10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission file number 001-40336

Karat Packaging Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	83-2237832
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6185 Kimball Avenue Chino, CA	91708
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(626) 965-8882

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value	KRT	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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. Yes ☒ No ☐

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). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging growth company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding on May 6, 2024 was 19,975,032 shares.

Table of Contents

		Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	2
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk	28
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	28
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	31
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	31
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	31
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	31
Item 5.	Other Information	31
Item 6.	Exhibits	31
SIGNATURES		33

1

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents (including $4,327 and $13,566 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	$	13,144	$	23,076
Short-term investments (including $7,038 and $0 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	33,515		26,343
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debt of $342 and $392 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively	30,111		27,763
Inventories	79,272		71,528
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $78 and $82 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	4,492		6,219
Total current assets	160,534		154,929
Property and equipment, net (including $43,882 and $44,185 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	93,853		95,226
Deposits	229		1,047
Goodwill	3,510		3,510
Intangible assets, net	320		327
Operating right-of-use assets	19,360		20,739
Other non-current assets (including $67 and $53 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	1,232		619
Total assets	$	279,038	$	276,397
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable (including $68 and $63 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	$	21,394	$	18,446
Accrued expenses (including $171 and $591 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	11,318		10,576
Related party payable	5,300		5,306
Customer deposits (including $0 and $116 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023)	725		951
Long-term debt, current portion (including $1,139 and $1,122 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	1,139		1,122
Operating lease liabilities, current portion	4,439		4,800
Other current liabilities (including $2,186 and $1,302 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	3,875		3,200
Total current liabilities	48,190		44,401

2

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Deferred tax liability	4,197		4,197
Long-term debt, net of current portion and debt discount of $187 and $203 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively (including $48,116 and $48,396 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and debt discount of $187 and $203 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	48,116		48,396
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion	17,754		16,687
Other non-current liabilities	389		26
Total liabilities	118,646		113,707
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023	—		—
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 19,995,032 and 19,972,032 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of March 31, 2024 and 19,988,482 and 19,965,482 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2023	20		20
Additional paid in capital	87,094		86,667
Treasury stock, $0.001 par value, 23,000 shares as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023	(248)		(248)
Retained earnings	67,537		67,679
Total Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity	154,403		154,118
Noncontrolling interest	5,989		8,572
Total stockholders’ equity	160,392		162,690
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	279,038	$	276,397

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

3

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
Net sales	$	95,613	$	95,801
Cost of goods sold	58,011		57,657
Gross profit	37,602		38,144
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses	10,763		8,701
General and administrative expenses (including $556 and $671 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	16,769		16,629
Impairment expense and loss, net, on disposal of machinery	1,994		82
Total operating expenses	29,526		25,412
Operating income	8,076		12,732
Other income (expenses)
Rental income (including $255 and $247 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	291		247
Other income (expense), net	55		(208)
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions	122		(427)
Interest income (including $213 and $16 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	431		67
Interest expense (including $517 and $406 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(524)		(407)
Total other income (expenses), net	375		(728)
Income before provision for income taxes	8,451		12,004
Provision for income taxes	1,975		2,818
Net income	6,476		9,186
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	310		181
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$	6,166	$	9,005
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.31	$	0.45
Diluted	$	0.31	$	0.45
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	19,969,606		19,886,585
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	20,075,485		19,939,923

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

4

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

	Common Stock			Treasury Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings		Total Stockholders’ Equity Attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.		Noncontrolling Interest		Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount
Balance, January 1, 2023	19,908,005	$	20	(23,000)	$	(248)	$	85,792	$	56,118	$	141,682	$	10,251	$	151,933
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units, net shares withheld to cover taxes	2,452	—		—	—		(14)		—		(14)		—		(14)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		277		—		277		—		277
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		9,005		9,005		181		9,186
Balance, March 31, 2023	19,910,457	$	20	(23,000)	$	(248)	$	86,055	$	65,123	$	150,950	$	10,432	$	161,382
	Common Stock			Treasury Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings		Total Stockholders’ Equity Attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.		Noncontrolling Interest		Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount
Balance, January 1, 2024	19,988,482	$	20	(23,000)	$	(248)	$	86,667	$	67,679	$	154,118	$	8,572	$	162,690
Cash dividends declared ($0.30 per share)	—	—		—	—		—		(5,992)		(5,992)		—		(5,992)
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units	3,750	—		—	—		—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		375		—		375		—		375
Exercise of stock options	2,800	—		—	—		52		—		52		—		52
Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption	—	—		—	—		—		(316)		(316)		(2,893)		(3,209)
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		6,166		6,166		310		6,476
Balance, March 31, 2024	19,995,032	$	20	(23,000)	$	(248)	$	87,094	$	67,537	$	154,403	$	5,989	$	160,392

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

5

KARAT PACKAGING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	6,476	$	9,186
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including $303 and $304 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	2,629		2,633
Adjustments to allowance for bad debt	(12)		(652)
Adjustments to inventory reserve	40		288
Write-off of inventory	293		216
Impairment of operating right-of-use asset	1,993		—
Loss, net, on disposal of machinery and equipment	1		82
Amortization of loan fees (including $15 and $16 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	23		17
Accrued interest on certificates of deposit (including $38 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(126)		—
Stock-based compensation	375		277
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets	1,466		997
(Increase) decrease in operating assets
Accounts receivable (including $0 and $7 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(2,336)		(2,409)
Inventories	(8,077)		(207)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $4 and $52 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	1,727		1,023
Other non-current assets (including $14 and $88 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(190)		9
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
Accounts payable (including $5 and $1 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	3,367		(1,978)
Accrued expenses (including $420 and $415 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	742		(1,127)
Related party payable	(6)		4,967
Income taxes payable	—		1,782
Customer deposits (including $0 and $17 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(507)		(326)
Operating lease liabilities	(1,474)		(1,067)
Other non-current liabilities	155		474
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	6,559	$	14,185

6

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(163)		(1,042)
Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment	23		25
Deposits paid for joint venture investment	—		(2,900)
Deposits refunded from joint venture investment	—		950
Deposits paid for property and equipment	(761)		(1,718)
Purchases of short-term investments (including $7,000 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(12,190)		(10,000)
Redemption of short-term investments	5,144		—
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(7,947)	$	(14,685)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt (including $0 and $8,000 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	—		8,000
Payments for lender fees	—		(61)
Payments on long-term debt (including 278 and $241 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(278)		(241)
Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units	—		(14)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	52		—
Dividends paid to shareholders	(5,992)		—
Payment for Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption (including $2,010 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(2,326)		—
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	$	(8,544)	$	7,684
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(9,932)	$	7,184
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year	$	23,076	$	16,041
End of year	$	13,144	$	23,225
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Transfers from deposit to property and equipment	$	1,148	$	4,381
Non-cash purchases of property and equipment	$	159	$	1,159
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income tax refund	$	13	$	—
Cash paid for interest	$	502	$	421

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

7

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Nature of Operations

Lollicup USA Inc. (“Lollicup”) was incorporated on January 21, 2001 under the laws of the State of California as an S-corporation. Effective January 1, 2018, Lollicup elected to convert from an S-Corporation to a C-Corporation. Karat Packaging Inc. (“Karat Packaging”) was incorporated on September 26, 2018 as a Delaware corporation and became the holding company for Lollicup (collectively, the “Company”) through a share exchange with the shareholders of Lollicup. On April 15, 2021, the Company completed an initial public offering of shares of its common stock. The shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "KRT".

The Company is a manufacturer and distributor of single-use disposable products used in a variety of restaurant and foodservice settings. The Company supplies a wide range of products such as food containers, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, and straws. The products are available in plastic, paper, bagasse, biopolymer-based, and other compostable forms. In addition to manufacturing and distribution, the Company offers customized solutions to customers, including new product development, design, printing, and logistics services, and distributes certain specialty food and beverages products, such as syrups, boba, and coffee drinks.

The Company supplies products to national and regional distributors, supermarkets, airlines, restaurants, and convenience stores as well as to smaller chains and businesses including coffee houses, bubble tea cafes, pizza parlors, and frozen yogurt shops.

The Company currently operates manufacturing facilities and distribution centers in Chino, California; Rockwall, Texas, and Kapolei, Hawaii. In addition, the Company operates seven other distribution centers located in Puyallup, Washington; Summerville, South Carolina; Branchburg, New Jersey; Kapolei, Hawaii; Aurora, Illinois; and Sugar Land, Texas. In February 2024, the Company entered into a lease agreement for an additional distribution center in Mesa, Arizona and is currently in the process of setting up this location to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company subleased its City of Industry, California warehouse, resulting in a non-cash impairment of the right-of-use ("ROU") asset. See Note 11 — Leases for further discussion.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as promulgated in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial information as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2024.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, as included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2024.

Principles of Consolidation: The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Karat Packaging and its wholly-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries: Lollicup, Lollicup Franchising, LLC (“Lollicup Franchising”), and Global Wells, a variable interest entity wherein the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Estimates and Assumptions: Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates that were assumed in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Reporting Segments: The Company manages and evaluates its operations in one reportable segment. This segment consists of manufacturing and distribution of a broad portfolio of single-use products that are used to serve food and beverages and are available in plastic, paper, bagasse, biopolymer-based, and other compostable forms. It also consists of

8

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the distribution of certain specialty food and beverage products, such as syrup, boba, and coffee drinks, as well as restaurant and warehouse supplies. The Company’s long-lived assets are all located in the United States, and its revenues are almost entirely generated in the United States.

Variable Interest Entities: The Company has a variable interest in Global Wells located in Rockwall, Texas. In 2017, Lollicup along with three other unrelated parties formed Global Wells, of which Lollicup received a 13.5% ownership interest and a 25% voting interest. On February 29, 2024, Global Wells and one of its members (the "Selling Member") entered into a membership interest redemption agreement, under which the Selling Member sold and Global Wells purchased and redeemed all of the Selling Member's 10.8% ownership interest in Global Wells for a total cash consideration of $3,208,000, net of tax withholding. Subsequent to the redemption, the ownership interests and voting power of the remaining members of Global Wells were adjusted proportionally, with Lollicup's ownership interest increasing to 15.1% and voting interest increasing to 33.3%. On February 16, 2024, Global Wells made an advance cash payment of $2,325,000 to the Selling Member, with the remaining balance expected to be paid before December 31, 2024.

The purpose of Global Wells is to own, construct, and manage warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Global Wells’ operating agreement may require its members to make additional contributions upon the unanimous decision of the members or when the cash in Global Wells’ bank account falls below $50,000. In the event that a member is unable to make an additional capital contribution, the other members will be required to make contributions to offset the amount that member cannot contribute, up to $25,000.

Global Wells was determined to be a variable interest entity in accordance with ASC Topic 810, Consolidations, however, at the time the investment was made, it was determined that Lollicup was not the primary beneficiary. In 2018, Lollicup entered into an operating lease with Global Wells (the “Texas Lease”). In 2020, the Company entered into another operating lease with Global Wells (the “New Jersey Lease”).

Upon entering into the Texas Lease with Lollicup on March 23, 2018, it was determined that Lollicup holds current and potential rights that give it the power to direct activities of Global Wells that most significantly impact Global Wells’ economic performance, the ability to receive significant benefits, and the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses, resulting in Lollicup having a controlling financial interest in Global Wells. As a result, Lollicup was deemed to be the primary beneficiary of Global Wells and has consolidated Global Wells under the risk and reward model of ASC 810, for the period from March 23, 2018. The monthly lease payments for both the Texas Lease and New Jersey Lease are eliminated upon consolidation.

Assets recognized as a result of consolidating Global Wells do not represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against the Company’s general assets. Conversely, liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating Global Wells do not represent additional claims of the Company’s general assets; rather they represent claims against the specific assets of Global Wells. See Note 8 — Long-Term Debt for a description of the two term loans that Global Wells had with financial institutions as of March 31, 2024.

Noncontrolling Interests: The Company consolidates its variable interest entity, Global Wells, in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent third-party equity ownership interests in Global Wells. The Company recognizes noncontrolling interests as equity in the condensed consolidated financial statements separate from the Company’s stockholders’ equity. The amount of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Tax payments made by the Company on behalf of the noncontrolling interests are deducted from their equity balances, as shown in the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.

Revenue Recognition: The Company generates revenues from product sales to customers that include national and regional chains, distributors, small local restaurants, and those that purchase for individual consumption primarily through our online stores. The Company considers revenue disaggregated by customer type to most accurately reflect the nature and uncertainty of its revenue and cash flows that are affected by economic factors. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, net sales disaggregated by customer type consist of the amounts shown below.

9

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
National and regional chains	$	21,470	$	21,368
Distributors	52,827		54,647
Online	14,879		13,655
Retail	6,437		6,131
	$	95,613	$	95,801

•National and regional chains revenue: National and regional chains revenue is derived from chain restaurants and businesses with locations across multiple states. Revenue from transactions with national and regional chains is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

•Distributors revenue: Distributors revenues are derived from national and regional distributors across the U.S. that purchase the Company’s products for resale and distribution to other businesses such as restaurants, supermarkets, offices, and schools. Revenue from distributions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

•Online revenue: Online revenue is derived from the Company's online storefront on www.lollicupstore.com, and other e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and TikTok with customers largely consisting of small businesses such as small restaurants, coffee houses, bubble tea cafes, pizza parlors, and frozen yogurt shops. Revenue from online transactions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer. For online sales on third-party e-commerce platforms, the Company is the principal in the three-party arrangement and control of the products remains with the Company at all times until transferring to the end customer or upon return from the end customer. Online platform fees are recognized as selling expenses.

•Retail revenue: Retail revenue is derived primarily from regional and local restaurants, coffee houses, bubble tea cafes, pizza parlors, and frozen yogurt shops. Revenue from retail transactions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

For all of the Company's revenue streams, shipping terms generally indicate when the title and risk of loss have passed, which is generally when products are delivered to customers. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company's revenue and cost of goods sold were understated by approximately $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for products that had been shipped and recorded as revenue and costs of goods sold in 2023 and not delivered until 2024. In the prior periods, the Company had assessed the impact of the lag between shipping and delivery to the previously-issued quarterly and annual financial statements, and concluded that the impact on its overall financial statements, including net sales, cost of goods sold, accounts receivable, inventories and customer deposits was immaterial.

The Company’s contract liabilities consist primarily of rebates, sales incentives, consideration payable to customers for cooperative advertising, and customer deposits. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the rebates, sales incentives and cooperative advertising were not significant to the financial statements. Customer deposits are included in the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $739,000 and $990,000, respectively, related to customer deposits received as of the beginning of each respective period.

