Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risk factors detailed
below could materially harm our business, results of operation and/or financial condition, impair our future prospects and/or cause the
price of our Common Stock to decline. These are not all of the risks we face and other factors not presently known to us or that we currently
believe are immaterial may also affect our business if they occur.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Our Operations
Our
indebtedness, related covenants, and certain prepayment obligations, including make-whole payments, could limit operational and financial
flexibility and adversely affect our business if we breach such covenants or default on such indebtedness.
On
January 23, 2024, to refinance existing obligations, we entered into a Second Amendment to Term Loan Agreement (the “Second Amendment”)
and an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) with Coliseum Capital Partners, L.P. (“CCP”),
Blackwell Partners LLC – Series A (“Blackwell”), Harvest Small Cap Partners Master, Ltd.(“Harvest Master”),
Harvest Small Cap Partners, L.P. (“Harvest Partners”), and HSCP Strategic IV, L.P. (“HSCP” and together with CCP,
Blackwell, Harvest Master, and Harvest Partners, the “Lenders”). Upon entry into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
we received a term loan in the amount of $61.0 million. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement imposes various affirmative and negative
covenants, including covenants regarding dispositions of property, investments, forming or acquiring subsidiaries, business combinations
or acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness, paying dividends or making distributions and transactions with affiliates, among
other customary covenants.
These restrictions may prevent
us from taking actions that we believe would be in the best interests of the business and complicate our ability to execute our business
strategy or compete with less restricted companies. If we fail to comply with the covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, we may need to seek future amendments or waivers and/or alternative liquidity sources, such as subordinated debt, which may
not be favorable or available. Before taking any action requiring a waiver under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, we must first
obtain approval from the Lenders, which may cause us to incur additional costs and may not be granted. Non-compliance could lead to defaults,
which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, including possible acceleration of our debt
and, as well as other cross-defaulting debt obligations. Additionally, defaults could significantly impair our ability to secure alternative
financing and limit our business strategies. Our compliance with these covenants will depend on successfully implementing our business
strategy, as breaches could lead to defaults and acceleration of our debt, potentially forcing us into bankruptcy or liquidation.
In addition, on March 12,
2025, we entered into an Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2025 Amendment”), pursuant to which
the Lenders agreed to provide us with an incremental term loan of $19.0 million. The 2025 Amendment also amended the Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement to (i) provide for an additional term loan from the 2025 Term Loan Lenders (as defined in the 2025 Amendment) in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $20.0 million, subject to the approval of the Required Lenders in their discretion, (ii) provide for the payment
of substantial make-whole payments in the event we prepay the loans prior to their maturity, and (iii) provide that the incremental term
loan will be senior in right of repayment to the initial term loan.
Under the Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement, we have mandatory prepayment obligations, including upon certain asset dispositions, equity issuances, debt incurrences
and extraordinary receipts of cash. As amended by the 2025 Amendment, we may be required to make substantial “make-whole”
payments to the Lenders. If required to prepay or pay such make-whole payments, we may lack the liquidity to do so, resulting in default.
Prepayments, including make-whole payments, would also divert resources from operating expenses, potentially harming relationships with
suppliers, hindering growth strategies, and jeopardizing our business continuity. In addition, such payments could result in holders of
our Class A Stock not receiving any consideration in a sale of our business, or if we were to liquidate, dissolve, or wind-up, either
voluntarily or involuntarily.
We
may need additional funds to execute our business plan, maintain our liquidity, repay our debt and fund our operations. We may not be
able to obtain such funds on acceptable terms or at all.
We
have experienced recurring operating losses and negative cash flows and may continue to generate operating losses and consume significant
cash resources in the future. For the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, we had negative cash flow from operating activities of
$18.0 million and $54.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $29.0 million
and borrowings of $70.7 million under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as defined below), which will become due on December
31, 2026.
On
March 12, 2025, we borrowed an additional $19.0 million under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement pursuant to the 2025 Amendment
(as defined below), which will also become due on December 31, 2026. The 2025 Amendment (as defined below) also added certain make-whole
payments with respect to our borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which would require substantial payments in connection
with certain pre-payments or refinancing of our outstanding borrowings.
In
connection with the preparation of our 2024 financial statements, we undertook a going concern assessment and concluded the Company will
have sufficient liquidity for its operations for at least one year from the date these consolidated financial statements are issued. However,
there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain the liquidity necessary to fund our long-term operations and growth strategies,
or repay our debt obligations when due. As a result, we may need to secure additional sources of liquidity to fund our long-term operating
activities and capital expenditures. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing as needed
on terms favorable to us, or at all. If we fail to meet liquidity and capital requirements, we may need to scale back or halt our growth
plans, risking slower growth, losing suppliers, failing to meet customer demands, and losing employees. We may also need to restructure
our obligations or pursue other measures to address any liquidity deficiency.
12
Under
the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, we can request additional loans, but the Lenders may deny requests, limiting our access to
future funds and adversely affecting our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
Future
equity or debt financings may involve issuing securities likely to be dilutive to our existing stockholders, such as warrants, as we did
on January 23, 2024 when we issued to the Lenders, as partial consideration for their entering into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
warrants (the “2024 Warrants”) to purchase 20.0 million shares of our Common Stock (approximately 19% of our currently outstanding
Common Stock) at a price of $1.50 per share, subject to certain adjustments. In addition, on March 12, 2025, we issued to the Lenders,
as partial consideration for their entering into the 2025 Amendment, warrants (the “2025 Warrants” and together with the 2024
Warrants, the “Warrants”) to purchase 6.2 million shares of our Common Stock (approximately 6% of our currently outstanding
Common Stock) at a price of $1.50 per share, subject to certain adjustments. The exercise of such warrants and/or any additional similar
securities in the future would dilute the value and amount of our Common Stock. Similarly, any new securities we may issue may carry preferences,
superior voting rights, or additional terms that could adversely affect shareholders of our Common Stock. Future capital raising efforts
may incur substantial costs, such as investment banking, legal, and accounting fees, and could lead to non-cash expenses that negatively
impact our financial condition.
We
may not realize all the intended benefits of our Restructuring Plan and other cost-saving initiatives, which could adversely affect our
results of operations and our financial condition.
In
2024, we implemented our Restructuring Plan to consolidate our Utah manufacturing operations into our McDonough, Georgia plant, and we
plan to undertake further cost-saving initiatives in 2025. However, the remaining costs under our Restructuring Plan may exceed estimates,
and we may not achieve all the expected financial benefits or savings. Relocating equipment to Georgia and expanding our workforce there
could be challenging. Replacing experienced Utah employees with less experienced Georgia staff may lead to a loss of knowledge, lower
productivity, and decreased efficiency and quality. Manufacturing in a single U.S. region could increase our distribution costs. Consolidating
plants may cause disruptions in our inventory and raw material supply. We may not fully sublease our Utah facilities, impacting our financial
condition. The Restructuring Plan, as well as past and future restructurings, including workforce reductions, could harm employee morale,
disrupt business operations, result in the loss of institutional knowledge, damage our reputation, and impair our ability to attract skilled
talent, negatively affecting the business.
In
addition, we plan to implement additional cost savings measures in 2025 beyond those implemented pursuant to our 2024 Restructuring Plan.
