424B3 1 tm223264-6_s1a.htm 424B3 tm223264-6_s1a - none - 56.5627078s
 Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
 Registration No. 333-263627
Prospectus
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BRC INC.
Primary Offering
17,766,641 Shares of Class A Common Stock Issuable Upon the Exercise of Warrants
Secondary Offering
203,821,303 Shares of Class A Common Stock
6,266,667 Warrants to Purchase Class A Common Stock
This prospectus relates to (i) the issuance by us of up to 17,766,641 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) of BRC Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation (the “Company”), that may be issued upon exercise of Warrants (as defined herein) to purchase Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Class A Common Stock, including the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants (each as defined herein) and (2) the offer and sale, from time to time, by the selling holders identified in this prospectus (the “Selling Holders”), or their permitted transferees, of (i) up to 203,821,303 shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) up to 6,266,667 Private Placement Warrants.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of such securities and the general manner in which we and the Selling Holders may offer or sell the securities. More specific terms of any securities that we and the Selling Holders may offer or sell may be provided in a prospectus supplement that describes, among other things, the specific amounts and prices of the securities being offered and the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock or Warrants by the Selling Holders pursuant to this prospectus or of the shares of Class A Common Stock by us pursuant to this prospectus, except with respect to amounts received by us upon exercise of the Warrants to the extent such Warrants are exercised for cash. However, we will pay the expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, associated with the sale of securities pursuant to this prospectus. Cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants are dependent on the outcome of the Redemption (as defined below) and the trading price of our shares of Class A Common Stock. See “Summary — Recent Developments — Redemption of Warrants,” “Risk Factors — Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities — We sent a notice of redemption to redeem all of our outstanding Warrants and we may not receive any cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants” and “Use of Proceeds.”
The securities registered for resale by the Selling Holders in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part represent approximately 91% of our total shares outstanding (on a Class A Common Stock as converted basis and assuming vesting of the Applicable Premium Units and the exercise of all of the outstanding Warrants for cash) and will therefore constitute a considerable percentage of our public float and will be available for immediate resale upon effectiveness of the registration statement and for so long as such registration statement remains available, subject to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period (as defined herein), as applicable. The market price of shares of our Class A Common Stock could decline as a result of substantial sales of our Class A Common Stock by our Selling Holders or the perception in the market that holders of a large number of shares intend to sell their shares. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A Common Stock in the public market could occur at any time. In addition, the Selling Holders purchased the securities covered by this prospectus at different prices, some at prices significantly below the current trading price of such securities. The Sponsor (as defined herein) purchased its 6,053,493 shares of Class A Common Stock currently outstanding at approximately $0.003 per share and its 6,266,667 Private Placement Warrants currently outstanding at $1.50 per warrant in connection with the IPO (as defined herein) and may potentially earn approximately $203.4 million of profit upon resale of its shares of Class A Common Stock (including shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Warrants) based on the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on April 14, 2022. The PIPE Investors, the Backstop

Investors and the Engaged Capital Investors (each as defined herein) purchased their 30,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock currently outstanding at $10.00 per share in connection with the Business Combination (as defined herein) and may potentially earn approximately $393.6 million of profit upon resale based on the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on April 14, 2022. The Continuing Unitholders (as defined herein) purchased their securities at prices significantly below the current trading price of such securities and some received their securities without any consideration. The Selling Holders may potentially make a significant profit with the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus depending on the trading price of the Company’s securities at the time of a sale and the purchase price of such securities by the applicable Selling Holders. While the Selling Holders may experience a positive rate of return based on the trading price of the Company’s securities, the public holders of the Company’s securities may not experience a similar rate of return on the securities they purchased due to differences in the applicable purchase price and trading price. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities — A significant portion of our shares of Class A Common Stock will be available for immediate resale by the Selling Holders and may be sold into the market in the future upon effectiveness of the registration of which this prospectus forms part and expiration of the Lock-Up Period, as applicable. The Selling Holders purchased the securities covered by this prospectus at different prices, some significantly below the current trading price of such securities, and some Selling Holders received such securities without any consideration, and may therefore make substantial profits upon resales. Sales of our Class A Common Stock by the Selling Holders may cause the market price of our Class A Common Stock to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well.”
Our registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean that either we or the Selling Holders will issue, offer or sell, as applicable, any of the securities. The Selling Holders may offer and sell the securities covered by this prospectus in a number of different ways and at varying prices. We provide more information about how the Selling Holders may sell the shares in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” In addition, certain of the securities being registered hereby are subject to vesting and/or transfer restrictions that may prevent the Selling Holders from offering or selling such securities upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Description of Securities” for more information.
You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or amendment carefully before investing in our securities. Our Class A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “BRCC” and our Warrants trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “BRCC WS”. On April 14, 2022, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock as reported by NYSE was $23.12 per share and the closing price of our Public Warrants as reported by NYSE was $7.62. Each of our Warrants is exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.
Investing in our Class A Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. See the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any other state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 5, 2022.

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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F-1
 
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we and the Selling Holders may, from time to time, issue, offer and sell, as applicable, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may use the shelf registration statement to issue up to an aggregate of 17,766,641 shares of Class A Common Stock upon exercise of the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants. The Selling Holders may use the shelf registration statement to sell up to an aggregate of 203,821,303 shares of Class A Common Stock (which includes up to 6,266,667 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Private Placement Warrants) and up to 6,266,667 Private Placement Warrants from time to time through any means described in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” More specific terms of any securities that the Selling Holders offer and sell may be provided in a prospectus supplement that describes, among other things, the specific amounts and prices of the Class A Common Stock and/or Warrants being offered and the terms of the offering.
A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information included in this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in such prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified will be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus only as so modified, and any statement so superseded will be deemed not to constitute a part of this prospectus. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Neither we nor the Selling Holders have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we have prepared. We and the Selling Holders take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of those documents only, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
On or about February 9, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), we consummated the transactions contemplated by that Business Combination Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2021, as amended by the First Amendment to Business Combination Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2022 (as so amended, the “Business Combination Agreement”), each by and among the Company, SilverBox Engaged Merger Corp I, a Delaware corporation (“SilverBox”), SBEA Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub 1”), BRCC Blocker Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of SilverBox (“Merger Sub 2”), Authentic Brands LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Authentic Brands”) and the parent company of Black Rifle Coffee Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BRCC”), and Grand Opal Investment Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and holder of equity interests in Authentic Brands (“Blocker”), which, among other things, provided for (i) the merger of SilverBox with and into Merger Sub 1, with Merger Sub 1 surviving such merger as a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, (ii) the merger of Merger Sub 2 with and into Blocker, with Blocker surviving such merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of
 
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Merger Sub 1, (iii) the issuance by Authentic Brands of controlling membership interests to the Company in exchange for cash and (iv) the merger of Blocker with and into Merger Sub 1, with Merger Sub 1 surviving such merger.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to BRC Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries following the closing of the Business Combination.
 
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FREQUENTLY USED TERMS
Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus or the context otherwise requires, references to:
“Applicable Premium Units” means the Supplemental Company Common Units (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and the Supplemental Pubco Class A Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) issuable upon the occurrence of certain events pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement.
“Authentic Brands” means Authentic Brands LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, subsidiary of the Company, solely managed by the Company, and the indirect parent of BRCC, the subsidiary through which the Company conducts substantially all of its business.
“Backstop Investments” means that certain private placement in the aggregate amount of $100.0 million, consummated substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination, pursuant to those certain PIPE Subscription Agreements with SilverBox, under which the Backstop Investors purchased 10.0 million shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per share, which shares were then exchanged for Class A Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Business Combination.
“Backstop Investors” means the third-party investors who entered into the PIPE Subscription Agreements to purchase Backstop Shares.
“Backstop Shares” means the 10.0 million shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock issued to the Backstop Investors pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreements in connection with the Backstop Investment and which were exchanged for 10.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Business Combination.
“Blocker” means Grand Opal Investment Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
“BRCC” means Black Rifle Coffee Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Authentic Brands.
“BRCC Founder” means Evan Hafer, an individual.
“BRCC Fund” means Authentic Brands’ 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
“BRCC Fund Shares” means shares of Class A Common Stock to be donated to the BRCC Fund.
“Business Combination” means the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement.
“Business Combination Agreement” means the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2021, by and among SilverBox, the Company, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, Authentic Brands and Blocker, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Business Combination Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2022.
“Bylaws” means the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company as adopted on February 8, 2022.
“C-1 Conversion Event” means a First Tier Vesting Event or Partial Vesting Event applicable to Restricted Common Units in accordance with the LLC Agreement, which shall be treated as a conversion event in respect of the BRC Inc. Series C-1 Common Stock.
“C-2 Conversion Event” a Second Tier Vesting Event or Partial Vesting Event applicable to Restricted Common Units in accordance with the LLC Agreement, which shall be treated as a conversion event in respect of the BRC Inc. Series C-2 Common Stock.
“Charter” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as executed on February 8, 2022.
 
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“Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.
“Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.
“Class C Common Stock” means, as applicable the shares of Class C non-voting common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, which Class C Common Stock are divided into two series as follows: “750,000 shares of Series C-1 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Series C-1 Common Stock”) and 750,000 shares of Series C-2 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Series C-2 Common Stock”).”
“Closing” means the consummation of the Business Combination.
“Closing Date” means February 9, 2022.
“Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock.
“Common Units” mean the units of Authentic Brands designated as “Common Units” in the LLC Agreement.
“Company” means, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, (i) prior to the Business Combination, Authentic Brands and its consolidated subsidiaries and, (ii) from and after the Business Combination, BRC Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
“Company Units” means the Common Units and Restricted Common Units of Authentic Brands.
“Continuing Unitholders” means the unitholders of Authentic Brands that retained Common Units in the Authentic Brands following the Business Combination.
“Conversion Date” means, with respect to any Restricted Common Unit, the date on which a Vesting Event occurs for such Restricted Common Unit or such later date as determined pursuant to the LLC Agreement.
“Conversion Event” means, together, a C-1 Conversion Event, C-2 Conversion Event and Full Conversion Event.
“DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law.
“EIP” means the Company’s 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
“Engaged Capital” means Engaged Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and member of the Sponsor, and its affiliates.
“Engaged Capital Investors” means the investment funds and accounts managed by Engaged Capital subscribing for Forward Purchase Shares.
“ESPP” means the Company’s 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“First Tier Vesting Event” means the first day on which the VWAP of the Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $15.00 over any 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period commencing at any time on or after the Closing Date; provided that, the reference to $15.00 shall be decreased by the aggregate per share amount of dividends actually paid in respect of a share of Class A Common Stock following the effective date of the LLC Agreement.
“Forward Purchase Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Forward Purchase Agreement, dated November 2, 2021, by and among SilverBox, Authentic Brands and Engaged Capital, in its capacity as investment advisor on behalf of the Engaged Capital Investors, pursuant to which the Engaged Capital Investors purchased an aggregate of 10.0 million shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock at a purchase
 
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price of $10.00 per share or an aggregate purchase price of $100.0 million, which shares were then exchanged for Class A Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Business Combination.
“Forward Purchase Investment” means that certain private placement in the aggregate amount of $100.0 million consummated substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination, pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement with SilverBox, under which the Engaged Capital Investors purchased 10.0 million shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per share.
“Forward Purchase Shares” means the 10.0 million shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock issued to the Engaged Capital Investors pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement and which were exchanged for 10.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination.
“Full Conversion Event” means a Full Vesting Event applicable to Restricted Common Units in accordance with the LLC Agreement, which shall be treated as a conversion event in respect of the Series C-1 Common Stock and the Series C-2 Common Stock.
“Full Vesting Event” means, with respect to the Restricted Common Units, a change of control transaction or liquidation of Authentic Brands.
“IPO” means SilverBox’s initial public offering of Units, which was consummated on March 2, 2021.
“LLC Agreement” means that certain Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Authentic Brands, dated as of February 9, 2022.
“Merger Sub 1” means SBEA Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Merger Sub 2” means BRCC Blocker Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.
“Partial Vesting Event” means (a) with respect to 50% of any Authentic Brands member’s Restricted Common Units held as of the date of a First Tier Vesting Event, the First Tier Vesting Event; provided that, a First Tier Vesting Event shall not occur more than once; or (b) with respect to the remaining 50% of any Authentic Brands member’s Restricted Common Units held as of the date of a First Tier Vesting Event (in each case after giving effect to any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise)), the Second Tier Vesting Event.
“PBC Purpose” means the public benefit purpose of the Company as set forth in the Charter, which is to support the underserved active military, veteran and first-responder communities by, among other things (i) hiring and creating meaningful post-military career opportunities for veterans, including by highlighting for other businesses the benefits of hiring veterans, (ii) inspiring veterans to become entrepreneurs through educational programs and donations to relevant charities, (iii) donating cash and in- kind resources to charities that support the unique needs of active military, veterans and first responders, (iv) providing quality products and media relating to these communities and (v) forging an enduring, profitable business.
“PIPE Investment” means that certain private placement in the aggregate amount of $100.0 million, consummated substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination, pursuant to those certain PIPE Subscription Agreements with SilverBox, under which the PIPE Investors purchased 10.0 million shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per share, which shares were then exchanged for Class A Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Business Combination.
“PIPE Investors” means the third-party investors who entered into PIPE Subscription Agreements to purchase PIPE Shares.
“PIPE Shares” means an aggregate of 10.0 million shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock issued to the PIPE Investors pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreements, which shares were then exchanged for 10.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Business Combination.
 
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“PIPE Subscription Agreement” means each agreement pursuant to which the PIPE Investors purchased 20.0 million shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per share, or an aggregate purchase price of $200.0 million.
“Private Placement Warrants” means the warrants purchased in a private placement concurrent with the IPO and which were assumed by the Company in connection with the Business Combination, each of which is exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock, in accordance with its terms.
“Proxy Statement/Prospectus” means the proxy statement and prospectus of SilverBox and the Company, as applicable, filed with the SEC on January 13, 2022.
“Public Warrants” means the public warrants initially issued in the IPO and which were assumed by the Company in connection with the Business Combination, each of which is exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock, in accordance with its terms.
“Restricted Common Units” mean the units of Authentic Brands designated as “Restricted Units” in the LLC Agreement.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Second Tier Vesting Event” means the first day on which the VWAP of the Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $20.00 over any 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period commencing at any time on or after the Closing Date; provided that, the reference to $20.00 shall be decreased by the aggregate per share amount of dividends actually paid in respect of a share of Class A Common Stock following the effective date of the LLC Agreement.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Selling Holders” means those holders of Common Stock identified in this prospectus, or their permitted transferees.
“SilverBox” means SilverBox Engaged Merger Corp I, a Delaware corporation, prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
“SilverBox Capital” means SilverBox Capital LLC.
“SilverBox Class B Common Stock” or “Sponsor Shares” means shares of SilverBox Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
“SilverBox Class C Common Stock” means SilverBox’s Class C Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Sponsor” means SilverBox Engaged Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Sponsor Letter Agreement” means that certain Sponsor Letter Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2021, by and among the Sponsor, the Company and Authentic Brands.
“Tax Receivable Agreement” means that certain tax receivables agreement, dated as of February 9, 2022, by and among Authentic Brands, the Company and the Agent (as defined the Tax Receivable Agreement), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company agreed to pay to certain parties thereto 85% of certain tax savings, if any, that the Company realizes.
“Vesting Event” means a Partial Vesting Event or a Full Vesting Event.
“VWAP” means volume-weighted average price.
“Warrant Agreement” means that certain warrant agreement, dated as of February 25, 2021, by and between SilverBox and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”), as assumed by the Company pursuant to that certain Warrant Assumption Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2022, by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent.
“Warrants” means the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants.
 
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MARKET INDUSTRY AND DATA
Information contained in this prospectus concerning the market and the industry in which the Company competes, including its market position, general expectations of market opportunity and market size, is based on information from various third-party sources, on assumptions made by the Company based on such sources and the Company’s knowledge of the markets for its services and solutions. Any estimates provided herein involve numerous assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such information. Third-party sources generally state that the information contained in such source has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, the Company has not verified the accuracy or completeness of third-party data. The industry in which the Company operates is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk. As a result, the estimates and market and industry information provided in this prospectus are subject to change based on various factors, including those described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus includes statements that express the Company’s opinions, expectations, hopes, beliefs, plans, intentions, objectives, strategies, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results of operations or financial condition and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements.” The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this prospectus and these forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations regarding our future growth, results of operations, operational and financial performance and business prospects and opportunities.
As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the Company’s results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

Failure to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and our ability to grow and manage growth profitably and retain our key employees.

Negative publicity impacting our brand and reputation, which may adversely impact our operating results;

Failure by us to maintain our message as a supportive member of the veteran and military communities and any other factors which may negatively impact the perception of our brand;

Our limited operating history, which may make it difficult to successfully execute our strategic initiatives and accurately evaluate future risks and challenges;

Failed marketing campaigns, which may cause us to incur costs without attracting new customers or realizing higher revenue;

Failure to attract new customers or retain existing customers;

Risks related to the use of social media platforms, including dependence on third-party platforms;

Failure to provide high-quality customer experience, which may impact our brand;

Decrease in success of the direct to consumer revenue channel;

Loss of one or more of co-manufacturers;

Failure to effectively manage or distribute our products through our wholesale business partners;

Failure by third parties involved in the supply chain of coffee, store supplies or merchandise to produce or deliver products;

Changes in the market for high-quality Arabica coffee beans and other commodities;

Fluctuations in costs and availability of real estate, labor, raw materials, equipment, transportation or shipping;

Loss of confidential data from customers and employees, which may subject us to litigation, liability or reputational damage;

Failure to successfully compete with other producers and retailers of coffee;

Failure to successfully open new retail coffee shops;

Failure to properly manage our rapid growth and relationships with various business partners;

Failure to protect against software or hardware vulnerabilities;

Failure to build brand recognition using our intellectual properties;

Shifts in consumer spending, lack of interest in new products or changes in brand perception upon evolving consumer preferences and tastes;
 
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Failure to adequately maintain food safety or quality and comply with food safety regulations;

Failure to successfully integrate into new domestic and international markets;

Risks related to leasing space subject to long-term non-cancelable leases and with respect to real property;

Failure of our franchise partners to successfully manage their franchise;

Failure to raise additional capital to develop the business;

Risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including supply chain disruptions;

The loss of one or more of our executive officers and other key employees;

Failure to hire and retain qualified employees;

Failure to meet our goal of hiring 10,000 veterans;

Risks related to unionization of employees;

Failure to comply with federal state and local laws and regulations;

Inability to maintain the listing of our Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange; and

Other risks and uncertainties indicated in this prospectus, including those set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors.”
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors”. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We will not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
 
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our Class A Common Stock or Warrants. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the matters discussed under the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Authentic Brands,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information,” “Business” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus before making an investment decision.
Company Overview
BRCC is a veteran-controlled company serving premium coffee, content and merchandise to active military, veterans, first responders, and those who love America. Our mission-driven brand is devoted to
cause-related content that informs, inspires, entertains, and builds our community. We are committed to producing great coffee that consumers love, and high-quality merchandise that enables our community to showcase our brand. By consistently delivering exceptional products and content, we have built and retained a strong following of loyal customers throughout the United States. We are committed to supporting those who serve and producing quality products and content for our customers.
We utilize a three-pronged approach to craft a unique brand that resonates with our customer base and enhances brand loyalty: Inform, Inspire, and Entertain. We want our audience to love coffee as much as we do, so we strive to inform them on all the awesome facets to coffee. Every day we work to inspire our customers; we take pride in the coffee we roast, the veterans we employ and the causes we support. We give back to the community and are committed to support those who serve. Our “Entertain” marketing strategy drives brand excitement, along with valuable customer insights and data.
We own two roasting facilities, one focused on large batch roasting and the other on small batch roasting. The coffee beans are primarily roasted in-house in the United States to ensure consistency and quality of product. Our coffee beans have an 83-point grade or higher and are sourced only from high quality suppliers. Our owned roasting facilities offer significant capacity for expansion and allow us to provide our customers with a fresh product.
We have experienced strong revenue growth since inception. Revenue increased to $233 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $164 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, and from $82 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing growth of 42% and 100% respectively. Growth in 2021 was primarily driven by expansion of our customer base, increasing Wholesale doors, and new Outpost openings.
We are a digitally native brand. Our omnichannel distribution strategy has three key components: Direct to Consumer (“DTC”), Wholesale, and Outposts. Our DTC channel includes our e-commerce business, through which consumers order our products online and products are shipped to them. Our Wholesale channel includes products sold to an intermediary such as convenience, grocery, drug, and mass merchandise stores, as well as outdoor, Do it yourself (“DIY”), and lifestyle retailers, who in turn sell those products to consumers. Our Outpost channel includes revenue from our company-operated and franchised Black Rifle Coffee retail coffee shop locations. Revenue is driven primarily by our DTC channel which contributed to approximately 71%, 84% and 90% of our total revenue in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Our Mission
Our mission at Black Rifle Coffee Company is to serve premium coffee and content to active military, veterans, first responders, and those who love America. Our company began with a simple premise — to provide a quality product while giving back to the veteran, active military, and first responder communities through direct hiring, inspiring stories told through our media channels and charitable donations. As a business founded and owned by combat veterans of the Global War on Terror, we are mission-driven: everything we do, every decision we make, is in service of our mission.
It begins with our people. At Black Rifle Coffee, our goal is to hire 10,000 veterans and be the employer of choice for individuals seeking a post-military career. We aim to not just hire veterans, but also inspire
 
