Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer,
as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No
☒
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☐Yes
☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated
filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of
“large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant
has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant
to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on
and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section
404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒.
The registrant was not a public company as of June 30, 2021, the last
day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and therefore, cannot calculate the aggregate market value of its common stock
held by non-affiliates as of such date. The registrant’s common stock began trading on the NYSE American on December 14, 2021.
As of March 24, 2022, Fresh Vine Wine, Inc. had 12,451,864 shares of
common stock outstanding.
None.
This Amendment No. 1
on Form 10-K/A (this “Amendment”) amends the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Fresh Vine Wine, Inc. (the
“Company,” “Fresh Vine Wine,” “we,” “us” or “our”) for the year ended December 31,
2021, originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2022 (the “Original
Filing”).
This Amendment is being
filed for the purpose of providing the information required by Items 10 through 14 of Part III of the Annual Report on Form 10-K. This
information was previously omitted from the Original Filing in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which
permits the above-referenced Items to be incorporated in the Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference from a definitive proxy
statement, if such definitive proxy statement is filed no later than 120 days after December 31, 2021, or as an amendment to the
Annual Report on Form l0-K, not later than the end of the 120-day period.
In accordance with Rule 12b-15 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the cover page to the Original Filing and Items 10 through
14 of Part III of the Original Filing are hereby amended and restated in their entirety. In addition, pursuant to Rule 12b-15 under
the Exchange Act, the Company is including Item 15 of Part IV, solely to file the certifications required under Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 with this Amendment. Because no financial statements have been included in this Amendment and this Amendment
does not contain or amend any disclosure with respect to Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K, paragraphs 3, 4, and 5 of the
certifications have been omitted.
Except as described above,
no other changes have been made to the Original Filing. Except as otherwise indicated herein, this Amendment continues to speak as of
the date of the Original Filing, and the Company has not updated the disclosures contained therein to reflect any events that occurred
subsequent to the date of the Original Filing.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Executive Officers and Directors
Below is a list of the names, ages, positions and
a brief account of the business experience of the individuals who served as our executive officers and directors as of March 31, 2021,
which is the Original Filing was filed with the SEC.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Damian Novak |
|
45 |
|
Executive Chairman and Director |
Janelle Anderson |
|
47 |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Rick Nechio |
|
44 |
|
President and Director |
Elliot Savoie (1) |
|
37 |
|
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
Eric Doan |
|
42 |
|
Director |
Michael Pruitt |
|
61 |
|
Director |
Brad Yacullo |
|
58 |
|
Director |
David Yacullo |
|
55 |
|
Director |
| (1) | Ellen Scipta was appointed to serve as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary on March 31, 2022, following the filing of the Original
Filing with the SEC, replacing Elliot Savoie. Mr. Savoie continues to be employed by the Company as Head of Corporate Development and
Ventures. |
Damian Novak is a co-founder of the Company
and has served as its Executive Chairman and member of its board of managers since its inception in May 2019. Mr. Novak manages a
portfolio of business interests across Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Real Estate, and Management Consulting industries, among
others, from his headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a leader and self-motivated innovator, Damian is an experienced boardroom
executive with a history of building sustainable, growth-oriented businesses. During the past three decades Mr. Novak has accelerated
several start-ups from inception to profitable revenue. Mr. Novak evaluates, designs, and implements strategies for acquisitions,
operations, and dispositions of private investments, and leads and manages all entity setup and structuring, capital financing, and investor
relationship management. Mr. Novak received a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Janelle Anderson joined the Company as Chief
Marketing Officer in August 2021, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in September 2021 and was appointed as a director
of the Company as of November 4, 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Anderson most recently served as Officer Global Marketing at
American Airlines from April 2018 until December 2020, where she led its global marketing efforts, including the development
and implementation of brand and marketing strategies customer experience and digital. Previously Ms. Anderson was employed by PepsiCo
for 14 year. She held various positions of increasing responsibility in marketing, serving as Vice President of Shopper Marketing across
all the PepsiCo division from 2015 through March 2018. Previously, she led the Frito Lay Shopper Team, the Tostitos portfolio and various
other positions including innovation, small and large brands. At PepsiCo, she lead teams focused on building marketing strategies, brand
visioning and positioning as consumer needs evolved. Ms. Anderson began her career with GE Capital in their Leadership Development Program.
Ms. Anderson is involved with Jonathan’s Place, a local charity that provides a safe, loving home and specialized services to victims
of abuse, abandonment and neglect. Ms. Anderson holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of Michigan and
a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business Administration (B.A.) from the University of St. Thomas.
Rick Nechio is a co-founder and director
of the Company who served as Chief Marketing Officer from its inception through July 2021 and has served as its President since August 2021.
Mr. Nechio is also a Founding Partner of Appellation Brands LLC (producer of Danica Rosé), a wine brand that he helped launch
in April 2019, and serves as a Founding Partner of Nechio & Novak, LLC, a private equity firm organized in January 2019
that specializes in long-term value creation within the consumer goods segment, and has served as Chairman of Nechio Network, a brand
accelerator formed in 2016. Prior the Company’s inception, Mr. Nechio served as Vice President Business Development for FitVine
Wine from February 2017 to February 2019, and held various positions at Anheuser-Busch InBev, including North American Zone
Director Transit from January 2015 to January 2017, Director Retail Development, Trade Relations and Trade Communications from
October 2011 to December 2014, and Director, National Retail Sales from May 2010 to October 2011. Mr. From 2007
to 2010, Mr. Nechio piloted an Anheuser-Busch USA High End chain selling program for the Stella Artois brand. Mr. Nechio was
also part of the team that developed the Michelob Ultra disruptive brand strategy. Mr. Nechio holds a Bachelor of Science, Business
Administration degree from University Veiga de Almeida and has completed an Executive Education Program, Driving Profitability Growth
offered by Harvard Business School.
