424B7 1 d293100d424b7.htm 424B7 424B7
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7)
Registration No. 333-267385       

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is effective. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, Dated September 12, 2022

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated September 12, 2022)

7,000,000 Shares

Driven Brands Holdings Inc.

 

 

LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

Driven Equity LLC and RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings LLC (the “selling stockholders”), each of which is a related entity of Roark Capital Management, LLC, are offering 7,000,000 shares of common stock of Driven Brands Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders.

Our shares of common stock are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “DRVN.” On September 9, 2022, the last reported sale price of our shares of common stock on NASDAQ was $34.42 per share.

Following the completion of this offering, our Principal Stockholders (as defined herein) will continue to own a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. As a result, we will remain a “controlled company” under the corporate governance rules for NASDAQ listed companies and will be exempt from certain corporate governance requirements of such rules.

 

 

Investing in the common stock involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

The underwriter has agreed to purchase the shares of our common stock at a price equal to $            per share, which will result in $            million of net proceeds to the selling stockholders. The underwriter may offer the shares of our common stock from time to time for sale directly or through agents, or through brokers in one or more brokerage transactions on NASDAQ, or to dealers in negotiated transactions or in a combination of such methods of sale, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to its right to reject any order in whole or in part. See “Underwriting.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriter expects to deliver the shares of common stock against payment on or about                    , 2022. References to “underwriter” in this prospectus supplement refer to each underwriter named in the “Underwriting” section of this prospectus supplement.

 

BofA Securities

 

Morgan Stanley

The date of this prospectus supplement is                     , 2022.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

OUR PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     S-2  

CORPORATE INFORMATION

     S-2  

THE OFFERING

     S-3  

RISK FACTORS

     S-4  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-13  

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

     S-14  

UNDERWRITING

     S-17  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     S-26  

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-30  

EXPERTS

     S-30  
 

 

Prospectus

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     16  

LEGAL MATTERS

     20  

EXPERTS

     21  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     22  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     23  
 

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which contains specific information about the selling stockholders and the terms on which the selling stockholders are offering and selling shares of our common stock. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) which was automatically effective upon filing.

To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus that we may provide to you in connection with this offering. Neither we, the selling stockholders, nor the underwriter has authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we, the selling stockholders nor the underwriter is making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC is accurate only as of the date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date.

For investors outside the United States: neither we, the selling stockholders nor the underwriter have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such free writing prospectus outside of the United States.

TRADEMARKS, TRADE NAMES, AND SERVICE MARKS

We use various trademarks, trade names and service marks in our business, including ABRA®, AUTOGLASSNOW®, CARSTAR®, DrivenBrands®, IMO®, MAACO®, Meineke®, Take 5 Car Wash®, Take 5 Express Car Wash®, Take 5 Oil Change®, Uniban® and 1-800-Radiator & A/C®. We also license or sublicense, as applicable, the Fix Auto USA® trademark for use in connection with our business in the United States. This prospectus supplement contains or incorporates by reference references to our trademarks and service marks. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks, or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by any other companies, including with respect to Fix Auto USA®.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to the “Company,” “Driven Brands,” the “Issuer,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Driven Brands Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. References to “brands” refer to the brands under which we and our franchisees operate each store

 

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location or warehouse, as applicable (referred to as “locations,” “stores,” or “units”). References to the size of our business are based on store count. References to “franchise” or “franchisee” refer to third parties that operate locations under franchise or license agreements, references to “independently-operated locations” refer to international car wash locations outside North America where independent operators are responsible for site-level labor and receive commissions based on a percent of site revenue from car washes and references to “company-operated locations” refer to locations operated by subsidiaries of the Company. References to “system-wide sales” refer to the total of net sales for our company-operated stores and independently-operated stores, and sales at franchised stores and references to “store count” refer to the number of franchised, independently-operated and company-operated stores open at the end of the reporting period.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As required by the Securities Act, we filed a registration statement relating to the shares of common stock that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus with the SEC. The accompanying prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information.

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are required to file with the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information. Such reports include our audited financial statements. Our publicly available filings can be found on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information on or accessible through such website does not constitute part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus (except for SEC reports expressly incorporated by reference herein).