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veterans to become entrepreneurs and highlight for other businesses the benefits of hiring veterans. Today, veterans and veteran spouses comprise approximately 50% of our total employee base of over 800 people, including part-time and seasonal workers. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), there are 18.5 million U.S. military veterans, comprising approximately 7% of the U.S. adult population. While BLS data suggest veteran unemployment rates track the overall market in general, a recent study by ZipRecruiter indicates that underemployment among veterans is approximately 15.6% higher than the general population. More significant, veterans suffer from mental health issues at a much greater rate than their civilian counterparts.
We donated over $3 million of coffee to military and first responder units and over $1 million in other donations to charitable organizations in 2021. Certain legacy holders of SilverBox and Authentic Brands donated over 530,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to the BRCC Fund. The BRCC Fund focuses on veteran-related causes important to the Company, including education and job training for veterans and scholarships for family members of veterans killed or wounded in action.
Who We Are
Black Rifle Coffee Company is a rapidly growing, veteran-controlled and led coffee and media company with an incredibly loyal and quickly expanding community of more than 2 million lifetime consumers, more than 287,000 active coffee club subscribers, and 11.7 million social media followers across Black Rifle Coffee’s, co-founders’, and key media personalities’ accounts as of December 31, 2021. Evan Hafer, Mat Best, and Jarred Taylor founded the Company in 2014 with a one-pound roaster in Evan’s garage, roasting, packaging, and shipping bagged coffee direct to consumers.
Today, Black Rifle Coffee operates out of facilities and offices in Salt Lake City, Utah; Manchester, Tennessee; and San Antonio, Texas, and offers over 20 varieties of roasted whole bean and ground coffee, plus Ready-to-Drink (“RTD”), single-serve, and instant coffee. Our historical performance reflects the scale and growth of our company.
At Black Rifle Coffee, we develop our roast profiles with the same mission focus we learned as military members serving our country. We produce creative and engaging, cause-related media content, self-produced podcasts, and digital and print journalism in-house to inform, inspire, entertain, and build our community. We also sell Black Rifle Coffee-brand apparel, coffee brewing equipment, and outdoor and lifestyle gear that our consumers proudly wear and use to showcase our brand. Merchandise and equipment sales accounted for approximately 12% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 9% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Our DTC platform has been the core of our business from day one starting with www.blackriflecoffee.com. It has enabled us to quickly become a large, recognizable, and fast-growing beverage brand in the United States, while also allowing us to better understand our consumers and their consumption preferences.
We offer a subscription service, our Coffee Club, through which DTC consumers can receive ground, whole bean, single serve, instant, or RTD coffee shipped to their home or office as frequently as every fourteen days. We believe the Coffee Club offers unparalleled value and convenience for consumers. As of December 31, 2021, we had more than 287,000 Coffee Club subscribers, a number that has grown by more than 20 times since March 31, 2017. We also sell coffee, apparel, and gear online for individual purchase on a non-subscription basis. Our DTC channel generated $165.3 million of sales for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $137.7 million over the corresponding period in 2020, representing an increase of 20%. More than 40% of our 2021 revenue came from recurring subscriptions.
Our Wholesale channel complements our DTC sales. In our Wholesale channel, we sell coffee, apparel, and gear through leading outdoor, DIY, and lifestyle retailers, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, and 5.11 Tactical, as well as specialty retailers. We also sell RTD coffee in leading convenience, grocery, drug, and mass merchandise retailers, including Casey’s General Store, Circle K, Kum & Go, Speedway, 7-Eleven, Publix, HEB, Walmart, CVS, and Sam’s Club. Our Wholesale channel generated $55.8 million of sales for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $23.4 million over the corresponding period in 2020, representing an increase of 139%.
 
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We also operate and franchise Black Rifle Coffee shops, which we call “Outposts.” We believe our Outposts redefine the typical coffee shop experience, offering consumers an immersive environment in which to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of high-quality coffee, stock up on Black Rifle Coffee merchandise and bagged coffee, and connect with members of the local community. We opened our first company-operated Outpost in 2020 in San Antonio, Texas, and we are in the early stages of our nationwide growth, with sixteen Outposts open across six states as of December 31, 2021. Our Outpost channel generated $12.0 million of sales for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $2.8 million over the corresponding period in 2020 representing an increase of 329%.
Segment Information
We operate as one reportable segment.
Competition
We are uniquely positioned to compete in the $45 billion coffee market across at-home, RTD, and
out-of-home coffee segments and against other high-growth consumer businesses. Competition in our markets is based on factors such as product quality, roasting methods, brand recognition, and technology. We believe that we have been able to compete successfully on the basis of our superior product, powerful media platform, mission-led lifestyle brand with a loyal customer base, and scalable omnichannel strategy with a strong subscriber base. We roast the majority of our coffee beans in-house, and we consider our roasting methods essential to the quality of our products. We believe that we serve a more attractive customer base than the broader coffee market, as our customers are more engaged with our brand. Our customers consistently buy our branded merchandise in addition to coffee: our consumers proudly wear Black Rifle Coffee apparel, display Black Rifle Coffee banners and decals, buy multiple Black Rifle Coffee products, and proactively recommend us to their friends, family, and others through social media and by word-of-mouth. We believe the emotional connection and brand advocacy of our consumers helps fuel our growth and grants us the opportunity to expand our product offering.
In the RTD category we compete against established, well-known brands like Monster, private-label brands like Orinoco, and high-growth food and beverage companies such as Celsius. The RTD and retort dairy businesses are highly competitive, with high barriers to entry including production and distribution.
In the out-of-home coffee category, we compete against both well-known brands and also small local coffee shops. Longer-established out-of-home coffee competitors may have greater brand recognition, and have substantially greater financial, technological, roasting, sale, distribution, and other resources. Our customers spend more than the typical coffee buyer on a per-purchase basis due to merchandise and bagged coffee sales. This drives an attractive average order value of approximately $12 to $13 and high cash-on-cash returns at our Outposts.
Seasonality
Our business is subject to moderate seasonal fluctuations. The first quarter typically will experience lower revenues. In our DTC and Outpost revenue channels, we tend to have higher revenues and cash flow during the holiday season in the fourth quarter. Results for any quarter will not necessarily be indicative of the results for a full fiscal year.
Our Community
Black Rifle Coffee Company was founded with a commitment to giving back to and supporting active military, veterans, first responders, and those who love America. As a veteran-founded and veteran-controlled company, we are committed to hiring veterans and veteran spouses, which currently represent approximately 50% of our workforce. Our media campaigns celebrate the active military, veterans, and first responders and showcase their unique stories and experiences. In 2021, we donated coffee valued at over $3 million to military and first responder units, and over $1 million in other donations to charitable organizations.
Our mission-driven approach and brand values resonate with our consumers and allowed us to build a strong Black Rifle Coffee community. According to a company survey, the top three reasons that customers
 
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purchase from Black Rifle Coffee are due to our support for the military and veterans, our great tasting coffee, and our brand’s alignment with their values. Our community is broad and reaches a diverse audience across geographies and demographics.
Recent Developments
Redemption of Warrants
On April 4, 2022, the Company announced the redemption (the “Redemption”) of all of its Warrants that remain outstanding on May 4, 2022 (the “Redemption Date” and the period from April 4, 2022 to the Redemption Date, the “Redemption Period”) for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. During the Redemption Period, holders of Warrants outstanding may elect to exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis and receive a number of shares of Class A Common Stock determined based on the Redemption Fair Market Value (as defined in the Warrant Agreement), which number of shares shall not exceed 0.361 shares per Warrant. In addition, to the extent that the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is declared effective by the SEC prior to the Redemption Date, holders of Warrants outstanding will be able to exercise their Warrants during the Redemption Period for cash and purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share for each Warrant exercised. The Company cannot give any assurances that the SEC will declare the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part effective prior to the Redemption Date. If the registration statement is not declared effective prior to the Redemption Date, holders of Warrants will not be able to exercise their Warrants for cash and may either have to exercise their Warrants by the Redemption Date on a cashless basis pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement or their Warrants will be redeemed on the Redemption Date for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities — We sent a notice of redemption to redeem all of our outstanding Warrants and we may not receive any cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants.”
Vesting Event
In March 2022, the First Tier Vesting Event occurred, as a result of which 694,062 shares of Series C-1 Common Stock were exchanged for 694,062 shares of Class A Common Stock and 9,926,563 Restricted Common Units were converted into Common Units and the Company issued 9,926,563 shares of Class B Common Stock to the holders thereof.
In April 2022, the Second Tier Vesting Event occurred, as a result of which 694,063 shares of Series C-2 Common Stock were exchanged for 694,063 shares of Class A Common Stock and 9,926,562 Restricted Common Units were converted into Common Units and the Company issued 9,926,562 shares of Class B Common Stock to the holders thereof.
Summary of Risk Factors
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section entitled “Risk Factors” immediately following this prospectus summary, that represent challenges that we face in connection with the successful implementation of our strategy and the growth of our business. In particular, the following considerations, among others, may offset our competitive strengths or have a negative effect on our business strategy, which could cause a decline in the price of shares of our common stock or warrants and result in a loss of all or a portion of your investment:
Risks Related to Our Business

Our brand and reputation are critical to our success, and any publicity, regardless of accuracy, that portrays us negatively could adversely impact operating results. Negative publicity may arise for various reasons, whether true or not, including, but not limited to, complaints about product quality, safety, or sanitation; company policies; adverse litigation; employment practices; employee actions; actions taken by customers; social media posts; and actions taken by third party business partners.

We promote ourselves as a supportive member of the veteran and military community, and actively participate in this community through donations, hiring commitments, and other events. Failure by us
 
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to maintain this strong branding could negatively impact our business. Additionally, any other factors which may negatively impact perception of the brand, including factors listed elsewhere in this summary, may harm us.

Our growth strategy depends on the successful execution of our strategic initiatives, and our limited operating history may make it difficult to accurately evaluate future risks and challenges.

We may not always be successful in our marketing efforts. Failed marketing campaigns can incur costs without the benefit of attracting new customers or realizing higher revenue.

Launching and promoting new products is expensive and time-consuming and we may not always succeed in bringing new products to market.

Failure to attract new customers or retain existing customers, or failure to do so in a cost-effective manner, may result in an inability to increase sales and harm to our business.

We rely heavily on social media to advertise and engage with our customers. Using social media platforms for advertisements carries a number of associated risks, including dependence on the third party platforms to maintain their platforms in a manner that benefit our marketing strategies. Changes to operating systems may negatively impact our ability to advertise. Additionally, we are subject to the laws and regulations that govern the use of these platforms and are subject to the risks of improper use.

We rely on our employees to provide a high-quality customer experience, and any failure on our behalf to cater to the consumer experience could harm the brand.

We are heavily dependent on our direct to consumer revenue channel for success, and this revenue channel relies on third party logistics to succeed. Decrease in success of the direct to consumer revenue channel or any failure or impediment on behalf of third party logistics providers could harm us.

We rely on co-manufacturers to supply some of our products, and a loss of one or more of these partners, or failure of these partners to fulfill their contractual obligations, could harm us.

We depend on a single co-manufacturer, and single key broker relationship, for the development, production, and distribution of our Ready-to-Drink products. Failure to maintain this relationship could result in harm to us.

We rely on our wholesale channel partners to effectively distribute our products. Failure on behalf of our third party partners to effectively manage or distribute our products, such as by effectively displaying or presenting our products, grow or promote the brand, provide satisfactory consumer experiences, or fulfill their contractual obligations could harm us. Failure by us to maintain and develop these business relationships could harm our business.

We rely on a number of third parties in the supply chain of coffee, store supplies, or merchandise to produce or deliver our products, and failure by these third parties to efficiently operate could adversely impact us.

We are heavily dependent on the market for high-quality Arabica coffee beans and other commodities, and changes in these markets that increase costs or reduce supply, such as through adverse weather, natural disasters, crop disease, political unrest, and other economic conditions, could harm our operating results. Recently, the prices of these commodities, especially of Arabica coffee beans, have increased significantly.

Our success is dependent upon certain financial conditions and any number of factors outside our control could negatively impact our results of operations. These factors include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in the cost and availability of real estate, labor, raw materials, equipment, transportation, or shipping; pricing pressure; changes in consumer preferences; natural or man-made disasters, pandemics, social unrest, war, or political instability; adverse litigation outcomes; or changes in consumer discretionary spending. Money available for consumer discretionary spending may be affected by job losses, inflation, higher taxes, changes in federal economic policy, and other macroeconomic or political events.
 
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We possess personal, financial, and other confidential data from customers and employees, and if that data is compromised or lost, even through the actions of third parties, we could be subject to litigation, liability, and reputational damage.

We may not be able to compete successfully with other producers and retailers of coffee. Some of our competitors are longer-established, have greater brand recognition, and have substantially greater financial, technological, roasting, sale, distribution, and other resources.

Our growth strategy depends in part on opening new retail coffee shops. The success of new shops is dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, consumer preferences, availability of retail space, leasing conditions, construction and equipment costs, and local permitting, licensing, zoning, and other requirements and regulations. There is no guarantee that new retail shops will be successful, and new retail shops could entail high costs without realized profits.

We have experienced rapid growth and increased demand for our products. Failure to properly manage this growth and manage our relationships with our various business partners, or failure to accurately forecast our results of operations and growth rate, could harm our operating results.

We depend heavily on information technology and our ability to process data in order to sell goods and services. Failure to protect against software or hardware vulnerabilities, as well as disruption, for any reason, to these information technology systems, could result in operating losses, privacy and security breaches, loss of customers, liability, and other negative impacts to our business.

We hold various forms of intellectual property, including trademarks, trade names, and service marks. Our success is partially dependent upon our ability to build brand recognition using these marks and to protect our intellectual property from infringement and misuse.

If we become party to litigation or legal proceedings, we could be exposed to significant liabilities and suffer substantial negative impacts to our reputation or business.

Our success is dependent upon evolving consumer preferences and tastes, and shifts in consumer spending, lack of interest in new products, or changes in brand perception can negatively affect consumer demand for our products.

We are subject to a variety of food safety regulations, and failure to adequately maintain food safety or quality, or reports that we had safety issues or failed to implement proper safety measures, whether true or not, could result in loss of customers, regulatory warnings, food recalls, and other adverse outcomes that could impact our profitability.

We plan to expand into new domestic and international markets, and failure to successfully integrate into these new markets could affect our profitability.

We are subject to the risks associated with leasing space subject to long-term non-cancelable leases and with respect to real property that we ourselves own.

We rely in part on the success of our franchise partners, over whom we have limited control with respect to their operations. Failure on behalf of our franchise partners to successfully manage their franchises or effectively represent us and our brand could harm our business results.

We must maintain adequate operational and financial resources, especially if we continue to grow, in order to maintain our current market performance. We depend on cash generated from our operations to support our growth, and we may need to raise additional capital, which may not be available on acceptable terms.

Pandemics or disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, could adversely affect our business by disrupting supply chains, negatively impacting consumer preferences and spending, and reducing foot traffic to our retail coffee shops and wholesale channel partners.

Effects of inflation, including increase of overall cost structure, may have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial position and liquidity.
Risks Related to People and Culture

We depend on our founder, executive officers, and other key employees, and the loss of one or more of these individuals, or the inability to attract and retain suitable replacements, could harm our business.
 
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Our success relies heavily on our ability to hire and retain qualified employees, and changes in the availability and the cost of labor could harm our operating results.

We maintain a goal of hiring 10,000 veterans. Failure to meet this goal could adversely affect our employee relationships and reputation among consumers. Furthermore, our workplace atmosphere, which permits the carry of firearms, presents inherent dangers that may subject us to liability.

If our employees were to unionize, and if collective bargaining agreement terms were significantly different than current compensation agreements, our operating results could suffer.
Risks Related to Regulation and Litigation

We and our franchise partners are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations. These laws include the FLSA, FMSA, and ADA, as well as laws relating to food and beverage safety, zoning, licenses and permits, employment, franchising, and those enumerated below, among others. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in liability for us.

We are subject to laws and regulations from the FDA and FTC governing food and beverage labeling and misleading advertisements. If we mislabel our products or advertise in a way that is untruthful or misleading, we may be subject to liability.

We and our vendors collect, store, process, and use personal and payment information and other customer data, which subjects us to a variety of laws, regulations, and industry standards relating to data processing, protection, privacy, and security. The actual or perceived failure by us, our customers, or our vendors to comply with such laws, regulations, or industry standards may harm our results of operations.

Beverage and restaurant companies have been the target of class action lawsuits and other proceedings. We, as a participant in this market, are subject to those same risks, whether liable or not. Lawsuits and proceedings are costly, divert management attention, and could result in negative public perception, regardless of the validity of claims, and therefore implementation of any proceedings could harm us.

We are subject to numerous statutory, regulatory, and other legal requirements regarding accounting practices. Failure to comply with these requirements, or changes in these requirements, could negatively impact our operating and financial results.

We are subject to taxes by the U.S. federal, various state, and various local tax authorities. Changes in our tax liability could negatively impact our operating and financial results.

We are subject to laws and regulations that govern the display and provision of nutritional information of our products. Failure to comply with these requirements or adverse consumer perceptions based on health information could negatively impact our operating results.
Other Risks

We are required under the Tax Receivable Agreement to pay the Continuing Unitholders of Authentic Brands for certain tax savings we may realize, and we expect that the payments we will be required to make to be substantial. Any such payments will reduce cash that would otherwise have been available to us for other uses. The amounts that we may be required to pay under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be accelerated in certain circumstances and may also significantly exceed the actual tax savings that we ultimately realize. Generally, we will not be reimbursed for any payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement in the event that any tax benefits are disallowed.

We are a public benefit corporation and our focus on our public benefit purpose and our directors’ fiduciary duty to not only consider our stockholders’ interest may negatively impact our financial performance.

Certain anti-takeover provisions are included in the Charter and Bylaws, which may delay or discourage takeover attempts that stockholders may consider favorable.

Our management has limited experience in operating a public company.
 
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THE OFFERING
We are registering the issuance by us of up to 17,766,641 shares of our Class A Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of the Warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock, including the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants. We are also registering the resale by the Selling Holders or their permitted transferees of (i) up to 203,821,303 shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) up to 6,266,667 Private Placement Warrants.
Any investment in the securities offered hereby is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information set forth under “Risk Factors” on page 11 of this prospectus.
Issuance of Class A Common Stock
The following information is as of April 14, 2022 and does not give effect to issuances of our Class A Common Stock, warrants or options to purchase shares of our Class A Common Stock after such date, or the exercise of warrants or options after such date.
Shares of our Class A Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of all Public Warrants, Private Placement Warrants, and Forward Purchase Warrants
17,766,641 shares
Shares of our Class A Common Stock outstanding prior to (i) the exercise of all Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants, (ii) the issuance of 6,196 shares of Class A Common Stock upon the vesting of an equal number of Applicable Premium Units, (iii) the conversion of 159,779,758 Common Units (including Common Units issuable upon vesting of certain Applicable Premium Units) into an aggregate of 159,779,758 shares of Class A Common Stock and the surrender and cancellation of a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock, (v) any issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under the EIP and ESPP and (vi) the vesting of certain restricted units into Common Units (which may be thereafter exchanged for Class A Common Stock).
45,397,999 shares
Use of Proceeds
We will receive up to an aggregate of approximately $204.3 million from the exercise of all Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants, assuming the exercise in full of all such Warrants for cash. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the exercise of such Warrants for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, strategic investments, or repayment of outstanding indebtedness.
Cash proceeds associated with the exercises of the Warrants are dependent on the outcome of the Redemption and the trading price of our shares of Class A Common Stock. On April 4, 2022, we announced the Redemption of all of the Warrants that remain outstanding on the Redemption
 
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Date for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. During the Redemption Period, holders of our Warrants may exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement or, to the extent the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is declared effective prior to the Redemption Date, on a cash basis for $11.50 per share. We cannot give any assurances that the SEC will declare the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part effective prior to the Redemption Date. If the registration statement is not declared effective prior to the Redemption Date, holders of Warrants will not be able to exercise their Warrants for cash and may either exercise their Warrants by the Redemption Date on a cashless basis pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement or their Warrants will be redeemed on the Redemption Date for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. In such scenarios, we would not receive any cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants. In addition, even if the registration statement is declared effective prior to the Redemption Date and the Warrants become exercisable for cash, such exercises are dependent on the trading price of our shares of Class A Common Stock and holders of our Warrants may decide not to exercise their Warrants for cash if our shares of Class A Common Stock trade below $11.50 or if a cashless exercise pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement becomes more favorable. On April 14, 2022, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock as reported by NYSE was $23.12 per share. See “Summary —  Recent Developments — Redemption of Warrants,” “Risk Factors — Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities — We sent a notice of redemption to redeem all of our outstanding Warrants and we may not receive any cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants” and “Use of Proceeds.”
Resale of Class A Common Stock and Warrants
Shares of Class A Common Stock offered by the Selling Holders (including 37,768,682 outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, 6,266,667 shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, 6,196 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the vesting of an equal number of Applicable Premium Units and 159,779,758 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exchange of the Common Units (including an aggregate of 820,310 Common Units issuable upon the the vesting of Applicable Premium Units) and the surrender and cancellation of a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock)
203,821,303 shares
 
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Private Placement Warrants offered by the Selling Holders
6,266,667
Exercise Price
$11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein
On April 14, 2022, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock as reported by NYSE was $23.12 per share.
Redemption
The Warrants are redeemable in certain circumstances. See “Description of Securities — Warrants — Redemption of Warrants” for further discussion. On April 4, 2022, we announced the Redemption of all of the Warrants that remain outstanding on the Redemption Date for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. See “Summary — Recent Developments — Redemption of Warrants.”
Use of Proceeds
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Class A Common Stock and Private Placement Warrants to be offered by the Selling Holders.
Lock-Up
Subject to certain customary exceptions, the equity securities held by each of the Sponsor, the Engaged Capital Investors and certain Continuing Unitholders party to the Investor Rights Agreement are subject to certain restrictions on transfer until August 9, 2022 (the “Lock-Up Period”), the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date (other than with respect to any shares purchased in the PIPE Investment, the Forward Purchase Investment and the Backstop Investment). See “Securities Act Restrictions on Resale of Securities — Lock-Up Agreements” for further discussion.
NYSE Ticker Symbols
Class A Common Stock: “BRCC”
Warrants: “BRCC WS”
 
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MARKET PRICE, TICKER SYMBOLS AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
Market Price and Ticker Symbols
Our Class A Common Stock and Public Warrants are currently listed on NYSE under the symbols “BRCC” and “BRCC WS,” respectively.
The closing price of the Class A Common Stock and Public Warrants on April 14, 2022, was $23.12 and $7.62, respectively.
Holders
As of April 14, 2022, there were 46 holders of record of our Class A Common Stock and 2 holders of record of our Warrants. A substantially greater number of holders are “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares of record are held by banks, brokers, and other financial institutions.
Dividend Policy
We have not paid any cash dividends on our Class A Common Stock to date. It is the present intention of the Company’s board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in the Company’s business operations and, accordingly, the Company’s board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon the Company’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends is within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors. Further, the ability of the Company to declare dividends may be limited by the terms of financing or other agreements entered into by it or its subsidiaries from time to time.
 