Out of Period Adjustment: As previously disclosed in the Company's 2023 Form 10-K, during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company also recorded certain misclassification adjustments for the full year 2023 amounts within the consolidated statement of income with no impact on net income. Those misclassification adjustments were: (1) adjusting online sales third-party platform fees from net sales to selling expenses, (ii) production expenses primarily related to machinery repair and maintenance from general and administrative expenses to cost of goods sold, and (iii) payroll and employee-related costs for the Company's sales team within operating expenses from general and administrative expenses to selling expenses. These misclassification adjustments in the quarter ended December 31, 2023 had no effect on totals for assets and liabilities, shareholders' equity, cash flows or net income for either the quarter ended December 31, 2023 or any of the previously reported quarters in 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the properly classified amounts related to the online sales platform fees, production expenses and payroll and employee-related costs for the sales team were $2.2 million, $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

10

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fair Value Measurements: The Company has financial instruments classified within the fair value hierarchy, which consist of the following:

•At both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had money market accounts and certificates of deposit classified as Level 1 and Level 2, respectively, within the fair value hierarchy. The short-term investments comprise of certificates of deposits with an original maturity of longer than 90 days and are reported at their carrying value as current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The carrying value of these short-term investments approximates fair value as they were purchased near or on March 31, 2024.

The following table summarizes the Company’s fair value measurements by level at March 31, 2024 for the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	5,841	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments	—		33,515		—
Fair value, March 31, 2024	$	5,841	$	33,515	$	—

The following table summarize the Company’s fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2023 for the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	5,956	$	10,000	$	—
Short-term investments	—		26,343		—
Fair value, December 31, 2023	$	5,956	$	36,343	$	—

The Company has not elected the fair value option as presented by ASC 825, Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, for the financial assets and liabilities that are not otherwise required to be carried at fair value. Under ASC 820, material financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, related-party payable, accrued expenses, other payables and borrowings under promissory notes and Line of Credit (as defined below), are reported at their carrying value.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, related-party payable, accrued expenses, and other payables at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximated fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The following is a summary of the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the $23,000,000 and $28,700,000 term loans that mature in September 2026 and July 2027, respectively (the "2026 Term Loan" and "2027 Term Loan," respectively):

	March 31, 2024
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
2026 Term Loan	$	21,339	$	19,771
2027 Term Loan	27,916		27,310
	$	49,255	$	47,081

	December 31, 2023
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
2026 Term Loan	$	21,490	$	19,999
2027 Term Loan	28,028		27,810
	$	49,518	$	47,809

11

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The fair value of these financial instruments was determined using Level 2 inputs.

Certain long-lived non-financial assets and liabilities may be required to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in certain circumstances, including when there is evidence of impairment. These non-financial assets and liabilities may include assets acquired in a business combination or long-lived assets that are determined to be impaired. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an impairment against its operating ROU assets of $1,993,000. See Note 11 — Leases for further information about this impairment charge. With the exception of the ROU impairment, the Company did not have any non-financial assets or liabilities that had been measured at fair value subsequent to initial recognition as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards: The Company is an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the "JOBS Act"), and as such, the Company has elected to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards, as a result, the Company will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates in which adoption of such standards is required for private companies.

In March 2023, the FASB issued updated ASU 2023-01 Lease (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements. The new guidance amends ASC 842 to require all lessees, including public business entities, to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over their useful life to the common control group. The Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2024, by prospectively amortizing all new leasehold improvements recognized on or after the adoption date. The adoption of this new standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The new guidance requires enhanced disclosure of significant expenses that are regularly reported to the chief operating decision maker and the nature of segment expense information used to manage operations. The new guidance is effective for all public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the new standard in annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2023 and is currently evaluating the impacts of the new guidance on its disclosure within the financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The new guidance requires disaggregated information about the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional information on taxes paid that meet a quantitative threshold. The new guidance is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and for non-public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, with early adoption permitted for both. The Company will adopt the new standard in annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2025, and is currently evaluating the impacts of the new guidance on its disclosures within the consolidated financial statements.

3. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Raw materials	$	7,288	$	9,116
Semi-finished goods	1,596		1,343
Finished goods	70,778		61,419
Subtotal	79,662		71,878
Less: inventory reserve	(390)		(350)
Total inventories	$	79,272	$	71,528

12

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4. Property and Equipment

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Machinery and equipment	$	67,605	$	67,321
Leasehold improvements	19,085		19,085
Vehicles	7,199		7,038
Furniture and fixtures	1,015		1,015
Building	38,779		38,503
Land	11,907		11,907
Computer hardware and software	93		93
Construction in progress	505		—
	146,188		144,962
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(52,335)		(49,736)
Total property and equipment, net	$	93,853	$	95,226

Depreciation and amortization expense is reported within general and administrative expense except for depreciation and amortization expense related to manufacturing facilities and equipment, which is included in cost of goods sold on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment reported within general and administrative expense was $1,013,000 and $1,120,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment reported within cost of goods sold was $1,609,000 and $1,506,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

5. Goodwill

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's goodwill from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024:

	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2023	$	3,510
Goodwill acquired	—
Balance at March 31, 2024	$	3,510

6. Line of Credit

Pursuant to the terms of the Business Loan Agreement, dated February 23, 2018, between Lollicup, as borrower, and Hanmi Bank, as lender (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”), the Company has a line of credit with a maximum borrowing capacity of $40,000,000 (the “Line of Credit”) secured by the Company’s assets. The Company is not required to pay a commitment (unused) fee on the undrawn portion of the Line of Credit and interest is payable monthly. The Company is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum current ratio, minimum debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.

On March 14, 2023, the Company amended the Line of Credit. Prior to March 14, 2023, interest accrued at the annual rate of prime less 0.25% with a minimum floor of 3.25%. The amendment on March 14, 2023, among other things, (1) extended the maturity date to March 14, 2025, and (2) revised the interest on any Line of Credit borrowings to an annual rate of one month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 2.50%, with a SOFR floor of 1.0%.

The Line of Credit also includes a standby letter of credit sublimit, which was amended and increased to $5,000,000 from $2,000,000 on June 20, 2023.

The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Line of Credit as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The amount issued under the standby letter of credit was $3,813,000 and $3,766,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the maximum remaining amount that could be borrowed under the Line of Credit was $36,187,000. As of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under the Line of Credit.

13

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7. Accrued Expenses

The following table summarizes information related to accrued expense liabilities:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Accrued miscellaneous expenses	$	2,328	$	1,271
Accrued payroll	964		1,685
Accrued ocean freight and other import costs	3,730		3,513
Accrued sale and use taxes	1,006		1,006
Accrued professional services fees	944		845
Accrued vacation and sick pay	984		619
Accrued property tax	314		552
Accrued shipping expenses	603		525
Accrued sales discount expense	372		487
Accrued interest expense	73		73
Total accrued expenses	$	11,318	$	10,576

8. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
The 2026 Term Loan, with an initial balance of $16,115,000 and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $6,885,000 through September 2022, which the Company exercised in February 2022. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum. Principal and interest payments of $116,000 are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by Global Wells and one of the Company’s stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio.	$	21,398	$	21,555
The 2027 Term Loan, with an initial balance of $20,700,000 and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $8,000,000 through June 30, 2023, which the Company exercised in March 2023. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 4.375% per annum. Prior to August 1, 2023, principal and interest payments of $104,000 are due monthly. Beginning August 1, 2023, monthly principal and interest payments increased to $144,000 for the remainder of the loan term, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by one of the Company’s stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt coverage ratio.	$	28,044	$	28,166
Long-term debt	49,442		49,721
Less: unamortized loan fees	(187)		(203)
Less: current portion	(1,139)		(1,122)
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	48,116	$	48,396

14

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At March 31, 2024, future maturities are:

	(in thousands)
2024 (remainder)	$	843
2025	1,179
2026	20,798
2027	26,622
	$	49,442

The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

9. Stock-Based Compensation

In January 2019, the Company’s board of directors adopted the 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). A total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock were authorized and reserved for issuance under the Plan in the form of incentive or nonqualified stock options and stock awards. A committee appointed by the board of directors of the Company determines the terms and conditions of each grant under the Plan. Employees, directors, and consultants are eligible to receive stock options and stock awards under the Plan. The aggregate number of shares available under the Plan and the number of shares subject to outstanding options may be increased or decreased by the Plan administrator to reflect any changes in the outstanding common stock by reason of any recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, stock split, reverse split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock or similar transaction.

The exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant. The exercise price of incentive stock options granted to individuals that own greater than 10% of the voting stock may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant.

The term of each incentive and nonqualified option is based upon conditions as determined by the option agreement; however, the term can be no more than ten years from the date of the grant. In the case of an incentive stock option granted to an optionee who, at the time the option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary, the term of the option will be a shorter term as provided in the option agreement, but not more than five years from the date of the grant.

As of March 31, 2024, a total of 1,293,017 shares of common stock were available for further award grants under the Plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized a total of $375,000 and $277,000 in stock-based compensation expense, respectively. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation over the vesting period, which generally ranges from two (2) to three (3) years for both the restricted stock units and stock options.

Stock Options

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity under the Plan for the period ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

	Number of Options	Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contract Life (In Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2023	386,473	$	18.58	7.8	$	2,424
Exercised	(2,800)	$	18.86
Forfeited	(33,333)	$	18.86
Outstanding at March 31, 2024	350,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	3,525
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2024	350,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	3,525
Exercisable at March 31, 2024	230,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	2,316

15

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024, total remaining stock-based compensation cost for unvested stock options under the Plan was approximately $123,000. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.6 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated by subtracting the exercise price of the option from the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 29, 2024, the last trading day prior to March 31, 2024, multiplied by the number of shares per each option.

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the Company’s unvested restricted stock units activity under the Plan for the period ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

	Number of Shares Outstanding	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2023	5,346	16.71
Granted	91,004	29.38
Vested	(3,750)	16.53
Unvested at March 31, 2024	92,600	29.17

On March 12, 2024, the Company's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a grant totaling $91,000 restricted stock units to certain key employees. The grant date fair value of these restricted stock units was $2,674,000. The restricted stock units vest at various times between May 2024 and May 2026.

At March 31, 2024, total remaining stock-based compensation cost for unvested restricted stock units was approximately $2,375,000. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

10. Earnings Per Share

(a)Basic

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net income attributable to equity holders of the Company for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$	6,166	$	9,005
Weighted average shares	19,970		19,887
Basic earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45

(b)Diluted

Diluted earnings per share is calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period, calculated using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, exercise proceeds include the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options and the amount of compensation cost related to stock awards for future services that the Company has not yet recognized. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect.

The following table summarizes the calculation of diluted earnings per share:

16

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$	6,166	$	9,005
Weighted average shares	19,970		19,887
Dilutive shares
Stock options and restricted stock units	105		53
Total dilutive shares	20,075		19,940
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, a total of 19,000 and 434,000 shares of potentially dilutive shares, respectively, have been excluded in the diluted earnings per share calculation due to their anti-dilutive impact on earnings per share.

11. Leases

The Company primarily leases manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and office spaces with lease terms expiring through 2031. The Company recognized the following lease costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Operating lease expense	$	1,820	$	1,333
Short-term lease expense	9		13
Variable lease expense	373		247
Total lease expense	$	2,202	$	1,593

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, rent expense included in operating expenses was $1,931,000 and $1,365,000, respectively, and rent expense included in cost of goods sold was $271,000 and $228,000, respectively.

The following table presents supplemental information related to operating leases:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Weighted average remaining lease term	4.49 years		4.51 years
Weighted average discount rate	6.5	%	6.2	%

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease obligations:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	1,829	$	1,363

As of March 31, 2024, future lease payments under operating leases were as follows:

17

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	(in thousands)
2024 (remainder)	$	4,319
2025	5,621
2026	5,802
2027	4,537
2028	3,139
Thereafter	2,372
Total future lease payments	25,790
Less: imputed interest	(3,597)
Total lease liability balance	$	22,193

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment of a ROU asset of $1,993,000 resulting from the sublease of its City of Industry warehouse in California.

Global Wells is the landlord under an operating lease agreement with an unrelated party that generates monthly rental payments from $62,000 to $65,000 and ends on October 31, 2025. The expected rental income is $554,000 for the remaining nine months of the year ending December 31, 2024, and $616,000 for the year ending December 31, 2025.

12. Related Party Transactions

On April 6, 2022, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement (the "JV Agreement") to establish a new corporation, Bio Earth, to build a bagasse factory in Taiwan. The JV Agreement stipulated an investment by the Company of approximately $6,500,000 for a 49% interest in Bio Earth. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company made payments of $5,876,000 and received a refund of $1,876,000 under the JV agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company made additional payments of $2,900,000 and received a refund of $900,000 under the JV Agreement.

On May 8 2023, the Company entered into a Share Transfer Agreement (the "Share Transfer Agreement"), with approval of the Board of Directors, to sell all of its equity interest in Bio Earth to Keary Global Ltd. ("Keary Global") for a total consideration of approximately $6,100,000 (the "Share Transfer"), representing the total net deposits made by the Company of $6,000,000 under the JV Agreement as discussed above and interest accruing at 5% per annum. Keary Global and its affiliate, Keary International are both owned or controlled by Jeff Yu, brother of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Alan Yu. Concurrent with the Share Transfer Agreement, the Company also entered into an agreement with Keary Global, Bio Earth and Happiness Moon Co., Ltd. (“Happiness Moon”) pursuant to which (i) Lollicup agreed to transfer all Bio Earth shares, as well as its rights and obligations under the JV Agreement to Keary Global, (ii) Happiness Moon and Bio Earth agree to foregoing and (iii) Bio Earth shall manage the regulatory and registration requirements related to the Share Transfer.

As of the end of the second quarter of 2023, the Company had completed the Share Transfer to Keary Global and received the total consideration of $6,100,000 in full.

Keary Global Ltd. owns 250,004 shares of the Company's common stock as of March 31, 2024, which Keary Global acquired upon exercise of two convertible notes during the third quarter of 2018. In addition to being a stockholder, Keary Global and Keary International are inventory suppliers and purchasing agents for the Company overseas. The Company has entered into ongoing purchase and supply agreements with Keary Global. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has accounts payable due to Keary Global and Keary International of $5,300,000 and $5,306,000, respectively. Purchases for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 from this related party were $12,693,000 and $11,407,000, respectively.

13. Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company's income tax expense was $1,975,000 and $2,818,000, with effective tax rate of 23.4% and 23.5%, respectively. For both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company's effective tax rate differed from the United States federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes.

In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. Based upon the level of historical taxable income, at this time, the Company determined

18

KARAT PACKAGING INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

that sufficient positive evidence existed to conclude that it is more likely than not there will be full utilization of the deferred tax assets in each jurisdiction. As such, as of March 31, 2024, the Company did not record any valuation allowance.

