FLO
Consumer DefensiveFlowers Foods, Inc. · Packaged Foods · $2B
What is Flowers Foods, Inc.?
Flowers Foods is one of the largest producers of packaged bakery goods in the United States, operating dozens of bakeries and distributing products to a wide range of retail and foodservice customers nationwide.
Flowers Foods makes money by producing and selling fresh and frozen baked goods — breads, buns, rolls, snack cakes, and tortillas — under a portfolio of well-known brand names. Products reach consumers through two main channels: a direct-store-delivery network and a warehouse delivery system. Customers range from mass merchandisers and supermarkets to quick-serve restaurant chains, dollar stores, and foodservice distributors.
Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia, Flowers Foods has built a century-long presence in the American baked goods market.
- Fresh breads and rolls under Nature's Own and Wonder
- Dave's Killer Bread organic and whole-grain loaves
- Canyon Bakehouse gluten-free bakery products
- Mrs. Freshley's and Tastykake snack cakes
- Frozen breads and rolls for foodservice channels
Is FLO a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates FLO as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key quality dimensions.
The most constructive element of FLO's profile is its Valuation pillar, which is rated Attractive — suggesting the stock may be priced at a discount relative to its fundamentals. The Quality pillar lands at Neutral, meaning the business is not deeply troubled on a fundamental basis, even if it lacks standout characteristics.
The Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars are all rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation, subdued growth prospects, and an elevated risk profile that investors should weigh carefully.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does FLO pay dividends?
Yes — Flowers Foods, Inc. pays a dividend.
Flowers Foods pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap consumer staples companies and may appeal to income-focused investors. The company's long operating history and stable product categories support a consistent payout cadence. That said, investors should review the sustainability of the dividend in light of the Weak Risk and Growth pillar ratings.
When does FLO report earnings?
Flowers Foods reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
The company operates in a mature, competitive bakery category where volume and pricing dynamics can shift with consumer trends and input costs. Revenue visibility tends to be relatively stable given the everyday nature of baked goods, though margin pressures can emerge from commodity and labor costs.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Flowers Foods' investor relations page directly.
FLO Price History
-54.6% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Flowers Foods, Inc.?
Based on Flowers Foods, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
FLO Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar for FLO is rated Weak, indicating the business is not expected to generate above-average expansion in the near term. Paired with a Weak Risk rating, the fundamental outlook calls for caution — the company faces real headwinds from competitive intensity, input cost volatility, and limited pricing power in commodity-driven categories. The Attractive Valuation rating does introduce a potential counterbalance, as a lower entry price can improve long-term return potential even in a slow-growth environment.
Growth drivers
- Brand portfolio breadth across mainstream, organic, and gluten-free segments
- Foodservice and dollar-store channel expansion opportunities
- Operational efficiencies across a large owned-bakery network
Key risks
- Weak competitive moat in a crowded, price-sensitive bakery category
- Input cost volatility affecting wheat, oils, and packaging materials
- Limited organic growth runway in a mature consumer staples segment
FLO vs Peers
Flowers Foods competes broadly within the packaged consumer food space, though its direct peers span different product niches.
Herbalife focuses on nutrition and weight-management products sold through a direct-sales model, a fundamentally different go-to-market approach than Flowers Foods' retail and foodservice distribution.
BellRing Brands specializes in protein shakes and nutrition bars, targeting the active-nutrition consumer segment rather than the everyday bread and snack cake buyer.
J&J Snack Foods competes more directly in the snack and frozen bakery space, with a strong foodservice presence that overlaps with some of Flowers Foods' distribution channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Flowers Foods do?
Flowers Foods produces and markets packaged bakery products across the United States. Its portfolio includes fresh breads, buns, rolls, snack cakes, tortillas, and frozen baked goods sold under brands like Nature's Own, Dave's Killer Bread, Wonder, Canyon Bakehouse, Mrs. Freshley's, and Tastykake. Products reach consumers through retail stores, foodservice distributors, and restaurant chains.
