjusted diluted loss per share, to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies, to make budgeting decisions, and to compare our performance against that of other peer companies using similar measures. These non-GAAP financial measures and other operating measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for our results as reported under GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures and other operating measures are not calculated in the same manner by all companies, and accordingly, are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies and may not be appropriate measures for performance relative to other companies.

Comparable Sales Growth

We measure comparable sales growth as the increase or decrease in sales recorded by the comparable base in any reporting period, compared to sales recorded by the comparable base in the prior reporting period. The comparable base includes sales through our locations and through our e-commerce websites and third-party marketplaces. Comparable sales growth is a key measure used by management and our board of directors to assess our financial performance.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest (including amortization of debt issuance costs), taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense, executive transition costs, severance, strategic project costs, merger and acquisition costs, and other non-recurring, non-cash or discrete items. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by management and our board of directors to assess our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is also frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry, when considered alongside other GAAP measures. We use Adjusted EBITDA to supplement GAAP measures of performance to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies, to make budgeting decisions, and to compare our performance against that of other companies using similar measures.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measure of financial performance under GAAP but is used by some investors to determine a company’s ability to service or incur indebtedness. Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated in the same manner by all companies, and accordingly, is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies and may not be an appropriate measure for performance relative to other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indicator of a company’s operating performance in isolation from, or as a substitute for, net loss, cash flows from operations or cash flow data, all of which are prepared in accordance with GAAP. We have presented Adjusted EBITDA solely as supplemental disclosure because we believe it allows for a more complete analysis of results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent, and should not be considered more meaningful than, or as an alternative to, measures of operating performance as determined in accordance with GAAP. In the future, we may incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these items.

Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted Diluted Loss per Share

Adjusted net loss and Adjusted diluted loss per share are additional key measures used by management and our board of directors to assess our financial performance. Adjusted net loss and Adjusted diluted loss per share are also frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry, when considered alongside other GAAP measures.

Adjusted net loss is defined as net loss adjusted to exclude equity-based compensation expense, executive transition costs, severance, strategic project costs, merger and acquisition costs, change in valuation allowance for deferred taxes, and other non-recurring, non-cash, or discrete items. Adjusted diluted loss per share is defined as Adjusted net loss divided by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy, strategic transformation plan, value proposition, dispositions, legal proceedings, competitive advantages, market size, growth opportunities, industry expectations, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “deliver,” “well-positioned,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. Our actual results or outcomes, or the timing of our results or outcomes, could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, among others:

  • our ability to execute on our growth and cost optimization strategies, including our strategic pricing transformation;
  • our expectations regarding our cash resources and cash generation from normal operations;
  • supply disruptions or increased costs, including as a result of trade policies;
  • our ability to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers and manufacturers;
  • our ability to maintain the integrity of our supply chain without disruption;
  • our ability to successfully streamline our operations and improve long-term profitability, including through the closure of underperforming U.S. stores;
  • competition from mass merchants, online platforms and specialty retailers;
  • impacts on our business from the sensitivity of our business to weather conditions, changes in the economy (including high interest rates, recession fears, inflationary pressures and changes in trade policies, including tariffs or other trade restrictions or the threat of such actions), consumer purchasing patterns and cost consciousness, geopolitical events or conflicts, and the housing market;
  • disruptions in the operations of our manufacturing facilities and distribution centers;
  • our ability to implement technology initiatives that deliver the anticipated benefits, without disrupting our operations;
  • our ability to execute on our management transition plans and to attract and retain senior management and other qualified personnel;
  • regulatory changes and developments affecting our current and future products including evolving legal standards, regulations and stakeholder expectations concerning environmental, and sustainability matters;
  • our ability to timely service, pay off or refinance existing debt and incur additional debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us;
  • our ability to obtain additional capital to finance operations;
  • commodity price inflation and deflation;
  • impacts on our business from epidemics, pandemics, or natural disasters;
  • impacts on our business from cyber incidents and other security threats or disruptions;
  • our ability to regain and maintain compliance or comply with Nasdaq listing standards;
  • our ability to remediate material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; and 
  • other risks and uncertainties, including those listed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this press release primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 4, 2025 and in our other filings with the SEC. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release The results, outcomes, events, and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur, and actual results or outcomes, or the timing of results and outcomes, could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this press release, and, while we believe that information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, that information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on events or circumstances as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information, changed expectations, the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, outcomes, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, or investments.