Elliot Savoie has served as Head of Corporate
Development and Ventures for the Company since March 31, 2022, and previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company
since October 2019. Concurrent with his role at the Company, Mr. Savoie served as Chief Financial Officer of Rabbit Hole Equity, L.L.C.
prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering. Rabbit Hole Equity, L.L.C. is a family office that manages a portfolio
of business investments held by Damian Novak and his affiliates. Mr. Savoie has held various other CFO roles across the Rabbit Hole
Equity network of companies since October 2019, including with management consultancy, Kratos Advisory LLC, and wine brand management
company, Appellation Brands LLC (producer of Danica Rosé). Prior to joining the Company, Elliot worked as Corporate Strategy
Manager of Cargill, Inc. from November 2017 to September 2019, where he managed global strategy projects and transformation
initiatives. He also worked as an Engagement Manager with Grant Thornton’s Strategy & Performance Improvement practice
from January 2013 to October 2017. Mr. Savoie has dedicated his career to advising corporate and private equity clients
in the areas of transaction strategy, corporate turnaround and transformation, and commercial due diligence. He holds a bachelor’s
degree and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A) from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.
Eric Doan joined the Company’s board
of directors on December 13, 2021, which was the effective date of the registration statement for the Company’s initial public offering.
Mr. Doan serves as Chief Financial Officer of Orchard Software Corporation, a position he has held since April 2020. Before
joining Orchard Software, Mr. Doan previously held Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer positions in private equity-backed
companies, most recently as Chief Financial Officer of Edmentum Inc. from July 2018 through March 2020, Chief Financial Officer
of myON by Renaissance from May 2017 to July 2018, and Chief Operating Officer of Jump Technologies, Inc. from September 2016
to May 2017. Mr. Doan holds bachelor’s degrees in Zoology and Classical Humanities and a Master of Business Administration
(MBA) from Miami University.
Michael D. Pruitt joined the Company’s
board of directors on December 13, 2021, which was the effective date of the registration statement for the Company’s initial public
offering. Mr. Pruitt founded Avenel Financial Group, a boutique financial services firm concentrating on emerging technology company
investments in 1999. In 2001, he formed Avenel Ventures, a technology investment and private venture capital firm. In February 2005,
Mr. Pruitt formed Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., then a public holding company (now known as Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.),
and he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer until April 1, 2020, at which time the restaurant
operations of Chanticleer Holdings were spun out into a new public entity, Amergent Hospitality Group, Inc., where Mr. Pruitt continues
to serve as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Pruitt has been a member of the Board of Directors of IMAC Holdings, Inc.
(Nasdaq- IMAC) since October 2020 and currently serves on its Compensation Committee and as Chair of its Audit Committee. Mr. Pruitt
also served as a director on the board of Hooters of America, LLC from 2011 to 2019. Mr. Pruitt received a B.A. degree from Costal
Carolina University. He currently sits on the Board of Visitors of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, the
Coastal Education Foundation Board, and the Athletic Committee of the Board.
Brad Yacullo joined the Company’s board
of directors on December 13, 2021, which was the effective date of the registration statement for the Company’s initial public offering.
Mr. Yacullo joined ACE Outdoor in September 2019, where he currently serves as a partner. ACE Outdoor is a boutique outdoor
media company with bulletin and wall inventory on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. Mr. Yacullo also co-founded Agra
Energy in March 2017. Agra Energy is a company that converts dairy manure into a renewable sulfur free synthetic fuel. Previously,
Mr. Yacullo served as Sales Executive at Cisco Systems from January 1995 until January 2003. Mr. Yacullo began his
career in January 1991 at Platinum Technology, where he sold enterprise level software to many industries. Mr. Yacullo holds
a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a major in information systems, from Drake University.
David Yacullo joined the Company’s
board of directors on December 13, 2021, which was the effective date of the registration statement for the Company’s initial public
offering. Mr. Yacullo currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer of Van Wagner Outdoor, a position he has held since January 2020.
Mr. Yacullo has also served as Chairman of Outdoor Solutions, LLC since 2018. From 2016 until 2018, Mr. Yacullo serves as Chief
Revenue Officer of Holt Media Companies, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Yacullo founded Outdoor Media Group (OMG) in 2001 and served as
its Chief Executive Officer from 2003 until February 2016. Mr. Yacullo began his career working for Outdoor Services Inc. (OSI)
from January 1989 through 2001, where he served in various positions, including as its President.
Family Relationships
Messrs. Brad and David Yacullo, two of our directors,
are brothers. There are no other family relationships between any of the other directors or executive officers.
Board Composition and Director Independence
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction
of our board of directors. Our bylaws provide that our board of directors shall consist of one or more members and that the number of
directors may be fixed from time to time by a majority vote of the directors then in office. Our board of directors is currently comprised
of the seven individuals identified above.
Board Committees
Our board of directors has a standing audit committee,
compensation committee nominating and corporate governance committee. Each committee operates under its own written charter adopted by
the board of directors, which are available on our website at ir.freshvinewine.com/info/.
Audit Committee
The audit committee is responsible for overseeing
financial reporting and related internal controls, risk, and ethics and compliance, including but not limited to review of filings and
earnings releases, selection and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm, oversight of internal audit, interactions
with management and the board, and communications with external stakeholders. Our audit committee is composed of Eric Doan and Michael
D. Pruitt, with Mr. Doan serving as chairperson of the committee. Our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs.
Doan and Pruitt meet the definition of “independent director” under the rules of the NYSE American and under Rule 10A-3 under
the Exchange Act and that each is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the SEC’s regulations
and applicable listing standards of the NYSE American.
