Discontinued Operations

The Company presents discontinued operations when there is a disposal of a component or a group of components that represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on operations and financial results. The results of discontinued operations are reported in net income (loss) from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented, commencing in the period in which the business is either disposed of or is classified as held for sale, including any gain or loss recognized on closing or adjustment of the carrying amount to fair value less costs to sell. Assets and liabilities related to a business classified as held for sale or meets the criteria for discontinued operations are segregated in the consolidated balance sheets for the current and prior periods presented. Cash flows for continuing and discontinued operations are segregated in Note 2—Discontinued Operations, Divestitures and Deconsolidation of European Joint Venture for the prior periods. When proceeds are not utilized to paydown long-term debt, the assets and liabilities associated with discontinued operations in the current period balance sheet are classified as current. No components met the criteria for classification as discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2025.

The notes to the consolidated financial statements are presented on a continuing operations basis unless otherwise noted. Refer to Note 17—Operating Segments and Geographic Information for additional information on the Company’s reportable segments. Refer to Note 2—Discontinued Operations, Divestitures and Deconsolidation of European Joint Venture for additional information on the Company’s discontinued operations.

Discontinued Operations

The Company classifies a business that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale as a discontinued operation when the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are presented separately in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and results of discontinued operations are reported as a separate component of net loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Deconsolidation of European Joint Venture

On November 30, 2023 the Company reduced its equity interest in Advantage Smollan Limited (“ASL”), its European joint venture, from a majority interest to a minority interest of 49.6%. The Company also removed certain participating rights with ASL related to capital allocation and certain of the Company’s decision making rights, resulting in a loss of control. Therefore, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 810 (“ASC 810”), Consolidation, ASL was deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements resulting in the recognition of a $58.9 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2023. Effective December 1, 2023, the Company’s investment in ASL is accounted for under the equity method of accounting, with the investment reported in “Investments in unconsolidated affiliates” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and equity income reported in “Income from equity method investments” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Foreign Currency

Accounts Receivable and Expected Credit Losses

Accounts receivable consist of amounts due from clients for services provided in normal business activities and are recorded at invoiced amounts. The Company measures expected credit losses against certain billed receivables based upon the latest information regarding whether invoices are ultimately collectible. Assessing the collectability of client receivables requires management judgment. The Company determines its expected credit losses by specifically analyzing individual accounts receivable, historical bad debts, client creditworthiness, current economic conditions, and accounts receivable aging trends. Valuation reserves are periodically re-evaluated and adjusted as more information about the ultimate collectability of accounts receivable becomes available. Upon determination that a receivable is uncollectible, the receivable balance and any associated reserve is written off.

Derivatives

The Company uses financial instruments to hedge interest rate and foreign exchange risk. Derivative instruments, used to hedge interest rates, consist of interest rate swaps and interest rate collars and caps. Interest rate swap contracts involve the exchange of floating rate interest payment obligations for fixed interest rate payments without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts. Interest rate collar and cap contracts limit the floating interest rate exposure to the indicative rate in the agreement. Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date a contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at fair value. The fair values of derivatives are measured using observable market prices or, where market prices are not available, by using discounted expected future cash flows at prevailing interest and exchange rates. The Company does not designate these derivatives as hedges for accounting purposes, and as a result, all changes in the fair value of derivatives used to hedge interest rates and foreign exchange risk are recorded in “Interest expense, net” and in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, respectively. Cash flows associated with such derivatives are reported in cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. These arrangements contain an element of risk in that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of such arrangements. In the event the counterparties are unable to fulfill their related obligations, the Company could potentially incur significant additional costs by replacing the positions at then current market rates. The Company manages its risk of exposure by limiting counterparties to those banks and institutions deemed appropriate by management.

Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software

Property and equipment are stated at cost, and the balances are presented net of accumulated depreciation. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their respective lease terms or their respective estimated useful lives. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the “Cost of revenues” and “Selling, general, administrative expenses” within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, depending on the nature of the assets. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, whereas expenditures for improvements and replacements are capitalized. Depreciation expense is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The following table provides the range of estimated useful lives used for each asset type:

The Company capitalizes certain direct costs associated with the development and purchase of internal-use software within property and equipment. Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct and incremental, are capitalized until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Capitalization ceases upon completion of all substantial testing. The Company also capitalizes costs related to specific upgrades and enhancements when it is probable the expenditures will result in additional functionality. Capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, generally not exceeding seven years. Maintenance and training costs are charged to expense as incurred and included in operating expenses. The Company evaluates the useful lives of these assets on an annual basis and tests for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. There were no impairments to capitalized internal-use software for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.

Divestitures

The Company nets the proceeds from the divestitures of businesses with the carrying amount of the related net assets and liabilities and records a gain or loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Any contingent payments that are potentially due to the Company as a result of these divestitures are realized or realizable. For divestitures of businesses, the Company includes the relative fair value of goodwill associated with the businesses in the determination of the gain or loss on sale.