 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
       
    Three Months Ended  
    January 3, 2026     December 28, 2024  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Sales   $ 147,128     $ 175,228  
Cost of merchandise and services sold     120,059       127,511  
Gross profit     27,069       47,717  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     85,669       87,417  
Impairment     10,148       -  
Operating loss     (68,748 )     (39,700 )
Interest expense     13,536       15,763  
Net loss before taxes     (82,284 )     (55,463 )
Income tax expense (benefit)     687       (10,899 )
Net loss   $ (82,971 )   $ (44,564 )
Loss per share:            
Basic   $ (8.92 )   $ (4.82 )
Diluted   $ (8.92 )   $ (4.82 )
Weighted average shares outstanding:            
Basic     9,297       9,251  
Diluted     9,297       9,251  
                 


 
Other Financial Data(1)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
       
    Three Months Ended  
    January 3, 2026     December 28, 2024  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ (40,286 )   $ (29,319 )
Adjusted net loss   $ (48,699 )   $ (40,737 )
Adjusted diluted loss per share   $ (5.24 )   $ (4.40 )

_________________________________

(1)   See section titled “GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
     


 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                   
    January 3, 2026     October 4, 2025     December 28, 2024  
Assets   (Unaudited)     (Audited)     (Unaudited)  
Current assets                  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,622     $ 64,340     $ 11,615  
Accounts and other receivables, net     15,855       23,217       29,803  
Inventories, net     210,006       207,983       271,087  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     37,548       33,249       29,117  
Total current assets     267,031       328,789       341,622  
Property and equipment, net     82,394       92,544       96,045  
Operating lease right-of-use assets     233,979       252,988       260,835  
Goodwill and other intangibles, net     29,871       30,732       214,219  
Deferred tax assets                 16,121  
Other assets     36,164       36,422       38,151  
Total assets   $ 649,439     $ 741,475     $ 966,993  
Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit                  
Current liabilities                  
Accounts payable   $ 45,227     $ 51,894     $ 56,208  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     68,952       82,447       71,528  
Operating lease liabilities     73,860       74,720       65,063  
Income taxes payable                 1,180  
Total current liabilities     188,039       209,061       193,979  
Deferred tax liabilities     296       287       -  
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent     170,617       185,076       197,853  
Revolving Credit Facility     25,000             40,000  
Long-term debt, net     752,389       752,055       750,610  
Other long-term liabilities     2,948       2,988       4,589  
Total liabilities     1,139,289       1,149,467       1,187,031  
Commitments and contingencies                  
Stockholders’ deficit                  
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized and 9,315,970, 9,290,311, and 9,260,400 issued and outstanding as of January 3, 2026, October 4, 2025, and December 28, 2024.     9       9       9  
Additional paid-in capital     114,287       113,174       108,722  
Retained deficit     (604,146 )     (521,175 )     (328,769 )
Total stockholders’ deficit     (489,850 )     (407,992 )     (220,038 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit   $ 649,439     $ 741,475     $ 966,993  
                         


 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)
       
