The Kraft Heinz Company

Good day and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Kraft Heinz Company first quarter results conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, please press star 1-1 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star 1-1 again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today. and Marie Magella, Global Head of Kraft Heinz Investor Relations.

Thank you, and hello, everyone. Welcome to our Q&A session for our first quarter 2024 business update. During today's call, we may make forward-looking statements regarding our expectations for the future, including items related to our business plans and expectations, strategy, efforts and investments, and related timing and expected impacts. These statements are based on how we see things today, and actual results may differ materially due to risk and uncertainties. Please see the cautionary statements and risk factors contained in today's earnings relief, which accompanies this call, as well as our most recent 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K filings for more information regarding these risks and uncertainties. Additionally, we may refer to non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude certain items from our financial results, reported in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to today's earnings release and the non-GAAP information available on our website at ir.craftheinscompany.com under News and Events for a discussion of our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the comparable GAAP financial measures. Before we begin the Q&A session, it gives me great pleasure to hand it over to our Chief Executive Officer, Carlos Abrams-Rivera, for opening comments. To you, Carlos.

Well, thank you, Marie. And thank you, everyone, for joining us today. So before we begin our Q&A, I'd just like to provide some perspective on our top-up session here at Kraft Heinz, our consumers. While we've seen a notable uptake in consumer sentiment in the first quarter, there is a gap between high and low earners continues to remain wide. And it shows a clear and continued bifurcation. So the lower income consumers are challenged with interest rates remaining high, gas prices elevated, and savings dwindling. So there's a clear pullback of restaurant spend by these lower earning households, especially in restaurants and convenience stores. These consumers instead are looking for value as they prepare more meals at home. So in contrast, There has been a meaningful growth in travel and, accordingly, an increase in hospitality and entertainment sales, driven by the bounce back among the higher earners. And here at Kraft Heinz, we are here to meet the evolving needs and tastes of all consumers, whether they're looking for value in serving their family delicious meals at home or seeking culinary delights as they set out on new adventures. They can look to the iconic and trusted brands of Kraft Heinz. So for us, it's about having brands that are accessible and available to everyone. And I believe we're well positioned to serve all of these consumers for three primary reasons. One, because we're bringing innovative food solutions and faster than ever before. Two, because we continue to renovate our core brands for today and tomorrow. And three, because we have the best team in the industry, full stop. We're on track to meet our goals of generating 2 billion incremental net sales from innovation, and the world is taking notice. We were recently named one of the world's top 50 most innovative companies by Fast Company. But more importantly, we are expanding the choices we offer our consumers so that they don't have to sacrifice. Whether it's providing greater value through multi-packs, plant-based options such as our newly released Nutco Mac and Cheese, or expanded the choices in our iconic brands such as Zero Sugar Heinz Ketchup. Myself, I've been traveling around the world visiting with our employees, and they are consumer-obsessed. Their sense of ownership, collaboration, and agility is so inspirational. I just want to say thank you to every one of them for their dedication. We are proud of our progress, but far from satisfied. as we continue focusing on serving these consumers and making life delicious for everyone. And with that, I have Andrew joining me, so let's open the call for Q&A.