Does FLO pay dividends?
Yes, Flowers Foods pays a regular dividend. The company has maintained a consistent payout, which can appeal to income-oriented investors. However, given the Weak Risk and Growth pillar ratings in the UQS framework, investors should assess whether the dividend remains sustainable over time. Check the company's investor relations page for the current dividend rate.
When does FLO report earnings?
Flowers Foods reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed companies. For the exact timing of upcoming earnings releases, refer to the investor relations section of the Flowers Foods website.
Is FLO a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates FLO as Below Average, driven by Weak ratings across the Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars. The Valuation pillar is Attractive, which may interest value-oriented investors. Whether FLO fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals — the full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is FLO overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, FLO is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not overvalued relative to its fundamentals. In fact, it may be priced at a discount compared to peers. That said, a low valuation alone does not offset the Weak Growth and Risk profiles — context matters when interpreting valuation signals.
How does FLO compare to its competitors?
Flowers Foods occupies a distinct niche as a large-scale packaged bread and snack cake producer. Compared to peers like BellRing Brands and Herbalife, which focus on nutrition and direct-sales models, FLO is more exposed to commodity input costs and traditional retail dynamics. J&J Snack Foods is the closest overlap in the snack and foodservice bakery space.
What is FLO's market cap bracket?
Flowers Foods is classified as a small-cap company. This places it below large-cap consumer staples peers in terms of market size, which can mean lower liquidity and higher volatility relative to mega-cap food companies, though it may also present valuation opportunities for investors focused on smaller, established businesses.
Who founded Flowers Foods?
Flowers Foods traces its origins to 1919, making it one of the older bakery businesses in the United States. The company was formerly known as Flowers Industries before changing its name to Flowers Foods, Inc. in 2001. For detailed founding history, the company's official website and public filings provide comprehensive background.
Is FLO a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, FLO's UQS profile presents a mixed picture. The Neutral Quality pillar suggests the business is fundamentally stable, but Weak Moat and Growth ratings indicate limited competitive durability and expansion potential over time. Income investors may value the dividend, but long-term growth-oriented investors should weigh the structural challenges carefully.
What is the main competitive advantage of Flowers Foods?
Flowers Foods benefits from a broad portfolio of recognized brand names spanning mainstream, organic, and gluten-free categories. Its direct-store-delivery network provides shelf presence and retailer relationships that are difficult to replicate quickly. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, suggesting these advantages may not be durable enough to fend off competitive pressure over the long term.
What sector does FLO belong to?
Flowers Foods belongs to the Consumer Defensive sector. Companies in this sector tend to produce everyday essential goods — like bread and snack foods — that maintain relatively stable demand regardless of economic conditions. This can provide some downside protection during recessions, though it also limits explosive growth potential.
Is FLO a growth stock or value stock?
Based on the UQS framework, FLO leans toward the value side of the spectrum. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive while the Growth pillar is rated Weak, meaning the stock may be priced at a discount but is not expected to deliver strong earnings or revenue expansion. It is better characterized as a defensive income play than a growth opportunity.
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Pro Analysis
FLO — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | 34.8 | 7.3 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 44.9 | 98.4 | -3.4 |
| May 7, 2026 | 38.2 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 91.4 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 38.1 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 91.1 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 38.1 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 90.8 | -0.1 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 38.2 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 91.8 | 0.0 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 38.2 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 91.6 | 0.0 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 38.2 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 91.7 | -0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 38.3 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 92.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 38.4 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 92.7 | -1.1 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | 39.5 | 46.1 | 24.0 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 100.0 | — |
FLO — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 50.9/100 (25%)Flowers Foods, Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 27.5/100 (20%)Flowers Foods, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 10.0/100 (15%)Flowers Foods, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 90.3/100 (15%)Flowers Foods, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 24/100 (25%)Flowers Foods, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for FLO.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the FLO UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Flowers Foods, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Flowers Foods, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Flowers Foods, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.