We may not achieve the expected financial benefits or savings from these additional cost savings measures, which could further adversely
affect our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, such cost saving measures may adversely affect our ability to
generate additional revenue in the future.
We
have in the past experienced and may in the future experience significant fluctuations in our results of operations, which could make
our future results of operations difficult to predict or cause our results of operations to fall below analysts’ and investors’
expectations.
Our quarterly and annual results
of operations have fluctuated in the past and we expect our future results of operations will fluctuate due to a variety of factors, many
of which are beyond our control. Fluctuations in our results of operations could cause our performance to fall below the expectations
of analysts and investors and adversely affect the price of our Common Stock. If we fail to meet or exceed the expectations of analysts
and investors or if analysts and investors have estimates and forecasts of our future performance that are unrealistic or that we do not
meet, the market price of our Common Stock could decline. In addition, if one or more of the analysts who cover us adversely change their
recommendation regarding our stock, the market price of our Common Stock could decline.
13
Coliseum Capital Management,
LLC is our largest stockholder and Lender, and exercises substantial control over our Board composition, management team members and strategies.
As reported by Coliseum in
its Schedule 13D/A filed on January 23, 2024, Coliseum Capital Management LLC (“Coliseum”) beneficially owns 58.5 million
shares of Common Stock (which includes 46.9 million shares of Common Stock currently owned and 11.6 million shares of Common Stock that
could be acquired upon exercise of its Warrants). Coliseum will only have the right to exercise its Warrants to the extent that it (together
with its affiliates) would not beneficially own in excess of 49.9% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such exercise
(the “Beneficial Ownership Cap”).
As a result of its significant
beneficial ownership of our Common Stock, Coliseum has the ability to influence the outcome of any corporate actions which require stockholder
approval, including but not limited to, the election of directors, significant corporate transactions including a merger or other sale
of the Company or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentrated voting control will limit other stockholders’
ability to influence corporate matters, including control of the composition of our Board and management, as well as our corporate strategies,
and could adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock or the sale of the Company. In addition, Coliseum exercises substantial
control over us as the primary Lender under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
In
2022, Coliseum delivered to us an unsolicited bid to acquire the remaining outstanding shares of our Common Stock, submitted a notice
of its intent to nominate a slate of directors, which slate would have constituted a majority of the Board, and filed a lawsuit challenging
our issuance of a dividend of shares of preferred stock (the “Action”). On April 19, 2023, Coliseum and the Company entered
into a cooperation agreement (the “Cooperation Agreement”) settling the Action, which included among other items the appointment
of certain new directors and agreement to certain standstill provisions, as discussed further in Note 16 – Related Party Transactions
Coliseum Capital Management, LLC of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Cooperation Agreement terminated
on the date following our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. Under the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, our current Chair of the
Board, Mr. Gray, and four of our other current directors, Mr. Darling, Mr. Pate, Mr. Peterson and Ms. Serow, were appointed or nominated
to serve on our Board.
There
can be no assurance that Coliseum will not make another unsolicited bid to acquire the remaining outstanding shares of our Common Stock
or attempt to nominate additional or replacement members to the Board. Such future actions by Coliseum may require us to devote significant
additional resources and time that would otherwise be directed at our business and operations or may demotivate current executives and
discourage other executives from joining the Company. In addition, such actions could cause the price of our Common Stock to change based
on investors’ perceptions of Coliseum’s actions and Coliseum’s influence over the Company and our Board.
We have engaged in significant
related-party transactions with Coliseum and other parties that may give rise to conflicts of interest or otherwise adversely affect our
results of operations and the value of our business.
We have engaged in numerous related-party transactions with significant
stockholders, directors, and their affiliated entities. For example, under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended by the
2025 Amendment, the Lenders, which include Coliseum, have loaned to us an aggregate of $80.0 million and we have issued Warrants to Coliseum
and the other Lenders to purchase an aggregate of 26.2 million shares of our common stock at $1.50 per share. Coliseum, our largest stockholder,
has appointed or nominated a total of five directors to serve on our Board, each of whom continues to serve on our Board, including, Adam
Gray, who continues to serve as Chairman. Any future transactions with the Lenders or any other related parties may give rise to conflicts
of interest or otherwise adversely affect our business.
Our preliminary exploration
of potential strategic alternatives may not be successful, which may adversely affect our ability to compete with larger, including combined,
competitors.
We regularly engage in dialogue
with market participants regarding potential business combinations, partnerships and other strategic alternatives. Based on certain recent
preliminary inquiries, the Board has formed a special committee of independent directors and we have engaged a financial advisor to support
them in evaluating any indications of interest and exploring other potential strategic alternatives. There can be no assurance that any
of such preliminary exploratory activities will result in our engaging in a strategic alternative transaction, or even if we do so, that
any such strategic alternative transaction will result in favorable terms and conditions for us or our shareholders. If we are unsuccessful
in engaging in a favorable strategic alternative, then our ability to grow our business and compete with larger, including combined, competitors
may be adversely affected. As a result, we may face liquidity challenges in the long-term and our ability to achieve consistent profitability
may be adversely affected.
We
may not be able to successfully anticipate consumer trends and demand and our failure to do so may lead to a loss of consumer acceptance
of the products we sell.
Our
success may depend on our ability to timely anticipate and respond to changing consumer trends. Those changes and resulting changes in
our product mix and distribution strategy could adversely affect our business and results of operations. For example, as retail stores
reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers shifted away from online retail purchases towards brick-and-mortar shopping. Our gross
profit margins for sales through wholesale customers are lower than those in our DTC channel, so that shift adversely affected our gross
profit margins. If we fail to identify and respond to emerging trends, consumer acceptance of the products we manufacture and sell and
our image with current or potential customers may be harmed, which could reduce our net sales. If we misjudge market trends, we may significantly
overstock inventory and be forced to take significant inventory markdowns, which would have a negative impact on our gross profit and
cash flow. Conversely, shortages of inventory or increases in time for fulfillment of our products that prove popular could also reduce
our sales.
14
We operate in the highly
competitive sleep products industry, and if we are unable to compete successfully, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
The sleep products industry
is highly competitive and fragmented, with competition from manufacturers (including those sourcing from low-cost countries), traditional
retailers, and online direct-to-consumer brands. Competition centers on price, quality, brand recognition, availability, and performance
across various distribution channels. This competitive environment exposes us to risks of losing market share, significant customers,
margins, and new customer acquisition. We have introduced new products in the luxury mattress market but have limited experience in this
sector. If we fail to compete effectively with other manufacturers and retailers of our products, our sales, profitability, cash flow,
and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
Many of our significant competitors,
including established manufacturers, retailers, and new entrants, offer products directly competing with ours. This increasing competition
from both domestic and international sources, including competitors that source from low-cost locations such as China and Vietnam, could
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Competitors are expanding their distribution channels, with
many offering direct-to-consumer sales online. Major retailers like Mattress Firm, Amazon, and Walmart also sell competing products. Additionally,
foreign retailers may vertically integrate by acquiring U.S. mattress manufacturers or other retailers. Many of our competitors
have greater financial resources, technical expertise, larger customer bases, established industry relationships, and more mature distribution
channels. They may aggressively pursue market share with new or existing products, and we cannot guarantee we will have the resources
or expertise to compete successfully. Additionally, competitors with better e-commerce platforms could hurt our sales. We have limited
ability to predict competitors’ actions, such as new product launches, pricing strategies, or marketing campaigns, which could impact
our market share and product margins. Competitors may also secure better terms from vendors, adopt more aggressive pricing, and invest
more in technology and marketing. With many competitors offering a wide range of products, it may be difficult for us to differentiate
through value, style, or functionality. Additionally, our products are often heavier, and some markets may not support affordable delivery,
limiting our reach. The retail sleep product industry has low barriers to entry, allowing new or existing retailers to increase competition.
