FRG Franchise Group Inc

* Percentage calculated based on 35,172,623 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 5, 2023, as reported by the Issuer in the Form 8-K filed by the Issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2023.

Explanatory Note

On May 10, 2023, Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 10, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Issuer, Freedom VCM, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Freedom VCM Subco, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”). In connection with the Merger Agreement, Andrew M. Laurence (the “Reporting Person”) entered into a Rollover Commitment Letter with Parent, dated as of May 10, 2023 (the “Rollover Commitment Letter”), and a Voting Agreement with the Issuer and Parent, dated as of May 10, 2023 (the “Voting Agreement”), as further described below. As further described below, the Reporting Person may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of certain shares of Common Stock of the Issuer, $0.01 par value (“Common Stock”), as reported in this Statement on Schedule 13D (this “Schedule 13D”).

This Schedule 13D relates to the shares of Common Stock of Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Issuer’s principal executive offices are located at 109 Innovation Court, Suite J, Delaware, Ohio 43015. 

(a) This Schedule 13D is being filed by the Reporting Person (the “Reporting Person”).

(b) The principal business address of the Reporting Person is 627 Harland St., Milton, MA 02186.

(c) The principal occupation of the Reporting Person is serving as Executive Vice President of the Issuer.

(d) (e) During the last five years, the Reporting Person has not (i) been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(f) The Reporting Person is a citizen of the United States of America.

Item 3 of the Schedule 13D shall incorporate by reference the information set forth in Item 4 below.

Agreement and Plan of Merger

On May 10, 2023, the Issuer entered into the Merger Agreement with Parent and Merger Sub, pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub shall merge with and into the Issuer, with the Issuer surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger,” and together with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Transaction”). The buyer group includes members of the senior management team of the Issuer, led by Brian Kahn (“Kahn”), the Issuer’s Chief Executive Officer, in financial partnership with a consortium that includes B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”) and Irradiant Partners.

Merger Consideration. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”): (a) each share of Common Stock (each, a “Share”) held by stockholders (other than the Excluded Shares as defined by the Merger Agreement, the definition of which includes, among other items, the Issuer's Shares for which the holder has duly exercised appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, Shares or Preferred Shares owned by Bryant Riley, B. Riley, Parent, Merger Sub, the Issuer and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and Rollover Shares, as defined below) will receive $30.00 in cash per Share (the “Public Stockholder Per Share Price”); (b) each share of preferred stock of the Issuer (each, a “Preferred Share”) will be converted or, at the election of the Issuer (which shall be made solely at Parent's direction), redeemed, in each case in accordance with that certain Certificate of Designation of 7.50% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of the Issuer, dated as of September 18, 2020; and (c) each Rollover Share shall be subject to the treatment provided in the Rollover Agreement, as described below.

Treatment of Equity Awards. At the Effective Time, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement and unless otherwise agreed between Parent and any holder, each then-outstanding Issuer option, restricted stock unit and performance-based restricted stock unit (“PRSU”), whether vested or unvested, will be cashed out based on the Public Stockholder Per Share Price, less any applicable withholdings. Each then-unvested PRSU will become fully vested with respect to the target number of Shares covered by such award. At the Effective Time, each then-outstanding market-based restricted stock unit, most of which were granted in June of 2021 to select employees, will be cancelled for no consideration.

Board and Special Committee Recommendation. The independent directors of the Issuer’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), acting on the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of the Board (the “Special Committee”) consisting of independent and disinterested directors of the Issuer that was formed to negotiate and evaluate a potential transaction with certain members of Issuer management and B. Riley, have unanimously: (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (ii) determined that the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were fair to, and in the best interests of, the Issuer and the holders of the Shares (other than Excluded Shares and Shares held by Rolling Stockholders, as defined in the Merger Agreement) (the “Public Stockholders”); and (iii) resolved to recommend to the Board that the Public Stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement at a meeting of stockholders to be held for the purpose of voting upon the Transaction (the “Issuer Stockholders Meeting”). Kahn recused himself from the Board approval due to his status as a Rollover Stockholder (as defined below).