As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, exhibits and schedules for more information about us and our shares of common stock. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available through the SEC’s website.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein may also be accessed at our website that is located at www.drivenbrands.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You should not rely on our website or any such information in making your decision whether to purchase shares of our common stock.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The following documents have been filed by us with the SEC and are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2022 (the “2021 Annual Report”);

 

   

The portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 8, 2022 that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our 2021 Annual Report (the “Proxy Statement”);

 

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Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 26, 2022, filed with the SEC on May 6, 2022 (the “First Quarter 10-Q”);

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 25, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2022 (the “Second Quarter 10-Q”);

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2002, May  20, 2022 and July 11, 2022; and

 

   

The description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement filed on Form 8-A pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act with the SEC on January 14, 2021, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.

 

All documents and reports that we file with the SEC (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus supplement until the completion of the offering under this prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference. The information contained on or accessible through our website (http://www.drivenbrands.com) is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

You may obtain a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to these filings unless we have specifically included or incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, from the SEC as described under “Where You Can Find More Information” or, at no cost, by writing or telephoning the Company at the following address:

Investor Relations

440 S. Church Street, Suite 700

Charlotte, NC 28202

(704)-377-8855

e-mail: investors@drivenbrands.com

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus supplement, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management, and expected market growth are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections titled “Prospectus Summary” and “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the 2021 Annual Report, and the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in each of the First Quarter 10-Q and the Second Quarter 10-Q. In particular, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to: (i) our strategy, outlook and growth prospects; (ii) our operational and financial targets and dividend policy; (iii) general economic trends and trends in the industry and markets; and (iv) the competitive environment in which we operate. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead represent our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, important factors that could cause our results to vary from expectations include, but are not limited to:

 

   

our ability to compete with other businesses in the automotive aftermarket industries, including other international, national, regional and local repair and maintenance shops, paint and collision repair shops, oil change shops, glass repair and replacement shops, car washes, automobile dealerships, and suppliers of automotive parts;

 

   

advances and changes in automotive technology, including, but not limited to, changes in the materials used for the construction of structural components and body panels, changes in the types of paints and coatings used for automobiles or materials used for tires, changes in engines and drivetrains to hybrid and electric technology, increased prevalence of sensors and back-up cameras, and increased prevalence of self-driving vehicles and shared mobility;

 

   

changes in consumer preferences, perceptions and spending patterns;

 

   

changes in the cost of, availability of and shipping costs of automobile supplies, parts, paints, coatings and motor oil;

 

   

changes in the availability or cost of labor, including health care-related or other costs;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

changes in interest rates, commodity prices, energy costs and foreign exchange rates;

 

   

the impact of inflation on our expenses and consumer demand for our products and services;

 

   

global events, including military conflicts;

 

   

the ability of our key suppliers, including international suppliers, to continue to deliver timely high-quality products to us at quantities and prices similar to historical levels;

 

   

disruptions in the supply of specific products or to the business operations of key or recommended suppliers;

 

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the willingness of our vendors and service providers to supply goods and services pursuant to customary credit arrangements;

 

   

our ability to maintain direct repair program relationships with insurance partners;

 

   

changes in general economic conditions and the geographic concentration of our locations, which may affect our business;

 

   

the operational and financial success of franchised, independently-operated and company-operated locations;

 

   

the willingness of franchisees to participate in and comply with our business model and policies;

 

   

our ability to successfully enter new markets;

 

   

our ability to successfully complete construction, including renovations, conversions, and build-outs of existing and additional locations;

 

   

risks associated with implementing our growth strategy, including our ability to open additional domestic and international franchised, independently-operated and company-operated locations and to continue to identify, acquire, and refranchise automotive aftermarket businesses, and the willingness of franchisees to continue to invest in and open new franchises;

 

   

the potential adverse impact of strategic acquisitions;

 

   

additional leverage incurred in connection with acquisitions or other capital expenditure initiatives;

 

   

the effect of the media’s reports and social media on our reputation;

 

   

the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising programs;

 

   

the adverse impacts caused by weather and the seasonality of our operations;

 

   

increased insurance and self-insurance costs;

 

   

our ability to comply with existing and future health, employment, data privacy, environmental and other government regulations;

 

   

our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property;

 

   

the adverse effect of litigation;

 

   

a significant failure, interruption or security breach of our computer systems or information technology;

 

   

increases in national, federal, state, local and provincial taxes, as well as changes in tax guidance and regulations and the impact on our effective tax rate;

 

   

catastrophic events, including war, terrorism and other international conflicts, public health issues (including the coronavirus pandemic and the availability of vaccinations) or natural disasters;

 

   

the effect of restrictive covenants in the documents related to indebtedness of our business; and

 

   

other risk factors included under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein.

There may be other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. We can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations and financial condition. You should carefully read the factors described under the “Risk Factors” section herein, in the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference.