This could delay or prevent us from gaining market share and negatively impact our growth and future results of operations.
The
Sleep products industry has experienced significant consolidation in recent years, including vertical integrations, with competitors acquiring
brands to expand distribution networks, leverage economies of scale to gain market share and lower prices, gain greater bargaining power
with suppliers, enhance brand recognition, advance research and development, and extend marketing and retail distribution channels. Consolidation
among retailers may result in fewer sales channels or more restrictive terms for standalone brands. If we are unable to adapt to these
industry shifts, our growth, results of operations, and market share could be adversely impacted.
Technological
changes, such as advances in artificial intelligence, may render our current technologies obsolete or require costly updates. These new
technologies may be superior to the technologies we currently use in our products and services. Adopting new technologies could be hindered
by industry standards, regulations, resistance from clients, expense, or third-party intellectual property rights. Our competitiveness
may depend on our ability to innovate and adapt to these changes and failure to keep pace may adversely affect our results of operations.
Timely product delivery affects
our competitiveness. Failure to maintain or enhance our delivery processes and infrastructure could negatively impact our ability to compete.
Disruptions, delays, or increased freight costs with our carriers and freight forwarders could harm sales, increase cancellations, damage
our brand, and adversely affect our results of operations and our financial condition. If we fail to deliver products on time, our DTC
and wholesale customers may reduce or stop future orders, and we may face late charges from wholesale partners. Production or shipment
issues that lead to lower demand could materially impact our business and results of operations
Lack of availability
and quality of raw materials, labor, components and shipping services, or increases in the cost of such inputs, have caused and may continue
to cause delays in our inability to provide goods to our customers or could increase our costs, either of which could adversely affect
our results of operations.
We rely on external suppliers
for key raw materials like polyurethane foam, oil, spring units, and our Hyper-Elastic Polymer® ingredients. Any supply issues, quality
concerns, or price fluctuations could raise costs and hinder our ability to meet customer demand. These issues or concerns may be magnified
to the extent we rely on a limited number of suppliers or a sole supplier. Competitive pressures may also limit our ability to pass on
price increases, potentially leading to lost sales. Shortages of widely used components like foam and spring units, due to
factors like increased demand, weather events, or supply chain issues, could impact our production and operations. If a supplier fails
to deliver, we will need to find replacements, potentially on unfavorable terms. Any disruption in component supply could significantly
interrupt production and raise costs.
15
Even with timely access to
raw materials, supply chain constraints, inflation, increased duties and tariffs, and other factors will increase shipping, labor, and
production costs. Rising costs for materials, transportation, and labor could impact our production efficiency, reduce gross margins,
and negatively affect our results of operations. Shipping costs and delays have in the past risen and may again in the future rise
due to port closures, congestion, and shortages of containers and ships. Future disruptions, such as pandemics, geopolitical conflicts,
and increased duties and tariffs, could worsen delays and increase material costs. These issues may impact our ability to maintain inventory,
meet demand, and affect our operations. Any significant supply chain interruptions or inability to source materials at acceptable prices
could harm our business.
Our information technology
systems may fail to perform adequately, may be disrupted by natural disasters or other catastrophes, or we may be unable to protect the
privacy, integrity and security of our information systems.
Our operations and our revenue
rely heavily on information technology systems. Any failure in these systems could disrupt our sales and various functions, including
order processing, inventory management, and product delivery. Upgrades or improvements to our systems may require significant capital,
time, and resources, potentially causing disruptions. Difficulties with system upgrades or failures, or an inability to adapt our systems
to business changes could negatively impact our operations. Our systems may face interruptions or degradation from hardware or software
issues, cyberattacks, natural disasters, power losses, fraud, political conflicts, or other events. Some systems may lack sufficient redundancy,
and our disaster recovery planning may not cover all scenarios. They are also vulnerable to natural disasters, security breaches, sabotage,
and data theft. Any such issues could negatively impact our results of operations.
We collect and store personal
information from customers and suppliers, including customer payment details. We may share this information with third parties. Cyberattacks
targeting sensitive data are a known threat, and hackers may attempt to breach our systems or those of third parties. Employees, contractors,
or business partners could also intentionally or unintentionally compromise security. For example, we previously experienced an unauthorized
intrusion involving a former contractor’s credentials, though no personal information was accessed. Future breaches could occur
if there are weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting related to information technology systems. We and third-party
partners have experienced and, in the future, may experience various cyber-attacks, including phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks.
In 2022, we experienced a spear-phishing attack that led to a $140,000 loss due to unauthorized changes to a vendor’s bank account. We
expect continued exposure to similar threats. Additionally, increasing use of artificial intelligence by us and our third-party partners
may increase these risks. A breach releasing sensitive data could harm our reputation, result in financial losses, and increase our security
costs. Successful ransomware attacks could disrupt our operations, and while our insurance may cover some losses, it may not be sufficient
for all liabilities. We are subject to evolving data privacy and breach laws, both at the state level (e.g., the California Consumer Privacy
Act), the federal level, and internationally as we expand. These laws’ rapid changes and potential inconsistencies increase compliance
costs and non-compliance risks. While we aim to comply, failure to do so could result in fines, administrative actions, and reputational
damage.
16
Changes in economic
conditions, including the housing market and tariffs, have or will adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
We have experienced and may
continue to experience volatility due to global and U.S. market conditions including the housing market, mortgage interest rates, tariffs,
and inflation. These market conditions impact demand for mattresses and related products. We have experienced and may continue to experience
a negative impact on our demand as a result of the current housing market. The impact of newly implemented or threatened tariffs is uncertain
but will increase our costs and may negatively impact the demand for our products. We may not be able to pass along the costs of such
tariffs to our customers, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Continued inflation may reduce
consumer discretionary spending, negatively affecting demand for our products.
Disruption of our manufacturing
has and could increase our costs of doing business or lead to delays in shipping and could materially adversely affect our business, our
results of operations, and our financial condition.
Disruptions to our manufacturing
operations, whether from the Restructuring Plan, a pandemic, natural disasters, lease issues, or equipment failures, could increase costs,
delay production and shipping, and negatively impact our business, operations, and financial condition. Workplace injuries, industrial
accidents, or violence could also lead to production suspensions and delays, affecting customer satisfaction, results of operations, financial
condition including our cash flow. The Restructuring Plan, which consolidated our manufacturing operations into one plant, may heighten
the risk of disruption, particularly from regional economic downturns, hurricanes, pandemics, utility shortages, or other events affecting
our Georgia plant, potentially harming our business.