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee is responsible for establishing
the compensation philosophy and ensuring that elements of our compensation program encourage high levels of performance among the executive
officers and positions the Company for growth. The compensation committee ensures our compensation program is fair, competitive, and closely
aligns the interests of our executive officers with the Company’s short and long-term business objectives. The compensation committee
is responsible for determining the compensation of our officers and directors, or recommending that such compensation be approved by the
full board of directors. Our Chief Executive Officer may not be present during voting or deliberations regarding the Chief Executive Officer’s
compensation. The compensation committee will also administer the Company’s equity incentive plans and approve all equity grants
made thereunder. Our compensation committee is composed of one director, Eric Doan.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The nominating and corporate governance committee
is responsible for selecting directors to be nominated for election to our board of directors or recommending such nominees for selection
by the full board. The nominating and corporate governance committee is also responsible for board effectiveness and governance, with
duties that include board succession planning, director recruiting, shaping the Company’s governance policies and practices, and
director education and self-evaluations. Our nominating and corporate governance committee is composed of one director, Eric Doan.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
While the full board of directors has the ultimate
oversight responsibility for the risk management process, its committees oversee risk in certain specified areas. In particular, our audit
committee oversees management of enterprise risks as well as financial risks. Our compensation committee is responsible for overseeing
the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements and the incentives created by the compensation awards
it administers. Our nominating and corporate governance committee oversees risks associated with corporate governance, business conduct
and ethics, and is responsible for overseeing the review and approval of related party transactions. Pursuant to the board of directors’
instruction, management reports on applicable risks to the relevant committee or the full board of directors, as appropriate, with additional
review or reporting on risks conducted as needed or as requested by the board of directors and its committees.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Damian Novak, our Executive Chairman, Janelle Anderson,
our Chief Executive Officer, and Rick Nechio, our President, each serve as a member of our board of directors. None of our other directors
has ever been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serve, or in the past fiscal year has served,
as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board
of directors or compensation committee.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of conduct that applies to
all of our officers, employees and directors, and a separate code of ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer and senior financial
officers. Our code of conduct and code of ethics are available on our Internet website at ir.freshvinewine.com/info/.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, requires our officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities,
to file electronically reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such securities with the SEC. Based on review of the copies of
Forms 3 and 4 (and amendments thereto, if any) filed electronically with the SEC during the year ended December 31, 2021 and Forms 5 (and
amendments thereto, if any) filed electronically with the SEC with respect to such year, or written representations that no Forms 5 were
required, we believe all required forms have been filed on a timely basis by our officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial
owners, with the exception of a Form 3 filed by Janelle Anderson on December 14, 2021 which was due on December 13, 2021.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
This section provides an overview of the compensation
of (i) each individual who served as our principal executive officer during 2021, and (ii) our two most highly compensated other
executive officers who were serving as executive officers at the end of 2021 and who received more than $100,000 in the form of salary
and bonus during such year. We refer to these individuals as our “named executive officers.” Our named executive officers
are:
| ● | Janelle Anderson, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer); |
| ● | Timothy Michaels, Former Chief Operating Officer; |
| ● | Rick Nechio, President; and |
| ● | Elliot Savoie, Head of Corporate Development and Ventures, Former Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (former principal financial
and accounting officer) |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation
awarded to, earned by or paid to our named executive officers in respect of their service to us during fiscal years 2021 and 2020.
Name and principal position | |
Year | | |
Salary (1) | | |
Bonus | | |
Stock Awards (6) | | |
Option Awards (6) | | |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation | | |
All other compensation | | |
Total compensation (1) | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Janelle Anderson (2) | |
| 2021 | | |
$ | 150,897 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 382,000 | (7) | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 400,000 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 932,897 | |
Chief Executive Officer | |
| 2020 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Rick Nechio (3) | |
| 2021 | | |
$ | 116,667 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 19,512 | (8) | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 136,179 | |
President | |
| 2020 | | |
$ | 40,015 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 24,000 | | |
$ | 64,015 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Tim Michaels (4) | |
| 2021 | | |
$ | 250,000 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 1,443,106 | (9) | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 1,693,106 | |
Former Chief Operating Officer | |
| 2020 | | |
$ | 105,750 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 105,750 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Elliot Savoie (5) | |
| 2021 | | |
$ | 233,083 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 721,556 | (9) | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 954,639 | |
Head of Corporate Development and Ventures | |
| 2020 | | |
$ | 97,275 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 97,275 | |
|
(1) |
Prior to the completion of our initial public offering on December 17, 2021, Timothy Michaels, Rick Nechio and Elliot Savoie were employed and paid by Rabbit Hole Equity, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company that serves as a family office that manages a portfolio of business investments held by Damian Novak and his affiliates. The amounts set forth for Messrs. Michaels, Nechio and Savoie in the table above include the portion of their overall compensation from Rabbit Hole Equity, L.L.C. that has been allocated to the Company. Upon completion of our initial public offering, Messrs. Michaels, Nechio and Savoie became employees of the Company. |
| (2) | Janelle Anderson commenced employment with the Company as
Chief Marketing Officer on August 1, 2021 and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on September 17, 2021. |
| (3) | Rick Nechio served as Chief Marketing Officer through July
2021 and has served as its President since August 2021. |
(4) |
Timothy Michaels served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company until September 2021, at which time he assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Michael’s employment with the Company terminated February 7, 2022. |
(5) |
Mr. Savoie served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company until March 31, 2021, when he began serving in his current position as Head of Corporate Development and Ventures. |
(6) |
These amounts have been calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the assumptions relating to our valuations of these stock awards and stock options, please see Note 7 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. These amounts reflect our accounting expense for these stock awards and stock options and do not correspond to the actual value that may be recognized by the named executive officer. |
(7) |
Reflects the grant date fair value of Class F Units of Fresh Grapes, LLC granted to Ms. Anderson on August 1, 2021, which converted into 67,676 upon the Company’s conversion to a corporation in December 2021. |
(8) |
Reflects the grant date fair value of the Founders Options granted on November 30, 2021. See “Item 13 - Certain Relationships And Related Transactions, And Director Independence – Founders’ Option Agreements.” |
(9) |
Reflects the grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted on December 17, 2021. |
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
Prior to the completion of our initial public offering
on December 17, 2021, Timothy Michaels, Rick Nechio and Elliot Savoie were employed and paid by Rabbit Hole Equity, L.L.C., a Texas limited
liability company that serves as a family office that manages a portfolio of business investments held by Damian Novak and his affiliates.