The Company remains subject to the Internal Revenue Services ("IRS") examination for the 2020 through 2022 tax years, and has received notice in February 2019 that it is under examination for years 2016 and 2017. Additionally, the Company files multiple state and local income tax returns and remains subject to examination in various of these jurisdictions for the 2019 through 2022 tax years. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefit.

In March 2023, the IRS announced the Winter Storm Relief that allowed for taxpayers in California affected by severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides to have until November 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. The Company took advantage of this tax relief in 2023.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

In May 2023, the Company received a Notice of Investigations and Interim Measures stating that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) had initiated a formal investigation to determine whether the Company had evaded the anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on lightweight thermal paper from China by transshipping the merchandise through Taiwan. The period of investigation was from January 2022 through the pendency of the investigation. On February 5, 2024, CBP issued its Notice of Determination concluding that the manufacturing procedures performed by the manufacturer in Taiwan, which the Company imported certain thermal paper products from, did not constitute substantial transformation. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a reserve of $2,738,000, representing the total estimated probable loss on all thermal paper imports under the investigation period minus payments already made. On March 19, 2024, the Company initiated an appeal process by submitting a request for an administrative review of the initial determination issued by CBP. The Company accrued interest of $85,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024, related to the estimated total probable loss, increasing the total reserve to $2,823,000. The amount of the final payments could differ materially from the Company's current estimate.

Additionally, the Company is a party to, and certain of its property is the subject of, various pending claims and legal proceedings that routinely arise in the ordinary course of its business. Management believes that the outcome of such litigation and claims, should they arise in the future, is not likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of income.

15. Subsequent Events

On May 7, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share on the Company's common stock, which will be paid on May 24, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2024.

19

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. This discussion and analysis contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical facts. For example, statements discussing, among other things, business strategies, growth strategies and initiatives, future revenues and future performance and expected costs and liabilities are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “remain,” “should,” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expect and, therefore, you should not unduly rely on such statements. The risks and uncertainties that could cause those actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:

•fluctuations in the demand for our products in light of changes in laws and regulations applicable to food and beverages and changes in consumer preferences;

•supply chain disruptions that could interrupt product manufacturing and increase product costs;

•our ability to source raw materials and navigate a shortage of available materials;

•our ability to compete successfully in our industry;

•the impact of earthquakes, fire, power outages, floods, pandemics and other catastrophic events, as well as the impact of any interruption by problems such as terrorism, cyberattacks, or failure of key information technology systems;

•our ability to accurately forecast demand for our products or our results of operations;

•the impact of problems relating to delays or disruptions in the shipment of our goods through operational ports;

•our ability to expand into additional foodservice and geographic markets;

•our ability to successfully design and develop new products;

•fluctuations in freight carrier costs related to the shipment of our products could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations;

•the effects of public health crises including pandemics;

•our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and senior management; and

•other risks and uncertainties described in “Risk Factors" as set forth in Item I, Part 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 15, 2024 (the "2023 Form 10-K").

As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, “we”, “us”, “our”, “Karat”, “the Company” or “our Company” refer to Karat Packaging Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, unless the context requires otherwise, our operating subsidiaries. References to “Global Wells” or “our variable interest entity” refer to Global Wells Investment Group LLC, a Texas limited liability company and our consolidated variable interest entity, in which the Company has an equity interest and which is controlled by one of our stockholders. References to “Lollicup” refer to Lollicup USA Inc., a California corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary.

Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this report may not add up precisely to totals we provide and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.

20

Overview

We are a rapidly-growing specialty distributor and select manufacturer of disposable foodservice products and related items. We are a nimble supplier of a wide range of products for the foodservice industry, including food and take-out containers, bags, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, equipment, gloves and other products. Our products are available in plastic, paper, biopolymer-based and other compostable forms. Our Karat Earth® line provides environmentally friendly options to our customers, who are increasingly focused on sustainability. We offer customized solutions to our customers, including new product development, design, printing and logistics services.

We operate our business strategically and with broad flexibility to provide both our large and small customers with the wide spectrum of products they need to successfully run and grow their businesses. We believe we have established ourselves as a differentiated provider of high-quality products relative to our competitors. Our operating model entails generating the majority of our revenue from the distribution of our vendors' products complemented by select manufacturing capabilities in the U.S., which allows us to provide customers with broad product choices and customized offerings with short lead times even during global supply chain disruptions. This model provides us with the flexibility to adjust the mix of our product offering from import and manufacturing in evolving economic environment to drive operating efficiency and sustained margin expansion.

We operate an approximately 500,000 square foot distribution center located in Rockwall, Texas, an approximately 300,000 square foot distribution center in Chino, California, and an approximately 76,000 square foot distribution center located in Kapolei, Hawaii. We have selected manufacturing capabilities in all of these facilities. In addition, we operate seven other warehouse spaces and distribution centers located in Puyallup, Washington; Summerville, South Carolina; Branchburg, New Jersey; Kapolei, Hawaii; Aurora, Illinois; and Sugar Land, Texas. In February 2024, the Company entered into a lease agreement for an additional distribution center in Mesa, Arizona and is currently in the process of setting up this location to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2024. Our distribution centers are strategically located in proximity to major population centers, including the Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Honolulu metro areas.

We manage and evaluate our operations in one reportable segment.

Business Highlights and Trends

•We recorded net sales of $95.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 0.2% in net sales amount and an increase of 3.5% in volume, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

•We achieved gross margin of 39.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a 50-basis-point decrease from the three months ended March 31, 2023.

•We recorded net income of $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 29.5% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included a negative tax-effected impact of $1.5 million from a non-cash impairment of an operating right-of-use asset ("ROU asset").

•We achieved net income margin of 6.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a 280-basis-point decrease from the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net income margin for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included a negative tax-effected impact of 160 basis points from the non-cash ROU asset impairment, as discussed above.

•We generated net cash provided by operating activities of $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 53.8% compared to three months ended March 31, 2023. We made significant investments to stock up inventory and prepare for the summer peak season.

•We generated consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined below, of $13.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a 11.2% decrease from the three months ended March 31, 2023.

•Our Adjusted EBITDA margin, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was 14.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 170 basis points from the three months ended March 31, 2023.

•We had financial liquidity of $49.3 million and additional short-term investments of $33.5 million as of March 31, 2024.

•On May 7, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share on the Company's common stock, which will be paid on or around May 24, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2024.

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Trends in Our Business

The following trends have contributed to the results of our operations, and we anticipate that they will continue to affect our future results:

•One of the most noticeable recent changes in the restaurant industry is how customers view food delivery and take-out as compared to the traditional form of on-premise dining. There now appears to be a growing preference for the former and we believe this trend will continue to have a positive impact on our results of operations, as more of our customers will require packaging and containers to meet the demands of their increased food delivery and take-out dining consumers.

•Environmental concerns regarding disposable products, broadly, have resulted in a number of significant changes that are specific to the food-service industry, including regulations applicable to our customers. We believe this trend will have a positive long-lasting impact on our results of operations, as we expect there will be an increased demand for eco-friendly and compostable single-use disposable products. Our eco-friendly products made up 34.5% of total sales during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 32.6% during the same period last year.

•Most of our products are sourced from vendors abroad and as a result we incur freight costs from these overseas import shipments, which could be a significant component of our cost of goods sold. Elevated ocean freight rates could pressure our gross margin, and if we raise our price, dampen the demand for our products. Steady or dropping ocean freight could yield significant opportunities for us to expand our margin. However, it could also reduce the barrier of entry, intensifying the competition.

•U.S. foreign trade policy continues to evolve, such as the imposition of tariffs on a number of imported food-service disposable products, including those imported from China and other countries. We believe this trend will have either a positive or a negative impact on our results of operations, depending on whether we are able to source our raw materials or manufactured products from countries where tariffs have not been imposed by the current U.S. administration and whether the previously imposed tariffs are removed.

•The cost of raw materials used to manufacture our products, including polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, plastic resin, aluminum and paper boards may continue to fluctuate. Since negotiated sales contracts and the market largely determine the pricing for our products, we are, at times, limited in our ability to raise prices and pass through any impacts of inflation to our costs. There can also be lags between cost inflation and the implementation of price increases, which could negatively impact our gross margin. We believe price fluctuations will have either a positive or a negative impact on our results of operations in the future, depending on whether raw material costs increase or decrease and whether we can successfully implement price increases to offset the impacts of inflation.

•Supplier chain effectiveness could have a long-lasting impact on our operations and financial results. We believe this trend will have either a positive or a negative impact on our results of operations, depending on whether we are able to manage our global supply chain effectively, including the accurate forecast of demand, the successful procurement of raw materials and products, and the effective management of our inventory, production and distribution.

•Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could impact either positively or negatively various aspects of our business activities, including but not limited to our purchasing power and capacity to source inventory.

•We have made a strategic business decision to pivot into a more asset-light growth model by increasing import and scaling back manufacturing in certain locations. We believe this will have either a positive or a negative impact on our results of operations, depending on whether we can successfully source and import finished goods at a price that is more favorable than domestically manufacturer products, and effectively realize savings from reduced manufacturing capabilities.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments.

There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies, or in the estimates and assumptions underlying those policies, from those described under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 of Part II of our 2023 Form 10-K.

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Results of Operations

The amount and percentage changes calculated in the discussion below were based on numbers rounded to the nearest thousands.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Net sales	$	95,613	$	95,801
Cost of goods sold	58,011		57,657
Gross profit	37,602		38,144
Operating expenses	29,526		25,412
Operating income	8,076		12,732
Other income (expense), net	375		(728)
Provision for income taxes	1,975		2,818
Net income	$	6,476	$	9,186

Net sales

Net sales were $95.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $95.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 0.2%. Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was understated by $0.7 million, which represented products shipped and recognized as revenue in 2023 and not delivered until 2024. See further discussion about the Company's revenue recognition in Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Including this impact, the year-over-year decrease in net sales is primarily driven by a $7.0 million unfavorable year-over-year pricing comparison, as the overall pricing environment remains competitive especially in the distributor channel, partially offset by an increase of $4.5 million in volume and change in product mix, and an increase of $2.2 million due to the inclusion of online sales platform fees in operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold was $58.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $57.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $0.4 million, or 0.6%. Cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was understated by $0.4 million related to products shipped and recognized as cost of goods sold in 2023 and not delivered until 2024, as discussed above. Including this impact, the year-over-year increase in cost of goods sold is primarily driven by the increase in freight and duty costs of $1.3 million as a result of increased import volume following the strategy to scale back domestic manufacturing coupled with higher freight and container rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Additionally, cost of goods sold in the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes $0.6 million of production expenses primarily related to machinery repair and maintenance. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $1.7 million in product costs as a result of reduction in vendor pricing for certain raw materials and finished goods, and a favorable foreign currency exchange rate impact from the strengthening of the United States Dollar against Taiwan New Dollar.

Gross profit

Gross profit was $37.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $38.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 1.4%. Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was understated by $0.3 million related to products shipped and recognized as revenue and cost of goods sold in 2023 and not delivered until 2024, as discussed above. With this impact, gross margin decreased to 39.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 39.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included a net favorable impact of 80 basis points from the adjustments to net sales related to online platform fees and cost of goods sold related to production expenses, respectively, as discussed above. Gross margin also benefited from the strengthening of the United States Dollar against Taiwan New Dollar. At the same time, gross margin was negatively impacted by the increase in freight and duty costs, which as a percentage of net sales increased to 7.3% during the three months ended March 31, 2024 from 5.9% during the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily as a

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result of increased import volume following the strategy to scale back domestic manufacturing coupled with higher freight and container rates.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses were $29.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $25.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $4.1 million, or 16.2%. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included a non-cash impairment of a ROU asset of $2.0 million resulting from the sublease of our City of Industry warehouse in California, as we optimize our distribution footprint in the southwest region with the opening of a new warehouse in Mesa, Arizona, and the inclusion of $2.2 million of online sales platform fees in operating expenses. Additionally, rent and warehouse expense increased $1.2 million from the opening of new distribution centers. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by a decrease of $0.6 million related to the inclusion of production expenses in cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and a decrease of $0.5 million in shipping and transportation costs largely due to a decrease in local shipping rates.

Operating income

Operating income was $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $12.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of $4.7 million, or 36.6%. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in gross profit of $0.5 million and an increase in operating expenses of $4.1 million, as discussed above.

Other income (expense), net

Other income, net was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $0.7 million of other expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Other income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included a gain on foreign currency transactions of $0.1 million, compared to a loss on foreign currency transactions of $0.4 million included in other expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Additionally, interest income increased $0.4 million primarily from our investments in short-term investments.

Provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes was $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 29.9%. The Company’s effective tax rate was 23.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 23.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net income

Net income was $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of $2.7 million, or 29.5%. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in operating income of $4.7 million, partially offset by an increase in other income, net of $1.1 million, and a decrease in the provision for income taxes of approximately $0.8 million, as discussed above.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use certain non-GAAP financial measures to assess our financial and operating performance that are not defined by, or calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP in the Consolidated Statements of Income; or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measure so calculated and presented.

Our primary non-GAAP financial measures are listed below and reflect how we evaluate our operating results.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure calculated as net income excluding (i) interest income, (ii) interest expense, (iii) provision for income taxes, (iv) depreciation and amortization, (v) stock-based compensation expense, and (vi) operating right-of-use asset impairment. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by net sales.

We present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin as supplemental measures of our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin assist management in assessing our core operating performance. We also believe these measures provide investors with useful perspective on underlying business results and trends and facilitate a comparison of our performance from period to period.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income or cash flows from operating activities and net income margin or other measures determined in accordance with US GAAP. Also, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and net income margin to Adjusted EBITDA margin.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited):	2024				2023
	(in thousands, except percentages)
	Amount		% of Net Sales		Amount		% of Net Sales
Net income:	$	6,476	6.8	%	$	9,186	9.6	%
Add (deduct):
Interest income	(431)		(0.5)		(67)		(0.1)
Interest expense	524		0.6		407		0.4
Provision for income taxes	1,975		2.1		2,818		2.9
Depreciation and amortization	2,629		2.7		2,633		2.8
Stock-based compensation expense	375		0.4		277		0.3
Operating right-of-use asset impairment	1,993		2.1		—		—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	13,541	14.2	%	$	15,254	15.9	%

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Funds

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash provided by operations, borrowings under our line of credit with the Hanmi Bank (the “Line of Credit”), and promissory notes. On an annual basis, we have typically generated positive cash flows from operations. Our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations in the future will be, at least in part, dependent on global economic conditions and our ability to navigate challenging macro environment at times.