Future growth and profitability
may depend on our ability to improve our product line, successfully introduce new products, and effectively and efficiently market our
products to attract and retain customers.
The
mattress, pillow, bedding, bed base, and cushion industries are highly competitive. Competitors may develop or acquire superior technology.
Our ability to grow market share depends on continually improving and expanding our product line and accessories. We invest significantly
in research and development to improve and expand our products. If these efforts fail to lead to meaningful improvements or consumer acceptance,
our results of operations, financial results, and reputation could suffer, potentially harming our business. A large portion of our gross
profit comes from mattress products. If we fail to develop or successfully market new models, such as those introduced in recent years,
our results of operations and business could be harmed.
We
rely on effective marketing messages and efficient advertising to drive consumer awareness and sales. We continually adjust our strategies,
including messaging, budget, and channels. However, we may struggle to adapt to changing consumer preferences, competition, and advertising
efficiency. We rely on internet-based advertising through media and e-commerce platforms. If these platforms become less effective,
lose users, or fail to target our audience, our advertising may lose effectiveness and adversely affect our business. Advertising costs
on social media platforms such as Facebook have risen significantly, reducing efficiency, and we expect costs to keep increasing. We
rely on relationships with media partners, search engines, social media influencers, and e-commerce platforms to drive traffic and attract
customers. If we can’t maintain or develop these relationships on favorable terms, or if our reputation suffers, our ability to grow could
be impacted. If we can’t manage these costs or generate expected sales, our business could be adversely affected.
Our
growth may be impacted by the effectiveness of our online experience for targeted audiences, including advertising and search optimization.
We also need to manage consumer sentiment, prevent false information about our products, and ensure website stability. The increased presence
of direct-to-consumer internet retailers and traditional mattress and furniture retailers and manufacturers has increased competition
for search terms, driving up marketing costs. The growing number of third-party review websites gives customers many platforms to
review our products, and negative reviews can significantly impact our reputation and brand and may adversely affect our results of operations.
If we can’t manage relationships with reviewers to ensure accurate feedback, misleading reviews may harm our brand and hinder efforts
to improve it. Ineffective marketing messages, inefficient advertising, or poorly targeted programs may harm brand awareness, consumer
traffic, and our financial performance. Additionally, failure to prevent misleading information or negative sentiment on social media
could also negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
17
Our
expansion into wholesale distribution and new sales channels, new products, market segments and geographic regions subjects us to additional
business, legal, financial, and competitive risks.
Most
of our sales are through DTC channels, but we have expanded into wholesale distribution. However, we cannot guarantee success with wholesale
partners. We may struggle to generate additional sales through wholesale channels, and extending credit terms to wholesale partners could
expose us to the risk of unpaid or late invoices. Providing fixtures to wholesale partners could also pose challenges in recovery or reuse.
Wholesale customers may not purchase at expected volumes, and gross profit from wholesale sales are lower than DTC. If these issues arise,
they could harm our reputation, limit growth, and negatively impact our results of operations.
We
may struggle to open additional Purple showrooms beyond those already established. Operating showrooms involves risks such as inventory
shrinkage, increased expenses, lease obligations, distribution challenges, and employee management. If we fail to operate these stores
profitably or if we close unprofitable stores, it could harm our reputation, limit growth, and negatively impact our business. Expanding
into new product offerings through e-commerce, wholesale, and Purple showrooms presents challenges, including potential service disruptions,
quality issues, and customer claims. Expanding sales channels may also require new products to avoid conflicts between channels. New products
may introduce warranty and return risks. Expanding into new markets or regions could expose us to additional regulations, leading to increased
compliance and distribution costs.
Our
business could suffer if we are unsuccessful in making, integrating and maintaining commercial agreements, strategic alliances and other
business relationships.
We
rely on commercial agreements and strategic relationships with suppliers, service providers, and wholesale partners. Disruptions in these
relationships or strategic decisions by partners could negatively affect our business. For example, (i) one of our competitors is purchasing
one of our wholesale partners, which could disrupt our relationship or prevent us from continuing to sell our products in favorable placements
alongside the competitor’s products or at all in the wholesale partner’s stores, and (ii) one of our competitors owns a manufacturing
company with which we have a manufacturing relationship, and that competitor could disrupt that relationship to harm our manufacturing
efforts. We may also struggle to maintain or develop these relationships and may not be able to secure new ones on favorable terms.
We
sell products through wholesale partnerships and may seek to expand these relationships. However, these wholesale partnerships may not
be profitable and could incur additional costs compared to our DTC operations. Wholesale relationships may be terminated or modified,
or wholesale partners may reduce orders or fail to meet their obligations, resulting in lost sales and adversely affecting our financial
performance, results of operations and financial condition. Disputes with partners or the termination or amendment of agreements could
lead to expenses, delayed payments, liabilities, and distractions from our strategic objectives. If we cannot renew or replace agreements
on favorable terms, it could harm our business. Wholesale partners may also compete against us in key channels, harming our business.
Maintaining these relationships may require significant resources and could limit our sales channels, adversely affecting other areas
of our business.
We
are expanding Purple showrooms across the U.S., which may compete with our wholesale partners for customers. This omni-channel strategy
carries the risk of diminishing sales in other channels, increasing costs, and the potential loss of wholesale partners. Managing this
omni-channel strategy may require significant resources, potentially impacting other areas of our business. If our financial performance
falls short of expectations, we may struggle to secure favorable payment terms or obtain credit from commercial partners that have extended
credit to us.
A reduction in the availability
of credit to consumers or the availability of more favorable credit terms with competitors could adversely affect our results of operations
and financial condition.
We offer consumer financing
through third-party finance companies, with a significant portion of our sales financed in 2024. Macroeconomic factors and changes in
credit lending criteria may reduce available credit, and we may face higher costs to maintain lending approvals. Additionally, federal
regulations are placing more restrictions on consumer credit programs, including promotional credit offers. Some of our agreements with
third-party finance companies, which offer financing to our customers, may be terminated by them with 30 days’ notice. They control financing
offers and credit standards and may provide better terms to our competitors or in channels outside our focus. Reduced credit availability
from economic changes, regulatory shifts, terminated agreements, or competitors offering better terms could negatively impact our results
of operations and financial condition.
18
Over or under supply
of raw material inventory and finished products could leave us vulnerable to shortages or shrinkage that may harm our ability to satisfy
consumer demand and could adversely affect our results of operations.
We
have in the past accumulated and may again in the future accumulate excess raw material inventory, which is vulnerable to shrinkage, theft,
obsolescence, or otherwise becoming unsellable, and excess finished product inventory. Excess inventory uses valuable warehouse space.
If our efforts to manage inventory are unsuccessful, excess stock and related inefficiencies could negatively impact our results of operations.
On the other hand, failing to maintain adequate inventory levels could lead to supply shortages, harming our ability to meet consumer
demand and negatively affecting operations. Lead times for products and components, especially those sourced internationally, can vary.
Risks from legal, economic, political, or health issues, as well as disruptions in global trade, including due to tariffs or trade wars,
could impact production and result in inadequate inventory levels. Sourcing challenges, particularly from China, due to trade tensions,
tariffs or other geopolitical factors, will also increase costs and disrupt supply. Any shortages or delays in meeting demand could harm
customer satisfaction, results of operations and financial condition.