 

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All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise, and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect new information or future events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as required by law.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

The following summary contains selected information about us and about this offering. It does not contain all of the information that is important to you and your investment decision. Before you make an investment decision, you should review this prospectus supplement in its entirety, including matters set forth under “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus supplement, as well as the matters set forth under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the 2021 Annual Report, the First Quarter 10-Q and the Second Quarter 10-Q. Some of the statements in the following summary constitute forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”

DRIVEN BRANDS’ OVERVIEW

Driven Brands is the largest automotive services company in North America with a growing and highly-franchised base of more than 4,600 locations across 49 U.S. states and 14 other countries. Our scaled, diversified platform provides high-quality services to an extensive range of consumer and commercial customers who rely on their automobiles in all economic environments to get to work and in many other aspects of their daily lives. Our breadth of services cover a wide variety of automotive needs, including paint, collision, glass, and repair services, as well as a variety of high-frequency services, such as oil changes and car washes. We generate consistent recurring revenue and strong operating margins, with limited maintenance capital expenditures. Our network generated approximately $1.5 billion in revenue from approximately $4.5 billion in system-wide sales in 2021.

We have a portfolio of highly recognized brands, including Take 5 Oil Change, Meineke, MAACO, CARSTAR, Auto Glass Now, and 1-800-Radiator & A/C. Our brands have been providing quality services to retail and commercial customers around the world for over 350 years combined. We believe that the longevity and awareness of our brands, tenure of our franchisees, and the quality and value of our offerings resonate deeply with our customers. Maaco and Meineke have been operating since 1972 and are two of the most recognizable brands in the industry. In addition, Take 5 Oil Change has been operating since 1984, and CARSTAR has been in operation since 1989. Our brands are supported by highly qualified Driven Brands field operations team members, who provide training and operational expertise to our franchisees and company-operated and independently-operated locations to help them deliver best-in-class customer service and drive strong financial performance.

The Driven Brands platform enables our portfolio of brands to be stronger together than they are apart. We have invested heavily in the creation of unique and powerful shared services, which we believe provide each brand with more resources and produce better results than any individual brand could achieve on its own. Our locations are strengthened by ongoing training initiatives, targeted marketing enhancements, procurement savings, and cost efficiencies, driving revenue and profitability growth for both Driven Brands and for our franchisees. Our performance is further enhanced by a data analytics engine of approximately 23 billion data elements informed by customers across our thousands of locations at every transaction.

We currently intend to (a) incur up to an additional $365 million of indebtedness through the offering of new securitization senior notes and (b) increase our additional debt capacity by up to $135 million through the offering of new variable funding securitization senior notes. We expect to use the proceeds of such offering for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of outstanding debt and future acquisitions, as well as for the payment of fees and expenses relating to such offering. We expect proceeds of the new variable funding securitization senior notes will not be available until we satisfy certain financial tests. Any such offering is subject to market and other conditions, and may not occur as described or at all.

 

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For a description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information regarding us, see our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. For instructions on how to find copies of the filings incorporated by reference in this prospectus, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

OUR PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

Our “Principal Stockholders,” which include the selling stockholders, are entities related to Roark Capital Management, LLC (“Roark”). Roark focuses on investing in the consumer and business services sectors, with a specialization in franchised and multilocation businesses. Since inception, affiliates of Roark have invested in 100+ franchise/multi-location brands, which collectively generate $71 billion in annual system revenues from 70,000 locations in 50 states and 89 countries.

Upon the closing of this offering, we will continue to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance rules for NASDAQ listed companies because more than 50% of our voting common stock will be owned by our Principal Stockholders.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Our principal executive offices are located at 440 S. Church Street, Suite 700, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202. Our telephone number is (704) 377-8855. Our website is www.drivenbrands.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement (except for SEC reports that are expressly incorporated by reference herein).

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders

  

7,000,000 shares

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering(1)

  

167,392,160 shares

Use of proceeds

  

All of the shares of common stock being offered hereby are being sold by the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of the common stock pursuant to this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Controlled company

  

Upon the closing of this offering, our Principal Stockholders will continue to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, we could avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exemptions under the rules of NASDAQ, including exemptions from certain of the corporate governance listing requirements.

Dividend policy

  

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, we may, in the future, decide to pay dividends on our common stock. Any declaration and payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, cash flows, capital requirements, levels of indebtedness, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.

Listing

  

Our common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “DRVN”.

Risk Factors

  

You should read the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 and the other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock.

