Lifeway Foods Opposes Nomination of Board Candidates by Dissidents
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 02 2025
0mins
Should l Buy LWAY?
Lifeway Foods issued a statement in response to Edward Smolyansky's intent to nominate George Sent, Managing Director of Cascadia Capital, and the Dissident for election to the Company's Board of Directors, which read, in part, "The track record of the Dissident Nominees demonstrates they are unfit to serve on the Company's Board of Directors and lead the Company and pose a clear risk to shareholder value. The Dissident Nominees have disqualifying issues raising ethical concerns.Ed Smolyansky: Terminated for cause as Lifeway's COO in 2022; Intoxicated on multiple occasions during the performance of his duties while an employee and director of Lifeway; Subject to an emergency protection order prohibiting him from communicating with or going near Lifeway's CEO, Julie Smolyansky; Founded a direct competitor of Lifeway; Defaulted on a $10.4M mortgage; Created multiple false social media accounts to post negative false statements about Lifeway, including while he was serving as a Director of Lifeway. Ludmila Smolyansky, the Dissident's mother, with whom the Dissident files Schedule 13Ds and votes: Facing over $2.3M in federal and state tax liens. George Sent, Managing director of Cascadia Capital: As Lifeway's former Lead Independent Director and Chair of the special committee that investigated the Dissident's misconduct and recommended removing several of his titles and responsibilities, Mr. Sent's sudden willingness to align himself with the Dissident is a disturbing reversal of principle that underscores questionable judgement and deeply concerning ethics. The Dissident's personal financial distress and that of Ludmila Smolyansky, his mother, and the limited amount of shares they can sell in the aggregate each calendar year seem to be fueling their demands for a sale of the Company at any price and could cause the Dissident Nominees to vote in ways that help the Dissident and his mother personally but are not in the best interests of other shareholders...Under the current Board as adjusted in 2026, Lifeway is well positioned for continued success, whether as an independent company or in a transaction that achieves a compelling value for Lifeway shareholders. Replacing any of the Company's current directors with the dissident candidates is not in the best interests of Lifeway or its shareholders. We urge you to reject the Dissidents' solicitation on behalf of the Dissident Nominees and the Dissident's proposal and protect the value of your investment."
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Analyst Views on LWAY
Wall Street analysts forecast LWAY stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LWAY is 35.00 USD with a low forecast of 35.00 USD and a high forecast of 35.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
1 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 21.510
Low
35.00
Averages
35.00
High
35.00
Current: 21.510
Low
35.00
Averages
35.00
High
35.00
About LWAY
Lifeway Foods, Inc. is a supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the Company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Its primary product is drinkable kefir, a cultured dairy product. Lifeway kefir is tart and tangy, high in protein, calcium and vitamin D. It manufactures products under the Lifeway, Fresh Made and GlenOaks Farms brand names, as well as under private labels on behalf of certain customers. Its product categories are Drinkable kefir; European-style soft cheeses, including farmer cheese, white cheese, and Sweet Kiss; Cream and others, which consist primarily of cream, a byproduct of making its kefir; Drinkable yogurt, sold in a variety of sizes and flavors; ProBugs, a line of kefir products designed for children; and Other dairy, which consists primarily of Fresh Made butter and sour cream. The Company’s dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, and other countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Lifeway Foods Supports Student Nutrition Initiatives During Big Game Weekend
- Brand Promotion: Lifeway Foods plans to premiere a new video featuring Chicago stars Colston Loveland and D'Andre Swift on social media, aiming to attract consumer attention by showcasing its market-leading, protein-rich drinkable kefir.
- Community Engagement: The company will participate in the Taste of the NFL event on February 7, supporting GENYOUth's End Student Hunger initiative, which aims to raise awareness about student nutrition by bringing together top chefs and sports stars.
- Innovative Recipe Launch: Lifeway will serve a unique Whipped Kefir and Farmer Cheese Smoked Fish Dip with Honey Butter Grilled Sourdough Squares at the event, emphasizing the company's commitment to flavor and nutrition while honoring the host city and participating teams.
- Culturally Relevant Investment: Lifeway's social media campaign and support for student nutrition reflect its ongoing investment in culturally relevant storytelling and community-focused experiences, aiming to connect more closely with health-conscious consumers.
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Lifeway Foods Supports Student Nutrition Initiatives During Big Game Weekend
- Brand Promotion: Lifeway Foods plans to launch a new video featuring Chicago stars Colston Loveland and D'Andre Swift on social media, aiming to enhance brand visibility and attract health-conscious consumers by showcasing its market-leading, protein-rich probiotic drink.
- Community Engagement: The company will participate in the Taste of the NFL event on February 7, supporting GENYOUth's End Student Hunger initiative, which aims to raise funds to combat student hunger by bringing together top chefs and football stars, highlighting its commitment to community impact.