As described in Note 6 — Line of Credit to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Line of Credit is available for working capital and general corporate purposes, and is secured by our assets. It consists of a $40.0 million revolving loan facility and a standby letter of credit sublimit. We are not required to pay a commitment (unused) fee on the undrawn portion of the Line of Credit and interest is payable monthly. On March 14, 2023, we amended the Line of Credit. Prior to March 14, 2023, interest accrued at the annual rate of prime less 0.25% with a minimum floor of 3.25%. The amendment on March 14, 2023, among other things, (1) extended the maturity date to March 14, 2025, and (2) revised the interest on any Line of Credit borrowings to an annual rate of one month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 2.50%, with a SOFR floor of 1.0%. On June 20, 2023, we further amended the Line of Credit which increased the standby letter of credit sublimit from $2.0 million to $5.0 million. As of March 31, 2024, the amount issued under the standby letter of credit was $3.8 million, and the maximum remaining amount that could be borrowed under the Line of Credit was $36.2 million.

As described in Note 8 — Long-Term Debt to the condensed consolidated financial statements, on June 17, 2022, we entered into a $28.7 million term loan agreement which matures July 1, 2027 (the “2027 Term Loan”). The 2027 Term Loan had an initial balance of $20.7 million and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $8.0 million through June 2023, which we exercised in March 2023. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 4.375% per annum. Principal and interest payments of $0.1 million are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The 2027 Term Loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by one of our stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio. Proceeds from the 2027 Term Loan were used to pay down an existing term loan with the same lender, which was set to mature in May 2029 with interest accruing at prime rate less 0.25%, and had an outstanding balance of $20.6 million as of the repayment date.

Additionally, as of March 31, 2024, we have a $23.0 million term loan that matures September 30, 2026 (the “2026 Term Loan”). The 2026 Term Loan had an initial balance of $16.1 million and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $6.9 million through September 2022, which we exercised in February 2022. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 3.50% per annum. Principal and interest payments of $0.1 million are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The 2026 Term Loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by Global Wells and one of our stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio.

As of March 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the financial covenants under all of our loan agreements, and do not expect material uncertainties in our continued ability to be in compliance with all financial covenants through the remaining term of all of our loan agreements. As of March 31, 2024, we had no borrowing on the Line of Credit, $28.0 million in outstanding balance under the 2027 Term Loan, and $21.4 million in outstanding balance under the 2026 Term Loan.

As discussed in Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies to the condensed consolidated financial statements, on February 5, 2024, we received a Notice of Determination from U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") related to its investigation to determine whether we have evaded the anti-dumping and countervailing duty on certain imported thermal paper products. On March 19, 2024, we initiated an appeal process by submitting a request for an administrative review of the initial determination issued by CBP. Although we currently have an import duty liability reserve of $2.8 million as of March 31, 2024, the amount of the final payments could vary significantly from this estimate.

Additionally, as described in Note 15 — Subsequent Events to the condensed consolidated financial statements, on May 7, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share on our common stock, which will be paid on or around May 24, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2024. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, we paid out special and regular quarterly dividends totaling $20.9 million.

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Our ongoing operations and growth strategy may require us to continue to make investments in our logistics and manufacturing infrastructure, e-commerce platform, talent, and technology capabilities. In addition, we may consider making strategic acquisitions and investments which could require significant liquidity. The rapidly changing macroeconomic and geopolitical dynamics created significant uncertainty in the global economy and capital markets, which could have long-lasting adverse effects. We currently believe that our cash on hand, ongoing cash flows from our operations and funding available under our borrowings will be adequate to meet our working capital needs, service our debt, make lease payments, and fund capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We continue to explore other options to further expand our liquidity to support the business growth and enhance shareholder value.

Beyond the next 12 months, if we require additional capital resources to grow our business, either organically or through acquisition, we may seek to sell additional equity securities, increase use of the Line of Credit, and acquire additional debt. The sale of additional equity securities or certain forms of debt financing could result in additional dilution to our stockholders. We may not be able to obtain financing arrangements in amounts or on terms acceptable to us in the future. In the event we are unable to obtain additional financing when needed, we may be compelled to delay or curtail our plans to develop our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, market position and competitiveness. Notwithstanding the potential liquidity challenges described above, we expect to meet our long-term liquidity needs with cash flows from operations and financing arrangements.

Liquidity Position

The following table summarizes total current assets, liabilities and working capital at March 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023		Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Current assets	$	160,534	$	154,929	$	5,605
Current liabilities	48,190		44,401		3,789
Working capital	$	112,344	$	110,528	$	1,816

As of March 31, 2024, we had working capital of $112.3 million compared to working capital of $110.5 million as of December 31, 2023, representing an increase of $1.8 million, or 1.6%. The improvement in working capital was driven by an increase of $5.6 million in current assets partially offset by an increase of $3.8 million in current liabilities. The increase in current assets was primarily driven by an increase in inventory of $7.7 million as we stock up inventory to prepare for the summer peak season, and an increase in account receivable of $2.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $2.8 million, and a decrease in prepaid expenses of $1.7 million. The increase in current liabilities was primarily driven by an increase in accounts payable and related party payables of $2.9 million, an increase in accrued expense of $0.7 million, and an increase in other current liabilities of $0.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in current portion of operating lease liabilities of $0.4 million and customer deposits of $0.2 million.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	6,559	$	14,185
Net cash used in investing activities	(7,947)		(14,685)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(8,544)		7,684
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	$	(9,932)	$	7,184

Cash flows provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily the result of net income of $6.5 million, adjusted for certain non-cash items totaling $6.7 million, consisting mainly of depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and operating right-of-use assets,

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write-off of inventory, stock-based compensation, ROU asset impairment, and accrued interest on certificates of deposit. In addition, cash decreased $6.6 million from changes in working capital, which included a decrease of $8.1 million from inventory build-up, a decrease of $2.3 million from an increase in accounts receivable, a decrease of $1.5 million from reductions in operating lease liabilities, and a decrease of $0.5 million from less customer deposits. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.7 million from reductions in prepaid expenses, $3.4 million from higher accounts and related party payables, and $0.7 million from higher accrued expenses.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $14.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily the result of net income of $9.2 million, adjusted for certain non-cash items totaling $3.9 million, consisting mainly of depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, and operating right-of-use assets. In addition, cash increased $1.1 million primarily as a result of changes in working capital, which primarily included a decrease of $1.0 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets, an increase of $1.8 million in income taxes payable, and an increase of $3.0 million in accounts payable and related party payable, partially offset by an increase of $2.4 million in accounts receivable as a result of higher sales, a decrease of $1.1 million in accrued expenses and a decrease of $1.1 million in operating lease liability.

Cash flows used in investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which primarily included $12.2 million in purchases of short-term investments, $0.8 million of deposits paid for the purchase of property and equipment, and $0.2 million paid to directly purchase property and equipment, partially offset by $5.1 million in redemptions of short-term investments. Net cash used in investing activities was $14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, which primarily included $10.0 million in purchase of short-term investments, $2.0 million of net investment pursuant to the JV Agreement, $1.7 million of deposits paid for the purchase of property and equipment, and $1.0 million paid to directly purchase property and equipment.

Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which primarily included $6.0 million of cash dividends paid to shareholders, $2.3 million paid for the redemption of a non-controlling member' interest in Global Wells, and $0.3 million of payments towards long-term debt. Net cash provided by financing activities was $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, which primarily included an additional borrowing under the 2027 Term Loan of $8.0 million, partially offset by payments towards long-term debt of $0.2 million.

Related Party Transactions

For a description of significant related party transactions, see Note 12 — Related Party Transactions in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements is contained in Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

This item is not required for smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company's management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2024. Based on this evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2024 due to the material weaknesses described in Part II—Item 9A of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024.

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Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the registrant's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Refer to Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in Part II—Item 9A of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024 for a description of the material weaknesses. The same material weaknesses continue to exist as of March 31, 2024. Each of the material weaknesses could result in a misstatement of substantially all account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. The material weaknesses identified did not result in any material misstatements of the Company’s financial statements or disclosures for any prior or current reporting periods, but did result in immaterial misclassification adjustments to net sales, cost of goods sold, selling expenses and general and administrative expenses with no impact on net income for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 and an immaterial adjustment to deposits as of December 31, 2023. Management does not believe that they had any effect on the accuracy of the Company’s financial statements for the current reporting period.

Management’s Remediation Plan

As reported in the 2023 Form 10-K, we are engaged in remedial actions in response to the deficiencies discussed above, and we plan to continue efforts to improve internal control over financial reporting.

Actions Taken During the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

The following remedial actions were taken in the prior fiscal years:

•Increased the number of personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge related to accounting transactions, accounting matters, and relevant systems, including the addition of a Chief Financial Officer and Controller.

•With the assistance from the third-party service provider, and under the supervision of the Company's Audit Committee, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, initiated the design and implementation of significant process transaction flows and key controls in the Company's overall IT environment.

•As part of management's risk assessment and evaluation of the design of key controls, management updated control objectives and refined control design and documentation, including such design and documentations as related to the appropriate segregation of duties and monitoring activities.

•Enhanced policies and procedures to improve Information Technology General Controls and the Company's overall IT environment. Examples of some of management's efforts include:

◦Adopted the policy and procedure to regularly review user's access rights relating to the Company's significant information technology systems;

◦Designed and started to perform review of users’ access rights to our significant information technology systems; and

◦Maintained and enforced certain procedures, controls and developed IT policies around change management.

•Completed a risk assessment based on the criteria established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") to identify internal control over financial reporting ("ICFR") risks and control objectives.

•Enhanced training programs for personnel that provide key information and perform key roles associated with ICFR. Management designed such training programs in order to improve the level of understanding of the design and proper implementation of controls by the control owners and to instruct such individuals on appropriate level of documentation practices for evidencing review, especially over the completeness and accuracy of underlying data and the precision level used in the review.

•Updated objectives, processes and control design and documentation, including such design and documentation as related to the completeness and accuracy of underlying data and a sufficient precision level in management review controls to detect material misstatement across all financial statement areas.

29

Actions Taken During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

The following remedial actions were taken in the first quarter of the current fiscal year:

•Continue to refine the design of entity-level controls impacting the control environment, risk assessment procedures and monitoring activities, including the implementation of controls and procedures to ensure adequate oversight and accountability over the performance of controls.

•Continue to enhance policies and procedures to improve Information Technology General Controls and the Company's overall IT environment, including continue to enforce newly or enhanced policies and controls around user provisioning, access reviews and change management.

Ongoing Remediation Efforts

The following remedial actions are currently in the process of being taken or completed:

•Continue to evaluate the Company's needs for additional personnel and add, as needed, additional headcount primarily within the accounting and information technology departments. Management continues to onboard individuals with the appropriate education, experience, certifications, and training.

•Continue to refine and implement certain Information Technology General Controls around user access.

Management is committed to remediating the material weaknesses in a timely fashion and to making continuous improvements to the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Management believes the measures described above have strengthened the Company's internal control over financial reporting, Management will continually assess the effectiveness of the remediation efforts and may determine to take additional measures to address control deficiencies or modify the remediation plan described above. The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until a sustained period of time has passed to allow for continued operation of the new controls and for management to test the operating effectiveness of the new controls. Testing is expected to continue during the year ended December 31, 2024 and management will continue to provide an update on the status of our remediation activities on a quarterly basis.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Other than those described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

30

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings. Although no assurance can be given, we do not believe that any of our currently pending proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in the 2023 Form 10-K, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

On May 7, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share on the Company's common stock, which will be paid on May 24, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2024. A copy of the press release announcing the dividend is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-Q.

Securities Trading Plans of Directors and Executive Officers

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or officers adopted, modified, or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or a “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement”, as such terms are defined under Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
10.1+	Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 12, 2024, between Karat Packaging Inc. and Alan Yu, Chief Executive Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2024).
10.2+	Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 12, 2024, between Karat Packaging Inc. and Jian Guo, Chief Financial Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2024).
31.1*	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
31.2*	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.1**	Certifications of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**	Certifications of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.1*	Press release, dated May 7, 2024

31

101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104*	Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Filed herewith. ** Furnished herewith. + Indicates management compensatory agreement.

32

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

DATE: May 10, 2024	KARAT PACKAGING INC.
	By:	/s/ Alan Yu
		Alan Yu
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)
	By:	/s/ Jian Guo
		Jian Guo
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and
		Principal Accounting Officer)

33

EX-31.1

                                         `    Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Alan Yu, certify that:

(1)I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Karat Packaging Inc.;

(2)Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3)Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4)The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5)The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

May 10, 2024	By:	/s/ Alan Yu
		Alan Yu Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Jian Guo, certify that:

(1)I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Karat Packaging Inc.;

(2)Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3)Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4)The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5)The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

May 10, 2024	By:	/s/ Jian Guo
		Jian Guo Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT

TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Karat Packaging Inc. (the "Company") for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), the undersigned hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge and belief, that:

(1)the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2)the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 10, 2024	By:	/s/ Alan Yu
		Alan Yu Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT

TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Karat Packaging Inc. (the "Company") for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), the undersigned hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge and belief, that:

(1)the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2)the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 10, 2024	By:	/s/ Jian Guo
		Jian Guo Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

XML

Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	May 06, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2024
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-40336
Entity Registrant Name	Karat Packaging Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	83-2237832
Entity Address, Address Line One	6185 Kimball Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Chino
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	91708
City Area Code	626
Local Phone Number	965-8882
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	KRT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,975,032
Entity Central Index Key	0001758021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents (including $4,327 and $13,566 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	$ 13,144	$ 23,076
Short-term investments (including $7,038 and $0 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	33,515	26,343
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debt of $342 and $392 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively	30,111	27,763
Inventories	79,272	71,528
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $78 and $82 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	4,492	6,219
Total current assets	160,534	154,929
Property and equipment, net (including $43,882 and $44,185 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	93,853	95,226
Deposits	229	1,047
Goodwill	3,510	3,510
Intangible assets, net	320	327
Operating right-of-use assets	19,360	20,739
Other non-current assets (including $67 and $53 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	1,232	619
Total assets	279,038	276,397
Current liabilities
Accrued expenses (including $171 and $591 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	11,318	10,576
Customer deposits (including $0 and $116 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023)	725	951
Long-term debt, current portion (including $1,139 and $1,122 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	1,139	1,122
Operating lease liabilities, current portion	4,439	4,800
Other current liabilities (including $2,186 and $1,302 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	3,875	3,200
Total current liabilities	48,190	44,401
Deferred tax liability	4,197	4,197
Long-term debt, net of current portion and debt discount of $187 and $203 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively (including $48,116 and $48,396 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and debt discount of $187 and $203 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	48,116	48,396
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion	17,754	16,687
Other non-current liabilities	389	26
Total liabilities	118,646	113,707
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, $10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, $100,000,000 shares authorized, $19,995,032 and $19,972,032 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of March 31, 2024 and $19,988,482 and $19,965,482 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2023	20	20
Additional paid in capital	87,094	86,667
Treasury stock, $0.001 par value, $23,000 shares as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023	(248)	(248)
Retained earnings	67,537	67,679
Total Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity	154,403	154,118
Noncontrolling interest	5,989	8,572
Total stockholders’ equity	160,392	162,690
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	279,038	276,397
VIE, Primary Beneficiary
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents (including $4,327 and $13,566 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	4,327	13,566
Short-term investments (including $7,038 and $0 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	7,038	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $78 and $82 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	78	82
Property and equipment, net (including $43,882 and $44,185 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	43,882	44,185
Other non-current assets (including $67 and $53 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	67	53
Current liabilities
Accounts Payable, Current	68	63
Accrued expenses (including $171 and $591 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	171	591
Customer deposits (including $0 and $116 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023)	0	116
Long-term debt, current portion (including $1,139 and $1,122 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	1,139	1,122
Other current liabilities (including $2,186 and $1,302 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	2,186	1,302
Nonrelated Party
Current liabilities
Accounts Payable, Current	21,394	18,446
Related Party
Current liabilities
Accounts Payable, Current	$ 5,300	$ 5,306