We rely on key suppliers,
some of which are our only sources for certain products, materials, or services. While alternative suppliers may be available, disruptions
or cost increases in the supply of materials could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally,
changes in a supplier’s financial condition could delay their product delivery to us. Shipping delays from port closures, congestion,
and shortages of containers or ships could disrupt manufacturing, supply of materials, and inventory management. These delays may hinder
our ability to meet product demand and deliver on time, negatively impacting our business and results of operations.
If we lose members of
the leadership team we may not be able to run our business effectively.
Our success depends on attracting
and retaining key personnel in areas like executive leadership, marketing, sales, innovation, and operations. If members of our leadership
team leave or additional expertise is needed, finding qualified replacements may be challenging due to competition and potential uncertainties
from our ownership structure or stockholder activism. Delays in replacing members of the leadership team could disrupt growth and strategic
plans. If we fail to offer competitive compensation and incentives, it may adversely affect our business. For example, due to our recent
results of operations and stock price, our short-term incentive plans, long-terms incentive plans, and option grants may not be adequate
to retain our leadership team and other participating employees. Additionally, we do not have key-person insurance for our executives.
Regulatory and Litigation Risks
Regulatory requirements
may require costly expenditures and expose us to liability.
Our products, marketing, and
advertising are regulated by various U.S. authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission, as well as consumer protection laws specific
to the sleep product industry. These regulations may change or conflict with each other, leading to ongoing compliance costs, such as
quality control and compliance processes. We are subject to federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations, including
those related to environmental protection, recycling, and occupational health and safety. While we strive for compliance, past changes
to our facilities have been required, and we will continue to invest in meeting these standards. If harmful substances are released or
contamination is found on our properties, we may face significant liability. As a manufacturer of mattresses and related products, we
handle regulated substances, which subject us to various environmental laws. For example, we are subject to the Toxic Substances Control
Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, and related state and local statutes and regulations.
We are subject to federal
laws on international shipments, customs, and import controls. Non-compliance may result in penalties or fines, adversely affecting our
financial condition and results of operations. We are subject to laws covering the internet, e-commerce, electronic devices, taxation,
privacy, data protection, pricing, consumer protection, employment, disabilities, and more. The application of traditional areas of the
law to newly developed technologies may be unclear, and unfavorable regulations could reduce demand for our products, increase costs,
or limit access to our products. Our ongoing efforts to enhance compliance and regularly test our site, as well as legal challenges
we may face, may increase our business costs. Additionally, we are subject to health and environmental regulations like California Proposition
65, which require resources for compliance, and with respect to which we have experienced and may in the future face claims, requiring
resources for defense. Laws addressing climate change could impose stricter standards, raise our costs, disrupt our business and negatively
impact our financial condition and results of operations. Negative public perception or climate-related litigation could harm our reputation
and business.
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Regulatory requirements
relating to the manufacture and disposal of mattresses may increase our product costs and increase the risk of disruption to our business.
The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) and other jurisdictions have fire retardancy standards for the mattress industry, with some states and Congress
considering stricter regulations. These standards require fire retardant materials, quality assurance programs, random product testing,
and documentation retention, which can be costly. If testing or inspections show our products don’t meet flammability standards,
we could face production halts, recalls, fines, or penalties, negatively impacting our operations and financial condition. New legislation
on fire retardancy, bed bug prevention, or mattress recycling could lead to recalls or higher operating costs. Non-compliance may result
in penalties, business restrictions, or negative publicity. Conflicting regulations could raise costs, change manufacturing processes,
and harm product performance, negatively affecting our business.
We could be subject
to additional sales tax or other indirect tax liabilities.
We are subject to sales tax
or other indirect tax obligations as imposed by the various states and jurisdictions in the United States. The application of indirect
taxes (such as sales and use tax, value-added tax (“VAT”), goods and services tax, business tax and gross receipt tax to applicable e-commerce businesses
and to our users is a complex and evolving issue and we may be unable to timely or accurately determine our obligations with respect to
such indirect taxes, if any, in various jurisdictions. Many statutes and regulations that impose these taxes were established before the
adoption and growth of the internet and e-commerce. States may consider or adopt laws or administrative practices, which impose
additional obligations on remote sellers and online marketplaces to collect transaction taxes such as sales, consumption, value added,
or similar taxes. Failure to comply or a successful assertion by states requiring us to collect taxes where we did not, could result in
substantial tax liabilities for past sales, as well as penalties and interest. If the tax authorities challenge our filings or request
an audit, our tax liability may increase. We are currently undergoing routine audits in a few states.
We may be subject to laws
and rules that require us to collect information from our customers, vendors, merchants, and other third parties for tax reporting purposes
and report such information to government agencies. The scope of such requirements continues to expand, requiring us to develop and implement
new compliance systems. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in significant penalties.
Pending or unforeseen
litigation and the potential for adverse publicity associated with litigation could adversely affect our business, reputation, results
of operations or financial condition.
We may be involved in legal
proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including commercial, product liability, employment and intellectual property
claims. Litigation is unpredictable, and it is possible that the outcome of future claims asserted, or adverse publicity resulting from
litigation, could adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations or financial condition.
Risks Relating to our Intellectual Property
We may not be able to
adequately protect our product designs, brand and other proprietary rights, which could adversely affect our competitive position, reduce
the value of our products and brands, and may result in costly litigation to protect our intellectual property rights.
We focus on strengthening
and differentiating our product portfolio through innovation in design and materials. Our intellectual property, including trademarks,
patents, and trade secrets, is vital to our success. We rely on intellectual property laws and contractual protections, like confidentiality
and non-compete agreements, to safeguard our rights. If we cannot enforce these protections, it could negatively impact our operations.
We own U.S. and foreign patents for product designs, function, formulas, materials, and technologies, along with trademarks, trade secrets,
trade dress, and copyrights. Our success relies on protecting these intellectual property rights and avoiding infringement on third-party
rights.
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Despite our efforts, we may
not fully protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Counterfeit goods and patent/trademark infringements are increasing,
leading to higher enforcement costs, including actions with the International Trade Commission seeking general exclusion orders against
foreign entities. We expect significant financial and managerial resources to be spent on protecting our intellectual property rights.
Even with favorable outcomes, infringement and counterfeits could harm our business and intellectual property value. Laws may not adequately
safeguard our trademarks. Licensees could also harm our proprietary rights or reputation. Inadequate protection of our intellectual property
could negatively impact our results of operations.
We may be subject to
claims that we or the licensors of intellectual property rights licensed to us have infringed on proprietary rights, which could require
us and our licensors to obtain a license or change designs.
As we increase our innovations,
create new products and technologies, and enter new product categories, we may be limited by the intellectual property rights of others.
We respect the intellectual property rights of others but our ability to innovate and increase product offerings may be limited by the
intellectual property rights of other parties. We have in the past and may in the future face claims regarding alleged intellectual
property infringement, though we believe our products do not infringe others’ rights. However, we cannot guarantee that such claims, including
claims of invalidity and indemnification, will not arise or negatively impact our business. Defending against these claims could incur
costs and divert resources. Infringement claims could also result in injunctions preventing distribution of our products or forcing us
to alter our designs if licensing terms are unavailable or unreasonable.