- Innovative Recipe: Lifeway will serve a unique Whipped Kefir and Farmer Cheese Smoked Fish Dip with Honey Butter Grilled Sourdough Squares at the event, reflecting the brand's focus on flavor and nutrition while paying tribute to the host city, thereby strengthening emotional connections with consumers.
- Industry Recognition: Lifeway Foods has been recognized as one of America's Growth Leaders by TIME and awarded Dairy Foods' Processor of the Year 2025, among other accolades, demonstrating its leadership position and growth potential in the probiotic beverage market.
See More
Lifeway Partners with Barry's for New Power Play Shake
- New Product Launch: Lifeway Foods introduces the Power Play shake, which combines organic whole milk kefir and blue spirulina to support nutrition for Barry's Find Your Strength challenge, aimed at enhancing participants' workout performance and recovery.
- Challenge Duration: The Find Your Strength challenge runs from January 26 to February 25, 2026, allowing participants to choose between completing 12 or 20 classes in 30 days, thereby increasing the brand's global reach across Barry's Red Rooms.
- Marketing Strategy: Lifeway will offer the Power Play shake at Barry's Fuel Bar locations nationwide, providing participants with convenient post-workout nutrition, and plans to set up a kefir smoothie bowl bar at Barry's Hamptons studios to further enhance brand visibility.
- Industry Recognition: Lifeway Foods has been recognized as one of America's Growth Leaders by TIME and awarded Dairy Foods' Processor of the Year 2025, highlighting its leadership in the fermented beverage market and likely attracting more consumer interest in its health-focused products.
See More
Lifeway Partners with Barry's for New Power Play Shake
- New Product Launch: Lifeway Foods partners with global fitness leader Barry's to introduce the Power Play Shake, which combines organic whole milk kefir and blue spirulina, providing participants with a protein and probiotic boost aimed at enhancing workout performance and recovery.
- Challenge Event: The Find Your Strength challenge runs from January 26 to February 25, 2026, allowing participants to choose between completing 12 or 20 classes in 30 days, encouraging fitness enthusiasts to engage actively and earn rewards, thereby increasing brand visibility.
- Market Expansion: The Power Play Shake will be available at Barry's Fuel Bars nationwide, providing participants with a convenient way to replenish nutrients post-workout, further solidifying Lifeway's position in the health beverage market and attracting more fitness consumers.
- Brand Recognition: Lifeway has been recognized by TIME as one of America's Growth Leaders and has received multiple industry awards, highlighting its leadership in the probiotic beverage sector and enhancing the strategic significance of its partnership with Barry's.
See More
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Report Overview: Recent reports from investment and research firms provide insights into analysts' perspectives on various companies.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in these reports do not reflect the opinions or recommendations of Barron’s.
Investment Services: Some report issuers may have existing or potential investment-banking relationships with the companies analyzed.
Purpose of Reports: The reports serve as a sampling of market analysis rather than definitive investment advice.
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Lifeway Foods Launches Probiotic Kefir Butter, Tapping into $6 Billion Market
- Product Innovation: Lifeway Foods is set to launch Probiotic Kefir Butter™, a hand-churned cultured butter packaged in an 8oz tub, aimed at meeting the growing consumer demand for premium butter.
- Market Opportunity: With a rising preference for full-fat dairy, the fermented butter market is experiencing a revival, and Lifeway plans to leverage its expertise in cultured dairy to capture growth in this $6 billion market.
- Diverse Product Line: The new product will debut in three varieties—Unsalted, Sea Salt, and Honey Butter—suitable for spreading, baking, and finishing, designed to meet consumer needs for convenience and versatility, thereby enhancing market competitiveness.
- Cultural Trends: As butter gains prominence in home and foodservice culture, Lifeway's new product not only caters to consumer desires for high-quality dairy but also provides retailers with opportunities for differentiation within the refrigerated dairy case.
See More
Lifeway Foods Supports Student Nutrition Initiatives During Big Game Weekend
- Brand Promotion: Lifeway Foods plans to premiere a new video featuring Chicago stars Colston Loveland and D'Andre Swift on social media, aiming to attract consumer attention by showcasing its market-leading, protein-rich drinkable kefir.
- Community Engagement: The company will participate in the Taste of the NFL event on February 7, supporting GENYOUth's End Student Hunger initiative, which aims to raise awareness about student nutrition by bringing together top chefs and sports stars.
- Innovative Recipe Launch: Lifeway will serve a unique Whipped Kefir and Farmer Cheese Smoked Fish Dip with Honey Butter Grilled Sourdough Squares at the event, emphasizing the company's commitment to flavor and nutrition while honoring the host city and participating teams.