The amounts set forth for Messrs. Michaels, Nechio and Savoie in the table above include the portion of their overall compensation from
Rabbit Hole Equity, L.L.C. that has been allocated to the Company. Upon completion of our initial public offering, Messrs. Michaels, Nechio
and Savoie became full time employees of the Company and 100% of their respective compensation is allocated to the Company and reflected
as compensation expenses on the Company’s income statement.
Janelle Anderson commenced employment with the Company
as Chief Marketing Officer on August 1, 2021 and currently serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to her employment
agreement, which is described below, the Company paid Ms. Anderson an annual base salary of $400,000 from August 1, 2021 until September
17, 2021, and a base salary of $300,000 for the remainder of 2021. In January 2022, the Company also paid Ms. Anderson $400,000 for achieving
all performance objectives under the annual incentive cash bonus plan set forth in her employment agreement, which objectives relate to
increases in the number of points of distribution to which the Company sells its wine. Ms. Anderson’s employment agreement contemplated
that the Company would, on the initial closing date of its initial public offering, grant her an option to purchase 427,001 shares of
common stock that is exercisable at the initial public offering price; however such stock option was not granted at the time of the initial
public offering because the vesting criteria had not been established. As a result, the fair value of the option is not reflected in the
Summary Compensation Table. On March 11, 2022, the Company granted Ms. Anderson a stock option to purchase up to 427,001 shares of common
stock, which option has an exercise price equal to $3.47 per share (which is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on
the date of grant) and vests in three instalments in amounts as nearly equal as possible on the six month, one year and two year anniversaries
of the date of grant. The Option granted on March 11, 2022 was in lieu of (and not in addition to) the stock option contemplated by Ms.
Anderson’s employment agreement.
With the exception of Janelle Anderson, our Chief
Executive Officer, our named executive officers were employed by us during 2021 pursuant to unwritten employment arrangements. Each of
these named executive officers receives a base salary, which is subject to adjustment, from time to time, at the discretion of our board
of directors. At the beginning of 2020, Messrs. Nechio, Michaels and Savoie were receiving annualized base salaries of $250,000, $240,000
and $220,000, respectively. In order to conserve capital, Mr. Nechio’s annualized based salary was reduced in July 2020 to
$70,293. During July and August 2020, the annualized salaries of Messrs. Michaels and Elliot were temporarily reduced to 75% of their
normal amounts, after which their respective normal annualized salaries of $240,000 and $220,000 were restored. Of these salary amounts,
45% have been allocated to the Company and are reflected as compensation expenses on the Company’s income statement. In an effort
to allocate all available capital to the growth and health of the business, none of Messrs. Nechio, Michaels or Savoie received a bonus
in fiscal year 2020. Upon the initial public offering in December of 2021, annual base salaries for Messrs. Nechio, Michaels and Savoie
were changed to $116,667, $300,000,and $300,000, respectively. On February 1, 2022, Mr. Savoie’s base salary was reduced to $220,000.
Messrs. Nechio, Michaels, and Savoie did not receive bonus payments for 2021. Messrs. Nechio and Savoie continue to be employed by us
pursuant to their unwritten employment arrangements.
Effective December 17, 2021, the Company granted
125,926 and 251,851 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), respectively, to Elliot Savoie, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
of the Company, and Timothy Michaels, Former Chief Operating Officer of the Company, under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.
Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock from the Company upon vesting, with vesting scheduled to occur on June
11, 2022 (180 days after the date of the final prospectus for our initial public offering). Mr. Michael’s employment with the Company
terminated February 7, 2022. [In connection with the termination of his employment, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and
Release dated February 24, 2022 (the “Settlement Date”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, among other things, the Company
agreed to provide Mr. Michaels with certain separation benefits. These separation benefits included a lump sum cash payment to Mr. Michaels
in the amount of $160,000, and an additional $15,000 cash payment in respect of legal expenses incurred by Mr. Michaels in negotiating
the Separation Agreement, in each case less relevant taxes and other withholdings. In addition, the Settlement Agreement provided that
the Company and Mr. Michaels would amend the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement dated December 17, 2021 between the parties (the “RSU
Agreement”) to (i) acknowledge that the 251,851 restricted stock units (the “Units”) granted under the RSU Agreement
were not forfeited as a result of the termination of Mr. Michael’s employment with the Company, (ii) accelerate the vesting of all
251,851 Units as of the Settlement Date, and (iii) provide for the delivery to Mr Michaels of the 251,851 shares of the Company’s
common stock issuable upon such vesting of the Units (the “Shares”) as soon as administratively practicable following such
vesting, subject to the Company’s collection from Mr. Michaels of tax withholding amounts required to be remitted by the Company
as a result of such delivery of shares. In addition, pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Mr. Michaels and the Company generally released
each other from any and all claims each may have against the other and agreed to a mutual non-disparagement covenant.
On February 24, 2022, and as contemplated by the
Separation Agreement, the Company and Mr. Michaels entered into Amendment No. 1 to the RSU Agreement in order to amend the RSU Agreement
in the manner described above
Employment Agreements
Janelle Anderson Employment Agreement
Effective August 1, 2021, the Company entered
into an employment agreement with Janelle Anderson pursuant to which Ms. Anderson initially served as Chief Marketing Officer and was
paid an annualized base salary of $400,000. This agreement was amended and restated effective September 1, 2021, at which time Ms.