We previously licensed
certain intellectual property to EdiZONE, LLC (“EdiZONE”), for the purpose of enabling EdiZONE to meet its contractual obligations
to licensees. Some of those licensees are competitors and have exclusive rights that we may be required to observe.
Before the Business Combination,
we entered into an Amended and Restated Confidential Assignment and License Back Agreement with EdiZONE, controlled by our founders, pursuant
to which EdiZONE transferred intellectual property to us and licensed back certain intellectual property to meet pre-existing third-party
obligations. EdiZONE agreed not to modify, extend, or enter new third-party licenses, with all rights reverting to us as these licenses
expire. One of EdiZONE’s prior licenses grants exclusivity to a third party of an earlier technology that could prevent us from
selling a mattress made from that earlier technology in the European Union. This risk could be mitigated by redesigning our Hyper-Elastic
Polymer material using existing or new technologies. However, there is no guarantee that any of our future sales in the European Union
won’t be challenged by EdiZONE’s licensee, and any such redesigned mattresses may not succeed. If challenged, we are required
to indemnify EdiZONE. We have the right to enforce our intellectual property against licensees who violate their agreements or infringe
on our intellectual property. We must indemnify EdiZONE and cover enforcement costs. However, there is no guarantee that such enforcement
efforts would succeed, which could negatively impact our business.
Risks Relating to our Common Stock
NASDAQ
may delist our securities from its exchange, which could harm our business and limit our stockholders ’ liquidity.
Our Common Stock is currently
listed on NASDAQ, which has listing criteria. We cannot assure that our Common Stock will continue to be listed on NASDAQ in the future.
To continue listing our Common Stock on NASDAQ, we must maintain certain governance, financial, distribution and stock price levels. Generally,
we must maintain a minimum amount in stockholders’ equity, a minimum number of holders of our Common Stock, and a $1.00 minimum
per share bid price for our Common Stock. If we fail to maintain a $1.00 minimum per share bid price for a period of 30 consecutive business
days, we have 180 calendar days to maintain our Common Stock at a $1.00 minimum per share bid price for 10 consecutive trading days. If
we do not regain compliance within 180 calendar days, NASDAQ may grant a second compliance period of 180 calendar days or it may determine
to delist our Common Stock, at which point we would have an opportunity to appeal the delisting determination to a hearings panel. On
November 11, 2024, we received written notice from NASDAQ that we were not in compliance with Nasdaq minimum share price rule, since the
closing price of our Common Stock had been below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. However, we regained such compliance
on February 3, 2025. It is possible that we may again fail to comply with such minimum bid price requirement in the future if our stock
price again falls below $1.00 for an extended period. Currently, our stock price has been below $1.00 since February 19, 2025.
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If we are unable to comply
with NASDAQ’S continued listing requirements, our Common Stock may be subject to delisting. If NASDAQ delists our Common Stock from
trading on its exchange or if we decide to voluntarily delist from NASDAQ and/or deregister our Common Stock under the federal securities
laws, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including but not limited to (i) a limited availability of market quotations
for our Common Stock; (ii) reduced liquidity for our Common Stock; (iii) a determination that our Common Stock is a “penny stock” which
will require brokers trading in our Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity
in the secondary trading market for our securities; (iv) a limited amount of news and analyst coverage, and in the event of deregistration
of our Common Stock, less public disclosure about us; and (v) a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional
financing in the future.
The market price of
our Common Stock is volatile and may decline regardless of our results of operations, and Stockholders may not be able to resell shares
at or above their purchase price.
The market price of our Common
Stock has been highly volatile, and stockholders may not be able to resell shares at or above their purchase price. It can fluctuate significantly
due to various factors, some beyond our control and unrelated to our results of operations, including but not limited to:
●
actual or anticipated changes or fluctuations in our results of operations or fluctuations in the trading volume of our shares or the size of our public float;
●
actual or anticipated changes in the expectations of investors or securities analysts, including our results of operations, or the extent to which analysts cover our stock;
●
fluctuations in the overall stock market and volatility in the market price and trading volume of companies in our industry, or general or industry economic conditions and trends;
●
relevant regulatory developments in any jurisdiction, or litigation involving us or our industry;
●
terrorist attacks, trade wars, political upheaval, natural disasters, public health crises, or other major catastrophic events;
●
sales of large blocks of our Common Stock, including SEC filings related to such potential sales; or
●
an adverse impact on us from any of the other risks cited herein.
Anti-takeover provisions
in our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws as well as provisions of Delaware
law, contain anti-takeover provisions, any of which could delay or discourage a merger, tender offer, or assumption of control of our
Company not approved by our Board of Directors that some stockholders may consider favorable.
Provisions of Delaware law,
our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws and the existence of a significant
stockholder who is our primary lender, could discourage a third party from attempting to acquire control of us. Stockholders may not have
the opportunity to participate in these transactions. These provisions or circumstances could also limit the price that investors might
be willing to pay in the future for Common Stock, including the potential to realize a premium for shares pursuant to a change in control
transaction. We have amended our bylaws to add requirements relating to stockholder nominations of directors, including that stockholder
nominees complete a written questionnaire and make themselves available for interviews by our Board. In addition, we are subject to the
provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which may prohibit certain transactions with stockholders owning 15%
or more of our outstanding voting stock or require us to obtain stockholder approval prior to engaging in such transactions.
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As reported by Coliseum in
its Schedule 13D/A filed on January 23, 2024, Coliseum beneficially owns 58.5 million shares of Common Stock (which includes 46.9 million
shares of Common Stock currently owned and 11.6 million shares of Common Stock that could be acquired upon exercise of its Warrants).
The existence of such a large stockholder may limit the potential for third party offers to acquire the Company.
Significant payment
obligations under our Tax Receivable Agreement are accelerated upon a change of control and may discourage the potential acquisition of
our Company and adversely affect any potential control premium payable for shares of our Common Stock.
Prior to us being a public
company, we entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement with our founders (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”), which provides for
our payment to our former founders of 80% of certain tax benefits that we realize as a result of certain increases in our asset tax basis
and of certain other tax benefits. If we experience a change of control (as defined under the Tax Receivable Agreement), we could be required
to make an immediate lump-sum payment to our former founders under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined herein). We currently
estimate the liability associated with this lump-sum payment as of December 31, 2024, to be approximately $131.1 million on a discounted
basis. The acceleration of such a material lump-sum payment obligation under our Tax Receivable Agreement could materially adversely affect
a third party’s acquisition, discourage a third party from attempting to acquire control, or materially adversely affect the price
payable for our Common Stock pursuant to such a transaction. As a result, stockholders may not have the opportunity to participate in
or realize a potential control premium for shares pursuant to such a change of control transaction. These obligations could also limit
the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Common Stock.
Our Second Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation could make it very difficult for an investor to bring any legal actions against us, our directors,
or our officers and may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum.
Our Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially
all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for
disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents. It also provides that, unless we consent to the selection of an alternative
forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding
brought on our behalf; (ii) any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of duty or obligation owed by any current or former
director, officer or employee of ours to us or to our stockholders, including any claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach;
(iii) any action asserting certain claims against us or any current or former director, officer or employee; or (iv) any action asserting
a claim related to or involving us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum provision would not apply
to certain suits brought to enforce certain liability or duty or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
Furthermore, the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty
or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s
ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the stockholder finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees,
which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers or employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice
of forum provision contained in our Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional
costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations.