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,144	$ 23,076
Short-term investments	33,515	26,343
Allowance for bad debt	342	392
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,492	6,219
Property and equipment, net	93,853	95,226
Other non-current assets	1,232	619
Accrued expenses	11,318	10,576
Customer deposits	725	951
Long-term debt, current portion	1,139	1,122
Other current liabilities	3,875	3,200
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$ 187	$ 203
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	19,995,032	19,988,482
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	19,972,032	19,965,482
Treasury stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	23,000	23,000
VIE, Primary Beneficiary
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,327	$ 13,566
Short-term investments	7,038	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	78	82
Property and equipment, net	43,882	44,185
Other non-current assets	67	53
Accounts payable	68	63
Accrued expenses	171	591
Customer deposits	0	116
Long-term debt, current portion	1,139	1,122
Other current liabilities	2,186	1,302
Long-term debt, net of current portion	48,116	48,396
Debt discount	$ 187	$ 203

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 95,613	$ 95,801
Cost of goods sold	58,011	57,657
Gross profit	37,602	38,144
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses	10,763	8,701
General and administrative expenses (including $556 and $671 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	16,769	16,629
Impairment expense and loss, net, on disposal of machinery	1,994	82
Total operating expenses	29,526	25,412
Operating income	8,076	12,732
Other income (expenses)
Rental income (including $255 and $247 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	291	247
Other income (expense), net	55	(208)
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions	122	(427)
Interest income (including $213 and $16 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	431	67
Interest expense (including $517 and $406 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(524)	(407)
Total other income (expenses), net	375	(728)
Income before provision for income taxes	8,451	12,004
Provision for income taxes	1,975	2,818
Net income	6,476	9,186
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	310	181
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$ 6,166	$ 9,005
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.45
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.45
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	19,969,606	19,886,585
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	20,075,485	19,939,923

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
General and administrative expenses	$ 16,769	$ 16,629
Rental income	291	247
Interest income	431	67
Interest expense	524	407
VIE, Primary Beneficiary
General and administrative expenses	556	671
Rental income	255	247
Interest income	213	16
Interest expense	$ 517	$ 406

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Total Stockholders’ Equity Attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at the beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022			19,908,005
Balance at the beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 151,933	$ 141,682	$ 20	$ (248)	$ 85,792	$ 56,118	$ 10,251
Treasury stock, balance at the beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022				(23,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)			2,452
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units	(14)	(14)			(14)
Stock-based compensation	277	277			277
Net income	9,186	9,005				9,005	181
Balance at the end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023			19,910,457
Balance at the end of period at Mar. 31, 2023	$ 161,382	150,950	$ 20	$ (248)	86,055	65,123	10,432
Treasury stock, balance at the end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023				(23,000)
Balance at the beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023	19,965,482		19,988,482
Balance at the beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2023	$ 162,690	154,118	$ 20	$ (248)	86,667	67,679	8,572
Treasury stock, balance at the beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023	(23,000)			(23,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cash dividends declared	$ (5,992)	(5,992)				(5,992)
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)			3,750
Stock-based compensation	$ 375	375			375
Exercise of common stock options (in shares)	2,800		2,800
Exercise of stock options	$ 52	52			52
Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption	(3,209)	(316)				(316)	(2,893)
Net income	$ 6,476	6,166				6,166	310
Balance at the end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024	19,972,032		19,995,032
Balance at the end of period at Mar. 31, 2024	$ 160,392	$ 154,403	$ 20	$ (248)	$ 87,094	$ 67,537	$ 5,989
Treasury stock, balance at the end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024	(23,000)			(23,000)

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 $ / shares
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends paid to stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 6,476	$ 9,186
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including $303 and $304 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	2,629	2,633
Adjustments to allowance for bad debt	(12)	(652)
Adjustments to inventory reserve	40	288
Write-off of inventory	293	216
Impairment of operating right-of-use asset	1,993	0
Loss, net, on disposal of machinery and equipment	1	82
Amortization of loan fees (including $15 and $16 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	23	17
Accrued interest on certificates of deposit (including $38 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(126)	0
Stock-based compensation	375	277
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets	1,466	997
(Increase) decrease in operating assets
Accounts receivable (including $0 and $7 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(2,336)	(2,409)
Inventories	(8,077)	(207)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $4 and $52 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	1,727	1,023
Other non-current assets (including $14 and $88 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(190)	9
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
Accounts payable (including $5 and $1 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	3,367	(1,978)
Accrued expenses (including $420 and $415 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	742	(1,127)
Related party payable	(6)	4,967
Income taxes payable	0	1,782
Customer deposits (including $0 and $17 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(507)	(326)
Operating lease liabilities	(1,474)	(1,067)
Other non-current liabilities	155	474
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,559	14,185
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(163)	(1,042)
Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment	23	25
Deposits paid for joint venture investment	0	(2,900)
Deposits refunded from joint venture investment	0	950
Deposits paid for property and equipment	(761)	(1,718)
Purchases of short-term investments (including $7,000 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(12,190)	(10,000)
Redemption of short-term investments	5,144	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(7,947)	(14,685)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term debt (including $0 and $8,000 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	0	8,000
Payments for lender fees	0	(61)
Payments on long-term debt (including $278 and $241 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(278)	(241)
Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units	0	(14)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	52	0
Dividends paid to shareholders	(5,992)	0
Payment for Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption (including $2,010 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)	(2,326)	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(8,544)	7,684
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(9,932)	7,184
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year	23,076	16,041
End of year	13,144	23,225
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Transfers from deposit to property and equipment	1,148	4,381
Non-cash purchases of property and equipment	159	1,159
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income tax refund	13	0
Cash paid for interest	$ 502	$ 421

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Depreciation and amortization	$ 2,629	$ 2,633
Amortization of loan fees	(23)	(17)
Accrued interest on certificates of deposit	126	0
Accounts receivable	2,336	2,409
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,727)	(1,023)
Other assets	190	(9)
Accounts payable	3,367	(1,978)
Accrued expenses	742	(1,127)
Customer deposits	(507)	(326)
Purchases of short-term investments	12,190	10,000
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	8,000
Payments on long-term debt	278	241
Payment for Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption	2,326	0
VIE, Primary Beneficiary
Depreciation and amortization	303	304
Amortization of loan fees	15	16
Accrued interest on certificates of deposit	38	0
Accounts receivable	0	7
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4	52
Other assets	(14)	88
Accounts payable	5	(1)
Accrued expenses	(420)	(415)
Customer deposits	0	17
Purchases of short-term investments	7,000	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	8,000
Payments on long-term debt	278	241
Payment for Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption	$ 2,010	$ 0

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Nature of Operations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations

Lollicup USA Inc. (“Lollicup”) was incorporated on January 21, 2001 under the laws of the State of California as an S-corporation. Effective January 1, 2018, Lollicup elected to convert from an S-Corporation to a C-Corporation. Karat Packaging Inc. (“Karat Packaging”) was incorporated on September 26, 2018 as a Delaware corporation and became the holding company for Lollicup (collectively, the “Company”) through a share exchange with the shareholders of Lollicup. On April 15, 2021, the Company completed an initial public offering of shares of its common stock. The shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "KRT".

The Company is a manufacturer and distributor of single-use disposable products used in a variety of restaurant and foodservice settings. The Company supplies a wide range of products such as food containers, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, and straws. The products are available in plastic, paper, bagasse, biopolymer-based, and other compostable forms. In addition to manufacturing and distribution, the Company offers customized solutions to customers, including new product development, design, printing, and logistics services, and distributes certain specialty food and beverages products, such as syrups, boba, and coffee drinks.

The Company supplies products to national and regional distributors, supermarkets, airlines, restaurants, and convenience stores as well as to smaller chains and businesses including coffee houses, bubble tea cafes, pizza parlors, and frozen yogurt shops.

The Company currently operates manufacturing facilities and distribution centers in Chino, California; Rockwall, Texas, and Kapolei, Hawaii. In addition, the Company operates seven other distribution centers located in Puyallup, Washington; Summerville, South Carolina; Branchburg, New Jersey; Kapolei, Hawaii; Aurora, Illinois; and Sugar Land, Texas. In February 2024, the Company entered into a lease agreement for an additional distribution center in Mesa, Arizona and is currently in the process of setting up this location to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company subleased its City of Industry, California warehouse, resulting in a non-cash impairment of the right-of-use ("ROU") asset. See Note 11 — Leases for further discussion.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as promulgated in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial information as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2024.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, as included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2024.

Principles of Consolidation: The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Karat Packaging and its wholly-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries: Lollicup, Lollicup Franchising, LLC (“Lollicup Franchising”), and Global Wells, a variable interest entity wherein the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Estimates and Assumptions: Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates that were assumed in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Reporting Segments: The Company manages and evaluates its operations in one reportable segment. This segment consists of manufacturing and distribution of a broad portfolio of single-use products that are used to serve food and beverages and are available in plastic, paper, bagasse, biopolymer-based, and other compostable forms. It also consists of

the distribution of certain specialty food and beverage products, such as syrup, boba, and coffee drinks, as well as restaurant and warehouse supplies. The Company’s long-lived assets are all located in the United States, and its revenues are almost entirely generated in the United States.

Variable Interest Entities: The Company has a variable interest in Global Wells located in Rockwall, Texas. In 2017, Lollicup along with three other unrelated parties formed Global Wells, of which Lollicup received a 13.5% ownership interest and a 25% voting interest. On February 29, 2024, Global Wells and one of its members (the "Selling Member") entered into a membership interest redemption agreement, under which the Selling Member sold and Global Wells purchased and redeemed all of the Selling Member's 10.8% ownership interest in Global Wells for a total cash consideration of $3,208,000, net of tax withholding. Subsequent to the redemption, the ownership interests and voting power of the remaining members of Global Wells were adjusted proportionally, with Lollicup's ownership interest increasing to 15.1% and voting interest increasing to 33.3%. On February 16, 2024, Global Wells made an advance cash payment of $2,325,000 to the Selling Member, with the remaining balance expected to be paid before December 31, 2024.

The purpose of Global Wells is to own, construct, and manage warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Global Wells’ operating agreement may require its members to make additional contributions upon the unanimous decision of the members or when the cash in Global Wells’ bank account falls below $50,000. In the event that a member is unable to make an additional capital contribution, the other members will be required to make contributions to offset the amount that member cannot contribute, up to $25,000.

Global Wells was determined to be a variable interest entity in accordance with ASC Topic 810, Consolidations, however, at the time the investment was made, it was determined that Lollicup was not the primary beneficiary. In 2018, Lollicup entered into an operating lease with Global Wells (the “Texas Lease”). In 2020, the Company entered into another operating lease with Global Wells (the “New Jersey Lease”).

Upon entering into the Texas Lease with Lollicup on March 23, 2018, it was determined that Lollicup holds current and potential rights that give it the power to direct activities of Global Wells that most significantly impact Global Wells’ economic performance, the ability to receive significant benefits, and the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses, resulting in Lollicup having a controlling financial interest in Global Wells. As a result, Lollicup was deemed to be the primary beneficiary of Global Wells and has consolidated Global Wells under the risk and reward model of ASC 810, for the period from March 23, 2018. The monthly lease payments for both the Texas Lease and New Jersey Lease are eliminated upon consolidation.

Assets recognized as a result of consolidating Global Wells do not represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against the Company’s general assets. Conversely, liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating Global Wells do not represent additional claims of the Company’s general assets; rather they represent claims against the specific assets of Global Wells. See Note 8 — Long-Term Debt for a description of the two term loans that Global Wells had with financial institutions as of March 31, 2024.

Noncontrolling Interests: The Company consolidates its variable interest entity, Global Wells, in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent third-party equity ownership interests in Global Wells. The Company recognizes noncontrolling interests as equity in the condensed consolidated financial statements separate from the Company’s stockholders’ equity. The amount of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Tax payments made by the Company on behalf of the noncontrolling interests are deducted from their equity balances, as shown in the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.

Revenue Recognition: The Company generates revenues from product sales to customers that include national and regional chains, distributors, small local restaurants, and those that purchase for individual consumption primarily through our online stores. The Company considers revenue disaggregated by customer type to most accurately reflect the nature and uncertainty of its revenue and cash flows that are affected by economic factors. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, net sales disaggregated by customer type consist of the amounts shown below.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
National and regional chains	$	21,470	$	21,368
Distributors	52,827		54,647
Online	14,879		13,655
Retail	6,437		6,131
	$	95,613	$	95,801

•National and regional chains revenue: National and regional chains revenue is derived from chain restaurants and businesses with locations across multiple states. Revenue from transactions with national and regional chains is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

•Distributors revenue: Distributors revenues are derived from national and regional distributors across the U.S. that purchase the Company’s products for resale and distribution to other businesses such as restaurants, supermarkets, offices, and schools. Revenue from distributions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

•Online revenue: Online revenue is derived from the Company's online storefront on www.lollicupstore.com, and other e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and TikTok with customers largely consisting of small businesses such as small restaurants, coffee houses, bubble tea cafes, pizza parlors, and frozen yogurt shops. Revenue from online transactions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer. For online sales on third-party e-commerce platforms, the Company is the principal in the three-party arrangement and control of the products remains with the Company at all times until transferring to the end customer or upon return from the end customer. Online platform fees are recognized as selling expenses.