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. Our business, prospects, financial condition or operating results could be harmed by any of these risks, as well as other risks not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and, as a result, you may lose all or part of your investment.
In the course of conducting our business operations, we are exposed to a variety of risks. Any of the risk factors we describe below have affected or could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The market price of our securities could decline, possibly significantly or permanently, if one or more of these risks and uncertainties occurs. Certain statements in “Risk Factors” are forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Risks Related to Our Business
Our brand is core to our success, and damage to our brand or reputation and negative publicity could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our reputation and the quality of our brand are critical to our business and success in existing markets and will be critical to our success as we enter new markets. Our brand and authenticity in supporting the veteran and military community is a core driver of our success. We promote our brand via media content and active participation in the veteran community through events, donations, and hiring commitments, but the continued success of such promotions cannot be guaranteed.
Failure to maintain our brand, including quality of media content and active participation in the veteran community, could adversely impact our consumer resonance, brand perception, and financial performance.
We have historically faced, and may from time to time be faced, with negative publicity, regardless of its accuracy, relating to our brand; our founders and our mission; our charitable activities; our marketing; product quality; the safety, sanitation, and welfare of our facilities; customer complaints or litigation alleging illness or injury; health inspection scores; integrity of our or our suppliers’ food processing, employment practices, and other policies, practices and procedures; employee relationships and welfare or other matters; or public statements by our founders or other key employees and persons associated with our brand, including paid brand partners. Negative publicity may adversely affect us, regardless of whether the allegations are substantiated or whether we are held to be responsible.
Our brand has been in the past, and may be in the future, associated with controversial actions of certain customers of ours. For example, we have recently received negative publicity from leading national media arising out of the presence of, among others, our logos and brands on apparel worn at certain publicized events, even when such individuals were otherwise unaffiliated with us. The negative publicity and our reaction and communication related to such events has in the past resulted in significant losses to our direct-to-consumer subscription service, the loss of investors, and the loss of wholesale channel partners. There is no assurance that any such negative publicity will not occur again in the future and harm our brand and reputation, regardless of our involvement in the publicized events.
Moreover, information posted on social media platforms may be adverse to our interests and/or may be inaccurate, each of which may harm our performance, prospects, or business. The harm may be immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. Our brand has been viewed as polarizing, and we may be subject to boycotts or other negative publicity by members of the public or other corporations who fundamentally disagree with our mission or branding.
Furthermore, the negative impact of adverse publicity relating to one facility or retail coffee shop may extend far beyond the location involved, to affect some or all of our other shops, including our franchise partner shops. The risk of negative publicity is particularly great with respect to our franchise partner shops because we are limited in the manner in which we can regulate them, especially on a real-time basis, and negative publicity from our franchise partners’ shops may also significantly impact company-operated shops.
 
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A similar risk exists with respect to wholesale retail partners if customers mistakenly associate third party issues with our operations.
Employee claims against us based on, among other things, wage and hour violations, discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination may also create not only legal and financial liability, but also negative publicity that could adversely affect us and divert our financial and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit the future performance of our operations. These types of employee claims could also be asserted against us, on a co-employer theory, by employees of our franchise partners. A significant increase in the number of these claims or an increase in the number of successful claims could harm our business.
Our content creation team often produces videos and other media depicting risky or dangerous activities, showcasing stunts and activities with firearms, military vehicles, “extreme” sports, marksmanships, and other themes pursuing the lifestyle associated with our brand and sometimes involving certain of our employees and executive officers. While we take precautions to ensure the safety of all involved in creating this content, the activities carry an inherent risk that cannot be eliminated. If any individual were to suffer serious harm while involved with one of our productions, this could lead to negative publicity and harm to the brand and subject us to legal proceedings. See also “We depend on our founder, executive officers, and other key employees, and the loss of one or more of these employees or an inability to attract and retain other highly skilled employees could harm our business.”
Additionally, there has been a marked increase in the use of social media platforms and similar devices, including blogs, social media websites, and other forms of internet-based communications that provide individuals with access to a broad audience of consumers and other interested persons. The availability of information on social media platforms is virtually immediate as is its impact. Many social media platforms immediately publish the content their subscribers and participants can post, often without filters or checks on accuracy of the content posted. The opportunity for dissemination of information, including inaccurate information, is seemingly limitless and readily available. Information concerning us may be posted on such platforms at any time. Our founders often appear in unscripted and un-reviewed online publications, such as podcasts, over which we have little curation. Our founders have not had a history of appearing on podcasts while representing a public company, and their statements on these public media platforms may change public perception about the brand and affect our market value.
Ultimately, the risks associated with any such negative publicity or incorrect information cannot be completely eliminated or mitigated and may harm our business.
Failure to maintain or enhance the value of our brand could have a negative impact on our financial results.
We strongly believe that the authenticity of our brand and our mission is key to our customer affinity. Failure to maintain our brand or the authenticity of that brand, including quality of media content and active participation in the veteran community, could adversely impact our consumer resonance, brand perception, and financial performance.
Business incidents, whether isolated or recurring and whether originating from us or our business partners, that erode consumer trust can significantly reduce brand value, potentially trigger boycotts of our shops, or result in civil or criminal liability and can have a negative impact on our financial results. Most importantly, if our customers perceive that we have abandoned or less prioritized our mission and our authenticity, in particular with respect to our support of the veteran and military communities, we could lose significant portions of our customer base and experience substantial harm to our reputation and our operating results. Other such incidents that could adversely affect our business include actual or perceived breaches of privacy, contaminated products, employees or customers infected with communicable diseases such as COVID-19, product recalls, controversial actions of persons identified with the brand, or other potential incidents discussed in this risk factors section. The impact of such incidents may be exacerbated if they receive considerable publicity, including rapidly through social or digital media (including for malicious reasons) or result in litigation. Consumer demand for our products and our brand equity could diminish significantly if we, our employees, franchise partners, or other business partners fail to preserve the quality of our products, act or are perceived to act in an unethical, illegal, racially-biased, unequal, or socially
 
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irresponsible manner, including with respect to the sourcing, content or sale of our products, service and treatment of customers at our shops, or the use of customer data for general or direct marketing or other purposes.
If we fail to comply with laws and regulations, publicly take controversial positions or actions, or fail to deliver a consistently positive consumer experience in each of our markets, including by failing to invest in the right balance of wages and benefits to attract and retain employees that represent the brand well, our brand value may be diminished. Additionally, if our in-house content creation platform were to generate public controversy and a negative public response, this could result in a loss of existing customers, difficulty attracting new customers, loss of business partnerships, and other adverse effects on us.
Moreover, our success depends in large part upon our ability to maintain our corporate reputation. For example, the reputation of our brand could be damaged by claims or perceptions about the quality or safety of our ingredients or merchandise, the quality or reputation of our suppliers, distributors, or franchise partners, or by claims or perceptions that we, our franchise partners, or other business partners have acted or are acting in an unethical, illegal, racially-biased, or socially irresponsible manner or are not fostering an inclusive and diverse environment, regardless of whether such claims or perceptions are substantiated. Our corporate reputation could also suffer from negative publicity or consumer sentiment regarding Company action or inaction or brand imagery, a real or perceived failure of corporate governance, or misconduct by any officer or any employee or representative of us or a franchise partner. Any such incidents (even if resulting from actions of a competitor or franchise partner) could cause a decline directly or indirectly in consumer confidence in, or the perception of, our brand and/or our products and reduce consumer demand for our products, which would likely result in lower revenue and profits.
There has been an increased public focus, including from the United States federal and state governments, on environmental sustainability matters, including with respect to climate change, greenhouse gases, water resources, packaging and waste, animal health and welfare, deforestation, and land use. We endeavor to conduct our business in a manner which reflects our priority of sustainable stewardship, including with respect to environmental sustainability matters, and we are working to manage the risks and costs to us, our franchise partners, and our supply chain associated with these types of environmental sustainability matters. In addition, as the result of such heightened public focus on environmental sustainability matters, we may face increased pressure to provide expanded disclosure, make or expand commitments, set targets, or establish additional goals and take actions to meet such goals, in connection with such environmental sustainability matters. These matters and our efforts to address them could expose us to market, operational, reputational, and execution costs or risks.
Our growth strategy depends on the successful execution of our strategic initiatives, and our limited operating history may make it difficult to evaluate future risks and challenges.
We were founded as a digitally native coffee brand in 2014, and have expanded into a number of growth channels, including, but not limited to, merchandise sales, franchised and company-operated retail locations, and Ready-to-Drink products. For example, we started both our Ready-to-Drink and retail coffee shop businesses in 2020. As several of these growth channels are still in the early stages of development, it may be difficult to anticipate risks, including, but not limited to, those associated with the following: revenue generation and key operating expenses; customer retention and acquisition; evolving or changing consumer preferences; product development and innovation; logistics and supply chain management; and all laws and regulations that may apply to each business line. Additionally, we have historically prioritized, and may in the future continue to prioritize, growth over profitability.
As part of our long-term strategy, we intend to grow our market share and revenue through various initiatives, including, but not limited to: continued growth of our direct to consumer sales through online channels; growth of our Ready-To-Drink and wholesale channel including expansion of distribution channels, velocity growth, and product innovation; and growth of our retail coffee shops business including opening new company-operated and franchised shops, driving sales growth at existing shops, and developing new digital platforms such as digital ordering and loyalty programs for customers at our coffee shops. If we are unable to execute our strategic initiative, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
 
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We have already invested, and intend to further invest, significant resources to support the entry into and rapid growth of these and other new revenue channels. These investments have significantly reduced our short-term profitability. While we expect our profitability to improve in the future as we scale our business, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so.
We also have entered into an agreement with a distinguished global consulting firm for the purposes of effectuating our strategic initiatives. We believe that this relationship will support growth in our new business lines, streamline and improve our organizational processes, and generally enhance the services we can provide to our consumers. However, there can be no guarantee that this relationship will provide substantial improvement to our operations, and failure to recognize improvement from this relationship would result in significant outlays of resources without realizing substantial benefits.
We have a limited operating history, and our past financial results may not be indicative of our future performance. Further, our revenue growth rate may slow as our business matures.
We have a limited history of generating revenue, in particular with respect to our Ready-To-Drink products and our Outpost locations. As a result of our short operating history, we have limited financial data that can be used to evaluate our current business. Therefore, our historical revenue growth should not be considered indicative of our future performance. Estimates of future revenue growth are subject to many risks and uncertainties and our future revenue may differ materially from our projections.
To effectively manage and capitalize on our growth, we must continue to expand our sales and marketing, focus on innovative product and content development, upgrade our management information systems and other processes, and continue to hire and retain employees. Our continued growth could strain our existing resources, and we could experience ongoing operating difficulties in managing our business across numerous jurisdictions, including difficulties in hiring, training, and managing a diffuse and growing employee base. Failure to scale and preserve our company culture with growth could harm our future success, including our ability to retain and recruit personnel and to effectively focus on and pursue our corporate objectives. We cannot be sure that we will be successful in addressing these and other challenges we may face in the future, and our business may be adversely affected if we do not manage these risks successfully. In addition, we may not achieve sufficient revenue to attain or maintain positive cash flows from operations or profitability in any given period, or at all.
Our marketing programs may not be successful, resulting in harm to our financial results.
Attracting new customers, and retaining existing customers, is important to the success of our business.
We incur costs and expend other resources in our marketing efforts on new products or merchandise and advertising campaigns to raise brand awareness and attract and retain customers. Our approach to marketing, advertising, and branding is often novel and some campaigns may be significantly more successful than others. If any initiatives do not succeed, we may incur expenses without the benefit of higher revenue.
Additionally, some of our competitors have greater financial resources than we do, which enable them to spend significantly more on marketing and advertising and other initiatives than we can. Should our competitors increase spending on marketing and advertising and other initiatives or our marketing funds decrease for any reason, or should our advertising, promotions, and new menu items be less effective than our competitors, there could be an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Failure to attract new or retain existing customers, or failure to do so in a cost-effective manner, may result in an inability to increase sales and financial harm to our business.
Our new products or merchandise may not generate increased sales or profits.
We have devoted, and will continue to devote in the future, significant resources to launch and promote new products to serve broader customer demand, adapt to changes in markets trends, and account for shifts in customer preferences. However, we may not be successful in implementing our distribution strategy, developing innovative new products, or creating products that are successful with consumer preferences. To the extent that we are not able to effectively gauge the direction of our key markets and successfully identify,
 
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develop, and promote new or improved products in the changing market, our operating results could suffer. These risks extend to the implementation of new lines of business or product categories.
Failure to properly expand into new channels or introduce different product types could result in significant expenditures without increased revenue.
Developing new products and introducing them into wholesale retailers, convenience stores, and our direct to consumer platforms is an expensive and time-consuming process. Not only are research and development expensive investments, there is also no guarantee that our co-manufacturing partners or distribution networks will fully cooperate in producing or promoting our new products. Launching new products at commercial convenience stores, for example, requires lead time. Long lead times may make it more difficult for us to respond rapidly to new or changing product trends or consumer preferences. Launching a new product may also require initial “free fills” of shelves, which increases the costs of introducing new products and could adversely impact our operating results if the new product is not successful.
We are subject to risks associated with using social media as a primary form of advertisement and customer engagement.
Our in-house content creation platform represents a significant portion of our marketing. Our content creation team primarily uses third party social media platforms mentioned above to engage with customers. In addition to company accounts and accounts associated with key employees, such as our founders, Evan Hafer and Mat Best, we rely on key non-employee influencers to drive online traffic and promote our brand. These relationships and agreements with non-employee influencers are often informal and cannot be closely controlled. Any actions or any public statements or social media posts about us or our products by non-employees that are contrary to our values, are critical of our brand, or create public controversy could negatively affect consumer perception of our brand and adversely affect our business. Additionally, if non-employees cease publishing content supporting us on their social media platforms for any reason, our online presence may decrease and our operating results may suffer.
Additionally, we rely on third party social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Google, and others, to generate new customers and to engage with existing customers. As existing social media platforms evolve and new platforms develop, we must continue to maintain a presence on current and emerging platforms. If we are unable to cost-effectively use social media platforms as marketing tools, our ability to acquire new customers may suffer. Moreover, social media and other online platforms often revise their algorithms and introduce new advertising products. If one of the platforms upon which we rely for customer engagement were to modify its general methodology for how it displays our advertisements or keyword search results, resulting in fewer customers clicking through to our websites or coming across our content, our business may suffer.
For example, in 2021, Apple made certain changes to its products and data use policies in connection with changes to its iOS operating system that reduce our ability to target and measure advertising. Because of these changes, the efficacy of our digital and social channels has decreased and may decrease further in the future, increasing our cost to acquire customers. We may not be able to acquire customers in an as cost effective manner as a result of these changes and other competitive factors, which could adversely affect our financial results.
Furthermore, as laws and regulations governing the use of these platforms evolve, any failure by us or third parties acting at our direction to abide by applicable laws and regulations in the use of these platforms could subject us to regulatory investigations, class action lawsuits, liability, fines, or other penalties and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. An increase in the use of social media for product promotion and marketing may cause an increase in the burden on us to monitor compliance of such content and increase the risk that such content could contain problematic product or marketing claims in violation of applicable regulations.
If we fail to offer high-quality customer experience, our business and reputation will suffer.
Numerous factors may impact a customer’s experience which may in turn impact the likelihood of such customer returning. Those factors include customer service, convenience, taste, price, quality, location of our
 
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retail coffee shops, and brand image. In addition to providing high quality products, we place a strong emphasis on supporting the veteran and military community and providing inspiring and entertaining media. Customers identify with our and any failure to meet customer expectations concerning our veteran and military support by our retail coffee locations, managers, and other employees may result in negative customer experiences that adversely affect customer retention.
Our current operations are highly dependent on the financial performance of our direct to consumer channel, and reliance on third party logistics, as well as other risks, could negatively impact our business.
Our financial performance is highly dependent on our direct to consumer channel, which comprised approximately 71% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021. If the direct to consumer revenue trends slow or decline, our other sources of revenues may be unable to make up any significant shortfall and our business and financial results could be adversely affected. The direct to consumer business is more mature than our other channels, and as a result, produces the majority of our profitability and cash flows. Our direct to consumer business grew at an accelerated rate during the pandemic as customers’ daily habits, including where they purchase and consume coffee, were affected. We experienced a slow down in our growth as effects of the pandemic have begun to subside. Growth may continue to slow as customers return to purchasing less coffee and other products online. Any significant slowdown or decline in our direct to consumer business could result in reduced cash flows for funding expansion of our other business lines and initiatives.
Our direct to consumer business’ success depends on third party logistics. We currently work with parties in the United States to store, ship, and otherwise support our distribution of products to our customers. Our ability to meet customer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales, and achieve objectives for operating efficiencies and growth depends on the proper operation of these third parties’ distribution facilities, the development or expansion of additional distribution capabilities, and the timely performance of services by third parties. If we continue to add third party logistics providers, require them to expand their fulfillment, distribution, or warehouse capabilities, expand to new locations, add products categories with different fulfillment requirements, or change the mix of products we sell, our logistics and distribution network will become increasingly complex and its operation will become more challenging for us and our third party logistics providers. The third party logistics providers we rely upon could be interrupted by issues beyond our control, including, but not limited to, information technology problems, natural disasters, pandemics, government regulation, or supply chain issues. Any significant failure in our third party logistics providers to operate effectively could adversely affect our business. In addition, we may be required to expand our capacity sooner than we anticipate. If we are unable to expand existing or secure new third party logistics providers to meet our future needs, our order fulfillment and shipping times may be delayed and our business, financial condition, and operating results may suffer.
We have experienced significant subscriber growth in our direct to consumer business over the past several years. Our continued business and revenue growth is dependent on our ability to continuously attract and retain subscribers, and we cannot be sure that we will be successful in these efforts, or that subscriber retention levels will not materially decline. Furthermore, in the future, we may offer new subscription products, implement promotions, or replace or modify current subscription models, any of which could result in additional costs. It is unknown how our subscribers will react to new models and whether the costs or logistics of implementing these models will adversely impact our business. If the adoption of new revenue models adversely impacts our subscriber relationships, then subscriber growth, subscriber engagement, and our business, financial condition, and operating results could be harmed.
Our business relies on co-manufacturers to supply our products, and loss of one or more of our co-manufacturers, or our failure to identify new co-manufacturers, could harm our business and impede our growth.
We rely on co-manufacturers to provide us with a portion of our production capacity, in particular with our Ready-to-Drink products. The terms of these co-manufacturing agreements vary, and some of these arrangements are short-term or based on purchase orders. Volumes produced under each of these agreements can fluctuate significantly based upon the product’s life cycle, product promotions, alternative production capacity, and other factors, none of which are under our direct control.
 
