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Melinda Whittington

President, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, La-z-boy

Search every verified Melinda Whittington interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. During La-Z-Boy’s fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter earnings call on June 17, 2026, Melinda Whittington said the company ended the fiscal year on a strong note and is “creating our own momentum and investing for long-term success.” She stated that the company is adapting its business through strategic initiatives to position La-Z-Boy Incorporated for its next 100 years. Whittington noted that while the timing of an industry recovery remains unclear, the company is positioned to gain market share now and benefit when the industry returns to normalized growth. She thanked the company’s team and partners for navigating the current environment and delivering strong results. Whittington also reported that the total La-Z-Boy store network, including company-owned and independently owned stores, stands at nearly 380 locations across North America, with a runway to grow to 450 locations driven primarily by company-owned store expansion. The company generated $24 million in operating cash flow, up 9% versus the prior year, and returned $85 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, including a fifth consecutive year of increasing the quarterly dividend by 10%. Whittington added that the company maintains a strong balance sheet with over $300 million in cash and no external debt.

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