•Retail revenue: Retail revenue is derived primarily from regional and local restaurants, coffee houses, bubble tea cafes, pizza parlors, and frozen yogurt shops. Revenue from retail transactions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

For all of the Company's revenue streams, shipping terms generally indicate when the title and risk of loss have passed, which is generally when products are delivered to customers. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company's revenue and cost of goods sold were understated by approximately $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for products that had been shipped and recorded as revenue and costs of goods sold in 2023 and not delivered until 2024. In the prior periods, the Company had assessed the impact of the lag between shipping and delivery to the previously-issued quarterly and annual financial statements, and concluded that the impact on its overall financial statements, including net sales, cost of goods sold, accounts receivable, inventories and customer deposits was immaterial.

The Company’s contract liabilities consist primarily of rebates, sales incentives, consideration payable to customers for cooperative advertising, and customer deposits. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the rebates, sales incentives and cooperative advertising were not significant to the financial statements. Customer deposits are included in the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $739,000 and $990,000, respectively, related to customer deposits received as of the beginning of each respective period.

Out of Period Adjustment: As previously disclosed in the Company's 2023 Form 10-K, during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company also recorded certain misclassification adjustments for the full year 2023 amounts within the consolidated statement of income with no impact on net income. Those misclassification adjustments were: (1) adjusting online sales third-party platform fees from net sales to selling expenses, (ii) production expenses primarily related to machinery repair and maintenance from general and administrative expenses to cost of goods sold, and (iii) payroll and employee-related costs for the Company's sales team within operating expenses from general and administrative expenses to selling expenses. These misclassification adjustments in the quarter ended December 31, 2023 had no effect on totals for assets and liabilities, shareholders' equity, cash flows or net income for either the quarter ended December 31, 2023 or any of the previously reported quarters in 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the properly classified amounts related to the online sales platform fees, production expenses and payroll and employee-related costs for the sales team were $2.2 million, $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements: The Company has financial instruments classified within the fair value hierarchy, which consist of the following:

•At both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had money market accounts and certificates of deposit classified as Level 1 and Level 2, respectively, within the fair value hierarchy. The short-term investments comprise of certificates of deposits with an original maturity of longer than 90 days and are reported at their carrying value as current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The carrying value of these short-term investments approximates fair value as they were purchased near or on March 31, 2024.

The following table summarizes the Company’s fair value measurements by level at March 31, 2024 for the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	5,841	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments	—		33,515		—
Fair value, March 31, 2024	$	5,841	$	33,515	$	—

The following table summarize the Company’s fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2023 for the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	5,956	$	10,000	$	—
Short-term investments	—		26,343		—
Fair value, December 31, 2023	$	5,956	$	36,343	$	—

The Company has not elected the fair value option as presented by ASC 825, Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, for the financial assets and liabilities that are not otherwise required to be carried at fair value. Under ASC 820, material financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, related-party payable, accrued expenses, other payables and borrowings under promissory notes and Line of Credit (as defined below), are reported at their carrying value.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, related-party payable, accrued expenses, and other payables at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximated fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The following is a summary of the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the $23,000,000 and $28,700,000 term loans that mature in September 2026 and July 2027, respectively (the "2026 Term Loan" and "2027 Term Loan," respectively):

	March 31, 2024
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
2026 Term Loan	$	21,339	$	19,771
2027 Term Loan	27,916		27,310
	$	49,255	$	47,081

	December 31, 2023
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
2026 Term Loan	$	21,490	$	19,999
2027 Term Loan	28,028		27,810
	$	49,518	$	47,809

The fair value of these financial instruments was determined using Level 2 inputs.

Certain long-lived non-financial assets and liabilities may be required to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in certain circumstances, including when there is evidence of impairment. These non-financial assets and liabilities may include assets acquired in a business combination or long-lived assets that are determined to be impaired. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an impairment against its operating ROU assets of $1,993,000. See Note 11 — Leases for further information about this impairment charge. With the exception of the ROU impairment, the Company did not have any non-financial assets or liabilities that had been measured at fair value subsequent to initial recognition as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards: The Company is an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the "JOBS Act"), and as such, the Company has elected to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards, as a result, the Company will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates in which adoption of such standards is required for private companies.

In March 2023, the FASB issued updated ASU 2023-01 Lease (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements. The new guidance amends ASC 842 to require all lessees, including public business entities, to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over their useful life to the common control group. The Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2024, by prospectively amortizing all new leasehold improvements recognized on or after the adoption date. The adoption of this new standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The new guidance requires enhanced disclosure of significant expenses that are regularly reported to the chief operating decision maker and the nature of segment expense information used to manage operations. The new guidance is effective for all public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the new standard in annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2023 and is currently evaluating the impacts of the new guidance on its disclosure within the financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The new guidance requires disaggregated information about the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional information on taxes paid that meet a quantitative threshold. The new guidance is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and for non-public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, with early adoption permitted for both. The Company will adopt the new standard in annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2025, and is currently evaluating the impacts of the new guidance on its disclosures within the consolidated financial statements.

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Inventories

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Raw materials	$	7,288	$	9,116
Semi-finished goods	1,596		1,343
Finished goods	70,778		61,419
Subtotal	79,662		71,878
Less: inventory reserve	(390)		(350)
Total inventories	$	79,272	$	71,528

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Property and Equipment

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Machinery and equipment	$	67,605	$	67,321
Leasehold improvements	19,085		19,085
Vehicles	7,199		7,038
Furniture and fixtures	1,015		1,015
Building	38,779		38,503
Land	11,907		11,907
Computer hardware and software	93		93
Construction in progress	505		—
	146,188		144,962
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(52,335)		(49,736)
Total property and equipment, net	$	93,853	$	95,226

Depreciation and amortization expense is reported within general and administrative expense except for depreciation and amortization expense related to manufacturing facilities and equipment, which is included in cost of goods sold on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment reported within general and administrative expense was $1,013,000 and $1,120,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment reported within cost of goods sold was $1,609,000 and $1,506,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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Goodwill

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

Goodwill

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's goodwill from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024:

	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2023	$	3,510
Goodwill acquired	—
Balance at March 31, 2024	$	3,510

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Line of Credit

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Pursuant to the terms of the Business Loan Agreement, dated February 23, 2018, between Lollicup, as borrower, and Hanmi Bank, as lender (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”), the Company has a line of credit with a maximum borrowing capacity of $40,000,000 (the “Line of Credit”) secured by the Company’s assets. The Company is not required to pay a commitment (unused) fee on the undrawn portion of the Line of Credit and interest is payable monthly. The Company is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum current ratio, minimum debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.

On March 14, 2023, the Company amended the Line of Credit. Prior to March 14, 2023, interest accrued at the annual rate of prime less 0.25% with a minimum floor of 3.25%. The amendment on March 14, 2023, among other things, (1) extended the maturity date to March 14, 2025, and (2) revised the interest on any Line of Credit borrowings to an annual rate of one month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 2.50%, with a SOFR floor of 1.0%.

The Line of Credit also includes a standby letter of credit sublimit, which was amended and increased to $5,000,000 from $2,000,000 on June 20, 2023.

The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Line of Credit as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The amount issued under the standby letter of credit was $3,813,000 and $3,766,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the maximum remaining amount that could be borrowed under the Line of Credit was $36,187,000. As of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under the Line of Credit.

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
The 2026 Term Loan, with an initial balance of $16,115,000 and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $6,885,000 through September 2022, which the Company exercised in February 2022. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum. Principal and interest payments of $116,000 are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by Global Wells and one of the Company’s stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio.	$	21,398	$	21,555
The 2027 Term Loan, with an initial balance of $20,700,000 and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $8,000,000 through June 30, 2023, which the Company exercised in March 2023. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 4.375% per annum. Prior to August 1, 2023, principal and interest payments of $104,000 are due monthly. Beginning August 1, 2023, monthly principal and interest payments increased to $144,000 for the remainder of the loan term, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by one of the Company’s stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt coverage ratio.	$	28,044	$	28,166
Long-term debt	49,442		49,721
Less: unamortized loan fees	(187)		(203)
Less: current portion	(1,139)		(1,122)
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	48,116	$	48,396

At March 31, 2024, future maturities are:

	(in thousands)
2024 (remainder)	$	843
2025	1,179
2026	20,798
2027	26,622
	$	49,442

The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

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Accrued Expenses

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued Expenses

Accrued Expenses

The following table summarizes information related to accrued expense liabilities:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Accrued miscellaneous expenses	$	2,328	$	1,271
Accrued payroll	964		1,685
Accrued ocean freight and other import costs	3,730		3,513
Accrued sale and use taxes	1,006		1,006
Accrued professional services fees	944		845
Accrued vacation and sick pay	984		619
Accrued property tax	314		552
Accrued shipping expenses	603		525
Accrued sales discount expense	372		487
Accrued interest expense	73		73
Total accrued expenses	$	11,318	$	10,576

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Long-Term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Line of Credit

Pursuant to the terms of the Business Loan Agreement, dated February 23, 2018, between Lollicup, as borrower, and Hanmi Bank, as lender (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”), the Company has a line of credit with a maximum borrowing capacity of $40,000,000 (the “Line of Credit”) secured by the Company’s assets. The Company is not required to pay a commitment (unused) fee on the undrawn portion of the Line of Credit and interest is payable monthly. The Company is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum current ratio, minimum debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.

On March 14, 2023, the Company amended the Line of Credit. Prior to March 14, 2023, interest accrued at the annual rate of prime less 0.25% with a minimum floor of 3.25%. The amendment on March 14, 2023, among other things, (1) extended the maturity date to March 14, 2025, and (2) revised the interest on any Line of Credit borrowings to an annual rate of one month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 2.50%, with a SOFR floor of 1.0%.

The Line of Credit also includes a standby letter of credit sublimit, which was amended and increased to $5,000,000 from $2,000,000 on June 20, 2023.

The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Line of Credit as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The amount issued under the standby letter of credit was $3,813,000 and $3,766,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the maximum remaining amount that could be borrowed under the Line of Credit was $36,187,000. As of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under the Line of Credit.

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
The 2026 Term Loan, with an initial balance of $16,115,000 and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $6,885,000 through September 2022, which the Company exercised in February 2022. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum. Principal and interest payments of $116,000 are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by Global Wells and one of the Company’s stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio.	$	21,398	$	21,555
The 2027 Term Loan, with an initial balance of $20,700,000 and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $8,000,000 through June 30, 2023, which the Company exercised in March 2023. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 4.375% per annum. Prior to August 1, 2023, principal and interest payments of $104,000 are due monthly. Beginning August 1, 2023, monthly principal and interest payments increased to $144,000 for the remainder of the loan term, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by one of the Company’s stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt coverage ratio.	$	28,044	$	28,166
Long-term debt	49,442		49,721
Less: unamortized loan fees	(187)		(203)
Less: current portion	(1,139)		(1,122)
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	48,116	$	48,396

At March 31, 2024, future maturities are:

	(in thousands)
2024 (remainder)	$	843
2025	1,179
2026	20,798
2027	26,622
	$	49,442

The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

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Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

In January 2019, the Company’s board of directors adopted the 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). A total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock were authorized and reserved for issuance under the Plan in the form of incentive or nonqualified stock options and stock awards. A committee appointed by the board of directors of the Company determines the terms and conditions of each grant under the Plan. Employees, directors, and consultants are eligible to receive stock options and stock awards under the Plan. The aggregate number of shares available under the Plan and the number of shares subject to outstanding options may be increased or decreased by the Plan administrator to reflect any changes in the outstanding common stock by reason of any recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, stock split, reverse split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock or similar transaction.

The exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant. The exercise price of incentive stock options granted to individuals that own greater than 10% of the voting stock may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant.

The term of each incentive and nonqualified option is based upon conditions as determined by the option agreement; however, the term can be no more than ten years from the date of the grant. In the case of an incentive stock option granted to an optionee who, at the time the option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary, the term of the option will be a shorter term as provided in the option agreement, but not more than five years from the date of the grant.

As of March 31, 2024, a total of 1,293,017 shares of common stock were available for further award grants under the Plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized a total of $375,000 and $277,000 in stock-based compensation expense, respectively. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation over the vesting period, which generally ranges from two (2) to three (3) years for both the restricted stock units and stock options.

Stock Options

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity under the Plan for the period ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

	Number of Options	Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contract Life (In Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2023	386,473	$	18.58	7.8	$	2,424
Exercised	(2,800)	$	18.86
Forfeited	(33,333)	$	18.86
Outstanding at March 31, 2024	350,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	3,525
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2024	350,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	3,525
Exercisable at March 31, 2024	230,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	2,316

There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024, total remaining stock-based compensation cost for unvested stock options under the Plan was approximately $123,000. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.6 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated by subtracting the exercise price of the option from the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 29, 2024, the last trading day prior to March 31, 2024, multiplied by the number of shares per each option.

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the Company’s unvested restricted stock units activity under the Plan for the period ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

	Number of Shares Outstanding	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2023	5,346	16.71
Granted	91,004	29.38
Vested	(3,750)	16.53
Unvested at March 31, 2024	92,600	29.17

On March 12, 2024, the Company's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a grant totaling $91,000 restricted stock units to certain key employees. The grant date fair value of these restricted stock units was $2,674,000. The restricted stock units vest at various times between May 2024 and May 2026.

At March 31, 2024, total remaining stock-based compensation cost for unvested restricted stock units was approximately $2,375,000. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

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Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

(a)Basic

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net income attributable to equity holders of the Company for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$	6,166	$	9,005
Weighted average shares	19,970		19,887
Basic earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45

(b)Diluted

Diluted earnings per share is calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period, calculated using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, exercise proceeds include the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options and the amount of compensation cost related to stock awards for future services that the Company has not yet recognized. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect.

The following table summarizes the calculation of diluted earnings per share:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$	6,166	$	9,005
Weighted average shares	19,970		19,887
Dilutive shares
Stock options and restricted stock units	105		53
Total dilutive shares	20,075		19,940
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, a total of 19,000 and 434,000 shares of potentially dilutive shares, respectively, have been excluded in the diluted earnings per share calculation due to their anti-dilutive impact on earnings per share.

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Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Leases

The Company primarily leases manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and office spaces with lease terms expiring through 2031. The Company recognized the following lease costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Operating lease expense	$	1,820	$	1,333
Short-term lease expense	9		13
Variable lease expense	373		247
Total lease expense	$	2,202	$	1,593

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, rent expense included in operating expenses was $1,931,000 and $1,365,000, respectively, and rent expense included in cost of goods sold was $271,000 and $228,000, respectively.

The following table presents supplemental information related to operating leases:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Weighted average remaining lease term	4.49 years		4.51 years
Weighted average discount rate	6.5	%	6.2	%

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease obligations:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	1,829	$	1,363

As of March 31, 2024, future lease payments under operating leases were as follows:

	(in thousands)
2024 (remainder)	$	4,319
2025	5,621
2026	5,802
2027	4,537
2028	3,139
Thereafter	2,372
Total future lease payments	25,790
Less: imputed interest	(3,597)
Total lease liability balance	$	22,193

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment of a ROU asset of $1,993,000 resulting from the sublease of its City of Industry warehouse in California.