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If, for any reason, our co-manufacturers cannot fulfill their obligations, or our contract with one or more of our co-manufacturers is terminated, our business may suffer. If we need to replace a co-manufacturer, there can be no assurance that additional capacity will be available in a timely manner and in the quantities required, that our quality control requirements will be met, that we will be able to utilize the product formulas or other intellectual property developed with the co-manufacturer, or that the commercial terms of a replacement will be favorable. If we fail to replace a co-manufacturer, we may be required to reduce our overall production, or increase our production by a smaller amount than forecasted, which could result in loss of sales and reputational harm. Further, an interruption in, or the loss or reduction of operations at, one or more of our co-manufacturing facilities, which may be caused by work stoppages, contamination, disease outbreaks, terrorism, natural disasters, regulatory restrictions, or any other reason, could delay, postpone, or reduce production of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business until such time as such interruption is resolved or an alternate source of production is secured.
We believe there are a limited number of high-quality co-manufacturers that can meet our pricing requirements and quality control standards. As we seek to obtain additional or alternative co-manufacturing arrangements in the future, there can be no assurance that we would be able to do so on satisfactory terms, in a timely manner, or at all. The loss of one or more co-manufacturers, any disruption or delay at a co-manufacturer, or any failure to identify and engage co-manufacturers to increase production capacity, could delay or postpone the production of our products or reduce our overall production capacity, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We heavily depend upon our co-manufacturer relationship, and single key broker relationship, for the success of our Ready-to-Drink business.
We partner with only one co-manufacturer in the production of our Ready-to-Drink products, and that relationship is governed by our contractual arrangement with our key broker. Our co-manufacturer and broker have each been integral in the development of these products, as well as the sales and marketing efforts concerning these products. The co-manufacturer manages key relationships with a significant portion of our Ready-to-Drink customers, such as convenience stores. Failure by us to maintain our relationship with the co-manufacturer or broker could adversely affect our operating results. If we lose our relationship with our co-manufacturer or broker, we may not be able to replace it with another co-manufacturer or broker with similar expertise, or at all, and our relationships with some of our Ready-to-Drink clients may suffer as a result. The terms of an anticipated long-term agreement with our broker are currently being negotiated in the context of historical arrangements, about which there are certain disagreements. Any dispute with our broker could result in litigation in the future. An adverse outcome to any such dispute could harm our business.
We strongly rely upon our wholesale channel partners. If we cannot maintain good relationships with brokers and distributors, our wholesale revenue channel may be harmed.
Our wholesale relationships are important to our operations. We sell our coffee products, merchandise, and other products through outlets, dealers, and distributors, such as Bass Pro Shop, Cabela’s, 5.11, Scheels, Nine Line, Green Top, and other retailers and sell our Ready-to-Drink products through various regional and national retailers, including Walgreens, Walmart, 7-Eleven, and others. Certain wholesale locations may include significant signage and advertising for our brand, and we rely on these locations to effectively advertise and present our products. Our business could be adversely impacted if our wholesale channel partners face declines in customer traffic, declines in consumer spending, litigation, temporary or sustained store closures, or other business disruptions, including but not limited to supply chain disruptions or inventory management issues. Our business could also be adversely impacted if we fail to grow sales of our Ready-to-Drink, coffee, and merchandise products through wholesale channels, including flat or declining number of outlets and retailers offering our products, flat or declining sales velocity in these channels, and failure to expand through new retail partnerships and outlets selling our products or newly launched products. Failure to maintain or further develop these business relationships could result in harm to our business and results of operations.
As part of our wholesale channel model, we rely on a network of brokers and distributors to grow and manage our sales. These networks assist in expanding our brands reach and ensuring the efficient distribution
 
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of our products to our retail partners. If these networks, for any reason, cannot properly or efficiently support our products distribution, our business may suffer. An interruption in, or the loss or reduction of operations at, one of these networks, for any reason including work stoppages, pandemics, terrorism, natural disasters, or regulatory or statutory restrictions, could delay, postpone, or reduce distribution of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. There is also no guarantee that these networks will continue to support our business, and if not, then our operating results may suffer.
Additionally, we may not be able to fully control the actions of our wholesale channel partners. Unsatisfactory service or misconduct by our wholesale channel partners, or their failure to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements, may harm our business or brand reputation. Our wholesale channel partners may also not fulfill their obligations under our agreements, adversely affecting our business.
Unilateral decisions by our wholesale channel partners, as well as co-manufacturers, brokers, distributors, logistics providers, retailers, buying groups, mass merchandisers, specialty chain stores, club stores, e-commerce retailers, e-commerce websites, and other customers, to discontinue carrying all or any of our products that they are carrying at any time, restrict the range of our products they carry, impose restrictions or limitations on the sale of our products, or devote less resources to the sale of our products could cause our business to suffer.
Interruption of our supply chain of coffee, store supplies, or merchandise could affect our ability to produce or deliver our products and could negatively impact our business and profitability.
We roast the majority of our coffee beans in-house at our Manchester, TN facility. Additionally, we produce certain merchandise items in-house at our Salt Lake City, UT facility, where we also conduct a small portion of roasting. We also contract with other suppliers and manufacturers to procure supplies, equipment, and other materials and products. Any material interruption in our supply chain, such as material interruption of the supply of coffee beans, coffee machines and other restaurant equipment, merchandise, apparel, or packaging for our proprietary products could have a negative material impact on our business and our profitability. Disruptions could occur due to the casualty loss of any of our roasting plants, interruptions in service by our third party logistics service providers or common carriers that ship goods within our distribution channels, trade restrictions, such as increased tariffs or quotas, increased prices to postage and shipping, embargoes or customs restrictions, pandemics, social or labor unrest, weather or natural disasters, political disputes and military conflicts, or other potential incidents. Additionally, we rely on our domestic and international business partners to provide high quality products and to comply with applicable laws. If production at our Manchester, TN facility is disrupted, we do not have an auxiliary facility that could continue our roasting operations. We also do not have any agreements in place with third parties to roast our coffee in the event that our Manchester, TN facility were to become inoperable.
Increases in the cost of high-quality Arabica coffee beans or other commodities or decreases in the availability of high-quality Arabica coffee beans or other commodities could have an adverse impact on our business and financial results.
The availability and prices of coffee beans and other commodities are subject to significant volatility. We purchase, roast and sell high-quality whole bean Arabica coffee beans and related coffee products. The high-quality Arabica coffee of the quality we seek tends to trade on a negotiated basis at a premium above the “C” price. This premium depends upon the supply and demand at the time of purchase and the amount of the premium can vary significantly. Increases in the “C” coffee commodity price increase the price of high-quality Arabica coffee and also impact our ability to enter into fixed-price purchase commitments. We frequently enter into supply contracts whereby the quality, quantity, delivery period and other negotiated terms are agreed upon, but the date, and therefore price, at which the base “C” coffee commodity price component will be fixed has not yet been established.
The supply and price of coffee we purchase can also be affected by multiple factors in the producing countries, such as weather (including the potential effects of climate change), natural disasters, crop disease, general increase in farm inputs and costs of production, inventory levels, political and economic conditions, and the actions of certain organizations and associations that have historically attempted to influence prices of green coffee through agreements establishing export quotas or by restricting coffee supplies. Speculative trading in coffee commodities can also influence coffee prices. Because of the significance of coffee beans to
 
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our operations, combined with our ability to only partially mitigate future price risk through purchasing practices, increases in the cost of high-quality Arabica coffee beans could have a material adverse impact on our profitability. In addition, if we are not able to purchase sufficient quantities of green coffee due to any of the above factors or to a worldwide or regional shortage, we may not be able to fulfill the demand for our coffee, which could have a material adverse impact on our profitability.
Increases in the cost of dairy products and other commodities, such as petroleum which in turn may increase the cost of our packing materials, or lack of availability, whether due to supply shortages, delays or interruptions in processing, or otherwise, especially in international markets, could harm our business.
We have entered into certain forward purchase contracts for coffee beans, which include fixed price arrangements with set time periods for market-based increases. By entering into these commercial contracts, we attempt to mitigate the adverse effects of unexpected market-price increases. For example, we have agreed to rates in 2022 that are lower than the current future prices of green coffee beans. However, if future prices were to decline below our contracted prices, we are contractually obligated to pay the higher rates.
Recently, the input costs of our products have increased substantially, which has significantly increased our costs and reduced our profitability. While some of these price increases are driven through various supply chain issues affecting all resources and commodities used in our products, the increase in the price of high quality coffee is the greatest factor of our increased costs. Since the beginning of 2021, the price of coffee has increased significantly. The price of coffee may continue to increase in the coming years, through 2023 and beyond, representing a significant expense increase for us going forward. Additionally, we will need to increase the prices charged to our customers across all of our channels to offset these cost increases in order to maintain our current levels of profitability. There is no assurance that customers will accept such price increases, which could lead to lower revenue and profitability as well as decreases in the perception of our brand.
Our financial condition and quarterly results of operations are dependent upon consumer discretionary spending, and a number of economic or political conditions, largely outside our control, may adversely affect that spending and as such our results may fluctuate significantly and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.
Our quarterly results of operations and key metrics may vary significantly in the future as they have in the past, and period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations and key metrics may not be meaningful. Accordingly, the results of any one quarter should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. Our results of operations are subject to seasonal and quarterly variations, and key metrics may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, and thus, may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business. Fluctuations in quarterly results may negatively impact the value of our securities. Factors that may cause fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations and key metrics include, without limitation, those listed elsewhere in this Risk Factors section and those listed below. Any one or more of the factors listed below or described elsewhere in this section could harm our business:

fluctuations in the cost and availability of real estate, labor, raw materials, equipment, shipping;

pricing pressure;

consumer preferences, including those described above;

money available to consumers for discretionary purchases, which may be affected by job losses, inflation, higher taxes, changes in federal economic policy, or other macroeconomic or political factors;

severe weather or other natural or man-made disasters affecting a large market or several closely located markets that may temporarily but significantly affect our business in such markets;

especially in our large markets, labor discord or disruption, geopolitical events, social unrest, war, terrorism, political instability, acts of public violence, boycotts, hostilities and social unrest and other health pandemics that lead to avoidance of public places or cause people to stay at home; and

adverse outcomes of litigation.
 
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Additionally, certain public entities have recently experienced extreme volatility in the market prices and trading volume of their common stock. This extreme volatility seems to be unrelated to the underlying business of these entities, their market performance, or the macro or industry fundamentals of these entities. These extreme market fluctuations have been accompanied by reports of strong and atypical retail investor interest, including on social media and online forums, and it is unclear how long this volatility will last. Due to our customer basis, online presence, and reputation, among other factors, our Class A Common Stock may be subject to similar market volatility in the future not necessarily related to the performance of our business.
We may not be able to compete successfully with other producers and retailers of coffee. Intense competition in our markets could make it more difficult to expand our business and could also have a negative impact on our operating results if customers favor our competitors or we are forced to change our pricing and other marketing strategies.
The specialty coffee market is intensely competitive, including with respect to product quality, innovation, service, convenience, such as delivery service and mobile ordering, and price, and we face significant and increasing competition in all these areas in each of our channels and markets. If we cannot compete successfully with other entities in the market, we could lose customers and our revenue could decline. We expect competition in this market to continue to be intense as we compete on a variety of fronts, including, without limitation, the following: anticipating and responding to changing consumer demands in a timely manner; establishing and maintaining favorable brand-name recognition; achieving and maintaining product quality; hiring and retaining key employees; maintaining and growing market share; developing quality and differentiated products that appeal to consumers; establishing and maintain acceptable relationships with wholesale customers; pricing products appropriately; optimizing roasting and supply chain capabilities; and protecting intellectual property.
Compared to us, some of our competitors have substantially greater financial, technological, roasting, sale, marketing, distribution, and other resources, have been in business longer, have greater brand recognition, or are better established in the markets where our products are located or are planned to be located. Their greater capabilities in these areas may enable them to compete more effectively on the basis of price, more quickly develop new products, and more easily withstand increasing costs. The general availability of coffee roasting also allows new entrants easy access to the markets in which we compete, which may increase the number of competitors. Any of these competitive factors may adversely affect our business.
Additionally, if our competitors begin to evolve their business strategies and adopt aspects of our business model, such as our subscription model and innovative content and branding, including veteran and first-responder-focused branding, our customers may be drawn to those competitors for their beverage needs and our business could be harmed.
Our growth strategy depends in part on opening new retail coffee shops in existing and new markets. We may be unsuccessful in opening new shops or establishing new markets, which could adversely affect our growth.
As of December 31, 2021, we had sixteen shops across six states, of which eight were company-operated and eight were franchised. One of the key means to achieving our growth strategy will be through opening new shops and operating those shops on a profitable basis. We opened our first company-operated shop in 2020, with the remainder opening in 2021. We anticipate opening fifteen additional company owned shops in 2022, and an additional five franchise shops in 2022. Our ability to open new shops is dependent upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including our and our franchise partners’ ability to:

identify available and suitable sites, specifically for drive-thru locations;

compete for such sites;

reach acceptable agreements regarding the lease of locations;

obtain or have available the financing required to acquire and operate a shop, including construction and opening costs, which includes access to build-to-suit leases and ground lease construction arrangements;
 
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respond to unforeseen engineering or environmental problems with leased premises;

avoid the impact of inclement weather, natural disasters and other calamities;

hire, train and retain the skilled management and other employees necessary to meet staffing needs;

obtain, in a timely manner and for an acceptable cost, required licenses, permits and regulatory approvals and respond effectively to any changes in local, state or federal law and regulations that adversely affect our and our franchise partners’ costs or ability to open new shops; and

control construction and equipment cost increases for new shops and secure the services of qualified contractors and subcontractors in an increasingly competitive environment.
There is no guarantee that a sufficient number of suitable sites for shops will be available in desirable areas or on terms that are acceptable to us in order to achieve our growth plan. If we are unable to open new shops, or if existing franchise partners do not open new shops, or if shop openings are significantly delayed, our revenue or earnings growth could be adversely affected and our business may be harmed.
As part of our medium term growth strategy, we expect to enter into geographic markets in which we have little or no prior operating experience. The challenges of entering new markets include: adapting to local regulations or restrictions that may limit our ability to open new shops, restrict the use of certain branding or increase the cost of development; difficulties in hiring experienced personnel; unfamiliarity with local real estate markets and demographics; consumer unfamiliarity with our brand; and different competitive and economic conditions, consumer tastes and discretionary spending patterns that are more difficult to predict or satisfy than in our existing markets. Consumer recognition of our brand has been important in the success of our shops in our existing markets, and we will need to build this recognition in new markets. Shops we open in new markets may take longer to reach expected sales and profit levels on a consistent basis and may have higher construction, occupancy and operating costs than existing shops, thereby affecting our overall profitability. Any failure on our part to recognize or respond to these challenges may adversely affect the success of any new shops.
Due to brand recognition and logistical synergies, as part of our growth strategy, we also intend to open new shops in areas where we have existing shops. The operating results and comparable shop sales could be adversely affected due to close proximity with our other shops and market saturation.
New retail coffee shops, once opened, may not be profitable or may close, and the increases in average per shop revenue and comparable sales that we have experienced in the past may not be indicative of future results.
Our results have been, and in the future may continue to be, significantly impacted by the timing of new shop openings, which is subject to a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including: landlord delays; associated pre-opening costs and operating inefficiencies; and changes in our geographic concentration due to the opening of new shops. We have typically incurred the most significant portion of pre-opening expenses associated with a given shop within the three months preceding the opening of the shop. Our experience has been that labor and operating costs associated with a newly opened shop for the first several months of operation are materially greater than what can be expected after that time, both in aggregate dollars and as a percentage of sales. Our new shops commonly take three months or more to reach planned operating levels due to inefficiencies typically associated with new shops, including the training of new personnel, new market learning curves, inability to hire sufficient qualified staff, and other factors. We may incur additional costs in new markets, particularly for transportation and distribution, which may impact sales and the profitability of those shops. Accordingly, the volume and timing of new shop openings may have a material adverse impact on our profitability.
Although we target specified operating and financial metrics, new shops may never meet these targets or may take longer than anticipated to do so. Any new shop we open may never become profitable or achieve operating results similar to those of our existing shops, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Some of our shops open with an initial start-up period of higher than normal sales volumes and related costs, which subsequently decrease to stabilized levels. In new markets, the length of time before
 
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average sales for new shops stabilize is less predictable and can be longer as a result of our limited knowledge of these markets and consumers’ limited awareness of our brand. In addition, our volume and comparable sales may not increase at the rates achieved over the past several years. Our ability to operate new shops profitably and increase average shop revenue and comparable shop sales will depend on many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

consumer awareness and understanding of our brand;

general economic conditions, which can affect shop traffic, local labor costs, and prices we pay for the products and other supplies we use;

consumption patterns and beverage preferences that differ from region to region;

changes in consumer preferences and discretionary spending;

difficulties obtaining or maintaining adequate relationships with distributors or suppliers in new markets;

increases in prices for commodities, including coffee, milk, and flavored syrups;

inefficiency in our labor costs as the staff gains experience;

competition, either from our competitors in the beverage industry or our own shops;

temporary and permanent site characteristics of new shops;

changes in government regulation; and

other unanticipated increases in costs, any of which could give rise to delays or cost overruns.
If our new shops do not perform as planned or close, our business and future prospects could be harmed. In addition, an inability to achieve our expected average shop revenue could harm our business.
Additionally, opening new shops in existing markets may negatively impact sales at our, and our franchise partners’, existing shops, even if it increases overall volume in a region. The consumer target area of our shops varies by location, depending on a number of factors, including population density, other local retail and business attractions, area demographics and geography. As a result, the opening of a new shop in or near markets in which we or our franchise partners already have shops could adversely impact sales at these existing shops while growing the overall volume in a region. Existing shops could also make it more difficult to build our and our franchise partners’ consumer base for a new shop in the same market. Sales transfer between our shops may become significant in the future as we continue to expand our operations and could affect our sales growth, which could, in turn, harm our business.
Our failure to manage our growth effectively could harm our business and operating results.
We have experienced rapid growth and increased demand for our products. The growth and expansion of our business and products may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources. As we expand our business, it is important that we continue to maintain a high level of customer service and satisfaction which may place a significant strain on our management, sales and marketing, administrative, financial, and other resources. We may not be able to respond in a timely basis to all the changing demands that our planned expansion will impose on management and on our existing infrastructure, or be able to hire or retain the necessary management and employees, which could harm our business. Failure to accurately forecast our results of operations and growth rate may also result in harm to our business. Further, if we are not able to continue to provide high quality customer service as a result of these demands, our reputation, as well as our business, including a decline in financial performance, could be harmed. If we experience a decline in financial performance, we may decrease the number of or discontinue new shop openings, or we may decide to close shops that we are unable to operate in a profitable manner.
We are required to manage multiple relationships with various strategic partners, our franchise partners, customers, and other third parties. In the event of further growth of our operations or in the number of our third party relationships, our existing management systems, financial and management controls and information systems may not be adequate to support our planned expansion and we may face challenges of integrating, developing, training, and motivating a rapidly growing employee base in our various
 
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shops and maintaining our culture across multiple offices and shops. Our ability to manage our growth effectively will require us to continue to enhance our systems, procedures and controls and to locate, hire, train and retain management and employees, particularly in new markets which may require significant capital expenditures.
We are increasingly dependent on information technology and our ability to process data in order to operate and sell our goods and services, and if we (or our vendors) are unable to protect against software and hardware vulnerabilities, service interruptions, data corruption, cyber-based attacks, ransomware or security breaches, or if we fail to comply with our commitments and assurances regarding the privacy and security of such data, our operations could be disrupted, our ability to provide our goods and services could be interrupted, our reputation may be harmed and we may be exposed to liability and loss of customers and business.
We rely on information technology networks and systems and data processing (some of which are managed by third party service providers) to market, sell and deliver our products and services, to fulfill orders, to collect, receive, store, process, generate, use, transfer, disclose, make accessible, protect, secure, dispose of and share (“Process” or “Processing”) personal information, confidential or proprietary information, financial information and other information, to manage a variety of business processes and activities, for financial reporting purposes, to operate our business, to process orders, for legal and marketing purposes, and to comply with regulatory, legal and tax requirements (“Business Functions”).
These information technology networks and systems, and the Processing they perform, may be vulnerable to data security and privacy threats, cyber and otherwise. Moreover, the risk of unauthorized circumvention of our security measures or those of our third parties on whom we rely has been heightened by advances in computer and software capabilities and the increasing sophistication of hackers who employ complex techniques, including, without limitation, “phishing” or social engineering incidents, ransomware, extortion, account takeover attacks, denial or degradation of service attacks and malware. Further, breaches experienced by other companies may also be leveraged against us. For example, credential stuffing attacks are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated actors can mask their attacks, making them increasingly difficult to identify and prevent. Recently, one of our vendor’s technology systems was exploited, giving unauthorized access to certain of our customer data. The unauthorized third party who obtained this data then made certain statements online regarding our online vulnerabilities, but we promptly remedied these identified vulnerabilities. We have technology security initiatives in place to mitigate our risk to these vulnerabilities and do from time to time detect and prevent attempted disruptions, but these measures may not be adequately designed or implemented to ensure that our operations are not disrupted or that data security breaches do not occur. If our information technology networks and systems or data processing suffers damage, security breaches, vulnerabilities, disruption or shutdown, and we do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, they could cause a material adverse impact to, our Business Functions and our business, reputation and financial condition.
Hackers and data thieves are increasingly sophisticated and operate large-scale and complex automated attacks, which may remain undetected until after they occur. Despite our efforts to protect our information technology networks and systems, Processing, and information, we may not be able to anticipate or to implement effective preventive and remedial measures against all data security and privacy threats. Our security measures may not be adequate to prevent or detect service interruption, system failure data loss or theft, or other material adverse consequences. No security solution, strategy, or measures can address all possible security threats. Our applications, systems, networks, software, and physical facilities could have material vulnerabilities, be breached, or personal or confidential information could be otherwise compromised due to employee error or malfeasance, if, for example, third parties attempt to fraudulently induce our personnel or our customers to disclose information or user names and/or passwords, or otherwise compromise the security of our networks, systems and/or physical facilities. We cannot be certain that we will be able to address any such vulnerabilities, in whole or part, and there may be delays in developing and deploying patches and other remedial measures to adequately address vulnerabilities, and taking such remedial steps could adversely impact or disrupt our operations. We expect similar issues to arise in the future as our products and services are more widely adopted, and as we continue to expand the features and functionality of existing products and services and introduce new products and services.
An actual or perceived breach of our security systems or those of our third party service providers may require notification under applicable data privacy regulations or for customer relations or publicity purposes,
 
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which could result in reputational harm, costly litigation (including class action litigation), material contract breaches, liability, settlement costs, loss of sales, regulatory scrutiny, actions or investigations, a loss of confidence in our business, systems and Processing, a diversion of management’s time and attention, and significant fines, penalties, assessments, fees, and expenses.
The costs to respond to a security breach or to mitigate any security vulnerabilities that may be identified could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful. These costs include, but are not limited to, retaining the services of cybersecurity providers; compliance costs arising out of existing and future cybersecurity, data protection and privacy laws and regulations; and costs related to maintaining redundant networks, data backups, and other damage-mitigation measures. We could be required to fundamentally change our business activities and practices in response to a security breach or related regulatory actions or litigation, which could have an adverse effect on our business. Additionally, most jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals, regulatory authorities, and others of security breaches involving certain types of data. Such mandatory disclosures are costly, could lead to negative publicity, may cause our customers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures, and require us to expend significant capital and other resources to respond to or alleviate problems caused by the actual or perceived security breach.
We may not have adequate insurance coverage for handling security incidents or breaches, including fines, judgments, settlements, penalties, costs, attorney fees, and other impacts that arise out of incidents or breaches. If the impacts of a security incident or breach, or the successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceeds our available insurance coverage, or results in changes to our insurance policies (including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements), it could harm our business. In addition, we cannot be sure that our existing insurance coverage will continue to be available on acceptable terms or that our insurers will not deny coverage as to all or part of any future claim or loss. Moreover, our privacy risks are likely to increase as we continue to expand, grow our customer base, and process, store, and transmit increasingly large amounts of personal and/or sensitive data.
If we or our franchise partners are unable to protect our customers’ and employees’ personal, financial, or other confidential data, or if our information technology systems are compromised, we could be exposed to data loss, litigation, liability and reputational damage.
Our business requires the collection, transmission, and retention of large volumes of customer and employee data, including credit and debit card numbers and other personally identifiable information, in various information technology systems that we maintain and in those maintained by third parties with whom we contract to provide services. The integrity and protection of that customer and employee data is critical to us. Further, our customers and employees have a high expectation that we and our service providers will adequately protect their personal information. Our systems and technology are vulnerable to damage, disruption, or interruption from, among other things, physical damage, natural disasters, inadequate system capacity, system issues, security breaches, cyber-security attacks, computer viruses, power outages, and other failures or disruptions outside of our control. A material breach of our or third parties’ information technology systems that results in authorized access, theft, use, or destruction of customer or employee confidential information could result in fines, legal claims or proceedings, including regulatory investigations and actions, or liability for failure to comply with privacy and information security laws, which could disrupt our operations, damage our reputation, and expose us to claims from customers and employees, any of which could harm our business.
We currently accept payments using credit cards and debit cards, for which we rely on third party servicers, and, as such, are subject to payment card association operating rules and certification requirements, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, which is a security standard applicable to companies like ours that collect, store or transmit certain data regarding credit and debit cards, holders and transactions. We are also subject to rules governing electronic funds transfers. Such rules could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we (or a third party processing payment card transactions on our behalf) suffer a security breach affecting payment card information, we may have to pay onerous and significant fines, penalties and assessments arising out of the major card brands’ rules and regulations, contractual indemnifications or liability contained in merchant agreements and similar contracts, and we may lose our ability to accept payment cards for payment for our goods and services, which could materially impact our operations and financial performance.
 
