Freshpet grows 15.5% in Q2, prepares leadership transition

US manufacturer Freshpet increased net sales by 15.5% to $305.6 million (€265 m) in the second quarter of 2026 and raised its full-year outlook. At the same time, the company is preparing a change at the top of its operating business: co-founder Scott Morris is to move to an advisory role in October.

Growth in the quarter ended 30 June came almost entirely from volume, which rose 15.7%, while price and mix reduced sales by 0.2%. Gross margin improved to 42.1% from 40.9%, which the company attributed to lower input costs and better utilisation of its plants, partly offset by quality costs associated with starting up new production lines. Adjusted EBITDA reached $52.2 m (€45 m), against $44.4 m (€38 m) a year earlier.

For the first six months, net sales rose 14.3% to $603.2 m (€522 m). Reported net income of $68.0 m (€59 m), up from $3.7 m (€3 m), is not comparable: it includes a one-off…