Non-Solicitation and Go-Shop. Beginning on the date of the Merger Agreement and continuing until 11:59 p.m. New York time on June 9, 2023 (the “Go-Shop Period”), the Issuer and its representatives may, subject to certain conditions under the Merger Agreement: (i) solicit, initiate, propose or induce the making of alternative acquisition proposals from third parties, (ii) furnish non-public information to such third parties in connection with such proposals and (iii) participate in discussions or negotiations with third parties with respect to such proposals. Following the expiry of the Go-Shop Period, the Issuer will generally be restricted from soliciting alternative acquisition proposals, and subject to certain exceptions, engaging in discussions or negotiations with respect to such proposals or providing non-public information in connection with such proposals. Additionally, subject to certain customary “fiduciary out” exceptions, the Board and any committee thereof is required to recommend that the Issuer’s stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties from the parties, and each party has agreed to customary covenants, including, among others, covenants relating to: (i) the conduct of business during the interim period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time (including restrictions on certain actions, such as amendments to organizational documents, payment of dividends (other than certain dividends on the Preferred Shares as provided in the Merger Agreement) or redemptions, share issuances, distributions, incurrence of certain capital expenditures and indebtedness, acquisitions and dispositions, among others); and (ii) the obligation to use reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all things necessary or advisable to consummate the Transaction; provided, that none of Parent, the Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates shall be required to commit to any divestiture or other remedy that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) without regard to the exceptions set forth therein.

Closing Conditions. Consummation of the Transaction is subject to certain customary conditions, including, among others, that: (i) the receipt of the vote in favor of the authorization of the Merger Agreement by (a) the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon and (b) the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares (other than Shares held by the Rolling Stockholders and their respective affiliates) entitled to vote thereon, in each case, at the Issuer Stockholders Meeting (the “Requisite Issuer Stockholder Approval”); (ii) expiration of the waiting period (and any extension thereof), if any, applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976; (iii) the absence of any law or order that makes unlawful or prevents consummation of the Transaction; (iv) each parties’ representations and warranties are accurate, subject to customary materiality standards; and (v) each party shall have performed in all material respects its obligations under the Merger Agreement. Additionally, Parent’s obligation to close is subject to the condition that there has not occurred a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) on the Issuer since the date of the Merger Agreement.

Termination; Termination Fees. The Merger Agreement provides for certain termination rights, including, among others, the right of the parties to terminate the Merger Agreement (i) by mutual written consent; (ii) if the Transaction has not been consummated as of November 10, 2023; (iii) if the Requisite Issuer Stockholder Approval is not obtained; (iv) if there is any order or applicable law prohibiting or permanently enjoining the Transaction; and (v) if the other party breaches its covenants or representations and such breach would result in the failure of a closing condition in favor of the other party, in each case subject to a cure period. In addition, the Issuer may terminate the Merger Agreement in order for the Board or Special Committee to cause or permit the Issuer to enter into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal (each as defined in the Merger Agreement), and Parent may terminate the Merger Agreement if the Board or Special Committee changes its recommendation in favor of the Transaction. The Merger Agreement further provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain specified circumstances, the Issuer will be required to pay Parent a termination fee of $20.72 million (except in the case the Merger Agreement is terminated in connection with a superior proposal during the Go-Shop Period, in which case such termination fee shall be $10.35 million), and Parent will be required to pay the Issuer a termination fee of $55 million (the “Parent Termination Fee”).

Financing. Parent has obtained equity financing and debt financing commitments for the purpose of financing the Transaction and paying related fees and expenses. B. Riley has committed to capitalize Parent at the closing of the Merger with an aggregate equity contribution equal to up to $560 million on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in an equity commitment letter. B. Riley has also guaranteed payment of certain obligations of Parent and Merger Sub, pursuant to the Limited Guarantee, as described below. Certain financial institutions have agreed to provide Parent with debt financing in an aggregate principal amount of up to $475 million on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in a debt commitment letter. The obligations of these lenders to provide debt financing under the debt commitment letter are subject to a number of customary conditions. While the Merger is not subject to any financing condition, the Issuer cannot compel B. Riley to contribute its equity financing pursuant to the equity commitment letter, unless the debt financing pursuant to the debt commitment letter has also been funded or will be funded at the Closing if the equity financing is funded.

Limited Guarantee

On May 10, 2023, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, B. Riley entered into a limited guarantee in favor of the Issuer (the “Limited Guarantee”), with respect to certain obligations of Parent and Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement, including a guarantee of payment for (i) up to $57 million related to certain of Parent’s and Merger Sub’s obligations to consummate the Merger, including, but not limited to, the Parent Termination Fee and certain other reimbursement obligations that may be owed by Parent pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and (ii) in the case of any actual fraud or Willful and Material Breach (as defined in the Merger Agreement) by Parent or Merger Sub pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the full, uncapped amount of liability and damages owed by Parent or Merger Sub to the Issuer under the Merger Agreement.