Global Wells is the landlord under an operating lease agreement with an unrelated party that generates monthly rental payments from $62,000 to $65,000 and ends on October 31, 2025. The expected rental income is $554,000 for the remaining nine months of the year ending December 31, 2024, and $616,000 for the year ending December 31, 2025

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Related Party Transactions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions

On April 6, 2022, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement (the "JV Agreement") to establish a new corporation, Bio Earth, to build a bagasse factory in Taiwan. The JV Agreement stipulated an investment by the Company of approximately $6,500,000 for a 49% interest in Bio Earth. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company made payments of $5,876,000 and received a refund of $1,876,000 under the JV agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company made additional payments of $2,900,000 and received a refund of $900,000 under the JV Agreement.

On May 8 2023, the Company entered into a Share Transfer Agreement (the "Share Transfer Agreement"), with approval of the Board of Directors, to sell all of its equity interest in Bio Earth to Keary Global Ltd. ("Keary Global") for a total consideration of approximately $6,100,000 (the "Share Transfer"), representing the total net deposits made by the Company of $6,000,000 under the JV Agreement as discussed above and interest accruing at 5% per annum. Keary Global and its affiliate, Keary International are both owned or controlled by Jeff Yu, brother of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Alan Yu. Concurrent with the Share Transfer Agreement, the Company also entered into an agreement with Keary Global, Bio Earth and Happiness Moon Co., Ltd. (“Happiness Moon”) pursuant to which (i) Lollicup agreed to transfer all Bio Earth shares, as well as its rights and obligations under the JV Agreement to Keary Global, (ii) Happiness Moon and Bio Earth agree to foregoing and (iii) Bio Earth shall manage the regulatory and registration requirements related to the Share Transfer.

As of the end of the second quarter of 2023, the Company had completed the Share Transfer to Keary Global and received the total consideration of $6,100,000 in full.

Keary Global Ltd. owns 250,004 shares of the Company's common stock as of March 31, 2024, which Keary Global acquired upon exercise of two convertible notes during the third quarter of 2018. In addition to being a stockholder, Keary Global and Keary International are inventory suppliers and purchasing agents for the Company overseas. The Company has entered into ongoing purchase and supply agreements with Keary Global. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has accounts payable due to Keary Global and Keary International of $5,300,000 and $5,306,000, respectively. Purchases for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 from this related party were $12,693,000 and $11,407,000, respectively.

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company's income tax expense was $1,975,000 and $2,818,000, with effective tax rate of 23.4% and 23.5%, respectively. For both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company's effective tax rate differed from the United States federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes.

In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. Based upon the level of historical taxable income, at this time, the Company determined

that sufficient positive evidence existed to conclude that it is more likely than not there will be full utilization of the deferred tax assets in each jurisdiction. As such, as of March 31, 2024, the Company did not record any valuation allowance.

The Company remains subject to the Internal Revenue Services ("IRS") examination for the 2020 through 2022 tax years, and has received notice in February 2019 that it is under examination for years 2016 and 2017. Additionally, the Company files multiple state and local income tax returns and remains subject to examination in various of these jurisdictions for the 2019 through 2022 tax years. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefit.

In March 2023, the IRS announced the Winter Storm Relief that allowed for taxpayers in California affected by severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides to have until November 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. The Company took advantage of this tax relief in 2023.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

In May 2023, the Company received a Notice of Investigations and Interim Measures stating that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) had initiated a formal investigation to determine whether the Company had evaded the anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on lightweight thermal paper from China by transshipping the merchandise through Taiwan. The period of investigation was from January 2022 through the pendency of the investigation. On February 5, 2024, CBP issued its Notice of Determination concluding that the manufacturing procedures performed by the manufacturer in Taiwan, which the Company imported certain thermal paper products from, did not constitute substantial transformation. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a reserve of $2,738,000, representing the total estimated probable loss on all thermal paper imports under the investigation period minus payments already made. On March 19, 2024, the Company initiated an appeal process by submitting a request for an administrative review of the initial determination issued by CBP. The Company accrued interest of $85,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024, related to the estimated total probable loss, increasing the total reserve to $2,823,000. The amount of the final payments could differ materially from the Company's current estimate.

Additionally, the Company is a party to, and certain of its property is the subject of, various pending claims and legal proceedings that routinely arise in the ordinary course of its business. Management believes that the outcome of such litigation and claims, should they arise in the future, is not likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of income.

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Subsequent Events

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

On May 7, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share on the Company's common stock, which will be paid on May 24, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2024.

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Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net income	$ 6,166	$ 9,005

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Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as promulgated in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial information as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2024.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, as included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2024.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation: The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Karat Packaging and its wholly-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries: Lollicup, Lollicup Franchising, LLC (“Lollicup Franchising”), and Global Wells, a variable interest entity wherein the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Estimates and Assumptions

Estimates and Assumptions: Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates that were assumed in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Reporting Segments

Reporting Segments: The Company manages and evaluates its operations in one reportable segment. This segment consists of manufacturing and distribution of a broad portfolio of single-use products that are used to serve food and beverages and are available in plastic, paper, bagasse, biopolymer-based, and other compostable forms. It also consists of

the distribution of certain specialty food and beverage products, such as syrup, boba, and coffee drinks, as well as restaurant and warehouse supplies. The Company’s long-lived assets are all located in the United States, and its revenues are almost entirely generated in the United States.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities: The Company has a variable interest in Global Wells located in Rockwall, Texas. In 2017, Lollicup along with three other unrelated parties formed Global Wells, of which Lollicup received a 13.5% ownership interest and a 25% voting interest. On February 29, 2024, Global Wells and one of its members (the "Selling Member") entered into a membership interest redemption agreement, under which the Selling Member sold and Global Wells purchased and redeemed all of the Selling Member's 10.8% ownership interest in Global Wells for a total cash consideration of $3,208,000, net of tax withholding. Subsequent to the redemption, the ownership interests and voting power of the remaining members of Global Wells were adjusted proportionally, with Lollicup's ownership interest increasing to 15.1% and voting interest increasing to 33.3%. On February 16, 2024, Global Wells made an advance cash payment of $2,325,000 to the Selling Member, with the remaining balance expected to be paid before December 31, 2024.

The purpose of Global Wells is to own, construct, and manage warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Global Wells’ operating agreement may require its members to make additional contributions upon the unanimous decision of the members or when the cash in Global Wells’ bank account falls below $50,000. In the event that a member is unable to make an additional capital contribution, the other members will be required to make contributions to offset the amount that member cannot contribute, up to $25,000.

Global Wells was determined to be a variable interest entity in accordance with ASC Topic 810, Consolidations, however, at the time the investment was made, it was determined that Lollicup was not the primary beneficiary. In 2018, Lollicup entered into an operating lease with Global Wells (the “Texas Lease”). In 2020, the Company entered into another operating lease with Global Wells (the “New Jersey Lease”).

Upon entering into the Texas Lease with Lollicup on March 23, 2018, it was determined that Lollicup holds current and potential rights that give it the power to direct activities of Global Wells that most significantly impact Global Wells’ economic performance, the ability to receive significant benefits, and the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses, resulting in Lollicup having a controlling financial interest in Global Wells. As a result, Lollicup was deemed to be the primary beneficiary of Global Wells and has consolidated Global Wells under the risk and reward model of ASC 810, for the period from March 23, 2018. The monthly lease payments for both the Texas Lease and New Jersey Lease are eliminated upon consolidation.

Assets recognized as a result of consolidating Global Wells do not represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against the Company’s general assets. Conversely, liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating Global Wells do not represent additional claims of the Company’s general assets; rather they represent claims against the specific assets of Global Wells. See Note 8 — Long-Term Debt for a description of the two term loans that Global Wells had with financial institutions as of March 31, 2024.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests: The Company consolidates its variable interest entity, Global Wells, in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent third-party equity ownership interests in Global Wells. The Company recognizes noncontrolling interests as equity in the condensed consolidated financial statements separate from the Company’s stockholders’ equity. The amount of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Tax payments made by the Company on behalf of the noncontrolling interests are deducted from their equity balances, as shown in the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition: The Company generates revenues from product sales to customers that include national and regional chains, distributors, small local restaurants, and those that purchase for individual consumption primarily through our online stores. The Company considers revenue disaggregated by customer type to most accurately reflect the nature and uncertainty of its revenue and cash flows that are affected by economic factors.National and regional chains revenue: National and regional chains revenue is derived from chain restaurants and businesses with locations across multiple states. Revenue from transactions with national and regional chains is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

•Distributors revenue: Distributors revenues are derived from national and regional distributors across the U.S. that purchase the Company’s products for resale and distribution to other businesses such as restaurants, supermarkets, offices, and schools. Revenue from distributions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

•Online revenue: Online revenue is derived from the Company's online storefront on www.lollicupstore.com, and other e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and TikTok with customers largely consisting of small businesses such as small restaurants, coffee houses, bubble tea cafes, pizza parlors, and frozen yogurt shops. Revenue from online transactions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer. For online sales on third-party e-commerce platforms, the Company is the principal in the three-party arrangement and control of the products remains with the Company at all times until transferring to the end customer or upon return from the end customer. Online platform fees are recognized as selling expenses.

•Retail revenue: Retail revenue is derived primarily from regional and local restaurants, coffee houses, bubble tea cafes, pizza parlors, and frozen yogurt shops. Revenue from retail transactions is recognized at a point in time upon transfer of control of promised products to customers. Transfer of control typically occurs when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

For all of the Company's revenue streams, shipping terms generally indicate when the title and risk of loss have passed, which is generally when products are delivered to customers. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company's revenue and cost of goods sold were understated by approximately $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for products that had been shipped and recorded as revenue and costs of goods sold in 2023 and not delivered until 2024. In the prior periods, the Company had assessed the impact of the lag between shipping and delivery to the previously-issued quarterly and annual financial statements, and concluded that the impact on its overall financial statements, including net sales, cost of goods sold, accounts receivable, inventories and customer deposits was immaterial.

The Company’s contract liabilities consist primarily of rebates, sales incentives, consideration payable to customers for cooperative advertising, and customer deposits. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the rebates, sales incentives and cooperative advertising were not significant to the financial statements. Customer deposits are included in the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $739,000 and $990,000, respectively, related to customer deposits received as of the beginning of each respective period.

Out of Period Adjustment: As previously disclosed in the Company's 2023 Form 10-K, during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company also recorded certain misclassification adjustments for the full year 2023 amounts within the consolidated statement of income with no impact on net income. Those misclassification adjustments were: (1) adjusting online sales third-party platform fees from net sales to selling expenses, (ii) production expenses primarily related to machinery repair and maintenance from general and administrative expenses to cost of goods sold, and (iii) payroll and employee-related costs for the Company's sales team within operating expenses from general and administrative expenses to selling expenses. These misclassification adjustments in the quarter ended December 31, 2023 had no effect on totals for assets and liabilities, shareholders' equity, cash flows or net income for either the quarter ended December 31, 2023 or any of the previously reported quarters in 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the properly classified amounts related to the online sales platform fees, production expenses and payroll and employee-related costs for the sales team were $2.2 million, $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements: The Company has financial instruments classified within the fair value hierarchy, which consist of the following:

•At both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had money market accounts and certificates of deposit classified as Level 1 and Level 2, respectively, within the fair value hierarchy. The short-term investments comprise of certificates of deposits with an original maturity of longer than 90 days and are reported at their carrying value as current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The carrying value of these short-term investments approximates fair value as they were purchased near or on March 31, 2024.

The Company has not elected the fair value option as presented by ASC 825, Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, for the financial assets and liabilities that are not otherwise required to be carried at fair value. Under ASC 820, material financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, related-party payable, accrued expenses, other payables and borrowings under promissory notes and Line of Credit (as defined below), are reported at their carrying value.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, related-party payable, accrued expenses, and other payables at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximated fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Certain long-lived non-financial assets and liabilities may be required to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in certain circumstances, including when there is evidence of impairment. These non-financial assets and liabilities may include assets acquired in a business combination or long-lived assets that are determined to be impaired. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an impairment against its operating ROU assets of $1,993,000. See Note 11 — Leases for further information about this impairment charge. With the exception of the ROU impairment, the Company did not have any non-financial assets or liabilities that had been measured at fair value subsequent to initial recognition as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards: The Company is an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the "JOBS Act"), and as such, the Company has elected to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards, as a result, the Company will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates in which adoption of such standards is required for private companies.