Anderson was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, and further amended and restated effective September 17, 2021, at which time her
annualized base salary was reduced to $300,000. The agreement, as further amended and restated, provides that during the period from September
17, 2021 through December 31, 2021, and during each calendar year thereafter (each a “performance period”), Ms. Anderson will
be eligible to receive a $100,000 incentive cash bonus each time that the number of points of distribution to which the Company sells
its wine is increased by 100 over the number of points of distribution to which the Company sells its wine at the commencement of the
applicable performance period, up to a maximum of $400,000 per performance period. For such purposes, “points of distribution”
include on-premise outlets (e.g., bars, restaurants, arenas and similar venues) and off-premise outlets (e.g., grocery, liquor and convenient
stores and similar outlets). Ms. Anderson is eligible to receive additional discretionary bonuses based upon her performance on behalf
of the Company and/or the Company’s performance in such amounts, in such manner and at such times as may be determined by the board
of directors. Ms. Anderson is also eligible to participate in the standard benefits which the Company generally provides to its full-time
employees under its applicable plans and policies.
Upon commencement of her employment, Ms. Anderson
was granted units representing a 0.75% equity interest in the Company, calculated as of August 1, 2021 (the effective date of the
employment agreement), which converted into 67,676 shares of the Company’s common stock upon the Company conversion to a corporation
in December 2021 (the “LLC Conversion”). Ms. Anderson is entitled to receive an additional 33,838 shares of common stock (representing
a 0.3725% equity interest in the Company, calculated as of August 1, 2021) upon each of two milestone events, provided that she remains
employed by the Company on the date on which the applicable milestone event is achieved. The first milestone will be satisfied upon the
Company achieving a market capitalization of at least $225 million, and the second milestone will be satisfied upon the later to
occur of the Company achieving a market capitalization of at least $300 million and the Company’s completion of a secondary
underwritten public offering of its common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
Under her employment agreement, if Ms. Anderson’s
employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in the employment agreement), or Ms. Anderson resigns
as an employee of the Company for Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreement), so long as she has signed and has not revoked
a release agreement, she will be entitled to receive severance in the form of continued base salary payments over a period of six months.
In addition, if Ms. Anderson’s employment is terminated by the Company (or its successor) for a reason other than for Cause or as
a result of her death or disability, or she voluntarily terminates her employment for Good Reason, in either case within twelve months
following the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the employment agreement) or within 90 days prior to a Change in Control,
the vesting of all outstanding unvested equity-based incentive awards will accelerate. The employment agreement includes a provision allowing
the Company to reduce the payment to which Ms. Anderson would be entitled upon a Change-in-Control transaction to the extent needed for
her to avoid paying an excise tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 280G, unless she would be better off, on an after-tax basis,
receiving the full amount of such payments and paying the excise taxes due.
Ms. Anderson’s employment agreement provided
that the Company would, on the initial closing date of its initial public offering, grant her an option to purchase 427,001 shares of
common stock that is exercisable at the initial public offering price; however such stock option was not granted at the time of the initial
public offering because the vesting criteria had not been established. In lieu of such stock option, on March 11, 2022, the Company granted
Ms. Anderson a stock option to purchase up to 427,001 shares of common stock that has an exercise price equal to $3.47 per share (which
is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant) and vests in three instalments in amounts as nearly equal
as possible on the six month, one year and two year anniversaries of the date of grant.
Ms. Anderson’s employment agreement contains
customary confidentiality and intellectual property covenants and a non-competition restriction that provides, among other things, that
Ms. Anderson will not engage in a competitive business or solicit our employees or consultants for a period of one year after termination
of employment. For such purpose, “competitive” business means a business primarily engaged in the development, production,
marketing and/or sale of wine varietals and brands that are primarily marketed to consumers as embodying a connection to health, wellness
and/or an active lifestyle.
Fresh Vine Wine, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan
We have adopted our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the
“2021 Plan”) The 2021 Plan authorizes the granting of stock-based awards to purchase up to 1,800,000 shares of our common
stock. Under the 2021 Plan, our board of directors or a committee of one or more non-employee directors designated by our board will administer
the 2021 Plan and will have the power to make awards, to determine when and to whom awards will be granted, the form of each award, the
amount of each award, and any other terms or conditions of each award consistent with the terms of the 2021 Plan. Awards may be made to
our employees, directors and consultants. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2021 Plan will include incentive and non-qualified
stock options, restricted and unrestricted stock, restricted and unrestricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units
and other stock-based awards. Each award agreement will specify the number and type of award, together with any other terms and conditions
as determined by the board of directors or committee in their sole discretion.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
The following table sets forth certain information
regarding outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2021:
|
Options |
|
Restricted Stock Units |
|
|
|
Grant
Date |
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
Exercisable |
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
Unexercisable |
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price |
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date |
|
Number of
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested |
|
|
Market
Value
Of Units of
Stock
That Have
Not Vested |
|
Rick Nechio |
|
11/30/2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
375,001 |
|
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
|
11/30/2031 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy Michaels (1) |
|
12/17/2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
251,851 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elliot Savoie |
|
12/17/2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
125,926 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
| (1) | Mr. Michael’s restricted stock units were scheduled to vest on June 11, 2022. Pursuant to the Separation
Agreement that the Company entered into in connection with the termination of Mr. Michael’s employment with the Company, the Company
accelerated the vesting of Mr. Michael’s restricted stock units as of February 24, 2022 and issued 251,851 shares of common stock
in connection therewith. |
Director Compensation
Prior to our December 2021 initial public offering,
our directors did not receive compensation for serving as members of our board of directors. Effective March 2, 2022, we granted 10,000
restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan to each of our seven directors as compensation
for their services as directors of the Company during 2022. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock from the
Company upon vesting, with vesting scheduled to occur on June 18, 2022. The board of directors (or a compensation committee thereof) will
periodically reevaluate the form and amount of director compensation and make adjustments that it deems to be appropriate. We will also
reimburse our directors for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of the directors’ services to the us upon submission
of invoices and receipts for such expenses.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
We maintain Fresh Vine Wine, Inc.’s 2021 Equity
Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), which, as of December 31 is approved to grant up to an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of
our common stock. The purpose of the 2021 Plan is to increase stockholder value and to advance the interests of the Company by furnishing
a variety of economic incentives designed to attract, retain and motivate employees, certain key consultants and directors of the Company.