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Additionally, we rely on information technology systems across our operations, including administrative and operational functions, online ordering systems, direct to consumer sales including our e-commerce website and subscription services, point-of-sale systems and customer payments, supply chain, and other technology systems. Damage, disruption, or interruption to these systems from, among other things, physical damage, natural disasters, inadequate system capacity, system issues, security breaches, cyber-security attacks, computer viruses, power outages, and other failures or disruptions outside of our control could lead to an interruption in the operation of our systems, resulting in operational inefficiencies and a loss of profits. Furthermore, the information, security and privacy requirements imposed by governmental regulation are increasingly demanding. Our systems may not be able to satisfy these changing requirements and customer and employee expectations or may require significant additional investments or time in order to do so.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property, including trademarks, trade names, and service marks, which, in turn, could harm the value of our brand and adversely affect our business.
Our ability to implement our business plan successfully depends in part on our ability to further build brand recognition using our trademarks, service marks, proprietary products, and other intellectual property, including our name and logos and the unique character and atmosphere of our retail coffee shops. We rely on U.S. trademark, copyright, and trade secret laws, as well as license agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and confidentiality and other contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property.
Nevertheless, our competitors may develop similar menu items and concepts, and adequate remedies may not be available in the event of an unauthorized use or disclosure of our trade secrets and other intellectual property.
The success of our business depends on our continued ability to use our existing trademarks, trade names, and service marks to increase brand awareness and further develop our brand as we expand into new markets. We have registered and applied to register trademarks and service marks in the United States and, to a lesser degree, certain other jurisdictions. We may not be able to adequately protect our trademarks and service marks, and our competitors and others may successfully challenge the validity or enforceability of our trademarks and service marks and other intellectual property. There can also be no assurance that pending or future U.S. trademark applications will be approved in a timely manner or at all, or that such registrations will effectively protect our brand names and trademarks.
Additionally, the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property in the United States may not be adequate. If our efforts to maintain and protect our intellectual property are inadequate, or if any third party misappropriates, dilutes, or infringes on our intellectual property, the value of our brand may be harmed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and might prevent our brands from achieving or maintaining market acceptance. Even with our own franchise partners, whose activities are monitored and regulated through our franchise agreements, we face risk that they may refer to or make statements about our brand that do not make proper use of our trademarks or required designations, that improperly alter trademarks or branding, or that are critical of our brand or place our brand in a context that may tarnish our reputation. This may result in dilution of, or harm to, our intellectual property or the value of our brand.
Moreover, we do not hold any patents for our roasting methods. We roast the majority of our coffee beans in-house, and we consider our roasting methods essential to the quality of our products. Because we do not hold any patents for our roasting methods, competitors may be able to duplicate our process if such methods became known. If our competitors copy our roasting methods, the value of our coffee products may decline, and we may lose customers to competitors.
We may also from time to time be required to institute litigation to enforce our trademarks, service marks, and other intellectual property. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could negatively affect our sales, profitability, and prospects regardless of whether we can successfully enforce our rights.
Third parties may oppose our trademark and service mark applications, or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks and service marks. In the event that these or other intellectual property rights are successfully challenged, we could be forced to rebrand our products, which would result in loss of brand
 
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recognition and would require us to devote resources to advertising and marketing new brands. Third parties may also assert that we infringe, misappropriate, or otherwise violate their intellectual property and may sue us for intellectual property infringement. Even if we are successful in these proceedings, we may incur substantial costs, and the time and attention of our management and other personnel may be diverted in pursuing these proceedings. If a court finds that we infringe a third party’s intellectual property, we may be required to pay damages or be subject to an injunction. With respect to any third party intellectual property that we use or wish to use in our business (whether or not asserted against us in litigation), we may not be able to enter into licensing or other arrangements with the owner of such intellectual property at a reasonable cost or on reasonable terms.
Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and have a negative impact on our reputation or business.
From time to time, we may be party to various claims and litigation proceedings, some of which we may institute ourselves, and some of which we may be defending against. We evaluate these claims and litigation proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the nature and amount of potential recoveries or losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we may establish reserves, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. Actual outcomes, gains or losses may differ materially from our assessments and estimates. We may also, from time to time, take certain positions in respect of contractual or other relationships with third parties which may result a dispute, and, ultimately, litigation. We are not currently party to any material litigation.
Even when not merited, the commencement or defense of these lawsuits may divert management’s attention, and we may incur significant expenses in pursuing or defending these lawsuits. The results of litigation and other legal proceedings are inherently uncertain, and adverse judgments or settlements in some of these legal disputes may result in adverse monetary damages, penalties or injunctive relief against us, which could negatively impact our financial position, cash flows or results of operations. Any claims or litigation, even if fully indemnified or insured, could damage our reputation and make it more difficult to compete effectively or to obtain adequate insurance in the future.
Furthermore, while we maintain insurance for certain potential liabilities, such insurance does not cover all types and amounts of potential liabilities and is subject to various exclusions as well as caps on amounts recoverable. Even if we believe a claim is covered by insurance, insurers may dispute our entitlement to recovery for a variety of potential reasons, which may affect the timing and, if the insurers prevail, the amount of our recovery.
Evolving consumer preferences and tastes, including public or medical opinions about caffeine consumption, may adversely affect our business.
Our continued success depends on our ability to attract and retain customers. Our financial results could be adversely affected by a shift in consumer spending away from our products, lack of customer acceptance of new products (including due to price increases necessary to cover the costs of new products or higher input costs), brand perception (such as the existence or expansion of our competitors), or platforms (such as features of our mobile application and changes in our loyalty rewards programs and initiatives), or customers reducing their demand for our current offerings as new products are introduced.
In addition, most of our products contain caffeine and our Ready-to-Drink products and many of the beverages made at our retail coffee shops contain sugar, dairy products, and other compounds, such as natural and artificial flavors, the health effects of which are the subject of public and regulatory scrutiny, including the suggestion of linkages to a variety of adverse health effects. There is increasing consumer awareness of health risks that are attributed to caffeine and other ingredients we use, particularly in the United States, including obesity, increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety and insomnia, as well as increased consumer litigation based on alleged adverse health impacts of consumption of various food and beverage products. An unfavorable report on the health effects of caffeine, sugar, or other ingredients in our products or changes in public perception of these ingredients could significantly reduce the demand for our products. A decrease in customer consumption as a result of these health concerns or negative publicity could significantly reduce the demand for our products and could harm our business.
 
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Food safety and quality concerns may negatively impact our brand, business, and profitability, our internal operational controls and standards may not always be met, and our employees may not always act professionally, responsibly and in our and our customers’ best interests. Any possible instances or reports, whether true or not, of food or beverage-borne illness could reduce our sales.
Incidents or reports, whether true or not, of food-borne or water-borne illness or other food safety issues, food contamination or tampering, employee hygiene and cleanliness failures, or improper employee conduct at our retail coffee shops could lead to product liability or other claims. Such incidents or reports could negatively affect our brand and reputation as well as our business, revenue, and profits. Similar incidents or reports occurring at coffee and convenience shops unrelated to us could likewise create negative publicity, which could negatively impact consumer behavior towards us. Our products may also be subject to food recalls or other regulatory warnings promulgated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) or other regulatory bodies. For example, California’s Proposition 65 permits private enforcement against companies for allegedly failing to provide adequate health hazard warnings in the sale of certain products. We have previously received, and may receive in the future, notice of alleged violations, but have, to date, not been subject to private enforcement.
We cannot guarantee to customers that our internal controls and training will be fully effective in preventing all food-borne illnesses. New illnesses resistant to our current precautions may develop in the future, or diseases with long incubation periods could arise, potentially giving rise to claims or allegations on a retroactive basis. One or more instances of food-borne illness in one of our company-operated or franchised shops could negatively affect sales at all our shops if highly publicized. This risk exists even if it were later determined that the illness was wrongly attributed to one of our shops. Additionally, even if food-borne illnesses were not identified at our shops, our sales could be adversely affected if instances of food-borne illnesses at other coffee and beverage chains were highly publicized.
Our expansion into new markets may present increased risks, which could affect our profitability.
We plan to open additional retail coffee shops in markets where we have little or no operating experience. The target consumer base of our shops varies by location depending on a number of factors, including population density, other local coffee and convenience beverage distributors, area demographics, and geography. Shops we open in new markets may take longer to reach expected sales and profit levels on a consistent basis. New markets may have competitive conditions, consumer tastes, and discretionary spending patterns that are more difficult to predict or satisfy than our existing markets. We may need to make greater investments than we originally planned in advertising and promotional activity in new markets to build brand awareness. We may find it more difficult in new markets to hire, motivate and keep qualified employees who share our values. We may also incur higher costs from entering new markets if, for example, we assign operators to manage comparatively fewer shops than we assign in more developed markets. Also, until we attain a critical mass in a market, the shops we do open will have reduced operating leverage. As a result, these new shops may be less successful or may achieve target operating profit margins at a slower rate than existing shops did, if ever. If we do not successfully execute our plans to enter new markets, our business could be harmed.
We are subject to the risks associated with leasing space subject to long-term non-cancelable lease and, with respect to the real property that we own, owning real estate.
Our leases generally have initial terms of 15 years with renewal options in 5-year increments. Shop leases provide for a specified annual rent, with agreed increases (typically a 10% base rent increase per 5-year time period). Generally, our leases are “net” leases, which require us to pay all the cost of insurance, taxes, maintenance and utilities, which costs tend to increase each year. We generally cannot terminate these leases without incurring substantial costs. Additional sites that we lease are likely to be subject to similar long-term non-cancelable leases. If an existing or future shop is not profitable, and we decide to close it, we may nonetheless be committed to perform our obligations under the applicable lease including, among other things, paying the base rent for the balance of the lease term, or until the lease is either assigned by us to a third party, or the site is relet by the landlord. In addition, as each of our leases expires, we may fail to negotiate renewals, either on commercially acceptable terms or at all, which could cause us to close shops in desirable locations. Also, because we sometimes purchase real property for various shop locations and
 
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for office, warehouse, and manufacturing facilities, we’re subject to all the risks generally associated with owning real estate, including changes in the investment climate for real estate, demographic trends, and supply or demand for the use of the shops, which may result from competition from similar restaurants in the area as well as strict, joint, and several liability for environmental contamination at or from the property, regardless of fault.
Our operating results and growth strategies are partly dependent upon the success of our franchise partners, and we have limited control with respect to their operations. Additionally, our franchise partners’ interests may conflict or diverge with our interests in the future, which could have a negative impact on our business.
As of December 31, 2021, approximately 50% of our shops were operated by our franchise partners. With respect to our franchise strategy, we anticipate this will be a diminishing portion of our Outpost growth over time. Our franchise partners are independent business operators and are not our employees, and as such we have limited control over how our franchise partners run their businesses, and their inability to operate successfully could adversely affect our operating results.
We receive royalties, franchise fees, contributions to our marketing development fund, and other fees from our franchise partners. Additionally, we sell proprietary products to our franchise partners at a markup over our cost to produce. We have established operational standards and guidelines for our franchise partners; however, we have limited control over how our franchise partners’ businesses are run, including day to day operations. Even with these operation standards and guidelines, the quality of franchised shops may be diminished by any number of factors beyond our control. Consequently, our franchise partners may not successfully operate shops in a manner consistent with our standards and requirements, such as quality, service and cleanliness, or may not hire and train qualified shop managers, employees, and other shop personnel or may not implement marketing programs and major initiatives such as shop remodels or equipment or technology upgrades, which may require financial investment. Even if such unsuccessful operations do not rise to the level of breaching the related franchise documents, they may be attributed by customers to our brand and could have a negative impact on our business.
Our franchise partners may not be able to secure adequate financing to open or continue operating our shops. If they incur too much debt or if economic or sales trends deteriorate such that they are unable to repay existing debt, our franchise partners could experience financial distress or even bankruptcy. If a significant number of our franchise partners become financially distressed, it could harm our operating results through reduced royalty revenue, marketing fees, and proprietary product sales and the impact on our profitability could be greater than the percentage decrease in these revenue streams.
While we are responsible for ensuring the success of our entire system of shops and for taking a longer term view with respect to system improvements, our franchise partners have individual business strategies and objectives, which might conflict with our interests. Our franchise partners may from time to time disagree with us and our strategies and objectives regarding the business or our interpretation of our respective rights and obligations under the franchise agreement and the terms and conditions of the franchise partner relationship. This may lead to disputes with our franchise partners and we expect such disputes to occur from time to time in the future as we continue to have franchises. Such disputes may result in legal action against us. To the extent we have such disputes, the attention, time and financial resources of our management and our franchise partners will be diverted from our shops, which could harm our business even if we have a successful outcome in the dispute.
Actions or omissions by our franchise partners in violation of various laws may be attributed to us or result in negative publicity that affects our overall brand image, which may decrease consumer demand for our products. Franchise partners may engage in online activity via social media or activity in their personal lives that negatively impacts public perception of our franchise partners’ or our operations or our brand as a whole. This activity may negatively affect franchise partners’ sales and in turn impact our revenue.
In addition, various state and federal laws govern our relationship with our franchise partners and our potential sale of a franchise. A franchise partner and/or a government agency may bring legal action against us based on the franchisee/franchisor relationships that could result in the award of damages to franchise partners and/or the imposition of fines or other penalties against us.
 
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If we fail to maintain adequate operational and financial resources, particularly if we continue to grow rapidly, we may be unable to execute our business plan or maintain high levels of service and customer satisfaction.
Our continuous growth and expansion has placed, and may continue to place, significant demands on our management and our operational and financial resources. In connection therewith, our organizational structure is becoming more complex as we scale our operational, financial, and management controls, as well as our reporting systems and procedures. As we continue to grow, we face challenges of integrating, developing, training, and motivating a rapidly growing employee base in our various retail coffee shops and maintaining our culture across multiple offices and shops. Certain members of our management have not previously worked together for an extended period of time, and some do not have prior experience managing a public company, which may affect how they manage our growth. If we fail to manage our anticipated growth and change in a manner that preserves the key aspects of our corporate culture, the quality of our products and services may suffer, which could negatively affect our brand and reputation and harm our ability to attract users, employees, and organizations.
To manage growth in our operations and personnel, we will need to continue to grow and improve our operational, financial, and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures. We will require significant capital expenditures and the allocation of valuable management resources to grow and change in these areas. We depend on cash generated from our operations to support our growth, and we may need to raise additional capital, which may not always be available on acceptable terms. Our expansion has placed, and our expected future growth will continue to place, a significant strain on our management, customer experience, research and development, sales and marketing, administrative, financial, and other resources.
In addition, as we expand our business, it is important that we continue to maintain a high level of customer service and satisfaction. As our customer base continues to grow, we will need to expand our customer service and other personnel, which will require more complex management and systems. If we are not able to continue to provide high levels of customer service, our reputation, as well as our business could be harmed.
Pandemics or disease outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic have had, and may continue to have, an effect on our business and results of operations.
Pandemics or disease outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted and are likely to continue to impact customer traffic at our retail coffee shops and may make it more difficult to staff our shops and, in more severe cases, may cause a temporary inability to obtain supplies and increase commodity costs. COVID-19 was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, and the virus, including the continued spread of highly transmissible variants of the virus, has impacted all global economies, and in the United States has resulted in varying levels of restrictions and shutdowns implemented by national, state, and local authorities.
Such viruses may be transmitted through human contact and airborne delivery, and the risk of contracting viruses could continue to cause employees or customers to avoid gathering in public places, which has had, and could further have, adverse effects on our customer traffic or the ability to adequately staff shops. We may be adversely affected if government authorities: impose restrictions on public gatherings, human interactions, operations of restaurants, or mandatory closures; seek voluntary closures; restrict hours of operations or impose curfews; restrict the import or export of products; or if suppliers issue mass recalls of products. Additional regulation or requirements with respect to the compensation of our employees could also have an adverse effect on our business. Even if such measures are not implemented and a virus or other disease does not spread significantly within a specific area, the perceived risk of infection or health risk in such area may adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations.
Additionally, different jurisdictions have seen varying levels of outbreaks or resurgences in outbreaks, and corresponding differences in government responses, which may make it difficult for us to plan or forecast an appropriate response.
Even though we have been deemed an “essential business” during this COVID-19 pandemic and have been allowed to remain in operation, there is no guarantee that in the event of a future pandemic or resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic that we will receive the same designation. Regardless of our status as an
 
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essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect our operations will be disrupted if employees or employees of our franchise partners are suspected of having COVID-19 or other illnesses, since this requires us or our franchise partners to quarantine some or all such employees and close and disinfect our impacted shops. If a significant percentage of our workforce or the workforce of our franchise partners are unable to work, including because of illness or travel or government restrictions, like quarantine requirements, in connection with pandemics or disease outbreaks, our operations may be negatively impacted, potentially materially adversely affecting our business, liquidity, financial condition, or results of operations.
The COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation measures have also had an adverse impact on global economic conditions, which have had certain adverse effects on our business and financial condition, including specific sales channels, construction costs, supply chain, and difficulties experienced by our partners and employees. Our sales and operating results may be affected by uncertain or changing economic and market conditions arising in connection with and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including prolonged periods of high unemployment, inflation, deflation, prolonged weak consumer demand, a decrease in consumer discretionary spending, political instability, or other changes. The significance of the operational and financial impact to us will depend on how long and widespread the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the corresponding response to contain the virus and treat those affected by it, prove to be.
We do not yet know the full extent of potential delays or impacts on our business, operations, or the global economy as a whole. While there have recently been vaccines developed and administered, and the spread of COVID- 19 may eventually be contained or mitigated, we cannot predict the timing of the vaccine roll-out globally or the efficacy of such vaccines, and we do not yet know how customers or our franchise partners will operate in a post COVID-19 environment. In addition, new strains and variants of the virus have caused a resurgence and an increase in reported infection rates, particularly in areas with lower vaccination rates, which may impact the general economic recovery. There is no guarantee that a future outbreak of this or any other widespread epidemics will not occur, or that the global economy will recover, either of which could seriously harm our business fully recover. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar health epidemic on our business, operations, or the global economy as a whole remains highly uncertain.
While we have developed and continue to develop plans to help mitigate the potential negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, these efforts may not be effective, and any protracted economic downturn will likely limit the effectiveness of our efforts. Accordingly, it is not possible for us to predict the duration and extent to which this will affect our business at this time.
We may be adversely affected by the effects of inflation.
Consumer inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI”) has increased from 1.4% as of December 31, 2020 to 7.0% as of December 31, 2021. Inflation has the potential to adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial position and liquidity by increasing our overall cost structure, particularly if we are unable to achieve commensurate increases in the prices we charge our customers. The existence of inflation in the economy has the potential to result in higher costs for the raw materials we use to operate our business, higher interest rates and capital costs, supply shortages, increased costs of labor and other similar effects. As inflation increases, keeping wages competitive and maintaining general operating expenses at their current levels, may be difficult. Although we may take measures to mitigate the impact of this inflation through pricing actions and efficiency gains, if these measures are not effective our business, results of operations, financial position and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. Even if such measures are effective, there could be a difference between the timing of when these beneficial actions impact our results of operations and when the cost inflation is incurred. Additionally, the pricing actions we may take could negatively impact our customer engagement, including our subscriber base, and decrease our market share, and certain of our competitors — particularly our larger, more established competitors — may manage inflationary pressures better than we are able.
Risks Related to People and Culture
We depend on our founder, executive officers, and other key employees, and the loss of one or more of these employees or an inability to attract and retain other highly skilled employees could harm our business.
Our success depends partly upon the continued services of our founders, co-chief executive officers, and other executive officers. We rely on our leadership team in the areas of marketing, sales, customer experience,
 