In March 2023, the FASB issued updated ASU 2023-01 Lease (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements. The new guidance amends ASC 842 to require all lessees, including public business entities, to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over their useful life to the common control group. The Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2024, by prospectively amortizing all new leasehold improvements recognized on or after the adoption date. The adoption of this new standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The new guidance requires enhanced disclosure of significant expenses that are regularly reported to the chief operating decision maker and the nature of segment expense information used to manage operations. The new guidance is effective for all public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the new standard in annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2023 and is currently evaluating the impacts of the new guidance on its disclosure within the financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The new guidance requires disaggregated information about the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional information on taxes paid that meet a quantitative threshold. The new guidance is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and for non-public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, with early adoption permitted for both. The Company will adopt the new standard in annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2025, and is currently evaluating the impacts of the new guidance on its disclosures within the consolidated financial statements.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Sales Disaggregated by Customer Type

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, net sales disaggregated by customer type consist of the amounts shown below.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
National and regional chains	$	21,470	$	21,368
Distributors	52,827		54,647
Online	14,879		13,655
Retail	6,437		6,131
	$	95,613	$	95,801

Schedule of Fair Value Measurements by Level for the Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes the Company’s fair value measurements by level at March 31, 2024 for the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	5,841	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments	—		33,515		—
Fair value, March 31, 2024	$	5,841	$	33,515	$	—

The following table summarize the Company’s fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2023 for the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	5,956	$	10,000	$	—
Short-term investments	—		26,343		—
Fair value, December 31, 2023	$	5,956	$	36,343	$	—

Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt

The following is a summary of the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the $23,000,000 and $28,700,000 term loans that mature in September 2026 and July 2027, respectively (the "2026 Term Loan" and "2027 Term Loan," respectively):

	March 31, 2024
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
2026 Term Loan	$	21,339	$	19,771
2027 Term Loan	27,916		27,310
	$	49,255	$	47,081

	December 31, 2023
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
2026 Term Loan	$	21,490	$	19,999
2027 Term Loan	28,028		27,810
	$	49,518	$	47,809

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Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Raw materials	$	7,288	$	9,116
Semi-finished goods	1,596		1,343
Finished goods	70,778		61,419
Subtotal	79,662		71,878
Less: inventory reserve	(390)		(350)
Total inventories	$	79,272	$	71,528

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Property and Equipment (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Machinery and equipment	$	67,605	$	67,321
Leasehold improvements	19,085		19,085
Vehicles	7,199		7,038
Furniture and fixtures	1,015		1,015
Building	38,779		38,503
Land	11,907		11,907
Computer hardware and software	93		93
Construction in progress	505		—
	146,188		144,962
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(52,335)		(49,736)
Total property and equipment, net	$	93,853	$	95,226

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Goodwill (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's goodwill from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024:

	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2023	$	3,510
Goodwill acquired	—
Balance at March 31, 2024	$	3,510

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Accrued Expenses (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Expense Liabilities

The following table summarizes information related to accrued expense liabilities:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Accrued miscellaneous expenses	$	2,328	$	1,271
Accrued payroll	964		1,685
Accrued ocean freight and other import costs	3,730		3,513
Accrued sale and use taxes	1,006		1,006
Accrued professional services fees	944		845
Accrued vacation and sick pay	984		619
Accrued property tax	314		552
Accrued shipping expenses	603		525
Accrued sales discount expense	372		487
Accrued interest expense	73		73
Total accrued expenses	$	11,318	$	10,576

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Long-Term Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
The 2026 Term Loan, with an initial balance of $16,115,000 and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $6,885,000 through September 2022, which the Company exercised in February 2022. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum. Principal and interest payments of $116,000 are due monthly throughout the term of the loan, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by Global Wells and one of the Company’s stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio.	$	21,398	$	21,555
The 2027 Term Loan, with an initial balance of $20,700,000 and an option to request for additional advances up to a maximum of $8,000,000 through June 30, 2023, which the Company exercised in March 2023. Interest accrues at a fixed rate of 4.375% per annum. Prior to August 1, 2023, principal and interest payments of $104,000 are due monthly. Beginning August 1, 2023, monthly principal and interest payments increased to $144,000 for the remainder of the loan term, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity. The loan is collateralized by substantially all of Global Wells’ assets and is guaranteed by one of the Company’s stockholders. In accordance with the loan agreement, Global Wells is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum debt coverage ratio.	$	28,044	$	28,166
Long-term debt	49,442		49,721
Less: unamortized loan fees	(187)		(203)
Less: current portion	(1,139)		(1,122)
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	48,116	$	48,396

Schedule of Future Maturities

At March 31, 2024, future maturities are:

	(in thousands)
2024 (remainder)	$	843
2025	1,179
2026	20,798
2027	26,622
	$	49,442

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Schedule of Stock Option Activity

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity under the Plan for the period ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

	Number of Options	Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contract Life (In Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2023	386,473	$	18.58	7.8	$	2,424
Exercised	(2,800)	$	18.86
Forfeited	(33,333)	$	18.86
Outstanding at March 31, 2024	350,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	3,525
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2024	350,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	3,525
Exercisable at March 31, 2024	230,340	$	18.55	7.6	$	2,316

Schedule of Unvested Restricted Stock Unit Activity

A summary of the Company’s unvested restricted stock units activity under the Plan for the period ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

	Number of Shares Outstanding	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2023	5,346	16.71
Granted	91,004	29.38
Vested	(3,750)	16.53
Unvested at March 31, 2024	92,600	29.17

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net income attributable to equity holders of the Company for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$	6,166	$	9,005
Weighted average shares	19,970		19,887
Basic earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45

The following table summarizes the calculation of diluted earnings per share:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$	6,166	$	9,005
Weighted average shares	19,970		19,887
Dilutive shares
Stock options and restricted stock units	105		53
Total dilutive shares	20,075		19,940
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Lease Cost

The Company recognized the following lease costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Operating lease expense	$	1,820	$	1,333
Short-term lease expense	9		13
Variable lease expense	373		247
Total lease expense	$	2,202	$	1,593

Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Operating Leases

The following table presents supplemental information related to operating leases:

	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Weighted average remaining lease term	4.49 years		4.51 years
Weighted average discount rate	6.5	%	6.2	%

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease obligations:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	1,829	$	1,363

Schedule of Future Lease Payments Under Operating Leases

As of March 31, 2024, future lease payments under operating leases were as follows:

	(in thousands)
2024 (remainder)	$	4,319
2025	5,621
2026	5,802
2027	4,537
2028	3,139
Thereafter	2,372
Total future lease payments	25,790
Less: imputed interest	(3,597)
Total lease liability balance	$	22,193

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Nature of Operations (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 distribution_center
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Distribution centers operated by entity	7

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2024 USD ($)	Feb. 16, 2024 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reportable segment | segment			1
Revenue reclassifications, increase (decrease)			$ 95,613,000	$ 95,801,000
Cost of goods sold reclassifications, increase (decrease)			58,011,000	57,657,000
Revenue recognized			739,000	990,000
Reclassification to selling expenses			10,763,000	8,701,000
Reclassification out of general and administrative expense			(16,769,000)	(16,629,000)
Impairment of operating right-of-use asset			1,993,000	$ 0
Revision of Prior Period, Change in Accounting Principle, Adjustment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revenue reclassifications, increase (decrease)			700,000
Cost of goods sold reclassifications, increase (decrease)			400,000
Revision of Prior Period, Error Correction, Adjustment | Reclassification Of Platform Fees
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revenue reclassifications, increase (decrease)			(2,200,000)
Reclassification to selling expenses			2,200,000
Revision of Prior Period, Error Correction, Adjustment | Reclassification Of Production Expenses
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold reclassifications, increase (decrease)			600,000
Reclassification out of general and administrative expense			600,000
Revision of Prior Period, Error Correction, Adjustment | Reclassification Of Employee-Related Costs
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reclassification to selling expenses			800,000
Reclassification out of general and administrative expense			800,000
Global Wells
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)	15.10%
Voting interest (as a percent)	33.30%
Cash consideration	$ 3,208,000	$ 2,325,000
Global Wells | Selling Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)	10.80%
2026 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of loan			23,000,000
2027 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of loan			$ 28,700,000
Global Wells
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)					13.50%
Voting interest (as a percent)					25.00%
Minimum bank account to make additional contributions from members					$ 50,000
Contributions to offset the amount that member cannot contribute (up to)					$ 25,000

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 95,613	$ 95,801
National and regional chains
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	21,470	21,368
Distributors
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	52,827	54,647
Online
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	14,879	13,655
Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 6,437	$ 6,131

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	$ 33,515	$ 26,343
Recurring basis | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	5,841	5,956
Short-term investments	0	0
Fair value	5,841	5,956
Recurring basis | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	10,000
Short-term investments	33,515	26,343
Fair value	33,515	36,343
Recurring basis | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Fair value	$ 0	$ 0

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$ 49,442	$ 49,721
Carrying Amount
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	49,255	49,518
Estimated Fair Value
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	47,081	47,809
2026 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	21,398	21,555
2026 Term Loan | Carrying Amount
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	21,339	21,490
2026 Term Loan | Estimated Fair Value
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	19,771	19,999
2027 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	28,044	28,166
2027 Term Loan | Carrying Amount
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	27,916	28,028
2027 Term Loan | Estimated Fair Value
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 27,310	$ 27,810

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Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 7,288	$ 9,116
Semi-finished goods	1,596	1,343
Finished goods	70,778	61,419
Subtotal	79,662	71,878
Less: inventory reserve	(390)	(350)
Total inventories	$ 79,272	$ 71,528

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Inventories - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Write-off of inventory	$ 293	$ 216

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Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 146,188	$ 144,962
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(52,335)	(49,736)
Total property and equipment, net	93,853	95,226
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	67,605	67,321
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	19,085	19,085
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	7,199	7,038
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	1,015	1,015
Building
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	38,779	38,503
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	11,907	11,907
Computer hardware and software
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	93	93
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 505	$ 0

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Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
General and Administrative Expense
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 1,013	$ 1,120
Cost of Sales
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 1,609	$ 1,506

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Goodwill - Schedule of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 3,510
Goodwill acquired	0
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 3,510

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Line of Credit (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 14, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Jun. 20, 2023	Jun. 19, 2023	Feb. 23, 2018
SOFR
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.50%
Floor interest rate	1.00%
Line of credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 36,187,000				$ 40,000,000
Floor rate (as a percent)	3.25%
Long-term line of credit, noncurrent		0	$ 0
Line of credit | Prime Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.25%
Standby letter of credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 5,000,000	$ 2,000,000
Long-term line of credit, noncurrent		$ 3,813,000	$ 3,766,000

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Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued miscellaneous expenses	$ 2,328	$ 1,271
Accrued payroll	964	1,685
Accrued ocean freight and other import costs	3,730	3,513
Accrued sale and use taxes	1,006	1,006
Accrued professional services fees	944	845
Accrued vacation and sick pay	984	619
Accrued property tax	314	552
Accrued shipping expenses	603	525
Accrued sales discount expense	372	487
Accrued interest expense	73	73
Total accrued expenses	$ 11,318	$ 10,576

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Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	7 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Jul. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount		$ 49,442		$ 49,721
Less: unamortized loan fees		(187)		(203)
Less: current portion		(1,139)		(1,122)
Long-term debt, net of current portion		48,116		48,396
2026 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount		21,398		21,555
Amount converted to term loan		16,115
Term loan, accordion feature		$ 6,885
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)		3.50%
Monthly principal and interest payments		$ 116
2027 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Amount		28,044		$ 28,166
Amount converted to term loan		20,700
Term loan, accordion feature		$ 8,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)		4.375%
Monthly principal and interest payments	$ 144		$ 104

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Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Future Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Future maturities:
2024	$ 843
2025	1,179
2026	20,798
2027	26,622
Long-term debt	$ 49,442	$ 49,721

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Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 12, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Jan. 31, 2019
Stock-based Compensation
Shares reserved for issuance (in shares)		1,293,017		2,000,000
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 375	$ 277
Remaining stock-based compensation expense for unvested stock options		123
Remaining stock-based compensation expense for unvested restricted stock units		$ 2,375
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Stock-based Compensation
Cost not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years)		1 year 3 months 18 days
Granted (in shares)	91,000	91,004
Grant date fair value	$ 2,674
Stock Options
Stock-based Compensation
Cost not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years)		7 months 6 days
Maximum
Stock-based Compensation
Award term (in years)		10 years
Maximum | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting period (in years)		3 years
Maximum | Stock Options
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting period (in years)		3 years
Minimum | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting period (in years)		2 years
Minimum | Stock Options
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting period (in years)		2 years
Incentive Stock Optionee, Stock Ownership Greater than Ten Percent of Voting Power
Stock-based Compensation
Minimum exercise price to fair market value of common stock at the date of grant (as a percent)		110.00%
Incentive Stock Optionee, Stock Ownership Greater than Ten Percent of Voting Power | Maximum
Stock-based Compensation
Award term (in years)		5 years

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Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock Options Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Number of Options
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	386,473
Exercised (in shares)	(2,800)
Forfeited (in shares)	(33,333)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	350,340	386,473
Number of options, vested and expected to vest (in shares)	350,340
Number of options, exercisable (in shares)	230,340
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 18.58
Exercised (in dollars per share)	18.86
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	18.86
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	18.55	$ 18.58
Weighted average exercise price, vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share)	18.55
Weighted average exercise price, exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 18.55
Stock Option Activity, Additional Disclosures
Weighted average remaining contract life, options outstanding	7 years 7 months 6 days	7 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average remaining contract life, vested and expected to vest	7 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average remaining contract life, exercisable	7 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate intrinsic value, options outstanding	$ 3,525	$ 2,424
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested and expected to vest	3,525
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable	$ 2,316

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Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Unvested Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - $ / shares		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 12, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024
Number of Shares Outstanding
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)		5,346
Granted (in shares)	91,000	91,004
Vested (in shares)		(3,750)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)		92,600
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)		$ 16.71
Granted (in dollars per share)		29.38
Vested (in dollars per share)		16.53
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)		$ 29.17

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Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$ 6,166	$ 9,005
Weighted average shares (in shares)	19,969,606	19,886,585
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.45
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$ 6,166	$ 9,005
Weighted average shares (in shares)	19,969,606	19,886,585
Dilutive shares
Stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	105,000	53,000
Adjusted weighted average number of common shares (in shares)	20,075,485	19,939,923
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.45
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation (in shares)	19,000	434,000

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Leases - Schedule of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease expense	$ 1,820	$ 1,333
Short-term lease expense	9	13
Variable lease expense	373	247
Total lease expense	$ 2,202	$ 1,593

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Leases - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Impairment of operating right-of-use asset	$ 1,993	$ 0
Expected rental income, remainder of the year	554
Expected rental income in 2025	616
Global Wells | Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Monthly lease payment	62
Global Wells | Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Monthly lease payment	65
Operating Expense
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease expense	1,931	1,365
Cost of Sales
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease expense	$ 271	$ 228

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Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	4 years 5 months 26 days		4 years 6 months 3 days
Weighted average discount rate	6.50%		6.20%
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease obligations:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 1,829	$ 1,363

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Leases - Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2024 (remainder)	$ 4,319
2025	5,621
2026	5,802
2027	4,537
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four	3,139
Thereafter	2,372
Total future lease payments	25,790
Less: imputed interest	(3,597)
Total lease liability balance	$ 22,193

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Related Party Transactions (Details)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 convertible_note	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	May 08, 2023 USD ($)	Apr. 06, 2022 USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Deposits paid for joint venture investment	$ 0	$ 2,900,000
Deposits refunded from joint venture investment	$ 0	950,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | shares	19,972,032				19,965,482
Number of exercised convertible notes | convertible_note			2
Bio Earth Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Deposits paid for joint venture investment		2,900,000		$ 5,876,000
Deposits refunded from joint venture investment		900,000		$ 1,876,000
Bio Earth Technology | Lollicup Franchising, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by parent								49.00%
Bio Earth Technology | Lollicup Franchising, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Committed capital to joint venture								$ 6,500,000
Keary Global
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest in joint ventures						$ 6,100,000	$ 6,100,000
Noncontrolling interest in joint ventures, gross							$ 6,000,000
Keary Global | Bio Earth Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by parent							5.00%
Keary Global | Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | shares	250,004
Keary Global and Keary International
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchases from related party	$ 12,693,000	$ 11,407,000
Keary Global and Keary International | Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable	$ 5,300,000				$ 5,306,000

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Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for income taxes	$ 1,975,000	$ 2,818,000
Effective tax rate	23.40%	23.50%
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	$ 0
Uncertain tax positions	$ 0		$ 0

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss contingency	$ 2,823	$ 2,738
Accrued interest	$ 85

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Subsequent Events (Details)	May 07, 2024 $ / shares
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Ordinary share per dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35