Incentives may consist of opportunities to purchase or receive shares of our common stock or other incentive awards. At December 31, 2021,
377,777 shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding incentive grants, and 1,422,223 shares remained available for issuance
pursuant to future grants. The 2021 Plan was approved by Fresh Vine Wine, Inc.’s stockholders.
Effective November 30, 2021, we entered into stock
option agreements (the “Founders’ Option Agreements”) with four of our co-founders, Damian Novak, Rick Nechio, Nina
Dobrev and Julianne Hough. In connection with these agreements, we established a founders’ option pool comprised of 1,500,004 shares
of our common stock (the “Founders’ Option Pool”). Under the agreements, each co-founder was granted a ten-year option
to purchase 25% of the shares comprising the Founders’ Option Pool. The options will be exercisable, subject to the satisfaction
of vesting conditions, at a price per share equal to $10.00, which was the initial public offering price of our common stock in our initial
public offering.
The following table sets forth certain information
as of December 31, 2021 with respect to the 2021 Plan and the Founders’ Option Agreements.
Plan Category | |
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (A) | | |
Weighted- Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (B) | |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuances Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column(A)) | |
Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Security Holders: | |
| | |
| |
| |
2021 Equity Incentive Plan Total | |
$ | 377,777 | | |
$ | 0.00 | |
| 1,422,223 | |
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved By Security Holders: | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Founders’ Option Agreements | |
| 1,500,004 | | |
| 10.00 | |
| — | |
Total | |
| 1,500,004 | | |
$ | 9.75 | |
| 1,422,223 | |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management
The following table sets forth information with
respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2022 for (a) each person, or group of affiliated persons,
known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock, (b) each member of our board of directors,
(c) each of our named executive officers, and (d) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance
with SEC rules. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. In general, under these rules
a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship
or otherwise has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial
owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security within 60 days. To our knowledge,
except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all common stock beneficially owned by that person.
The percentage of beneficial ownership shown in
the table is based on 12,451,864 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
Except as otherwise noted below, the address for
each person or entity listed in the table is c/o Fresh Vine Wine, Inc., 505 Highway 169 North, Suite 255, Plymouth, MN 55441.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | |
Shares Beneficially Owned | | |
Percentage of
Shares Beneficially
Owned | |
Directors and Executive Officers: | |
|
| | |
| |
Damian Novak | |
| 5,347,853 |
(1)(4) | | |
| 42.95 | % |
Janelle Anderson | |
| 71,676 |
(5) | | |
| * | |
Rick Nechio | |
| 5,317,653 |
(2)(4) | | |
| 42.71 | % |
Elliott Savoie | |
| 0 |
(3) | | |
| — | |
Eric Doan | |
| 0 |
(4) | | |
| — | |
Michael D. Pruitt | |
| 0 |
(4) | | |
| — | |
Brad Yacullo | |
| 0 |
(4) | | |
| — | |
David Yacullo | |
| 0 |
(4) | | |
| — | |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (8 people): | |
| 5,419,529 |
| | |
| 43.52 | % |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
Other Named Executive Officer(s): | |
| |
| | |
| | |
Timothy Michaels | |
| 251,851 |
(5) | | |
| 1.25 | % |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
Other 5% Stockholders: | |
| |
| | |
| | |
Nina Dobrev | |
| 1,097,488 |
(6) | | |
| 8.81 | % |
Julianne Hough | |
| 1,097,488 |
(7) | | |
| 8.81 | % |
Tribe of Five, LLC(8) | |
| 868,938 |
| | |
| 6.98 | % |
| (1) | Includes 5,317,653 shares held by Nechio & Novak, LLC,
a limited liability company of which Mr. Novak is a co-founder. Mr. Novak shares voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares
held by Nechio & Novak, LLC. Mr. Novak disclaims beneficial ownership over the shares held by Nechio & Novak, LLC except to the
extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
| (2) | Consists of shares held by Nechio & Novak, LLC,
a limited liability company of which Mr. Nechio is a co-founder. Mr. Nechio shares voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares
held by Nechio & Novak, LLC. Mr. Nechio disclaims beneficial ownership over the shares held by Nechio & Novak,
LLC except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
| (3) | Excludes
125,926 shares that are issuable to Mr. Savoie pursuant to restricted stock units that are scheduled to vest on June 11, 2022. |
| (4) | Excludes 10,000 shares that are issuable to pursuant to restricted
stock units that are scheduled to vest on June 18, 2022. |
| (5) | Based solely on a Form 4 filed by Mr. Michaels on December
20, 2021. |
| (6) | Consists of shares held by the Nina Dobrev Trust dated September 17,
2018, of which Nina Dobrev serves as trustee. Ms. Dobrev has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by the
Nina Dobrev Trust. |
| (7) | Consists of shares held by Jaybird Investments, LLC, a limited
liability company wholly-owned by Julianne Hough. Ms. Hough has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by
Jaybird Investments, LLC. |
| (8) | Trent Broin may be deemed to have voting and dispositive
power with respect to the shares held by Tribe of Five, LLC. The address of Tribe of Five, LLC is 11900 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 450,
Los Angeles, CA 90064. |
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE.