    Three Month Ended  
    January 3, 2026     December 28, 2024  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Operating Activities            
Net loss   $ (82,971 )   $ (44,564 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization     7,840       8,237  
Equity-based compensation     1,115       1,709  
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts     551       541  
Impairment     10,148        
Inventory impairment     6,371        
Provision for credit losses     25       284  
Deferred income taxes     9       (11,953 )
Loss on asset dispositions     (10 )     (45 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
Accounts and other receivables     7,337       15,380  
Inventories, net     (8,394 )     (36,804 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (4,289 )     5,062  
Other assets     186       1,439  
Accounts payable     (6,667 )     (11,414 )
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     (11,280 )     (33,148 )
Income taxes payable           53  
Operating lease assets and liabilities, net     (1,105 )     145  
Net cash used in operating activities     (81,134 )     (105,078 )
Investing Activities            
Purchases of property and equipment     (4,327 )     (4,678 )
Proceeds from asset dispositions           30  
Net cash used in investing activities     (4,327 )     (4,648 )
Financing Activities            
Borrowings on revolving credit facility     25,000       40,000  
Repayment of long-term debt           (27,025 )
Payments on finance leases     (110 )     (105 )
Payment of deferred financing costs     (145 )      
Payments of employee tax withholdings related to restricted stock vesting     (2 )     (34 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     24,743       12,836  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (60,718 )     (96,890 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     64,340       108,505  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 3,622     $ 11,615  
Supplemental Information:            
Cash paid for interest   $ 13,553     $ 15,694  
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received     3        
                 


 
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
       
    Three Months Ended  
    January 3, 2026     December 28, 2024  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Net loss   $ (82,971 )   $ (44,564 )
Interest expense     13,536       15,763  
Income tax expense (benefit)     687       (10,899 )
Impairment(1)     16,519       -  
Depreciation and amortization expense(2)     7,840       8,237  
Equity-based compensation expense(3)     1,119       1,741  
Strategic project costs(4)     2,775       172  
Executive transition costs and other(5)     209       231  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ (40,286 )   $ (29,319 )
             
    Three Months Ended  
    January 3, 2026     December 28, 2024  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Net loss   $ (82,971 )   $ (44,564 )
Impairment(1)     16,519        
Equity-based compensation expense(3)     1,119       1,741  
Strategic project costs(4)     2,775       172  
Executive transition costs and other(5)     209       231  
Change in valuation allowance(6)     18,806       2,219  
Tax effects of these adjustments(7)     (5,156 )     (536 )
Adjusted net loss(8)   $ (48,699 )   $ (40,737 )
             
Diluted loss per share   $ (8.92 )   $ (4.82 )
Adjusted diluted loss per share   $ (5.24 )   $ (4.40 )
Weighted average shares outstanding            
Basic     9,297       9,251  
Diluted     9,297       9,251  
                 

_________________________________

(1)   Represents non-cash charges related asset write offs for certain underperforming stores and certain inventory related to the store and distribution center closings.
(2)   Includes depreciation related to our distribution centers and store locations, which is reported in cost of merchandise and services sold and SG&A in our consolidated statements of operations.
(3)   Represents charges related to equity-based compensation and our related payroll tax expense, which are reported in SG&A in our consolidated statements of operations.
(4)   Represents non-recurring costs, such as third-party consulting costs related to first-generation technology initiatives, replacements of systems that are no longer supported by our vendors, investment in and development of new products outside of the course of continuing operations, or other discrete strategic projects that are infrequent or unusual in nature and potentially distortive to continuing operations. Also included are costs related to the closure of the 80 stores and one distribution center announced, and substantially completed, in the first quarter of 2026. These items are reported in SG&A in our consolidated statements of operations.
(5)   Includes certain senior executive transition costs and severance associated with completed corporate restructuring activities across the organization, losses on asset dispositions, merger and acquisition costs, and other non-recurring, non-cash, or discrete items as determined by management. Amounts are reported in SG&A in our consolidated statements of operations.
(6)   Represents a non-cash change in valuation allowance for deferred taxes. This item is reported in income tax expense (benefit) in our consolidated statements of operations.
(7)   Represents the tax effect of the total adjustments based on our combined U.S. federal and state statutory tax rates. Amounts are reported in income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations. The prior period amount has been corrected for an immaterial error reported for the period ended December 28, 2024.
(8)   Amount reported for the three months ended December 28, 2024 reflects a correction of an immaterial error in the “tax effects of these adjustments” amount reported in the first quarter of 2025.
     



Contact

Tom Filandro
Partner, ICR
Lesliesir@icrinc.com

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