 

(1)

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 167,392,160 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 1, 2022, and excludes 8,274,822 shares underlying outstanding options and other awards and 4,259,162 shares of our common stock reserved as of September 1, 2022 for issuance under our omnibus incentive plan and our employee stock purchase plan.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as the other information set forth under the “Risk Factors” in our 2021 Annual Report and our First Quarter 10-Q and Second Quarter 10-Q, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, together with all the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto before deciding to invest in our common stock. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. Additionally, we may experience risks and uncertainties not currently known to us; or, as a result of developments occurring in the future, conditions that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations. Any such risk and any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, in which case the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock

Our stock price may fluctuate significantly and purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses.

The market price of our common stock could vary significantly as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. In the event of a drop in the market price of our common stock, you could lose a substantial part or all of your investment in our common stock. The following factors could affect our stock price:

 

   

our operating and financial performance and prospects;

 

   

quarterly variations in the rate of growth (if any) of our financial results, such as net income per share, net income and revenues;

 

   

the public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

 

   

strategic actions by our competitors;

 

   

changes in operating performance and the stock market valuations of other companies;

 

   

overall conditions in our industry and the markets in which we operate;

 

   

positive or negative impact of litigation;

 

   

our failure to meet guidance that we issue and revenue or earnings estimates made by research analysts or other investors;

 

   

changes in revenue or earnings estimates, or changes in recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage, by equity research analysts;

 

   

speculation in the press or investment community;

 

   

issuance of new or updated research or reports by securities analysts;

 

   

sales of our common stock by us or our stockholders, selling stockholders and Principal Stockholders or the perception that such sales may occur;

 

   

changes in accounting principles, policies, guidance, interpretations, or standards;

 

   

additions or departures of key management personnel;

 

   

actions by our stockholders;

 

   

general market conditions;

 

   

domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance;

 

   

announcement by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

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security breaches impacting us or other similar companies;

 

   

expiration of contractual lock-up agreements with our executive officers, directors and Principal Stockholders;

 

   

material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting; and

 

   

the realization of any risks described under this “Risk Factors” section, or other risks that may materialize in the future.

The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in very substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources and harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited.

Our business and operations may consume resources faster than we anticipate. In the future, we may need to raise additional funds through the issuance of new equity securities, debt or a combination of both. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund our capital requirements. If we issue new debt securities, the debt holders would have rights senior to holders of our common stock to make claims on our assets and the terms of any debt could restrict our operations, including our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. If we issue additional equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, existing stockholders will experience dilution and the new equity securities could have rights senior to those of our common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings and their impact on the market price of our common stock.

We are a holding company and rely on dividends, distributions, and other payments, advances, and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.

We are a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of our own. As a result, we are largely dependent upon cash dividends and distributions and other transfers, including for payments in respect of our indebtedness, from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay cash dividends and/or make loans or advances to us will be dependent upon their respective abilities to achieve sufficient cash flows after satisfying their respective cash requirements, including the securitized financing facility and other debt agreements, to enable the payment of such dividends or the making of such loans or advances. The agreements governing the indebtedness of our subsidiaries impose restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us. For more information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our 2021 Annual Report and our First Quarter 10-Q and Second Quarter 10-Q. Each of our subsidiaries is a distinct legal entity, and under certain circumstances legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from them and we may be limited in our ability to cause any future joint ventures to distribute their earnings to us. The deterioration of the earnings from, or other available assets of, our subsidiaries for any reason could also limit or impair their ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us.

We incur significant costs and devote substantial management time as a result of operating as a public company

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC, and NASDAQ,

 

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our stock exchange, including the establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and changes in corporate governance practices. Compliance with these requirements increases our legal and financial compliance costs and makes some activities more time consuming and costly. In addition, our management and other personnel divert attention from operational and other business matters to devote substantial time to these public company requirements. In particular, we expect to continue incurring significant expenses and to devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, we expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to maintain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified people to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers.

We are required to make payments under an Income Tax Receivable Agreement for certain tax benefits, which amounts are expected to be material.