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and selling, general and administrative. From time to time, there may be changes in our executive management team resulting from the hiring or departure of executives, which could disrupt our business. The loss of one or more of our executive officers or key employees could harm our business.
Changes in our executive management team may also cause disruptions in, and harm to, our business.
Tom Davin, Co-CEO, contributes deep expertise in operations and execution of business growth strategies, based on his significant retail industry background. Evan Hafer, CEO and Founder, provides coffee roasting expertise and in-depth knowledge and experience of military and veteran consumers based on his own significant prior experience in the military. Mat Best, Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer, has a significant social media following and drives organic customer engagement.
Mr. Hafer and Mr. Best are instrumental to our marketing and publicity strategy and are closely identified with both the brand and us in general. They actively promote the brand through their large social media platforms and through various public appearances, and we believe that the unique personalities of our founders are part of our success. Our Founders’ public personas are more closely tied to our brand than other companies, and we believe that the continued engagement of our founders with our customers will be a contributor to our growth.
Additionally, our founders and executive officers occasionally travel in small aircraft to remote locations, sometimes together. They also engage in outdoor recreational activities that have known risks, such as bear hunting. These activities could put our founders at risk and cause potential harm to our business.
If the services of Mr. Hafer, Mr. Best, or Mr. Davin became unavailable to us for any reason, it may be difficult or impossible for us to find adequate replacements, which could cause us to be less successful in maintaining our brand and developing and effectively executing on our strategies.
Changes in the availability of and the cost of labor could harm our business.
Our business could be harmed by increases in labor costs, including those increases triggered by regulatory actions regarding wages, scheduling and benefits, increased health care, and workers’ compensation insurance costs, which, in a business such as ours, are significant costs and expected to grow as our headcount expands. In particular, certain of our employees are paid wage rates at or based on the applicable federal or state minimum wage, and increases in the applicable minimum wage will increase labor costs. From time to time, legislative proposals are made to increase the minimum wage at the federal or state level. As federal, state, or other applicable minimum wage rates increase, we may be required to increase not only the wage rates of minimum wage employees, but also the wages paid to other hourly employees. We may not choose to increase prices in order to pass future increased labor costs on to customers, in which case our margins would be negatively affected. If we do not increase prices to cover increased labor costs, the higher prices could result in lower revenue, which may also reduce margins.
Furthermore, the successful operation of our business depends upon our, and our franchise partners’, ability to attract, motivate, and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees. From time to time, there may be a shortage of qualified employees in certain of the communities in which we operate or expand to. Shortages may make it increasingly difficult and expensive to attract, train, and retain the services of a satisfactory number of qualified employees, which could delay the planned openings of new company-operated and franchised shops and adversely impact the operations and profitability of existing shops.
Furthermore, competition for qualified employees, particularly in markets where such shortages exist, could require us to pay higher wages, which could result in higher labor costs. Accordingly, if we and our franchise partners are unable to recruit and retain sufficiently qualified individuals, our business could be harmed.
Additionally, the growth of our business can make it increasingly difficult to locate and hire sufficient numbers of key employees, to maintain an effective system of internal controls for a dispersed chain, and to train employees to deliver consistently high-quality products and customer experiences, which could materially harm our business and results of operations. Furthermore, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could experience a shortage of labor for shop positions as concern over exposure to COVID-19 and other
 
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factors could decrease the pool of available qualified talent for key functions. In addition, our wages and benefits programs, combined with the challenging conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, may be insufficient to attract and retain the best talent.
Our unique workplace atmosphere may produce specific challenges.
We have regularly articulated a goal to hire 10,000 veterans. Failure to meet this goal, or perception that we have strayed from this goal in our hiring practices, may adversely affect our employee relationships and our reputation towards our customers. Moreover, veterans generally experience mental health issues, such as PTSD, at a higher rate than the average population, which could pose unique challenges in our workplace environment.
We maintain a policy of permitting employees and customers to carry firearms in the workplace and at our retail coffee shops. While we have never experienced any significant acts of violence at any of our locations in the past, such policy creates certain inherent risks and any accidents related therewith may subject us to liability.
Unionization activities may disrupt our operations and affect our profitability.
Although none of our employees are currently covered under collective bargaining agreements, our employees may elect to be represented by labor unions in the future. If a significant number of our employees were to become unionized and collective bargaining agreement terms were significantly different from our current compensation arrangements, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, a labor dispute involving some or all of our employees may harm our reputation, disrupt our operations, and reduce our revenue, and resolution of disputes may increase our costs. Further, if we enter into a new market with unionized construction companies, or the construction companies in our current markets become unionized, construction and build out costs for new shops in such markets could materially increase.
Risks Related to Regulation and Litigation
We are subject to many federal, state, and local laws with which compliance is both costly and complex.
Our industry is subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including those relating to the preparation and sale of food and beverages or consumption and those relating to building and zoning requirements. Such laws and regulations are subject to change from time to time. The failure to comply with these laws and regulations could adversely affect our operating results. Typically, licenses, permits, and approvals under such laws and regulations must be renewed annually and may be revoked, suspended, or denied renewal for cause at any time if governmental authorities determine that our conduct violates applicable regulations. Difficulties or failure to maintain or obtain the required licenses, permits, and approvals could adversely affect our existing shops and delay or result in our decision to cancel the opening of new shops, which would adversely affect our business.
The development and operation of a retail coffee shop depends, to a significant extent, on the selection of suitable sites, which are subject to unique permitting, zoning, land use, environmental, traffic, and other regulations and requirements. We are also subject to licensing and regulation by state and local authorities relating to health, sanitation, safety, and fire standards.
We are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and various other federal, state, and local laws that regulate the wages and hours of employees. These laws commonly apply a strict liability standard so that even inadvertent noncompliance can lead to claims, government enforcement actions, and litigation. These laws vary from state to state and are subject to frequent amendments and judicial interpretations that can require rapid adjustments to operations. Insurance coverage for violations of these laws is costly and sometimes is not available. Changes to these laws can adversely affect our business by increasing labor and compliance costs. The failure to comply with these laws could adversely affect our business as a result of costly litigation or government enforcement actions.
We are also subject to a variety of other employee relations laws including, but not limited to, the Family and Medical Leave Act and state leave laws, employment discrimination laws, predictive scheduling
 
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laws, occupational health and safety laws and regulations, and the National Labor Relations Act. Together, these many laws and regulations present a thicket of compliance obligations and liability risks. As we grow, we will need to continue to increase our compliance efforts in these areas, which may affect our results from operations. Changes to these laws and regulations may increase these costs beyond our expectations or predictions, which would adversely affect our business operations and financial results. Violations of these laws could lead to costly litigation or governmental investigation or proceedings.
We are subject to compliance obligations of the Food Safety Modernization Acts (“FSMA”) and other regulations such as California’s Proposition 65. Under FSMA, we are required to develop and implement a Food Safety Plan for our roasting operations. While we are not currently required to implement a FSMA Food Safety Plan or a Hazard Analysis and Critical Points system (“HACCP”) in our shops, many states have required restaurants to develop and implement HACCP, and the United States government continues to expand the sectors of the food industry that must adopt and implement HACCP. Additionally, our suppliers may initiate or otherwise be subject to food recalls that may impact the availability of certain products, result in adverse publicity, or require us to take actions that could be costly for us or otherwise impact our business.
We are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”), which, among other things, requires our shops to meet federally mandated requirements for the disabled. The ADA prohibits discrimination in employment and public accommodations on the basis of disability. Under the ADA, we could be required to expend funds to modify our shops to provide service to, or make reasonable accommodations for the employment of, disabled persons. In addition, our employment practices are subject to the requirements of the Immigration and Naturalization Service relating to citizenship and residency.
In addition, our franchise activities are subject to laws enacted by a number of states and rules and regulations promulgated by the FTC. Failure to comply with new or existing franchise laws, rules, and regulations in any jurisdiction or to obtain required government approvals could negatively affect our licensing sales and our relationships with our licensees.
The impact of current laws and regulations, the effect of future changes in laws or regulations that impose additional requirements, and the consequences of litigation relating to current or future laws and regulations, or our inability to respond effectively to significant regulatory or public policy issues, could increase our compliance and other costs of doing business and, therefore, have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Failure to comply with the laws and regulatory requirements of federal, state, and local authorities could result in, among other things, revocation of required licenses, administrative enforcement actions, fines, and civil and criminal liability. In addition, certain laws, including the ADA, could require us to expend significant funds to make modifications to our shops if we failed to comply with applicable standards. Compliance with all these laws and regulations can be costly and can increase our exposure to litigation or governmental investigations or proceedings.
We may be subject to liability for placing advertisements with content that is deemed inappropriate or misleading.
We are subject to a number of regulations applicable to the labeling and advertising of our products. The FDA promulgates a number of restrictions and guidelines on food labeling. For example, effective January 1, 2020, a revised FDA regulation requires the disclosure of the amount of added sugars in our products. We may incur significant costs to alter our existing labeling and packaging materials to comply with new FDA regulations, and new regulations may also negatively impact consumption patterns by consumers. Furthermore, the FTC promulgates a number of regulations regarding marketing and advertising that are applicable to our products, with which we must comply.
The FDA and the FTC require any claim on products to be truthful and not misleading. Failure to comply with these requirements may be subject to regulatory penalties or civil litigation. Our advertising often uses humor in conjunction with supportable facts about the products or their ingredients to engage with our customers and promote the brand. While we have not faced any liability concerning our advertising, an adverse ruling that our branding is misleading could harm our marketing and brand. We also sell certain products or merchandise labeled with an American flag even though they are not made in the United States, such as our coffee, which is roasted in the United States but sourced in traditional coffee growing
 
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regions, such as Latin America. If a customer or regulatory agency were to file suit over misleading advertising claims, whether or not they are successful, our business and brand reputation could be harmed.
We, as well as our vendors, are subject to stringent and changing laws, regulations, and industry standards related to data Processing, protection, privacy, and security. The actual or perceived failure by us, our customers, or vendors to comply with such laws, regulations, and industry standards may harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
We process personal information, confidential information, and other information necessary to provide our products and service and ensure that they are delivered effectively, to operate our business, for legal and marketing purposes, and for other business-related purposes.
Data privacy and regulation of privacy, information security, and processing has become a significant issue in the United States. The legal and regulatory framework for privacy and security issues is rapidly evolving and is expected to increase our compliance costs and exposure to liability. There are numerous federal, state, and local laws, orders, codes, regulations, and regulatory guidance regarding privacy, information security, and processing (“Data Protection Laws”), the number and scope of which is changing, subject to differing applications and interpretations, and which may be inconsistent among jurisdictions, or in conflict with other rules, laws, or Data Protection Obligations (defined below). We expect that there will continue to be new Data Protection Laws and Data Protection Obligations, and we cannot yet determine the impact such future Data Protection Laws may have on our business. Any significant change to Data Protection Laws and Data Protection Obligations, including without limitation, how the express or implied consent of customers for Processing is obtained, could increase our costs and require us to modify our operations, possibly in a material manner, which we may be unable to complete and may limit our ability to store and process customer data and operate our business.
Data Protection Laws are, and are likely to remain, uncertain for the foreseeable future, and our actual or perceived failure to address or comply with these laws could: increase our compliance and operational costs; limit our ability to market our products or services and attract new and retain current customers; limit or eliminate our ability to Process; expose us to regulatory scrutiny, actions, investigations, fines, and penalties; result in reputational harm; lead to a loss of customers; reduce the use of our products or services; result in litigation and liability, including class action litigation; cause to incur significant costs, expenses, and fees (including attorney fees); cause a material adverse impact to business operations or financial results; and otherwise result in other material harm to our business (“Adverse Data Protection Impact”).
We are or may also be subject to the terms of our external and internal privacy and security policies, codes, representations, certifications, industry standards, publications, and frameworks (“Privacy Policies”) and contractual obligations to third parties related to privacy, information security, and Processing, including contractual obligations to indemnify and hold harmless third parties from the costs or consequences of non-compliance with Data Protection Laws or other obligations (“Data Protection Obligations”).
We strive to comply with applicable Data Protection Laws, Privacy Policies, and Data Protection Obligations to the extent possible, but we may at times fail to do so, or may be perceived to have failed to do so. Moreover, despite our efforts, we may not be successful in achieving compliance if our employees, partners, or vendors do not comply with applicable Data Protection Laws, Privacy Policies, and Data Protection Obligations. We may be subject to and suffer an Adverse Data Protection Impact if we fail (or are perceived to have failed) to comply with applicable Data Protection Laws, Privacy Policies, and Data Protection Obligations, if our Privacy Policies are, in whole or part, found to be inaccurate, incomplete, deceptive, unfair, or misrepresentative of our actual practices. In addition, any such failure or perceived failure could result in public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups, the media, or others, which may cause us material reputational harm. Our actual or perceived failure to comply with Data Protection Laws, Privacy Policies, and Data Protection Obligations could also subject us to litigation, claims, proceedings, actions, or investigations by governmental entities, authorities, or regulators, which could result in an Adverse Data Protection Impact, including required changes to our business practices, the diversion of resources and the attention of management from our business, regulatory oversights and audits, discontinuance of necessary Processing, or other remedies that adversely affect our business.
 
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In the United States, these include rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”) and other state and federal laws relating to privacy and data security. The CCPA, which among other things, establishes a privacy framework for covered businesses, including an expansive definition of personal data and data privacy rights. The CCPA provides individual privacy rights for California residents and places increased privacy and security obligations on covered businesses processing personal data. The CCPA requires covered businesses to provide new disclosures to California residents and provide such individuals with ways to opt-out of certain sales of personal data. The CCPA also provides a private right of action and statutory damages for violations, including for data breaches. To the extent applicable to our business and operations, the CCPA may impact our business activities by increasing our compliance costs and potential liability with respect to personal information that we or third parties with whom we contract to provide services maintain about California residents. It is anticipated that the CCPA will be expanded on January 1, 2023, when the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (the “CPRA”) becomes operative. The CPRA will, among other things, give California residents the ability to limit use of certain sensitive personal data, further restrict the use of cross-contextual advertising, establish restrictions on the retention of personal data, expand the types of data breaches subject to the CCPA’s private right of action, provide for increased penalties for CPRA violations concerning California residents under the age of 16, and establish a new California Privacy Protection Agency to implement and enforce the law. These Data Protection Laws (such as the CCPA and CPRA) exemplify the vulnerability of our business to the evolving regulatory environment related to personal data.
Moreover, across the United States, laws and regulations governing data privacy and security continue to develop and evolve. For example, Virginia enacted the Consumer Data Protection Act (“CDPA”) that may impose obligations similar to or more stringent than those we may face under other Data Protection Laws. Compliance with the CPRA, the CCPA, the CDPA and any newly enacted privacy and data security laws or regulations may be challenging and cost- and time-intensive, and may require us to modify our data processing practices and policies and to incur substantial costs and potential liability in an effort to comply with such legislation. The Data Protection Laws, Privacy Policies, and Data Protection Obligations to which we are subject may significantly affect our business activities and many of these obligations may contain ambiguous provisions creating uncertainty. Compliance with the requirements imposed by such Data Protection Laws and Data Protection Obligations may require us to revise our business practices, allocate more resources to privacy and security, and implement new technologies. Such efforts may result in significant costs to our business. Noncompliance could result in Adverse Data Protection Impact, including proceedings against us by governmental and regulatory entities, collaborators, individuals, or others.
We rely on a variety of marketing techniques and practices, including email and social media marketing, online targeted advertising, and cookie-based processing, to sell our products and services and to attract new customers, and we, and our vendors, are subject to various current and future Data Protection Laws and Data Protection Obligations that govern marketing and advertising practices. Governmental authorities continue to evaluate the privacy implications inherent in the use of third party “cookies” and other methods of online tracking for behavioral advertising and other purposes, such as by regulating the level of consumer notice and consent required before a company can employ cookies or other electronic tracking tools or the use of data gathered with such tools. Additionally, some providers of consumer devices, web browsers, and application shops have implemented, or announced plans to implement, means to make it easier for Internet users to prevent the placement of cookies or to block other tracking technologies, require additional consents, or limit the ability to track user activity, which could, if widely adopted, result in the use of third party cookies and other methods of online tracking becoming significantly less effective. Laws and regulations regarding the use of these cookies and other current online tracking and advertising practices or a loss in our ability to make effective use of services that employ such technologies could increase our costs of operations and limit our ability to acquire new customers on cost-effective terms, which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
We and our franchise partners are subject to extensive government regulations that could result in claims leading to increased costs and restrict our ability to operate franchises.
We and our franchise partners are subject to extensive government regulation at the federal, state, and local government levels, including by the FTC and FDA. These include, but are not limited to, regulations
 
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relating to the preparation and sale of beverages, menu and product labeling requirements, zoning and building codes, franchising, land use, and employee, health, sanitation, and safety matters. We and our franchise partners are required to obtain and maintain a wide variety of governmental licenses, permits, and approvals. Local authorities may suspend or deny renewal of our governmental licenses if they determine that our operations do not meet the standards for initial grant or renewal. Difficulty or failure in obtaining them in the future could result in delaying or canceling the opening of new shops and thus could harm our business. Any such failure could also subject us to liability from our franchise partners.
Additionally, Congress has a legislation proposal in process that could shift more liability for franchise partner employment practices onto franchisors. The federal PRO Act would codify the Browning-Ferris decision that redefined joint employment to include a broader category of conduct by the franchisor, thereby increasing the possibility of us being held liable for our franchise partners’ employment practices.
Beverage and restaurant companies have been the target of class action lawsuits and other proceedings that are costly, divert management attention, and, if successful, could result in our payment of substantial damages or settlement costs.
Our business is subject to the risk of litigation by employees, customers, competitors, landlords, or neighboring businesses, suppliers, franchise partners, stockholders, or others through private actions, class actions, administrative proceedings, regulatory actions, or other litigation. The outcome of litigation, particularly class action and regulatory actions, is difficult to assess or quantify. In recent years, beverage and restaurant companies have been subject to lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, alleging violations of federal and state laws regarding workplace and employment matters, discrimination, and similar matters. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in the payment of substantial damages by the defendants. Similar lawsuits have been instituted from time to time alleging violations of various federal and state wage and hour laws regarding, among other things, employee meal deductions, overtime eligibility of assistant managers, and failure to pay for all hours worked. While we have not been a party to any of these types of lawsuits in the past, there can be no assurance that we will not be named in any such lawsuit in the future or that we would not be required to pay substantial expenses or damages.
Our customers may file complaints or lawsuits against us alleging that we are responsible for some illness or injury they suffered at or after a visit to one of our retail coffee shops, including actions seeking damages resulting from food-borne illness or accidents in our shops. We also could be subject to a variety of other claims from third parties arising in the ordinary course of our business, including contract claims. The beverage and restaurant industry has also been subject to a growing number of claims that their menus and actions have led to the obesity of certain of their customers.
Occasionally, we and our franchise partners may become involved in disputes with neighbors, government officials, and landlords over the lines of cars attempting to visit our shops. These disputes could lead to the loss or changing of locations, changes to hours and operations, and costly litigation. If we are unable to reach agreement in future disputes or to alleviate pressure on certain shops by building additional shops or making operational changes, we may be required to close locations or alter operations at some locations. Lost sales and royalty payments caused by such closures or alterations, plus increased expenses from litigation, would harm our business.
Our business also carries a unique risk of liability in our industry regarding personal injury to employees and contractors. Our content creation team often produces videos and other media depicting risky or dangerous activities, showcasing stunts and activities with firearms, military vehicles, “extreme” sports, marksmanships, and other themes pursuing the lifestyle associated with our brand. While we take precautions to ensure the safety of all involved in creating this content, the activities carry an inherent risk that cannot be eliminated. If any individual were to suffer serious harm while involved with one of our productions, this could lead to litigation against us.
Regardless of whether any claims against us are valid or whether we are liable, claims may be expensive to defend and may divert time and money away from our operations. In addition, they may generate negative publicity, which could reduce customer traffic and sales. Although we maintain what we believe to be adequate levels of insurance, insurance may not be available at all or in sufficient amounts to cover any
 