Voting Agreement

On May 10, 2023, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, certain members of the Issuer’s management team, including the Reporting Person (the “Management Stockholders”), entered into a Voting Agreement with the Issuer and Parent (the “Voting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, the Management Stockholders have agreed to vote all Shares owned by them in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the transactions contemplated thereby and against certain actions that would prevent, interfere with or delay the consummation of the Merger. The Voting Agreement terminates upon the earlier of the Effective Time, the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms or, the date on which, subject to the terms of the Voting Agreement, the Merger Agreement is amended to reduce the amount or form of the Public Stockholder Per Share Price, to extend the Outside Date beyond November 10, 2023 or to otherwise impose additional conditions or obligations that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the consummation of the Merger or in the event the Special Committee or the Board changes its recommendation in favor of the Transaction.

Rollover Agreement

On May 10, 2023, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, certain stockholders of the Issuer, including the Reporting Person (the “Rollover Stockholders”), entered into a rollover contribution agreement (the “Rollover Agreement”) between Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and, following the consummation of the Merger, indirect parent of the Issuer (“Topco”), and each Rollover Stockholder, pursuant to which, at the Effective Time, certain shares (“Rollover Shares”) held by the Rollover Stockholders will be contributed to Topco in exchange for a number of issuances of common membership interests of Topco.

Interim Investors Agreement

On May 10, 2023, concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Kahn, B. Riley and TopCo entered into an interim investors agreement (the “Interim Investors Agreement”), pursuant to which the parties thereto agreed to certain terms and conditions that will govern the actions of such parties and the relationship among such parties with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including allocation of responsibility for certain payment obligations of B. Riley pursuant to the Limited Guarantee.

The information disclosed in this Item 4 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, the Limited Guarantee, the Voting Agreement, the Rollover Agreement and the Interim Investors Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibits herewith, and which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement, the Rollover Agreement, the Interim Investors Agreement and the Limited Guarantee are incorporated herein by reference to provide investors and security holders with information regarding their terms. They are not intended to provide any other factual or financial information about B. Riley, Parent, Merger Sub, the Issuer, the Reporting Person or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in each of the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement, the Rollover Agreement, the Interim Investors Agreement and the Limited Guarantee: (a) were made only for purposes of the respective agreement and as of specific dates; (b) were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement, the Rollover Agreement, the Interim Investors Agreement and the Limited Guarantee, as applicable; (c) may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement, the Rollover Agreement, the Interim Investors Agreement and the Limited Guarantee instead of establishing those matters as facts; and (d) may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any description thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of Parent, Merger Sub, the Issuer, the Reporting Person or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates.

As a result of entering into certain of the agreements described in this Item 4, the Reporting Person may be deemed to have formed a “group” pursuant to Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Act with Brian Kahn and certain of his affiliates and related persons and Bryant R. Riley (the Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley). Mr. Laurence is partner of Vintage Capital Management LLC, an affiliate of Kahn.

As a result of entering into certain of the agreements described in Item 4 above, the Reporting Person may be deemed to have formed a “group” pursuant to Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Act with Brian Kahn and certain of his affiliates and related persons and Bryant R. Riley (the Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley). The Reporting Person has been advised that (i) Brian Kahn may, directly or indirectly, be deemed to beneficially own 12,231,350 shares of Common Stock, and (ii) Bryant R. Riley beneficially owns 1,804 shares of Common Stock. Accordingly, the aggregate beneficial ownership of such “group,” including the shares of Common Stock beneficially by the Reporting Person, is equal to 12,806,636 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 36.4% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.  The foregoing percentage is based on 35,172,623 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 5, 2023, as reported by the Issuer in the Form 8-K filed by the Issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2023. The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares of capital stock of the Issuer owned by the other members of such “group”.

(a) As of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 10, 2023, the Reporting Person beneficially owned 573,482 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 1.6% of the Issuer’s Common Stock outstanding.

The calculation of the percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Reporting Person is based on 35,172,623 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 5, 2023, as reported by the Issuer in the Form 8-K filed by the Issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2023.

(b)      The Reporting Person has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock set forth in Item 5(a) above.

(c)       Except as set forth in this Schedule 13D, and except for the grant and/or vesting of equity incentive awards as disclosed in the Reporting Person’s Form 4s, the Reporting Person has not effected any transactions in the Common Stock in the 60 days prior to the date of this Schedule 13D.

(d)       Except as otherwise described herein, no person other than the Reporting Person is known to the Reporting Person to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares of Common Stock referred to in this Schedule 13D.

(e)       Not applicable.

Item 6 of the Schedule 13D hereby incorporates by reference the information set forth in Item 4 above.

*            Schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Issuer agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: May 11, 2023