On January 16, 2021, we entered into an income tax receivable agreement pursuant to which certain current or prior stockholders, including our Principal Stockholders, and our senior management team, have the right to receive payment by us of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. and Canadian federal, state, local and provincial income tax that we and our subsidiaries actually realize as a result of the realization of certain tax benefits associated with tax attributes existing as of the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering. These tax benefits, which we refer to as the Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits, include: (i) all depreciation and amortization deductions, and any offset to taxable income and gain or increase to taxable loss, resulting from the tax basis that we have in our and our subsidiaries’ intangible assets, (ii) the utilization of certain of our and our subsidiaries’ U.S. federal and Canadian federal and provincial net operating losses, non-capital losses, disallowed interest expense carryforwards and tax credits, if any, attributable to periods prior to the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering, (iii) deductions in respect of debt issuance costs associated with certain of our and our subsidiaries’ financing arrangements, and (iv) deductions in respect of our and our subsidiaries’ offering-related expenses.

These payment obligations are our obligations and not obligations of any of our subsidiaries. The actual utilization of the Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits as well as the timing of any payments under the income tax receivable agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the amount, character and timing of our and our subsidiaries’ taxable income in the future.

For purposes of the income tax receivable agreement, cash savings in income tax will be computed by reference to the reduction in the liability for income taxes resulting from the Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits. The term of the income tax receivable agreement commenced upon consummation of our initial public offering and will continue until all relevant Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits have been utilized, accelerated, or expired.

Our counterparties under the income tax receivable agreement will not reimburse us for any payments previously made if such Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits are subsequently disallowed (although future payments would be adjusted to the extent possible to reflect the result of such disallowance). As a result, in such circumstances we could make payments under the income tax receivable agreement that are greater than our and our subsidiaries’ actual cash tax savings.

The payments we make under the income tax receivable agreement could be material. Assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law, and that we and our subsidiaries earn sufficient income to realize the full Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits, we expect that future payments under the income tax receivable agreement will aggregate to between $145 million and $165 million. Any future changes in the realizability of the Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits will impact the amount of the liability under the income tax receivable agreement. Based on our current taxable income estimates, we expect to repay the majority of this obligation by the end of our 2025 fiscal year.

 

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If we undergo a change of control, payments under the income tax receivable agreement for each taxable year after such event would be based on certain valuation assumptions, including the assumption that we and our subsidiaries have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits. Additionally, if we sell or otherwise dispose of any of our subsidiaries in a transaction that is not a change of control, we will be required to make a payment equal to the present value of future payments under the income tax receivable agreement attributable to the Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits of such subsidiary that is sold or disposed of, applying the assumptions described above.

The income tax receivable agreement provides that in the event that we breach any of our material obligations under it, whether as a result of our failure to make any payment when due (subject to a specified cure period), failure to honor any other material obligation under it or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of it in a case commenced under the United States Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, then all of our payment and other obligations under the income tax receivable agreement will be accelerated and will become due and payable and we will be required to make a payment equal to the present value of future payments under the income tax receivable agreement, applying the same assumptions described above. Such payments could be substantial and could exceed our and our subsidiaries’ actual cash tax savings from the Pre-IPO and IPO-Related Tax Benefits.

Because we are a holding company with no operations of our own, our ability to make payments under the income tax receivable agreement is dependent on the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us. Our securitized debt facility, our term loan credit facility and our revolving credit facility may restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us, which could affect our ability to make payments under the income tax receivable agreement. To the extent that we are unable to make payments under the income tax receivable agreement because of restrictions under our outstanding indebtedness, such payments will be deferred and will generally accrue interest at a rate of the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.00% per annum until paid. To the extent that we are unable to make payments under the income tax receivable agreement for any other reason, such payments will generally accrue interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 5.00% per annum until paid.

For additional information related to the income tax receivable agreement, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2021 Annual Report.

We may be subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert management attention.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile and, in the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, and we could be subject to potential delisting, regulatory investigations, civil or criminal sanctions and litigation.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or any subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock.

 

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Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could subject us to potential delisting from NASDAQ, regulatory investigations, civil or criminal sanctions and litigation, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our Principal Stockholders will continue to have significant influence over us after this offering, including control over decisions that require the approval of stockholders, which could limit your ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for a vote.

Upon the completion of this offering, affiliates of our Principal Stockholders will together own approximately 60.7% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As long as affiliates of our Principal Stockholders own or control a majority of our outstanding voting power, our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates will have the ability to exercise substantial control over all corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, irrespective of how our other stockholders may vote, including:

 

   

the election and removal of directors and the size of our board of directors;

 

   

any amendment of our articles of incorporation or bylaws; or

 

   

the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions, including a sale of substantially all of our assets.