In addition to the compensation arrangements discussed
in Item 11 (“Executive Compensation”), the following is a description of each transaction since January 1, 2021 and each currently
proposed transaction in which:
| ● | we have been or are to be a participant; |
| ● | the amount involved exceeds or will exceed $120,000; and |
| ● | any of our directors, executive officers, or holders of more
than 5% of our capital stock, or any immediate family member of, or person sharing the household with any of these individuals had or
will have a direct or indirect material interest. |
Description of Founder Related Party Payables
Since the Company’s inception in May 2019,
Damian Novak, our Executive Chairman and co-founder, and affiliates of Mr. Novak have incurred expenses on our behalf or advanced
funds to us from time to time as needed to satisfy our working capital requirements and expenses. The reimbursable expenses and advances
are reflected as related party payables on our balance sheet and are not evidenced promissory notes or other written documentation. On
December 17, 2021, we used a portion of the proceeds from our initial public offering to repay $2.0 million, representing the entire outstanding
amount of these related party payables, net of related party receivables that Mr. Novak and his affiliates owed to us at that time
Arrangement with Rabbit Hole Equity, L.L.C.
Prior to our December 2021 initial public offering,
all of our named executive officers were employed and paid by Rabbit Hole Equity, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company that serves
as a family office that manages a portfolio of business investments held by Damian Novak and his affiliates (“Rabbit Hole Equity”).
Based on an allocation model, a portion of each named executive officer’s overall compensation from Rabbit Hole Equity was allocated
to the Company. Following the completion of our initial public offering, our named executive officers became employees of, and are compensated
directly by, the Company. Our principal executive offices located in Minneapolis, Minnesota are leased by Rabbit Hole Equity and a portion
of Rabbit Hole Equity’s lease payments are allocated to the Company. We expect to continue to occupy Rabbit Hole Equity’s
offices under this arrangement for the foreseeable future.
License Agreements with Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough
In March 2021, we entered into five-year license
agreements with each of Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough pursuant to which each agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to help grow
and promote our business and varietals of wine. Each has also granted us a license to use her pre-approved name, likeness, image, and
other indicia of identity, as well as certain content published by her on her social media or other channels, on and in conjunction with
the sale and related pre-approved advertising and promotion of our varietals of wine and marketing materials. Ms. Dobrev and Ms. Hough
have agreed not to grant any similar license or render services of any sort on behalf of or in connection with any party in the wine category
anywhere in the world during the term of her agreement, other than with respect to Company. Notwithstanding such restrictions, the agreements
do not prevent Ms. Dobrev or Ms. Hough from (i) appearing in the news, entertainment or information portion of any program or event,
regardless of those programs or event’s sponsorship or tie-ins; or (ii) becoming a passive investor in any other company provided
that if the company is in the category of wine, such investment must be financial only and Ms. Dobrev or Ms. Hough, as applicable, may
not provide services or grant any rights in or to her name, likeness, image, and other indicia of identity in connection with such investment.
Upon entering into such agreements, we issued to
each of Ms. Dobrev and Hough (or their designees) 156,500 units representing membership interests in Fresh Grapes, LLC, which represent
969,272 shares each on a post-LLC Conversion basis. In addition, each of Ms. Dobrev and Ms. Hough will be entitled to an annual license
fee equal to $300,000 per year commencing in March 2022 (the one year anniversary of the effective date of the agreements). The Company
is also required to reimburse each of Ms. Dobrev and Ms. Hough for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with
the promotion of the Company’s varietals of wine.
The license agreements may be terminated by either
party for “Cause” (as defined in the applicable agreement), if the other party materially breaches any material term of the
agreement and fails to cure such breach within 30 days after receiving notice of such breach. In addition, the Company may terminate
the agreement upon the death or physical or mental incapacitation that substantially impairs the ability of Ms. Dobrev or Ms. Hough, as
applicable, to render the Services for more than 180 days. Upon expiration or termination of each agreement, the rights and licenses
granted under the agreement will be immediately revoked, and the Company must cease the marketing and sale of products that feature the
licensor’s name, likeness, image, and other indicia of identity, provided that the Company may continue to use approved marketing
materials and sell off the remaining product inventory for a sell-off period of up to 90 days.
Effective November 12, 2021, we entered into amendments
to the license agreements. As amended, the license agreements provide that payment of the annual license fees to Ms. Dobrev and Ms. Hough
would commence on the initial closing date of our December 2021 initial public offering. In addition, the amendments provide that each
of Ms. Dobrev and Ms. Hough have the right to terminate her agreement if as of the end of calendar year 2023, we have not achieved at
least $5.0 million in EBITDA in either fiscal 2022 or fiscal 2023. In connection with entering into the amendments, Nechio & Novak,
LLC assigned and transferred to each of Ms. Dobrev and Ms. Hough (or their designees) 20,702 additional units representing membership
interests in Fresh Grapes, LLC, which represent 128,217 shares each on a post-LLC Conversion basis. Pursuant to the amendments, we have
agreed to indemnify and reimburse the licensees for any United States federal and state income taxes that may become be due and payable
by them solely as a result of the assignment and transfer of the additional units, and to gross-up such payments for income taxes resulting
from the indemnification payments. We have agreed to satisfy the licensors’ claims for indemnification and reimbursement no later
than thirty (30) days following the filing the their applicable tax return. During the term of the license agreements, as amended, we
have granted observer rights to each Ms. Dobrev and Ms. Hough pursuant to which each will be entitled, among other things, to attend all
meetings, excluding committee meetings and executive sessions of independent directors, of our Board of Directors in a non-voting, observer
capacity, subject to certain exceptions.
Founders’ Option Agreements
Effective November 30, 2021, we entered into stock
option agreements with four of our co-founders, Damian Novak, Rick Nechio, Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough. In connection with these agreements,
we have established a founders’ option pool comprised of 1,500,004 shares of our common stock, which will represent 15% of our outstanding
common stock immediately prior to our initial public offering (the “Founders’ Option Pool”). Under the agreements, each
co-founder was granted a ten-year option to purchase 25% of the shares comprising the Founders’ Option Pool.