Indefinite Lived Intangible Asset

The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible asset is the Advantage Trade Name. Prior to the segment change, the Company went to market with the Advantage Trade Name being specifically used and assessed for impairment in the Sales and Marketing businesses. As a result of the change in the Company's reportable segments effective as of January 1, 2024, the Company determined, based on the change in the planned use of the Advantage Trade Name intangible asset, that the Advantage Trade Name should be considered an entity-wide asset for reporting and impairment testing purposes. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but tested annually, at the beginning of the fourth quarter, for impairment or more often if events occur or circumstances change that would create a triggering event. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value is less than its carrying value before performing a quantitative impairment test. The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment using a relief from royalty method by comparing the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with the carrying value. The estimates used in the determination of fair value are subjective in nature and involve the use of significant assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates, terminal growth rate, discount rate and royalty rate, all of which require significant management judgment. The assumptions are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy. The Company based its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable, but which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from the estimates.

In connection with the Company’s annual quantitative impairment test as of October 1, 2025, the Company recognized an intangible asset impairment charge of $167.1 million related to the Advantage Trade Name, which has been reflected in “Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived asset” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The impairment resulted from updated prospective financial information reflecting current expectations for revenue growth.

As of January 1, 2024, the Company concluded there was a triggering event for an interim impairment assessment due to the change in unit of account of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. Based on the interim impairment assessment, the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value by approximately 6%, thus no impairment was recorded.

In connection with the Company’s annual quantitative impairment test as of October 1, 2024, the Company concluded that the indefinite-lived intangible asset was not impaired.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, the Company recognized an intangible asset impairment charge of $42.0 million as a result of the triggering event for the Branded Services reporting unit.

In connection with the Company’s annual quantitative impairment test as of October 1, 2023, the Company concluded that the indefinite-lived intangible asset was not impaired.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company determined a triggering event occurred and an impairment assessment was warranted due to the deconsolidation of the Company’s European joint venture and the planned divestitures of a collection of foodservice businesses, which was determined to be held for sale. As a result, the Company recognized an intangible asset impairment charge of $43.5 million related to the Advantage Trade Name during the year ended December 31, 2023, which has been reflected in “Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived asset” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Contingent Consideration

Certain of the Company’s acquisitions include contingent consideration arrangements, which are generally based on the achievement of future financial performance. If it is determined the contingent consideration arrangements are not compensatory, the fair values of these contingent consideration arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquisitions or divestitures on their respective transaction dates. For each transaction, the Company estimates the fair value of contingent consideration payments as part of the initial purchase price and records the estimated fair value of contingent consideration related to proceeds from divestitures as an asset in “Other assets” or related to purchases of businesses as a liability in “Other accrued expenses” or “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company reviews and assesses the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could differ materially from these initial estimates. Adjustments to the estimated fair value related to changes in all other unobservable inputs are reported in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Self-Insurance Liability

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when control of promised goods or services are transferred to the client in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for such goods or services. Substantially all of the Company’s contracts with clients involve the transfer of a service to the client, which represents a performance obligation that is satisfied over time because the client simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services provided. In most cases, the contracts consist of a performance obligation that is comprised of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer (i.e., distinct days of service). For these contracts, the Company allocates the ratable portion of the consideration based on the services provided in each period of service to such period.

Revenues related to the Branded Services segment are primarily recognized in the form of commissions, fee-for-service and cost-plus fees for providing headquarter relationship management, execution of merchandising strategies and omni-commerce marketing services. Revenues within the Branded Services segment are further disaggregated between brokerage services, branded merchandising services, omni-commerce marketing services, and revenues related to the Company's European joint venture (prior to the deconsolidation during fiscal year 2023). Brokerage services revenues are primarily outsourced sales and services for branded CPG manufacturers at retailer headquarters, in-store and online. Branded merchandising services relate to merchandising in-store and online for branded CPG manufacturers. Omni-commerce marketing services primarily relate to digital and field marketing services.

Experiential Services segment revenues are primarily recognized in the form of fee-for-service and cost-plus fees for providing in-store, digital sampling and demonstrations, where the Company manages highly customized, large-scale sampling programs for leading brands and retailers.

Retailer Services segment revenues are primarily recognized in the form of commissions, fee-for-service and cost-plus fees for providing consulting services related to private brand development, the execution of merchandising strategies and marketing strategies within retailer locations, including retail media networks and analyzing shopper behavior. Revenues within the Retailer Services segment are further disaggregated between advisory services, retailer merchandising services and agency services to retailers. Advisory services primarily consist of consulting services related to private brand development. Retailer merchandising services primarily relate to the execution of merchandising strategies. Agency services primarily consist of providing marketing strategies within retail locations.

The Company is party to certain client contracts that include variable consideration, whereby the ultimate consideration is contingent on future events such as the client’s sales to retailers, hours worked, event count, costs incurred, and performance incentive bonuses. For commission-based service contracts, the consideration received from the client is variable because the Company earns an agreed upon percentage of the client’s sales to retailers, which is agreed upon on a manufacturer-by-manufacturer basis. Revenues are recognized for the commission earned during the applicable reporting period. The Company generally earns commission revenues from headquarter relationship management, analytics, insights and intelligence, e-commerce, administration, private label development and retail services arrangements. As part of these arrangements, the Company provides a variety of services to CPG manufacturers in order to improve the manufacturer’s sales at retailers. This includes primarily outsourced sales, business development, category and space management, relationship management, and sales strategy services. In exchange for these services, the Company earns an agreed upon percentage of its client’s sales to retailers, which is agreed upon on a manufacturer-by-manufacturer basis.