Moreover, ownership of our shares by affiliates of our Principal Stockholders may also adversely affect the trading price for our common stock to the extent investors perceive disadvantages in owning shares of a company with a controlling shareholder. For example, the concentration of ownership held by our Principal Stockholders could delay, defer, or prevent a change in control of our company or impede a merger, takeover, or other business combination which may otherwise be favorable for us. In addition, our Principal Stockholders are in the business of making investments in companies and may, from time to time, acquire interests in businesses that directly or indirectly compete with our business, as well as businesses that are significant existing or potential customers. Many of the companies in which our Principal Stockholders invest are franchisors and may compete with us for access to suitable locations, experienced management and qualified and well-capitalized franchisees. Our Principal Stockholders may acquire or seek to acquire assets complementary to our business that we seek to acquire and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us or may be more expensive for us to pursue, and as a result, the interests of our Principal Stockholders may not coincide with the interests of our other stockholders. So long as our Principal Stockholders continue to directly or indirectly own a significant amount of our equity, even if such amount is less than 50%, our Principal Stockholders will continue to be able to substantially influence or effectively control our ability to enter into corporate transactions, and as long as our Principal Stockholders maintain ownership of at least 25% of our outstanding common stock, they will have special governance rights under the Stockholders Agreement.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of NASDAQ rules and, as a result, qualify for and could rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.

Following this offering, our Principal Stockholders will continue to control a majority of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock, and as a result we will continue to be a controlled company within the meaning of NASDAQ corporate governance standards. Under NASDAQ rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another person or group of persons acting together is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that:

 

   

a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors;

 

   

the nominating and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities;

 

   

the compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and

 

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there be an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees.

Although we currently do not rely on these exemptions, we may opt to utilize these exemptions as long as we remain a controlled company. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of NASDAQ. After we cease to be a “controlled company,” we will be required to comply with the above referenced requirements within one year subject to applicable phase-in periods.

Our organizational documents and Delaware law may impede or discourage a takeover, which could deprive our investors of the opportunity to receive a premium on their shares.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may make it more difficult for, or prevent a third party from, acquiring control of us without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions include:

 

   

providing that our board of directors will be divided into three classes, with each class of directors serving staggered three-year terms;

 

   

providing for the removal of directors only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, if less than 40% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by our Principal Stockholders;

 

   

empowering only the board to fill any vacancy on our board of directors (other than in respect of our Principal Stockholders’ directors (as defined below)), whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, if less than 40% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by our Principal Stockholders;

 

   

authorizing the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock without any need for action by stockholders;

 

   

prohibiting stockholders from acting by written consent if less than 40% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by our Principal Stockholders;

 

   

to the extent permitted by law, prohibiting stockholders from calling a special meeting of stockholders if less than 40% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by our Principal Stockholders; and

 

   

establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

Additionally, our certificate of incorporation provides that we are not governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), which, in the absence of such provisions, would have imposed additional requirements regarding mergers and other business combinations. However, our certificate of incorporation includes a provision that restricts us from engaging in any business combination with an interested stockholder for three years following the date that person becomes an interested stockholder, but such restrictions do not apply to any business combination between our Principal Stockholders and any affiliate thereof or their direct and indirect transferees, on the one hand, and us, on the other.

Any issuance by us of preferred stock could delay or prevent a change in control of us. Our board of directors has the authority to cause us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series, to designate the number of shares constituting any series, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences of such series. The issuance of shares of our preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control without further action by the stockholders, even where stockholders are offered a premium for their shares.

 

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In addition, as long as our Principal Stockholders beneficially own at least 40% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, our Principal Stockholders will be able to control all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our certificate of incorporation and certain corporate transactions. Together, these certificate of incorporation, bylaw and statutory provisions could make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our common stock. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions, as well as the significant common stock beneficially owned by our Principal Stockholders and their right to nominate a specified number of directors in certain circumstances, could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of us, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for your common stock in an acquisition.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that certain courts in the State of Delaware or the federal district courts of the United States for certain types of lawsuits is 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 or employees.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to us or our stockholders, creditors, or other constituents (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Company that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The exclusive forum provision provides that it does not apply to claims arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws for which there is exclusive federal or concurrent federal and state jurisdiction. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to have consented to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation described above. Although we believe this exclusive forum provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law and federal securities laws in the types of lawsuits to which each applies, the choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders. However, the enforceability of similar forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings. If a court were to find the exclusive 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 materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our certificate of incorporation contains a provision renouncing our interest and expectancy in certain corporate opportunities.