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liabilities with respect to these or other matters. A judgment or other liability in excess of our insurance coverage for any claims or any adverse publicity resulting from claims could harm our business.
Changes in statutory, regulatory, accounting, and other legal requirements, including changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, could potentially impact our operating and financial results.
We are subject to numerous statutory, regulatory, and legal requirements. Our operating results could be negatively impacted by developments in these areas due to the costs of compliance in addition to possible government penalties and litigation in the event of deemed noncompliance. Changes in the regulatory environment in the area of food safety, privacy and information security, wage, and hour laws, among others, could potentially impact our operations and financial results.
Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the SEC, and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results, and could affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement of a change.
Moreover, while we believe that we maintain insurance customary for businesses of our size and type, there are types of losses we may incur that cannot be insured against or that we believe are not economically reasonable to insure. Such losses could harm our business.
Fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate and realization of our deferred tax assets may result in volatility of our operating results and adversely affect our financial condition.
We are subject to taxes by the U.S. federal, state, and local tax authorities, and our tax liabilities will be affected by the allocation of expenses to differing jurisdictions. We record tax expense based on our estimates of future payments, which may include reserves for uncertain tax positions in multiple tax jurisdictions, and valuation allowances related to certain net deferred tax assets. At any one time, many tax years may be subject to audit by various taxing jurisdictions. The results of these audits and negotiations with taxing authorities may affect the ultimate settlement of these issues. We expect that throughout the year there could be ongoing variability in our quarterly tax rates as events occur and exposures are evaluated. Our future effective tax rates could be subject to volatility or adversely affected by a number of factors, including:

changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities;

expected timing and amount of the release of any tax valuation allowance;

changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations thereof; or

future earnings being lower than anticipated in jurisdictions where we have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated earnings in jurisdictions where we have higher statutory tax rates.
In addition, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be materially impacted by a variety of factors including but not limited to changes in the mix and level of earnings, varying tax rates in the different jurisdictions in which we operate, fluctuations in the valuation allowance, or by changes to existing accounting rules or regulations. Further, tax legislation may be enacted in the future which could negatively impact our current or future tax structure and effective tax rates. We may be subject to audits of our income, sales, and other transaction taxes by U.S. federal, state, and local taxing authorities. Outcomes from these audits could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Legislation and regulations requiring the display and provision of nutritional information for our menu offerings, and new information or attitudes regarding diet and health or adverse opinions about the health effects of consuming our menu offerings, could affect consumer preferences and negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Government regulation and consumer eating habits may impact our business as a result of changes in attitudes regarding diet and health or new information regarding the health effects of consuming our menu offerings. These changes have resulted in, and may continue to result in, the enactment of laws and regulations
 
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that impact the ingredients and nutritional content of our menu offerings, or laws and regulations requiring us to disclose the nutritional content of our food offerings.
For example, a number of states, counties, and cities have enacted menu labeling laws requiring multi- unit restaurant operators to disclose certain nutritional information to customers, or have enacted legislation restricting the use of certain types of ingredients in food sold at restaurants. Furthermore, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (the “PPACA”) establishes a uniform federal requirement for certain restaurants to post certain nutritional information on their menus. Specifically, the PPACA amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require certain chain restaurants to publish the total number of calories of standard menu items on menus and menu boards, along with a statement that puts this calorie information in the context of a total daily calorie intake. The PPACA also requires covered restaurants to provide to consumers, upon request, a written summary of detailed nutritional information for each standard menu item, and to provide a statement on menus and menu boards about the availability of this information. The PPACA further permits the FDA to require covered restaurants to make additional nutrient disclosures, such as disclosure of trans-fat content. An unfavorable report on, or reaction to, our menu ingredients, the size of our portions, or the nutritional content of our menu items could negatively influence the demand for our offerings.
We cannot make any assurances regarding our ability to effectively respond to changes in consumer health perceptions or our ability to successfully implement the nutrient content disclosure requirements and to adapt our menu offerings to trends in drinking and consumption habits. The imposition of menu-labeling laws could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position, as well as the beverage industry in general.
Following the Closing, we will incur significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Following the Closing, we now face increased legal, accounting, administrative and other costs and expenses as a public company that BRCC did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including the requirements of Section 404, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated thereunder, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the securities exchanges, impose additional reporting and other obligations on public companies. Compliance with public company requirements will increase costs and make certain activities more time-consuming. A number of those requirements require us to carry out activities BRCC had not done previously. For example, we have created new board committees and adopted new internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, additional expenses associated with SEC reporting requirements will be incurred. Furthermore, if any issues in complying with those requirements are identified (for example, if the auditors identify a material weakness or significant deficiency in the internal control over financial reporting), we could incur additional costs rectifying those issues, and the existence of those issues could adversely affect our reputation or investor perceptions of it. It may also be more expensive to obtain director and officer liability insurance. Risks associated with our status as a public company may make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the board of directors or as executive officers.
The additional reporting and other obligations imposed by these rules and regulations will increase legal and financial compliance costs and the costs of related legal, accounting and administrative activities. These increased costs will require us to divert a significant amount of money that could otherwise be used to expand the business and achieve strategic objectives. Advocacy efforts by stockholders and third parties may also prompt additional changes in governance and reporting requirements, which could further increase costs.
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
We are a public benefit corporation, and our focus on our public benefit company purpose may negatively impact our financial performance.
Unlike traditional corporations, which have a fiduciary duty to focus exclusively on maximizing stockholder value, our directors have a fiduciary duty to balance the pecuniary interests of stockholders, the
 
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best interests of those materially affected by our conduct and our public benefit company purpose (the “PBC Purpose”). Therefore, we may take actions that it believes will be in the best interests of those stakeholders materially affected by our conduct and/or pursuant to the PBC Purpose even if those actions do not maximize our financial results. Our public benefit designation and obligation to provide an overall net benefit to us and our stakeholders and promote the PBC Purpose could cause us to make decisions and take actions without seeking to maximize the income generated from our business, and hence available for distribution to our stockholders. Our pursuit of longer-term or non-pecuniary benefits may not materialize within the timeframe we expect or at all, yet may have an immediate negative effect on any amounts available for distribution to our stockholders. Accordingly, being a public benefit corporation could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could cause the price of our stock to decline.
Further, there is no assurance that we will be able to achieve the PBC Purpose or that the expected positive impact from being a public benefit corporation will be realized, which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, which in turn may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our directors have a fiduciary duty to consider not only our stockholders’ interests, but also the best interests of those materially affected by our conduct and the PBC Purpose. If a conflict between such interests arises, there is no guarantee such a conflict would be resolved in favor of our stockholders.
While directors of traditional corporations are required to make decisions they believe to be in the best interests of their stockholders, directors of a public benefit corporation have a fiduciary duty to consider not only the stockholders’ interests, but also the PBC Purpose and the interests of other stakeholders affected by the Company’s actions. Under Delaware law, directors are shielded from liability for breach of these obligations if they make informed and disinterested decisions that serve a rational purpose. Thus, unlike traditional corporations which must focus exclusively on stockholder value, our directors are not merely be permitted, but obligated, to consider the PBC Purpose and the interests of other stakeholders. In the event of a conflict between the interests of our stockholders and the interests of the PBC Purpose or our other stakeholders, our directors must only make informed and disinterested decisions that serve a rational purpose. Therefore, there is no guarantee such a conflict would be resolved in favor of our stockholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could cause the price of our stock to decline.
Our status as a public benefit corporation could make our acquisition, which may be beneficial to our stockholders, more difficult.
Our status as a public benefit corporation could make it more difficult for another party to obtain control of the Company. While Delaware common law, as stated in Revlon, Inc. v. MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, Inc., 506 A.2d 173 (Del. 1986), and related cases, imposes upon directors of a traditional corporation a duty to maximize short-term stockholder value in certain ‘sale of the company’ transactions, a public benefit corporation board’s decision-making would not be subject to those same constraints. Our Board could reject a bid to acquire us in favor of pursuing the PBC Purpose, to the detriment of stockholders. Consideration of these competing interests would not preclude our Board from accepting a bid that maximizes short-term stockholder value. Rather, our board of directors could weigh the merits of accepting the short-term value offered by a bid against other options that may generate greater long-term value, be in the best interests of those materially affected by our conduct and/or better promote the PBC Purpose and, if appropriate, could accept a bid that does not maximize the financial return to stockholders. Any of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our capital stock, and deter potential acquirers of the Company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you would receive a premium for your stock in an acquisition.
Further, public benefit corporations may not be attractive targets for activists or hedge fund investors because new directors would still have to consider and give appropriate weight to the public benefit along with stockholder value, and stockholders committed to the public benefit can enforce this through derivative suits. By requiring that board of directors of public benefit corporations to consider additional constituencies other than maximizing stockholder value, Delaware public benefit corporation law could
 
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potentially make it easier for a board of directors to reject a hostile bid, even where the takeover would maximize the financial return to stockholders.
As a public benefit corporation, we may be subject to increased derivative litigation concerning our duty to balance stockholder interests and the PBC Purpose, the occurrence of which may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Stockholders of a Delaware public benefit corporation, if they, individually or collectively, own at least 2% of its outstanding capital stock or at least $2.0 million in market value, are entitled to file a derivative lawsuit claiming that its directors failed to balance stockholder and public benefit interests. This potential liability does not exist for traditional corporations. Therefore, we may be subject to the possibility of increased derivative litigation, which would require the attention of management and, as a result, may adversely impact management’s ability to effectively execute our strategy. Any such derivative litigation may be costly and have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
As a public benefit corporation, we are required to comply with various new reporting requirements, which, even if complied with, could result in harm to our reputation.
As a public benefit corporation, we are required to publicly disclose a report at least biennially on our overall public benefit performance and success in achieving our specific public benefit purpose. If we are not able to provide this report in a timely or at all, or if the report is not viewed favorably by parties doing business with us or regulators or others reviewing our credentials, our reputation and status as a public benefit corporation may be harmed and the value of our stock could decrease as a result.
Our only material assets are our direct and indirect interests in BRCC, and we are accordingly dependent upon distributions from BRCC to pay dividends and taxes and other expenses.
We are a holding company and have no material assets other than our managing member interest and direct and indirect limited liability company interests in BRCC. We have no independent means of generating revenue. We intend to cause our subsidiaries (including BRCC) to make distributions in an amount sufficient to cover all applicable taxes and other expenses payable and dividends, if any, we declare. The terms of any credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements we or our subsidiaries enter into in the future may impose restrictions on the ability to pay us dividends. To the extent that we needs funds, and any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions under these debt agreements or applicable law or regulation, or are otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.
Delaware law, the Charter and the Bylaws contain certain provisions, including anti- takeover provisions that limit the ability of stockholders to take certain actions and could delay or discourage takeover attempts that stockholders may consider favorable.
The Charter, the Bylaws and the DGCL contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying, or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by our Board and therefore depress the trading price of our Class A Common Stock. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to take certain actions, including electing directors who are not nominated by the current members of our Board or taking other corporate actions, including effecting changes in management. Among other things, the Charter and Bylaws include provisions regarding:

a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which could delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our Board;

the ability of our Board to issue shares of preferred stock, including “blank check” preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer;

the limitation of the liability of, and the indemnification of, our directors and officers;
 
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the right of our Board to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of our Board or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our Board;

the requirement that directors may only be removed from our Board for cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 6623% of the voting power of all of then outstanding shares of the voting stock, voting together as a single class;

the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by our Board, the chairman of our Board or our chief executive officer, which could delay the ability of stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors;

controlling the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of our Board and stockholder meetings;

the requirement for the affirmative vote of holders of (i) (a) at least 6623%, in case of certain provisions or (b) a majority, in case of other provisions, of the voting power of all of then outstanding shares of the voting stock, voting together as a single class, to amend, alter, change or repeal certain provisions of the Charter; and (ii) (a) at least 6623%, in case of certain provisions, or (b) a majority, in case of other provisions, of the voting power of all of then outstanding shares of the voting stock, voting together as a single class, to amend, alter, change or repeal certain provisions of the Bylaws, which could preclude stockholders from bringing matters before annual or special meetings of stockholders and delay changes in our Board and also may inhibit the ability of an acquirer to effect such amendments to facilitate an unsolicited takeover attempt;

the ability of our Board to amend the Bylaws, which may allow our Board to take additional actions to prevent an unsolicited takeover and inhibit the ability of an acquirer to amend the Bylaws to facilitate an unsolicited takeover attempt; and

advance notice procedures with which stockholders must comply to nominate candidates to our Board or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which could preclude stockholders from bringing matters before annual or special meetings of stockholders and delay changes in our Board and also may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our Board or management.
In addition, as a Delaware public benefit corporation, we are generally subject to provisions of Delaware law, including the DGCL. Although we elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL, certain provisions of the Charter, in a manner substantially similar to Section 203 of the DGCL, prohibit certain of our stockholders (other than Evan Hafer) who hold 15% or more of our outstanding capital stock from engaging in certain business combination transactions with us for a specified period of time unless certain conditions are met. See the section entitled “Description of Securities — Anti-Takeover Effects of the Charter, the Bylaws and Certain Provisions of Delaware Law.”
Any provision of the Charter, the Bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control could limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our capital stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
In addition, the provisions of the Investor Rights Agreement, as described below, provide the stockholders party thereto with certain board rights which could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control.
The Charter designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees.
The Charter provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach
 
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of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders to the Company or our stockholders, or any claim for aiding and abetting such alleged breach, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any of our current or former directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders (a) arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Charter (as it may be amended or restated) or the Bylaws or (b) as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Delaware Court of Chancery or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any of our current or former directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware shall, as to any action in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv), to the fullest extent permitted by law, be solely and exclusively brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any claim (a) as to which the Delaware Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (b) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Delaware Court of Chancery, or (c) arising under federal securities laws, including the Securities Act as to which the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of the Charter do not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum. While Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in the Charter. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the forum provisions is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “foreign action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”); and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such enforcement action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such stockholder.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, stockholders, agents or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. We note that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision, and the enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ charter documents has been challenged in legal proceedings. Further, investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. It is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable, and if a court were to find this provision of the Charter inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board of directors.
Certain significant stockholders and Authentic Brands’ members whose interests may differ from those of our public stockholders following the Business Combination have the ability to significantly influence our business and management.
Pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement that we have entered into at the Closing in connection with the Business Combination, we agreed to nominate two designees by Engaged Capital (on behalf of certain affiliates of Engaged Capital (the “Engaged Equityholders”) and three designees by Evan Hafer (including himself) to serve on our Board for so long as each of them and their respective affiliates and specified family members beneficially own certain specified percentages of certain economic interests in the Company and Authentic Brands held as of the Closing, without duplication. In addition, until the fifth anniversary
 
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of the Closing Date, the Sponsor, the Engaged Equityholders and certain other equityholders party to the Investor Rights Agreement agree to vote all of their voting stock with respect to election and removal of directors as directed by Evan Hafer. Separately, certain specific actions shall be approved by two-thirds of the directors then office. As a result, Evan Hafer effectively controls a majority of the votes on director elections and removals. Accordingly, Evan Hafer is able to significantly influence the approval of actions requiring our Board’s approval through its voting power. Evan Hafer retains significant influence with respect to our management, business plans and policies, including the appointment and removal of our officers. In particular, Evan Hafer could influence whether acquisitions, dispositions and other change of control transactions are approved.
Risks Related to an Investment in Our Securities.
If the Business Combination’s benefits do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of our securities may decline.
If the benefits of the Business Combination do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of our securities may decline. In addition, following the Business Combination, fluctuations in our price could contribute to the loss of all or part of your investment. Prior to the Business Combination, there had not been a public market for our Class A Common Stock. Accordingly, the valuation ascribed to us and our securities in this prospectus may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading market in the coming months. If an active market for our securities develops and continues, the trading price of our securities following the Closing could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. Any of the factors listed below could have a material adverse effect on your investment in our securities and our securities may trade at prices significantly below the price you paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of our securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.
Factors affecting the trading price of our securities may include:

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us;

changes in the market’s expectations about our operating results;

success of competitors;

our operating results failing to meet the expectation of securities analysts or investors in a particular period;

changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning BRCC or the asset management industry in general;

operating and share price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;

our ability to market new and enhanced products on a timely basis;

changes in laws and regulations affecting our business;

our ability to meet compliance requirements;

commencement of, or involvement in, litigation involving us;

changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt;

the volume of shares of our Class A Common Stock available for public sale;

any major change in our board of directors or management;

sales of substantial amounts of our Class A Common Stock by our directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that such sales could occur; and

general economic and political conditions such as recessions, interest rates, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations and acts of war or terrorism.
 
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Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our securities irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general, and the NYSE in particular, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of our securities, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for retail stocks or the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to us could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future.
A significant portion of our shares of Class A Common Stock will be available for immediate resale by the Selling Holders and may be sold into the market in the future upon effectiveness of the registration of which this prospectus forms part and expiration of the Lock-Up Period, as applicable. The Selling Holders purchased the securities covered by this prospectus at different prices, some significantly below the current trading price of such securities, and some Selling Holders received such securities without any consideration, and may therefore make substantial profits upon resales. Sales of our Class A Common Stock by the Selling Holders may cause the market price of our Class A Common Stock to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well.
As of the date of this prospectus, assuming the exercise of all of the outstanding Warrants for cash and the exchange of the Common Units (including Common Units issuable upon the the vesting of Applicable Premium Units) for Class A Common Stock and the surrender and cancellation of a corresponding number of Class B Common Stock, the Company would have 222,950,594 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding, of which 19,129,291 shares of Class A Common Stock (representing 7,629,317 shares currently outstanding and 11,499,974 shares underlying the Public Warrants), representing approximately 9% of the total number of shares outstanding (based on the same assumptions), would be unrestricted and available for trading on NYSE by public stockholders, and 203,821,303 shares of Class A Common Stock, representing approximately 91% of the total number of shares outstanding, are being registered by the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for resale by the Selling Holders, including by Evan Hafer, our founder, who owns economically approximately 15% of our total outstanding shares and approximately 60% of the total voting power (in each case, based on the same assumptions). The securities registered for resale by the Selling Holders in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will therefore constitute a considerable percentage of our public float and will be available for immediate resale upon effectiveness of the registration statement and for so long as such registration statement remains available, subject to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, as applicable. The market price of shares of our Class A Common Stock could decline as a result of substantial sales of our Class A Common Stock by our Selling Holders, including Evan Hafer, or the perception in the market that holders of a large number of shares intend to sell their shares. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A Common Stock in the public market could occur at any time.
In addition, the Selling Holders purchased the securities covered by this prospectus at different prices, some at prices significantly below the current trading price of such securities. The Sponsor purchased its 6,053,493 shares of Class A Common Stock currently outstanding at approximately $0.003 per share and its 6,266,667 Private Placement Warrants currently outstanding at $1.50 per warrant in connection with the IPO and may potentially earn approximately $203.4 million of profit upon resale of its shares of Class A Common Stock (including shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Warrants) based on the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on April 14, 2022. The PIPE Investors, the Backstop Investors and the Engaged Capital Investors purchased their 30,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock currently outstanding at $10.00 per share in connection with the Business Combination and may potentially earn approximately $393.6 million of profit upon resale based on the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on April 14, 2022. The Continuing Unitholders purchased their securities at prices significantly below the current trading price of such securities and some received their securities without any consideration. The Selling Holders may potentially make a significant profit with the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus depending on the trading price of the Company’s securities at the time of a sale and the purchase price of such securities by the applicable Selling Holders. While the Selling Holders may experience a positive rate of return based on the trading price of the Company’s securities, the public holders of the Company’s securities may not experience a similar rate of return on the securities they purchased due to differences in the applicable purchase price and trading price.
 