- Culturally Relevant Investment: Lifeway's social media campaign and support for student nutrition reflect its ongoing investment in culturally relevant storytelling and community-focused experiences, aiming to connect more closely with health-conscious consumers.
See More
Lifeway Foods Supports Student Nutrition Initiatives During Big Game Weekend
- Brand Promotion: Lifeway Foods plans to launch a new video featuring Chicago stars Colston Loveland and D'Andre Swift on social media, aiming to enhance brand visibility and attract health-conscious consumers by showcasing its market-leading, protein-rich probiotic drink.
- Community Engagement: The company will participate in the Taste of the NFL event on February 7, supporting GENYOUth's End Student Hunger initiative, which aims to raise funds to combat student hunger by bringing together top chefs and football stars, highlighting its commitment to community impact.
- Innovative Recipe: Lifeway will serve a unique Whipped Kefir and Farmer Cheese Smoked Fish Dip with Honey Butter Grilled Sourdough Squares at the event, reflecting the brand's focus on flavor and nutrition while paying tribute to the host city, thereby strengthening emotional connections with consumers.
- Industry Recognition: Lifeway Foods has been recognized as one of America's Growth Leaders by TIME and awarded Dairy Foods' Processor of the Year 2025, among other accolades, demonstrating its leadership position and growth potential in the probiotic beverage market.
See More
Lifeway Partners with Barry's for New Power Play Shake
- New Product Launch: Lifeway Foods introduces the Power Play shake, which combines organic whole milk kefir and blue spirulina to support nutrition for Barry's Find Your Strength challenge, aimed at enhancing participants' workout performance and recovery.
- Challenge Duration: The Find Your Strength challenge runs from January 26 to February 25, 2026, allowing participants to choose between completing 12 or 20 classes in 30 days, thereby increasing the brand's global reach across Barry's Red Rooms.
- Marketing Strategy: Lifeway will offer the Power Play shake at Barry's Fuel Bar locations nationwide, providing participants with convenient post-workout nutrition, and plans to set up a kefir smoothie bowl bar at Barry's Hamptons studios to further enhance brand visibility.
- Industry Recognition: Lifeway Foods has been recognized as one of America's Growth Leaders by TIME and awarded Dairy Foods' Processor of the Year 2025, highlighting its leadership in the fermented beverage market and likely attracting more consumer interest in its health-focused products.
See More
Lifeway Partners with Barry's for New Power Play Shake
- New Product Launch: Lifeway Foods partners with global fitness leader Barry's to introduce the Power Play Shake, which combines organic whole milk kefir and blue spirulina, providing participants with a protein and probiotic boost aimed at enhancing workout performance and recovery.
- Challenge Event: The Find Your Strength challenge runs from January 26 to February 25, 2026, allowing participants to choose between completing 12 or 20 classes in 30 days, encouraging fitness enthusiasts to engage actively and earn rewards, thereby increasing brand visibility.
- Market Expansion: The Power Play Shake will be available at Barry's Fuel Bars nationwide, providing participants with a convenient way to replenish nutrients post-workout, further solidifying Lifeway's position in the health beverage market and attracting more fitness consumers.
- Brand Recognition: Lifeway has been recognized by TIME as one of America's Growth Leaders and has received multiple industry awards, highlighting its leadership in the probiotic beverage sector and enhancing the strategic significance of its partnership with Barry's.
See More
Analyst Predicts Affirm Will Capture Market Share from Revolving Credit; Also Featuring Palo Alto, SharkNinja, and Other Stocks.
Report Overview: Recent reports from investment and research firms provide insights into analysts' perspectives on various companies.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in these reports do not reflect the opinions or recommendations of Barron’s.
Investment Services: Some report issuers may have existing or potential investment-banking relationships with the companies analyzed.
Purpose of Reports: The reports serve as a sampling of market analysis rather than definitive investment advice.
See More
Lifeway Foods Launches Probiotic Kefir Butter, Tapping into $6 Billion Market
- Product Innovation: Lifeway Foods is set to launch Probiotic Kefir Butter™, a hand-churned cultured butter packaged in an 8oz tub, aimed at meeting the growing consumer demand for premium butter.
- Market Opportunity: With a rising preference for full-fat dairy, the fermented butter market is experiencing a revival, and Lifeway plans to leverage its expertise in cultured dairy to capture growth in this $6 billion market.
- Diverse Product Line: The new product will debut in three varieties—Unsalted, Sea Salt, and Honey Butter—suitable for spreading, baking, and finishing, designed to meet consumer needs for convenience and versatility, thereby enhancing market competitiveness.
- Cultural Trends: As butter gains prominence in home and foodservice culture, Lifeway's new product not only caters to consumer desires for high-quality dairy but also provides retailers with opportunities for differentiation within the refrigerated dairy case.
See More