Under our certificate of incorporation, none of our Principal Stockholders, any affiliates of our Principal Stockholders, or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, stockholders, members or partners, have any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same business activities, similar business activities, or lines of business in which we operate. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no officer or director of ours who is also an officer, director, employee, managing director or other affiliate of our Principal Stockholders will be liable to us or our stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to any Principal Stockholder, instead of us, or does not communicate information regarding a corporate opportunity to us that the

 

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officer, director, employee, managing director, or other affiliate has directed to a Principal Stockholder. For instance, a director of our company who also serves as a director, officer, or employee of one of our Principal Stockholders or any of their portfolio companies, funds, or other affiliates may pursue certain acquisitions or other opportunities that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, such acquisition or other opportunities may not be available to us. Our board of directors consists of eight members, three of whom are our Principal Stockholders’ directors. These potential conflicts of interest could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects if attractive corporate opportunities are allocated by one of our Principal Stockholders to itself or its affiliated funds, the portfolio companies owned by such funds or any affiliates of a Principal Stockholder instead of to us.

You may be diluted by the future issuance of additional common stock or convertible securities in connection with our incentive plans, acquisitions or otherwise, which could adversely affect our stock price.

As of September 1, 2022, we had 732,607,840 shares of common stock authorized but unissued. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue these shares of common stock and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to common stock for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our board of directors in its sole discretion, whether in connection with acquisitions or otherwise. As of September 1, 2022, we had options and other awards outstanding, which are exercisable into approximately 8,274,822 shares of common stock. We have reserved approximately 4,259,162 shares for future grant under our Omnibus Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Any common stock that we issue, including under our Omnibus Incentive Plan or other equity incentive plans that we may adopt in the future, as well as under outstanding options would dilute the percentage ownership held by the holders of our common stock, including investors who purchase common stock in this offering. From time to time in the future, we may also issue additional shares of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock pursuant to a variety of transactions, including acquisitions. Our issuance of additional shares of our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock would dilute the percentage ownership of the Company held by holders of our common stock and the sale of a significant amount of such shares in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock, including investors who purchase common stock in this offering.

Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception in the public market that such sales may occur, could reduce our stock price.

After giving effect to this offering, the number of outstanding shares of common stock will include 101,591,523 shares beneficially owned by our Principal Stockholders and other shares held by certain of our current and former employees, that are “restricted securities,” as defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and eligible for sale in the public market subject to the requirements of Rule 144. In connection with this offering, we, each of our executive officers and directors and our Principal Stockholders have agreed that (subject to certain exceptions) for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, dispose of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock. See “Underwriting.” Following the expiration of the applicable lock-up period, all of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock will be eligible for future sale, subject to the applicable volume, manner of sale, holding periods, and other limitations of Rule 144. The underwriter may, in its sole discretion, release all or any portion of the shares subject to lock-up agreements at any time and for any reason. In addition, our Principal Stockholders have certain rights to require us to register the sale of common stock held by our Principal Stockholders, including in connection with underwritten offerings. Sales of significant amounts of stock in the public market upon expiration of lock-up agreements, the perception that such sales may occur, or early release of any lock-up agreements, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock or make it more difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.

 

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If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish negative reports, our stock price could decline.

The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us, our business or our market. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company issues adverse or misleading research or reports regarding us, our business model, our stock performance or our market, or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

We may issue preferred securities, the terms of which could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred securities having such designations, preferences, limitations, and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred securities could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred securities the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred securities could affect the residual value of the common stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

All of the shares of common stock being offered hereby are being sold by the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders. The selling stockholder will receive all of the net proceeds from this offering.

As set forth in the registration rights agreement, dated as of January 20, 2021, by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto, the selling stockholders will pay any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the selling stockholders for brokerage, accounting, or tax services or any other expenses incurred by the selling stockholders in disposing of the shares. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the shares covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, the listing fees of NASDAQ and fees and expenses of our counsel, counsel for the selling stockholders and our independent registered public accountants. See “Selling Stockholders.”

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth the information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by Driven Equity LLC and RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings LLC, the selling stockholders, as of September 1, 2022. The percentage of ownership is based on 167,392,160 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 1, 2022.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to such securities or has the right to acquire such powers within 60 days.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person or entity named in the table below is 440 S. Church Street, Suite 700, Charlotte, NC 28202.