The options are exercisable, subject to the satisfaction
of vesting conditions, at a price per share equal to $10.00 (our initial public offering price). The options will vest, if at all, during
the three year period that commenced on December 17, 2021 (the closing date of our initial public offering) and ending on the third anniversary
thereof (the “Performance Period”), with 20% of the option shares vesting upon the average of the closing sale prices of our
common stock over a period of ten consecutive trading days being equal to or greater than the applicable price set forth in the following
schedule (each a “Trigger Price”):
Percent of Shares To Be Vested |
|
Trigger Price |
20% |
|
$20.00 |
20% |
|
$30.00 |
20% |
|
$40.00 |
20% |
|
$50.00 |
20% |
|
$60.00 |
All portions of the options that have not vested
prior to the expiration of the Performance Period and all of co-founders’ rights to and under such non-vested portions of the options
will terminate upon such expiration. In addition, if, prior to any vesting date, a co-founder ceases to provide services to the Company
either as a member of our board of directors a Company employee (with respect to Messrs. Novak and Nechio) or a Company ambassador and
licensor under such co-founder’s license agreement with the Company (with respect to Ms. Dobrev and Ms. Hough), that portion of
such co-founder’s option scheduled to vest on such vesting date, and all portions of such option scheduled to vest in the future,
will not vest and all of such co-founder’s rights to and under such non-vested portions will terminate.
Contractor Agreement with Tribe of Five, LLC
Effective March 15, 2021, we entered into a
Contractor Agreement with Tribe of Five, LLC (“Tribe of Five”) relating to services provided to us by Tribe of Five to secure
arrangements with our co-founders, Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough, to serve as celebrity ambassadors for our Company. In consideration
for services rendered under the Contractor Agreement, effective March 15, 2021, we issued to Tribe of Five 140,300 units representing
membership interests in Fresh Grapes, LLC, which represent 868,373 shares on a post-LLC Conversion basis. Pursuant to the Contractor Agreement,
Tribe of Five made representations and warranties regarding its investment intent and accredited investor status that are customary in
agreements governing the issuance of securities in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Service Agreement with Appellation Brands, LLC
In October 2021, the Company entered into a service
agreement with Appellation Brands, LLC, a limited liability company of which Nechio & Novak, LLC is the majority member. Nechio &
Novak, LLC is a limited liability company of which Damian Novak and Rick Nechio are co-founders and collectively are the majority members.
Under the service agreement, the Company provides representation and distribution services. We provide access to new markets and retail
and wholesale customers to Appellation Brands, LLC. In exchange for these services, we receive a management fee of $50,000 per month plus
a tiered fee ranging between $5.00 and $6.50 per case of the products sold. The term of the agreement is one year and will automatically
renew for additional one-year periods until terminated by either party with thirty days prior written notice. As of December 31, 2021,
the Company had recognized $153,075 in service revenue related to this agreement.
Consulting Services Agreement with FELCS, LLC
On January 1, 2022, we entered into a consulting
services agreement with FELCS, LLC, a limited liability company owned by Damian Novak, to provide consulting and advisory services to
us, including, among other things, assisting in and advising on the development of our marketing plans, materials and objectives, assisting
in the development and implementation of our growth strategies and processes, and advising on our systems, policies and procedures. As
compensation for such services, we pay FELCS, LLC a $25,000 monthly consulting fee. The consulting services agreement has an initial term
of one year, will automatically renew for additional one year periods unless either party gives the other written notice of non-renewal
at least 30 days prior to the end of the then current term, and may be terminated by either party upon 30 days prior written notice.
Director and Officer Indemnification Agreements
Effective December 13, 2021, we entered into indemnification
agreements (the “Indemnification Agreements”) with each of our officers and directors. The Indemnification Agreements clarify
and supplement indemnification provisions already contained in the Company’s bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and generally provide
that the Company shall indemnify the indemnitees to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions, against
expenses, judgments, fines and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with their service as a director or officer
and also provide for rights to advancement of expenses and contribution.
Related Party Transactions Policy
In connection with our initial public offering,
we adopted a policy with respect to the review, approval and ratification of related party transactions. Under the policy, our audit committee
is responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions. In the course of its review and approval of related party transactions,
our audit committee will consider the relevant facts and circumstances to decide whether to approve such transactions. We did not have
a written policy regarding the review and approval of related party transactions prior to our initial public offering.
Director Independence
Fresh Vine Wine, Inc.’s board of directors
periodically reviews relationships that directors have with our Company to determine whether our directors are “independent directors”
as such term is defined in Section 803 of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide. Our board of directors has determined that each of Eric
Doan, Michael D. Pruitt, Brad Yacullo and David Yacullo is an independent director. In making this determination, the board of directors
considered the relationships that such individuals have with our Company and other facts and circumstances that the board of directors
deemed relevant in determining their independence, including ownership interests in us.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The following table represents aggregate fees billed
to us for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, by Wipfli LLP, independent registered public accountants, our
principal accountants.
| |
2021 | | |
2020 | |
Audit Fees (1) | |
$ | 165,000 | | |
$ | 0 | |
Audit-Related Fees (2) | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Tax Fees (3) | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
All Other Fees (4) | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
| |
$ | 165,000 | | |
$ | 0 | |
| (1) | Audit Fees were principally
for services rendered for the audit of our financial statements, reviews of our interim financial statements, the review of our registration
statement on Form S-1 for our initial public offering, the issuance of accountant consents and comfort letters, and services that are
normally provided by Wipfli LLP in connection with the financial statement audit. |
| (2) | Audit-related fees were for
assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements
and are not reported under "Audit fees." |
| (3) | Tax Fees consist of fees for
tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. |
| (4) | All Other Fees typically consist
of fees for permitted non-audit products and services provided. |
Audit committee pre-approval policy and procedures
Pursuant to the audit committee charter, the audit
committee reviews and approves, the scope and plans for the audits and the audit engagement fees and terms and approves in advance, all
audit and non-audit and tax services to be performed by the independent auditor that are not otherwise prohibited by law or regulations
and any associated fees. Following the adoption of the pre-approval policy, the audit committee has pre-approved all services performed
by the independent registered public accounting firm.