Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are and may become involved in legal proceedings relating to claims arising from the ordinary course of business as well as other matters. Except as described below, our management believes that there are currently no claims or actions pending against us, the ultimate disposition of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
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On April 28, 2022, Tang Capital Partners, LP (“Tang Capital”) filed a lawsuit in federal district court in the Southern District of New York against the Company, Tang Capital Partners, LP v. BRC Inc., Case 22-CV-3476 (RWL) (Southern District of New York). The complaint alleges that Tang Capital suffered damages arising from the Company’s refusal on two alleged occasions to permit Tang Capital to exercise warrants. On March 8, 2023, the court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss a claim for declaratory judgment but denied the Company’s motion to dismiss Tang Capital's breach of contract claim. Each party filed respective motions for summary judgment and completed the briefing of these motions on May 31, 2024. Tang Capital's motion for summary judgment sought $10.5 million in compensatory damages, plus prejudgment interest. On November 8, 2024, the court granted in part, and denied in part, the respective motions for summary judgment, holding that the Company breached the warrant agreement by not allowing Tang Capital to exercise warrants, but determining that there were fact issues that need to be resolved at trial on the issue of Tang Capital’s alleged damages, including whether Tang could have mitigated its alleged damages. The case is currently set for trial in July 2025. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the damage claims asserted against it and will defend itself vigorously in these proceedings and potentially on appeal; however, there can be no assurances that it will be successful in its efforts. The Company is not able at this time to determine or predict the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit or provide a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the possible outcome or loss, if any, in this matter.
On February 3, 2023, Strategy and Execution, Inc. ("SEI") filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Texas against one of the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries, Strategy and Execution, Inc., v. Black Rifle Coffee Company LLC, Case 23-CV-00135 (FB) (Western District of Texas). The complaint alleges that SEI, a former consultant to the Company, is owed certain disputed royalties and expense reimbursements from the Company. On April 4, 2023, the Company filed a partial motion to dismiss several of the claims which was granted with prejudice with respect to the Company's position that all royalties expired upon expiration of the parties' contract on December 31, 2023. On May 8, 2024, SEI filed a motion for reconsideration of the order granting the partial motion to dismiss, and on May 14, 2024, SEI filed a motion for leave to amend its complaint. These motions are currently pending. On October 3, 2024, SEI and the Company held a mediation, at which no agreement was reached. On January 28, 2025, the parties settled all remaining claims not subject of the pending motions. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted against it in the pending motions and will continue to defend itself vigorously in these proceedings; however, there can be no assurances that it will be successful in its efforts. $0.4 million has been included in accrued liabilities related to this matter and this amount was paid to the counterparty in the first quarter of 2025.
On June 22, 2023, John Brian Clark, JBC Structured Products LLC, and Marathon Capital LLC (collectively, “Clark”) filed a complaint against BRC Inc. and Black Rifle Coffee Company LLC: John Brian Clark, et al. v. BRC Inc., et al., Case 1:23-CV-5340 (RWL) (Southern District of New York). Clark alleges breach of contract and is seeking a declaratory judgment. The complaint alleges that Clark suffered damages arising from the Company’s refusal to allow Clark to exercise warrants. The lawsuit seeks unspecified general and compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and other reasonable costs and disbursements. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted against it and will defend itself vigorously in these proceedings; however, there can be no assurances that it will be successful in its efforts. Currently the case is stayed through the resolution of the Tang Capital matter, but Clark has the option to end the stay at any time after the end of June 2024 or a summary judgment decision in Tang Capital, whichever comes first. The Company is not able at this time to determine or predict the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit or provide a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the possible outcome or loss, if any, in this matter.
On May 15, 2024, Alta Partners, LLC (“Alta”) filed a lawsuit in the federal district court in the Southern District of New York against the Company: Alta Partners, LLC v. BRC Inc., Case 24-CV-03741 (AT) (RWL) (Southern District of New York). The complaint alleges breach of contract and that Alta suffered damages arising from the Company’s refusal to permit Alta to exercise warrants between March 11 and May 4, 2022. The lawsuit seeks unspecified general and compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and other costs and disbursements. On July 11, 2024, the Company filed a pre-motion with the court, posing certain arguments in its defense and requesting permission to move to dismiss. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted against it and will defend itself in these proceedings; however, the Company is not able at this time to determine or predict the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit or provide a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the possible outcome or loss, if any, in this matter.
On May 20, 2024, one of our co-manufacturers filed a complaint in the district court of Riley County, Kansas against one of the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries, Black Rifle Coffee Company LLC, Case RL-2024-CV-000119. The complaint alleges breach of contract and anticipatory breach of contract with respect to certain fees and order volume pursuant to the parties' drink manufacturing agreement, amongst other allegations. On July 18, 2024, the Company filed a partial motion to dismiss relating to certain of these allegations. On November 13, 2024, the court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss other than for the co-manufacturer’s claim of fraudulent inducement, for which the court has granted leave to amend. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted against it and will defend itself in these proceedings. $2.7 million has been included in accrued liabilities related to this matter.
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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II