Future sales of our
Common Stock in the public market may depress our share price.
Sales or the perception of
future sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock could depress the market price of our Common Stock and impair our ability
to raise capital through the sale of additional equity or other convertible securities, regardless of any relationship between such sales
and the performance of our business.
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In
connection with the issuance of Warrants pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and the 2025 Amendment, the Company entered
into a Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with CCP, Blackwell,
Coliseum Capital Co-Invest III, L.P. (“C-3”), Harvest Master, Harvest Partners, and HSCP (the “Holders”), providing
for the registration of the Warrants, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants, and the Class A Common Stock
held by the Holders as of such date (the “Registrable Securities”). The market price of our Common Stock could decline as
a result of sales by a few large stockholders, such as Coliseum or the Holders, or the perception that these sales could occur, including
as a result of the registration statement. These sales might also make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities at a time and
price that we deem appropriate.
Our
stockholders may experience substantial dilution in the value of their investment or may otherwise have their interests impaired if we
issue additional debt or equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, as well as due to the exercise of the currently
outstanding Warrants.
We may attempt to increase
our capital by entering additional secured or unsecured debt or debt-like financing, or by issuing additional debt or equity securities,
including issuances of secured or unsecured notes, preferred stock, hybrid securities or convertible securities. Our Second Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation allows us to issue up to 300 million shares of our common stock, including 210 million
shares of Class A common stock and 90 million shares of Class B common stock, and up to five million shares of undesignated preferred
stock.
We have previously sold and
may in the future sell additional shares of our Common Stock or convertible securities at prices that are lower than the prices paid by
existing stockholders, and investors purchasing shares or other securities could have rights superior to existing stockholders, which
could result in substantial dilution of existing stockholders. For example, in February 2023 we issued 13.4 million shares of Common Stock
pursuant to a public offering, on January 23, 2024, we issued to the Lenders under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement the 2024
Warrants to purchase 20.0 million shares of our Common Stock at a price of $1.50 per share, subject to adjustments, and on March 12, 2025,
we issued to the Lenders under the 2025 Amendment the 2025 Warrants to purchase 6.2 million shares of our Common Stock at a price of $1.50
per share, subject to adjustments. The exercise of the Warrants will dilute the value of Class A common stock and stockholder voting power. In
addition, the Warrants include full-ratchet anti-dilution protections, subject to certain conditions, which could result in the Warrants
becoming exercisable for a significantly greater number of shares if we engage in a dilutive financing.
In
the event of our liquidation, holders of our debt would receive distributions of our assets before distributions to holders of our Common
Stock, including substantial make-whole payments, and holders of securities senior to the Common Stock would receive distributions of
our assets before distributions to the holders of our Common Stock. Because future debt and equity offerings may be influenced by market
conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings or
debt financings. Market conditions could impose less favorable terms for the issuance of our securities in the future.
Our only significant
asset is our ownership of Purple LLC and such ownership may not be sufficient to enable us to satisfy our financial obligations.
We are a holding company and
do not directly own any operating assets other than our ownership of interests in Purple LLC. We depend on Purple LLC for distributions,
loans and other payments to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations, including our expenses as a publicly traded
company. The earnings from, or other available assets of, Purple LLC may not be sufficient to allow us to pay our financial obligations.
I f
we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, may make
a material misstatement in our financial statements, may experience a financial loss or may face litigation. Any inability to report and
file our financial results accurately and timely could adversely affect the value of our Common Stock.
We are required to maintain
internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure, as mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and SEC rules. However, even with these
controls, management cannot guarantee that they will prevent all errors or fraud. All control systems have inherent limitations, such
as human error, circumvention, or collusion, and cannot provide absolute assurance of detection or prevention. Controls may also become
inadequate over time due to changes, new fraudulent schemes, or deteriorating compliance, increasing the risk of undetected misstatements.
The accuracy of our financial reporting relies on effective internal controls, which can only provide reasonable assurance and may not
detect all misstatements. Any failure in internal controls or disclosure procedures could undermine the accuracy and timeliness of our
disclosures, potentially eroding investor confidence, requiring significant resources to fix, and exposing us to legal or regulatory actions.
For example, we identified a material weakness in our warranty reserve accounting during the preparation of our September 30, 2023, financial
statements. However, as of June 30, 2024, we concluded that the material weakness has been remediated and that our internal controls over
financial reporting are effective.
24
We
continue to evaluate, design and implement controls and procedures designed to avoid material weaknesses. If our efforts are insufficient
or if new weaknesses arise, our financial statements may be misstated, potentially requiring restatements, incurring additional accounting,
legal costs, and exposing us to shareholder litigation. We cannot guarantee against future material
weaknesses in our internal control. Failure to maintain effective internal control could impact the accuracy and timeliness of our financial
reporting, potentially leading to sanctions from NASDAQ, the SEC, or other regulators. Failure to timely file will cause us to be ineligible
to utilize short form registration statements on Form S-3, which may also impair our ability to raise capital, execute business strategies,
or issue shares for acquisitions. Additionally, it could erode investor confidence and negatively affect our stock price.
Tax Risks Relating
to our Structure
Obligations under the
Tax Receivable Agreement could materially adversely affect our future cash flow if we become profitable and begin paying income taxes.
Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be accelerated or significantly exceed the actual benefits we realize.
Our Tax Receivable Agreement
with our founders requires us to pay 80% of certain tax benefits realized from increases in asset tax basis and other tax benefits. As
of December 31, 2024, our preliminary estimate of liability under the agreement was $169.0 million. This liability may increase if we
realize future tax benefits, face changes in tax rates, or if payments are accelerated. However, since we have not been profitable recently,
we determined as of December 31, 2024, that the likelihood of incurring a liability was not probable and no liability was recorded. If
we become profitable and realize tax savings covered by the Tax Receivable Agreement, we will incur payment obligations, which could negatively
impact our cash flow.
The lump sum payment of $131.1
million required upon early termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement in the event of a change in control could negatively impact liquidity,
delay or prevent business transactions, and reduce the value of our Common Stock. If our cash resources are insufficient, we may need
to incur additional debt to meet these obligations, which could materially harm our financial condition. Even without early termination,
a change of control, or late payments, our liquidity could be adversely affected if payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement exceed
the tax savings we realize, or if distributions from Purple LLC are insufficient to cover payments after taxes and expenses.
Our ability to utilize
our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited. Future use and amount of our Current NOLs and other
tax benefits is uncertain.