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In connection with the Business Combination, we and certain of our stockholders entered into the Investor Rights Agreement, pursuant to which such stockholders are entitled to, among other things, certain registration rights, including demand, piggy-back and shelf registration rights, subject to cut-back provisions. Certain parties to the Investor Rights Agreement have agreed not to sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of shares of our Class A Common Stock they hold until August 9, 2022 (the Lock-Up Period) (other than with respect to any shares purchased in the PIPE Investment, the Forward Purchase Investment and the Backstop Investment). Out of the 203,821,303 shares registered in the registration of which this prospectus forms a part, 35,479,205 shares, or approximately 16% of the total shares outstanding (on a Class A Common Stock as converted basis and assuming vesting of the Applicable Premium Units and the exercise of all of the outstanding Warrants for cash), are not subject to the lock-up provisions and would be freely tradable upon effectiveness of the registration statement. Upon expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the sale of shares of our Class A Common Stock subject thereto or the perception that such sales may occur, could cause the market price of our securities to drop significantly.
We may issue additional shares of our Class A Common Stock or other equity securities without your approval, which would dilute your ownership interests and may depress the market price of your shares.
We may issue additional shares of our Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other things, future acquisitions, repayment of outstanding indebtedness or under our incentive plans, without stockholder approval, in a number of circumstances.
Our issuance of additional shares of our Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of equal or senior rank could have the following effects:

your proportionate ownership interest in the Company will decrease;

the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding share of common stock may be diminished; or

the market price of your shares of our Class A Common Stock may decline.
We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are designated as an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in the periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A Common Stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and
 
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comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.
We may not be able to timely and effectively implement controls and procedures required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
As a public company, we are required to comply with the SEC’s rules implementing Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which require management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports and provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. To comply with the requirements of being a public company, we are required to provide attestation on internal controls, and we may need to undertake various actions, such as implementing additional internal controls and procedures and hiring additional accounting or internal audit staff. The standards required for a public company under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are significantly more stringent than those required of BRCC as a privately held company. Management may not be able to effectively and timely implement controls and procedures that adequately respond to the increased regulatory compliance and reporting requirements that are applicable to us. If we are not able to implement the additional requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, we may not be able to assess whether our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, which may subject us to adverse regulatory consequences and could harm investor confidence and the market price of our securities. Further, as an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until the date we are no longer an emerging growth company. At such time, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event that it is not satisfied with the level at which our controls are documented, designed or operating.
We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of NYSE rules and, as a result, we qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. Our stockholders do not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.
Our founder, Evan Hafer, beneficially owns approximately 65% of the combined voting power of our voting securities. As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards. Under these corporate governance standards, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power in the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements. For example, controlled companies:

are not required to have a board that is composed of a majority of “independent directors,” as defined under the NYSE rules;

are not required to have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors; and

are not required to have director nominations be made, or recommended to the full board of directors, by its independent directors or by a nominations committee that is composed entirely of independent directors.
Accordingly, our stockholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE.
The NYSE may not continue to list our securities, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our Class A Common Stock and Public Warrants are currently listed on the NYSE. There can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of NYSE. If the NYSE delists
 
47

 
our Class A Common Stock from trading on its exchange for failure to meet the listing standards, our stockholders could face significant material adverse consequences including:

a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;

reduced liquidity for our securities;

a determination that shares of our Class A Common Stock are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our Class A Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities;

a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and

a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The historical financial results of BRCC and unaudited pro forma financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus may not be indicative of what our actual financial position or results of operations would have been.
The historical financial results of BRCC included elsewhere in this prospectus do not reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows they would have achieved as a public company during the periods presented or those we will achieve in the future. This is primarily the result of the following factors: (i) we will incur additional ongoing costs as a result of the Closing, including costs related to public company reporting, investor relations and compliance with the Sarbanes Oxley Act; and (ii) our capital structure will be different from that reflected in BRCC’s historical financial statements. Our financial condition and future results of operations could be materially different from amounts reflected in its historical financial statements included elsewhere in this propsectus, so it may be difficult for investors to compare our future results to historical results or to evaluate our relative performance or trends in our business.
Our management has limited experience in operating a public company.
Certain of our executive officers and certain directors have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Our management team may not successfully or effectively manage our transition to a public company following the Business Combination that is subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under federal securities laws. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of the Company. It is possible that we will be required to expand our employee base and hire additional employees to support our operations as a public company which will increase our operating costs in future periods.
We may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of Public Warrants with the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding Public Warrants. As a result, the exercise price of your warrants could be increased, the exercise period could be shortened and the number of shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant could be decreased, all without your approval.
Our warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding Public Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of Public Warrants.
Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the Public Warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding Public Warrants approve of such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the Public Warrants with the consent of at least 50% of the then outstanding Public Warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, convert the warrants into cash, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
 
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Our warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A Common Stock.
In connection with the Business Combination, we assumed from SilverBox warrants to purchase 17,766,641 shares of our Class A Common Stock, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share. Such Warrants, when and if exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and may reduce the value of the Class A Common Stock.
We sent a notice of redemption to redeem all of our outstanding Warrants and we may not receive any cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants.
On April 4, 2022, we announced the Redemption of all of our Warrants that remain outstanding on May 4, 2022 (the Redemption Date) for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. During the Redemption Period, holders of Warrants outstanding may elect to exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis and receive a number of shares of Class A Common Stock determined based on the Redemption Fair Market Value, which number of shares shall not exceed 0.361 shares per Warrant. In addition, to the extent that the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is declared effective by the SEC prior to the Redemption Date, holders of Warrants outstanding will be able to exercise their Warrants during the Redemption Period for cash and purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share for each Warrant exercised. See “Summary — Recent Developments — Redemption of Warrants.
We cannot give any assurances that the SEC will declare the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part effective prior to the Redemption Date. If the registration statement is not declared effective prior to the Redemption Date, holders of Warrants will not be able to exercise their Warrants for cash and may either exercise their Warrants by the Redemption Date on a cashless basis pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement or their Warrants will be redeemed on the Redemption Date for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. In such scenarios, we would not receive any of the approximately $204.3 million of cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants. In addition, even if the registration statement is declared effective prior to the Redemption Date and the Warrants become exercisable for cash, such exercises are dependent on the trading price of our shares of Class A Common Stock and holders of our Warrants may decide not to exercise their Warrants for cash if our shares of Class A Common Stock trade below $11.50 or if a cashless exercise pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement becomes more favorable. On April 14, 2022, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock as reported by NYSE was $23.12 per share.
 
49

 
USE OF PROCEEDS
All of the shares of Class A Common Stock and the Warrants (including shares of Class A Common Stock underlying such Warrants) offered by the Selling Holders pursuant to this prospectus will be sold by the Selling Holders for their respective accounts. We will not receive any of the proceeds from these sales.
We will receive up to an aggregate of approximately $204.3 million from the exercise of all Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants, assuming the exercise in full of all such warrants for cash. Cash proceeds associated with the exercises of the Warrants are dependent on the outcome of the Redemption and the trading price of our shares of Class A Common Stock. On April 4, 2022, we announced the Redemption of all of the Warrants that remain outstanding on the Redemption Date for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. During the Redemption Period, holders of our Warrants may exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement or, to the extent the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is declared effective prior to the Redemption Date, on a cash basis for $11.50 per share. We cannot give any assurances that the SEC will declare the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part effective prior to the Redemption Date. If the registration statement is not declared effective prior to the Redemption Date, holders of Warrants will not be able to exercise their Warrants for cash and may either exercise their Warrants by the Redemption Date on a cashless basis pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement or their Warrants will be redeemed on the Redemption Date for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. In such scenarios, we would not receive any cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants. In addition, even if the registration statement is declared effective prior to the Redemption Date and the Warrants become exercisable for cash, such exercises are dependent on the trading price of our shares of Class A Common Stock and holders of our Warrants may decide not to exercise their Warrants for cash if our shares of Class A Common Stock trade below $11.50 or if a cashless exercise pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement becomes more favorable. On April 14, 2022, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock as reported by NYSE was $23.12 per share. See “Summary — Recent Developments — Redemption of Warrants” and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities — We sent a notice of redemption to redeem all of our outstanding Warrants and we may not receive any cash proceeds associated with the exercises of our Warrants.
Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the exercise of such warrants for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, strategic investments, or repayment of outstanding indebtedness. Our management will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from the exercise of the warrants.
There is no assurance that the holders of the warrants will elect to exercise any or all of the warrants. To the extent that the warrants are exercised on a “cashless basis,” the amount of cash we would receive from the exercise of the warrants will decrease.
 
50

 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Introduction
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is provided to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Business Combination, and related transactions. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, as amended by the final rule, release 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.” Certain capitalized terms below are defined elsewhere in this prospectus.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 combines the historical balance sheets of Authentic Brands and SilverBox on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions, summarized below, had been consummated on December 31, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 combine the historical statement of operations of Authentic Brands and SilverBox for such periods on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions, summarized below, had been consummated on January 1, 2020, the beginning of the earliest period presented.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with:

the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements;

the audited historical financial statements of SilverBox and Authentic Brands as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes thereto, included in this prospectus;

the audited historical financial statements of SilverBox for the year ended December 3, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and Authentic Brands as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes thereto, included elsewhere in this prospectus;

the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Authentic Brands,” and other financial information relating to SilverBox and Authentic Brands included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what the financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination and related transactions occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the BRC Inc. (the “Combined Company” or the “Company”). The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.
The combined financial information presents the pro forma effects of the following transactions:

the combination of SilverBox and Authentic Brands;

the redemption of 26,870,683 SilverBox public shares;

the PIPE Investment;

the Forward Purchase Investment; and

the Earn Out.
The Business Combination between Authentic Brands and SilverBox will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization. Accordingly, the Business Combination is expected to be reflected as the equivalent of Authentic Brands issuing stock for the net assets of SilverBox, accompanied by a recapitalization. Under this method of accounting, SilverBox is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes.
 
51

 
The net assets of SilverBox are stated at fair value (which is expected to approximate historical cost), with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. This accounting treatment was determined as the individual controlling Authentic Brands prior to the Business Combination will also control the Combined Company post business combination.
SilverBox has determined Authentic Brands to be the predecessor entity to the Business Combination based on a number of considerations, including i) Authentic Brands former management making up the majority of the management team of BRC Inc., ii) Authentic Brands former management nominating or representing the majority of the BRC Inc. board of directors, iii) Authentic Brands representing the majority of the continuing operations of the BRC Inc. and iv) the CEO of Authentic Brands will have voting control of the Combined Company.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also reflects the redemption into cash of SilverBox’s common stock by public stockholders of SilverBox who elected to exercise their redemption rights for a total of 26,870,683 shares and an aggregate payment of $268.7 million. Based upon the redemptions at closing, pursuant to the Sponsor Side Letter, the number of Class A Common Shares forfeited by the Sponsor and the corresponding decrease in the number of Common Units issued by Authentic Brands to BRC Inc. at the Closing.
The following summarizes the pro forma combined company Class A and Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately after redemptions of the public shareholders excluding the potential dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, the earn-outs, restricted stock units, and common stock warrants:
Outstanding
Shares
    %
Rollover Equity – Company Shareholders(a)(b)
140,926,990
76.63%
BRCC Fund Shares
532,750 0.29%
SilverBox Public (Common) Shares
7,629,317 4.15%
Forward Purchase Shares
10,000,000 5.44%
Third Party Private Placement (PIPE)
10,000,000 5.44%
Sponsor Shares(c)
4,812,243 2.61%
Backstop Shares
10,000,000 5.44%
Closing Merger Shares
183,901,300 100.00%
(a)
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the reduction in proceeds from cash in trust are utilized for proceeds for existing Authentic Brands equityholders.
(b)
Rollover equity Authentic Brands equityholders received shares of BRC Inc. Class B Common Stock.
(c)
Total Sponsor Shares held upon closing in the are 4,779,387, which are retained by the Sponsor with no vesting criteria, or other adjustments.
 
52

 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
AT DECEMBER 31, 2021 (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Historical
Pro Forma
Authentic
Brands
(As of
December 31,
2021)
SilverBox
(As of
December 31,
2021)
Pro Forma
Adjustments
Pro Forma
Combined
(As of December 31,
2021)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 18,334 $ 414 $ 345,072
A
$ 149,998
(12,075)
B
200,000
C
(162,546)
D
(13,900)
E
(24,599)
F
(23,996)
H
(8,000)
J
100,000
L
(268,706)
G
Accounts receivable, net
7,442 7,442
Inventories, net
20,872 20,872
Due from sponsor
2 2
Prepaid expenses
6,377 377 6,754
Other receivable
16 16
Total current assets
53,025 809 131,250 185,084
Property, plant and equipment, net
31,114 31,114
Intangible assets
167 167
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account
345,072 (345,072)
A
Other assets
2,776 2,776
Total assets
$ 87,082 $ 345,881 $ (213,822) $ 219,141
Liabilities, convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable
$ 17,387 $ 2,839 $ 20,226
Accrued liabilities/expenses
22,233 22,233
Deferred revenue
7,334 7,334
Current maturities of long-term debt, net
11,979 11,979
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
85 85
Taxes payable
200 200
Total current liabilities
59,018 3,039 62,057
Long-term debt, net
22,712 (8,000)
J
14,712
Capital lease obligations, net of current
maturities
228 228
Other non-current liabilities
334 334
Earn-Out Liability
181,772
O
181,772
Deferred Sponsor Share Liability
10,272
P
10,272
 
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Historical
Pro Forma
Authentic
Brands
(As of
December 31,
2021)
SilverBox
(As of
December 31,
2021)
Pro Forma
Adjustments
Pro Forma
Combined
(As of December 31,
2021)
Warrant Liability
24,915 24,915
Deferred underwriters’ discount
12,075 (12,075)
B
Total liabilities
$ 82,292 $ 40,029 $ 171,969 $ 294,290
Commitments and contingencies
Series A preferred equity, less issuance costs 
154,281 (154,281)
D
Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption, 34,500,000 and 0 shares at redemption value, respectively
345,000 (268,707)
G
(76,293)
G
Stockholders’ Equity
Members’ deficit
(149,491) 149,491
M
BRC Inc. Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
8
G
43
20
N
10
L
5
Q
SilverBox Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value;
1 (1)
Q
BRC Inc. Class B common stock, voting and non-economic, $0.0001 par value
14
R
14
SilverBox – Class C common stock, $0.0001 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;
20
C
(20)
N
Additional paid-in capital
199,980
C
140,527
(13,900)
E
(24,209)
F
76,286
G
(23,996)
H
(39,149)
I
57,587
K
99,990
L
(181,772)
O
(10,272)
P
(4)
Q
(14)
R
Accumulated deficit
(39,149) (8,265)
D
(158,146)
(390)
F
39,149
I
(149,491)
M
Non-Controlling Interest
(57,587)
K
(57,587)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
(149,491) (39,148) 113,490 (75,149)
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock, warrants and stockholders’ equity
$ 87,082 $ 345,881 $ (213,822) $ 219,141
 
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Historical
Pro Forma
Authentic
Brands
(For the year
ended
December 31,
2021)
SilverBox
(For the year
ended
December 31,
2021)
Pro Forma
Adjustments
Pro Forma
Combined
(For the year
ended
December 31,
2021)
Revenue
Revenue, net
$ 233,101 $ $ $ 233,101
Cost of goods sold
143,414 143,414
Gross Profit
89,687 89,687
Operating costs and expenses
Marketing and advertising
36,358 36,358
Salaries, wages and benefits
38,746 38,746
General and administrative
26,162 26,162
Formation and other expenses
4,252 4,252
Total operating cost and expenses
101,266 4,252 105,518
Operating loss
(11,579) (4,252) (15,831)
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense
(2,033) 154
CC
(1,879)
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of warrants
(2,732) (2,732)
Transaction costs allocated to warrant liabilities
(821) (821)
Other expense
(55) (55)
Interest income
72 (72)
AA
Income/(loss) before taxes
(13,667) (7,733) 82 (21,318)
Income tax expense
(178) (178)
Net income / (loss)
(13,845) (7,733) 82 (21,496)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
(16,472)
DD
(16,472)
Net income (loss) to common stockholders
$ (13,845) $ (7,733) $ 16,554 $ (5,024)
Weighted averages shares outstanding – basic and diluted
41,815,810
Net income per share – basic and diluted
$
(0.12)
 
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Historical
Pro Forma
Authentic
Brands (For the
year ended
December 31,
2020)
SilverBox
(For the
year ended
December 31,
2020)
Pro Forma
Adjustments
Pro Forma
Combined
(For the year
ended
December 31,
2020)
Revenue, net
$ 163,909 $ 163,909
Cost of goods sold
94,500 94,500
Gross Profit
69,409 69,409
Operating costs and expenses
Marketing and advertising
25,513 25,513
Salaries, wages and benefits
24,194 24,194
General and administrative
13,922 2,543
BB
16,855
390
EE
Formation and operating costs
4 4
Total operating cost and expenses
63,629 4 2,933 66,566
Operating Income (loss)
5,780 (4) (2,933) 2,843
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest and finance charges (expense)/income, net
(1,047)
(1,047)
Other
(227) (227)
Income/(loss) before taxes
4,506 (4) (2,933) 1,569
Income tax expense benefit
(185) (185)
Net income / (loss)
4,321 (4) (2,933) 1,384
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
1,061
DD
1,061
Net income (loss) to common shareholders
$ 4,321 $ (4) $ (3,994) $ 323
Weighted averages shares outstanding –  basic and diluted
41,815,810
Net income per share – basic and diluted
$
0.01
Basis of Presentation
SilverBox is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on December 3, 2020, with the purpose of acquiring one or more businesses through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. SilverBox’s registration statement was declared effective on February 25, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) and on March 2, 2021, SilverBox consummated the IPO of 34,500,000 units, which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 4,500,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $345.0 million which is held in a Trust Account (“Trust Account”), located in the United States with Continental acting as trustee.
SilverBox also entered into a Forward Purchase Agreement (the “Initial Forward Purchase Agreement”) with Engaged Capital, pursuant to which Engaged Capital has agreed to purchase from SilverBox, in a private placement for an aggregate amount of $100.0 million to occur simultaneously with the consummation of the Business Combination, 10,000,000 shares of SilverBox Class A Common Stock at $10.00 per share.
 
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Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, SilverBox consummated the sale of 6,266,667 warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant, generating gross proceeds of $9.4 million. Each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of SilverBox Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share.
Authentic Brands was incorporated in July 2018 in the State of Delaware and commenced operations in March 2019.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared assuming the following methods of accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC rules and regulations.
The historical financial information of SilverBox and Authentic Brands has been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to reflect transaction accounting adjustments related to the Business Combination and related transactions in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Transaction costs that are determined to be directly attributable and incremental to the transaction will be deferred and recorded as other assets in the balance sheet leading up until closing of the Business Combination.
Notwithstanding the legal form of the Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement the Business Combination will be accounted for under ASC 805, Business Combinations as a reverse acquisition and a recapitalization of Authentic Brands. The determination of accounting acquirer is primarily based on the evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

The individual controlling Authentic Brands prior to the Business Combination also control the Combined Company post business combination as a result of a voting agreement providing the Founder with the majority of the votes related to the appointment and removal of the majority of the board of directors.

Authentic Brands’ operations prior to the Business Combination comprise the only ongoing operations of the Combined Company,

Existing Authentic Brands stockholders comprise a majority of the voting power of the Combined Company,

The majority of the Combined Company’s senior management are those of Authentic Brands’ senior management,

The Combined Company assumed Authentic Brands’ name and headquarters.
Description of the Business Combination
SilverBox entered into the Business Combination Agreement with Authentic Brands, Blocker, BRC Inc., Merger Sub 1 and Merger Sub 2, in which it agreed to combine with Authentic Brands in the Business Combination, resulting in BRC Inc. becoming a publicly-traded company on the NYSE and controlling Authentic Brands in an “Up-C” structure. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, the Business Combination was effected in two steps: (a) SilverBox merged with and into Merger Sub 1, with Merger Sub 1 surviving the SilverBox Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of BRC Inc.; and (b) immediately following the SilverBox Merger, Merger Sub 2 merged with and into Blocker, with Blocker surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Merger Sub 1.
Description of Related Transaction
Other related events that took place in connection with the Business Combination are summarized below:

PIPE Financing:   Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, SilverBox entered into subscription and backstop agreements with various accredited investors (collectively, the “PIPE Investors”), including certain members of the Sponsor and certain limited partners of Engaged Capital and related investors, pursuant to which such investors agreed to purchase (i) an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock (which were issued and purchased prior to the effective time of the SilverBox Merger and were then converted into the right
 
57

 
to receive shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock pursuant to the SilverBox Merger) (each such subscription agreement, a “PIPE Subscription Agreement”) for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000,000 (the “PIPE Investment”), and (ii) up to additional 10,000,000 shares of SilverBox Class C Common Stock in the aggregate to the extent redemptions of SilverBox Class A Common Stock exceed $100,000,000 (the “Backstop Commitment”).

Forward Purchase Agreement:   Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Initial Forward Purchase Agreement was amended and restated (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) to provide for the purchase by investment funds and accounts managed by Engaged Capital (collectively, the “Forward Purchased Investors”) of an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Class C Common Stock (the “Forward Purchase Investment”) for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000,000.

Deferred Sponsor Shares:   Upon the Business Combination, 1,241,250 Sponsor Shares were subject to deferral and forfeiture with two separate vesting periods (the “Deferred Sponsor Shares”). A total of 620,625 Deferred Sponsor Shares will vest, in the aggregate, if the weighted average trade price of the the Company’s Class A Common Stock is at or above $15.00 for any 20 trading days within a period of 30 trading days prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing. The remaining 620,625 Deferred Sponsor Shares will vest, in the aggregate, if the weighted average trade price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock is at or above $20.00 for any 20 trading days within a period of 30 trading days prior to the seventh anniversary of the Closing.

Earn Out:   A total of 20.0 million shares will be utilized for a share earn-out for the benefit of certain existing Authentic Brands equityholders (the “Earnout Shares”). A total of 50% of the Earnout Shares will be issued, in the aggregate, if the volume weighted average trading price is $15.00 or greater for any 20 trading days within a period of 30 trading days prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing. The remaining 50% of Earnout Shares will be issued, in the aggregate, if the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock is $20.00 or greater for any 20 trading days within a period of 30 trading days prior to the seventh anniversary of Closing. The grant date fair value (i.e. transaction date) of the awards will be estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation. The foregoing is referred herein as the “Earn Out.”

Tax Receivable Agreement:   Concurrently with the completion of the Business Combination, the Company entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement. Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Company will be required to pay to the Continuing Unitholders 85% of the tax savings that the Company realizes as a result of increases in tax basis in Authentic Brands’ assets resulting from the redemption of existing preferred units of Authentic Brands (other than those held by Blocker) and a portion of the Common Units for the consideration paid pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the future exchange of Common Units for shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (or cash) pursuant to the LLC Agreement and certain pre-existing tax attributes of the Blocker, as well as certain other tax benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired unless the Company exercises its right (with the consent of a majority of its disinterested directors and of the Agent under the Tax Receivable Agreement) to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement for an amount representing the present value of all forecasted future payments that would have otherwise been made under the Tax Receivable Agreement or certain other acceleration events occur.
Sources and Uses
The following tables summarize the sources and uses for funding the Business Combination based on redemptions of the public shareholders.
 
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Sources & Uses — Post Redemptions of Public Shareholders
Sources
Uses
Cash in Trust
$ 76.3
Cash to Balance Sheet
$ 150.0
Forward Purchase Investment
100.0
Repay debt and preferred equity
redemption
161.3
PIPE Investment