For service contracts whereby the client is charged a fee per hour incurred or fee per event completed, revenues are recognized over time as actual hours are incurred or as events are completed, respectively. For service contracts with a cost-plus arrangement, revenues are recognized on a gross basis over time for a given period based on the actual costs incurred plus a fixed mark-up fee that is negotiated on a client-by-client basis.

For certain contracts with clients, the Company is entitled to additional fees upon meeting specific performance goals or thresholds, which are referred to as bonus revenues. Bonus revenues are estimated and are recognized as revenues as the related services are performed for the client.

The variability of the consideration for the services transferred during a reporting period is typically resolved by the end of the reporting period. However, for certain client contracts, the Company is required to estimate the variable consideration for the services that have been transferred to the client during the reporting period. The Company typically estimates the variable consideration based on the expected value method. Estimates are based on historical experience and current facts known during the reporting period. The Company only recognizes revenues related to variable consideration if it is probable that a significant reversal of revenues recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. When such probable threshold is not satisfied, the Company will constrain some or all of the variable consideration and the constrained variable consideration will not be recognized as revenues. The Company records an adjustment to revenue for differences between estimated revenues and the amounts ultimately invoiced to the client. Adjustments to revenue during the current period related to services transferred during prior periods were not material during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023.

The Company has contracts that include fixed consideration such as a fee per project or a fixed monthly fee. For contracts with a fee per project, revenues are recognized over time using an input method such as hours worked that reasonably depicts the Company’s performance in transferring control of the services to the client. The Company determined that the input method represents a reasonable method to measure the satisfaction of the performance obligation to the client. For contracts with a fixed monthly fee, revenues are recognized using a time-based measure resulting in straight-line revenue recognition. A time-based measure was determined to represent a reasonable method to measure the satisfaction of the performance obligation to the client because the Company has a stand ready obligation to make itself available to provide services upon the client’s request or the client receives the benefit from the Company’s services evenly over the contract period.

The Company evaluates each client contract individually in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance to determine whether the Company acts as a principal (whereby the Company would present revenues on a gross basis), or as an agent (whereby the Company would present revenues on a net basis). While the Company primarily acts as a principal in its arrangements and reports revenues on a gross basis, the Company will occasionally act as an agent and accordingly presents revenues on a net basis.

Substantially all of the Company’s contracts with its clients either have a contract term that is less than one year with options for renewal and/or can be canceled by either party upon 30 to 120 days’ notice. For the purpose of disclosing the transaction price allocated to remaining unsatisfied performance obligations or partially satisfied performance obligations, the Company elected policies to: (1) exclude contracts with a contract term of one year or less and (2) exclude contracts with variable consideration that is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a wholly unsatisfied promise to transfer a distinct service that forms part of a single performance obligation when that performance obligation qualifies as a series of remaining performance obligations. After applying these policy elections, the Company determined that it does not have a significant amount of fixed consideration allocated to remaining performance obligations for contracts with a contract term that exceeds one year.

When the Company satisfies its performance obligation and recognizes revenues accordingly, the Company has a present and unconditional right to payment and records the receivable from clients in “Accounts receivable” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s general payment terms are short-term in duration and the Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component.

Contract liabilities represent deferred revenues which are cash payments that are received in advance of the Company’s satisfaction of the applicable obligation(s) and are included in “Deferred revenues” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred revenues are recognized as revenues when the related services are performed for the client. Revenues recognized during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, included $21.1 million, $19.4 million, and $17.6 million of deferred revenues from the respective prior years.

Equity-based Compensation

The Company measures the cost of non-employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the measurement date fair value. The cost is amortized over the requisite service period. The Company’s equity-based compensation is based on grant date fair value.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation costs related to stock options granted to employees are measured at the date of grant based on the estimated fair value of the award. The Company estimates the grant date fair value, and the resulting stock-based compensation expense, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value for stock-settled restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance restricted stock units (“PSUs”) are based on the Company’s stock price on the date of grant.

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of highly subjective assumptions which determine the fair value of option-based awards. The assumptions used in the Company's option-pricing model represent management’s best estimates. These estimates are complex, involve a number of variables, uncertainties and assumptions and the application of management’s judgment, so that they are inherently subjective. If factors change and different assumptions are used, the Company's stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. These assumptions include: (i) the fair value of ADV common stock, (ii) risk-free interest rate, (iii) expected term of the option, (iv) historical volatility of ADV common stock, and (v) anticipated dividend yield.

The Company recognizes compensation costs for awards with service vesting conditions on an accelerated method under the graded vesting method over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of three years. Stock-based compensation expense is included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Variable Interest Entities and Investments