Under Section 382 and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change”, the corporation’s ability
to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change
income may be limited. Generally, an ownership change is defined as a change in its equity ownership by certain stockholders over a three-year
period of greater than 50 percentage points (by value). If finalized, Treasury Regulations currently proposed under Section 382 of the
Code may further limit our ability to utilize our pre-change NOLs or other tax attributes if we undergo a future ownership change. Thus,
our ability to utilize carryforwards of our net operating losses, including net operating losses acquired from the Intellibed acquisition,
and other tax attributes to reduce future tax liabilities may be substantially restricted. As of December 31, 2024, we completed a study
to assess whether an ownership change has occurred, as defined by IRC Section 382, or whether there have been ownership changes since
the Company’s formation. The results of this study indicate that we experienced one ownership change on December 31, 2021. We may also
experience ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent shifts in our stock ownership. As a result, if we generate taxable
income, our ability to use our pre-change NOL and tax credits carryforwards to reduce U.S. federal and state taxable income may be subject
to further limitations, which could result in increased future tax liabilities to us. Moreover, our federal NOLs from years prior to 2018
can be carried forward for a maximum of 20 years from the year in which the NOL was incurred, and our state NOLs are subject to carryforward
limitations that vary from state to state; as a result, all or a portion of those carryforwards could expire before being available to
reduce future income tax liabilities.
On June 27, 2024, our Board
approved the NOL Rights Plan to protect stockholder value by attempting to safeguard our ability to use Current NOLs of approximately
$310.7 million to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations from becoming substantially limited by future ownership of our
Common Stock. At the Special Meeting, stockholders ratified the NOL Rights Plan. Under the NOL Rights Plan, the Board authorized and declared
a dividend of one Right for each outstanding share of Common Stock to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 26, 2024.
Upon a stockholder acquiring greater than a 4.9% ownership percentage threshold (or, if a stockholder has beneficial ownership of in excess
of 4.9%, then the ownership percentage that is one-half of one percentage point greater than their current beneficial ownership percentage),
the Rights will become exercisable to significantly dilute any stockholder who violates the ownership limitations of the NOL Rights Plan.
In connection with the NOL Rights Plan, the Board adopted, and our stockholders approved at the Special Meeting, the NOL Protective Charter
Amendment that adds an additional layer of protection to our Current NOLs until June 30, 2025 by voiding any transfer of Common Stock
that results in a stockholder acquiring beyond a 4.9% ownership percentage threshold (or, if a stockholder has current beneficial ownership
of in excess of 4.9%, then the ownership percentage that is one-half of one percentage point greater than their current beneficial ownership
percentage).
Use of our Current NOLs and
other tax benefits depends on our ability to generate taxable income in the future. We cannot ensure whether we will have future taxable
income or, if we do, whether such income or our Current NOLs or other tax benefits at such time will exceed any potential limitation under
Code Section 382.
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The IRS may challenge
our Current NOLs and other tax benefits .
As of December 31, 2024, the
amount of our Current NOLs has not been audited or validated by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). The IRS could challenge
the amount of our Current NOLs, which could result in an increase in our future liability for income taxes. In addition, determining whether
an ownership change under Code Section 382 has occurred is subject to uncertainty because of the complexity and ambiguity of the provisions
of Code Section 382 and because of limits on timely knowledge that any publicly traded company can have about the ownership of and transactions
in its securities. We cannot ensure that the IRS or another taxing authority will not claim in the future that we experienced an ownership
change under Code Section 382 and attempt to reduce the benefit of our Current NOLs and other tax benefits available, even if the NOL
Protective Charter Amendment is in place.
There is continued risk
of ownership change under Code Section 382 .
Although the NOL Protective
Charter Amendment and NOL Rights Plan intend to reduce the likelihood of an ownership change under Code Section 382, we cannot ensure
that the NOL Protective Charter Amendment and the NOL Rights Plan will be effective. The amount by which a future ownership interest under
Code Section 382 may change could, for example, be affected by purchases of our Common Stock by stockholders who are 5% stockholders (as
defined under Code Section 382) or by purchases of stock or other interests in corporations, partnerships or other legal entities that
own 4.9% or more of our Common Stock, over which we have no control. Further, while the NOL Protective Charter Amendment and the NOL Rights
Plan allow for the exercise of currently outstanding conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options or otherwise, such exercises
may result in an ownership change under Code Section 382. It may also be in our best interests, considering all relevant facts and circumstances
at the time, to permit the acquisition of our Common Stock in excess of the specified limitations or to issue new or redeem existing equity
in the future, all of which may increase the likelihood of an ownership change under Code Section 382.
The Current NOL protections
under the NOL Protective Charter Amendment and NOL Rights Plan will expire by their terms on June 30, 2025.
The NOL Protective Charter
Amendment and the NOL Rights Plan may potentially adversely affect the market for, and negatively impact the value of, our Common Stock .
The NOL Protective Charter
Amendment and the NOL Rights Plan intend to prohibit or deter a stockholder’s ability to acquire, directly, indirectly or constructively,
additional shares of our Common Stock in excess of specific limitations. A stockholder’s ability to dispose of our Common Stock
may be limited by reducing potential acquirers for such shares. A stockholder’s ownership of our Common Stock may become subject
to the restrictions of the NOL Protective Charter Amendment, or may trigger applicable thresholds under the NOL Rights Plan, upon actions
taken by Persons (as such term is defined in the NOL Protective Charter Amendment or the NOL Rights Plan, as applicable) related to, or
affiliated with, such stockholder.
Because the NOL Protective
Charter Amendment and the NOL Rights Plan were approved by our stockholders at the Special Meeting, we have included a legend reflecting
the transfer restrictions included in the NOL Protective Charter Amendment and the Rights issued pursuant to the NOL Rights Plan on certificates
representing newly issued or transferred shares of our Common Stock and disclosed such Rights and restrictions to Persons holding our
Common Stock in uncertificated form, and to the public generally. Because certain buyers, including Persons who wish to acquire more than
4.9% of our Common Stock and certain institutional holders who may not be comfortable holding our Common Stock with restrictive legends,
may choose not to purchase our Common Stock, the NOL Protective Charter Amendment and the NOL Rights Plan could have an adverse effect
on the marketability and trading value of our Common Stock in an amount that could more than offset any value preserved from protecting
our Current NOLs. The NOL Protective Charter Amendment and NOL Rights Plan could also have a negative impact on the trading value of our
Common Stock by deterring Persons or groups of Persons from acquiring our Common Stock, including in acquisitions that might result in
some or all our stockholders receiving a premium above market value.
The NOL Protective Charter
Amendment and the NOL Rights Plan may have an anti-takeover effect .
While the NOL Protective Charter
Amendment is not intended to prevent, or even discourage, a proposal to acquire the Company, the NOL Protective Charter Amendment may
have a potential anti-takeover effect because, among other things, it will restrict the ability of a Person, entity or group to accumulate
more than 4.9% of our Common Stock and the ability of Persons, entities or groups now owning more than 4.9% of our Common Stock to acquire
any significant amount of additional shares of our Common Stock, in each case, without the approval of our Board. Similarly, while the
NOL Rights Plan is not intended to prevent, or even discourage, a proposal to acquire the Company the NOL Rights Plan may have a potential
anti-takeover effect because, among other things, an Acquiring Person (as such term is defined in the NOL Rights Plan) may have its ownership
interest diluted upon the occurrence of a triggering event. The overall effects of the NOL Protective Charter Amendment and NOL Rights
Plan may be to render more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or assumption of control by a substantial holder
of our Common Stock and have an adverse effect on the marketability and the trading value of our Common Stock. However, the NOL Protective
Charter Amendment and NOL Rights Plan should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board.
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