 

     Shares Beneficially
Owned Before the
Offering
    Total
Shares
Offered
Hereby
     Shares Beneficially
Owned After the
Offering
 
         Number              Percent             Number          Number      Percent  

5% Stockholders

             

Driven Equity LLC(1)(3)

     73,575,368        44.0     4,742,797        68,832,571        41.1

RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings LLC(2)(3)

     35,016,155        20.9     2,257,203        32,758,952        19.6

 

*

Represents less than 1%

(1)

Driven Equity LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is controlled by RC Driven Holdco LLC, a Georgia limited liability company. RC Driven Holdco LLC is controlled by Roark Capital Partners III AIV LP, a Delaware limited partnership, which is in turn controlled by its general partner, Roark Capital GenPar III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Roark Capital GenPar III LLC is controlled by its managing member, Neal K. Aronson. Each of RC Driven Holdco LLC, Roark Capital Partners III AIV LP, Roark Capital GenPar III LLC and Mr. Aronson may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the common stock beneficially owned by Driven Equity LLC and therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the common stock held by this entity, but each disclaim beneficial ownership of such common stock. The Principal Stockholders are a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and each of the Principal Stockholders may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held by the other Principal Stockholder. The principal business address of each of the entities and persons identified in this paragraph is c/o Roark Capital Management, LLC, 1180 Peachtree Street, Suite 2500, Atlanta, GA, 30309.

(2)

RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company, is controlled by RC IV Cayman ICW Equity LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company. RC IV Cayman ICW Equity LLC is controlled by Roark Capital Partners IV Cayman AIV LP, a Cayman Islands limited partnership, which is in turn controlled by its general partner, Roark Capital GenPar IV Cayman AIV LP, a Cayman Islands limited partnership. Roark Capital GenPar IV Cayman AIV LP is controlled by its general partner, Roark Capital GenPar IV Cayman AIV Ltd., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability. Each of RC IV Cayman ICW Equity LLC, Roark Capital Partners IV Cayman AIV LP, Roark Capital GenPar IV Cayman AIV LP and Roark Capital GenPar IV Cayman AIV Ltd. may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the common stock beneficially owned by RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings LLC and therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the common stock held by this entity, but each disclaim beneficial ownership of such common stock. The Principal Stockholders are a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and each of the Principal Stockholders may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held by the other Principal Stockholder. The principal business address of each of the entities and persons identified in this paragraph is c/o Roark Capital Management, LLC, 1180 Peachtree Street, Suite 2500, Atlanta, GA, 30309.

 

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(3)

Immediately prior to this offering, Driven Equity LLC directly held 34,277,905 shares of common stock and indirectly beneficially owned 39,297,463 shares of common stock that are held by its subsidiary Driven Equity Sub LLC. Immediately prior to this offering, RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings LLC directly held 16,313,618 shares of common stock and indirectly beneficially owned 18,702,537 shares of common stock that are held by its subsidiary RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings Sub LLC.

Material Relationships with Selling Stockholders

Each of the Principal Stockholders (including the selling stockholders) is an entity related to Roark. Our Principal Stockholders control a majority of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock. As long as our Principal Stockholders beneficially own a significant amount of our outstanding common stock, they will be able to influence all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our certificate of incorporation, and certain corporate transactions.

For a description of certain relationship which the Principal Stockholders have had with us, please refer to the below disclosure as well as the information on the stockholders agreement, registration rights agreement, income tax receivable agreement and indemnification agreements included in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions” in our Proxy Statement.

Under the stockholders agreement, the Principal Stockholders, have the right to designate as nominees a certain percentage of director nominees for election to our Board of Directors based on their beneficial ownership. The Roark director nominees are Neal Aronson, Michael Thompson and Chadwick Hume.

The registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus supplement is a part was filed as a result of the exercise of demand registration rights by the selling stockholders pursuant to the registration rights agreement. As set forth in the registration rights agreement, the selling stockholders will pay any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the selling stockholders for brokerage, accounting, or tax services or any other expenses incurred by the selling stockholders in disposing of the shares. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the shares covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, the listing fees of NASDAQ and fees and expenses of our counsel, counsel for the selling stockholders and our independent registered public accountants.

Management Agreements

We were a party to a management advisory and consulting services agreement, dated April 17, 2015, with Roark, pursuant to which Roark provided management consulting services to us and received specified consideration for such services. The management consulting services generally consisted of advice concerning management, finance, marketing, strategic planning and such other services as requested from time to time by our board of directors. We paid an aggregate of $4.3 million for these management consulting services on a cash basis and inclusive of expense reimbursement under the management agreement during our 2020 fiscal year. We terminated the management agreement in connection with the consummation of our initial public offering and paid approximately $1 million for management consulting services provided in the fourth quarter of 2020 and through the closing of our initial public offering. The amount of fees paid to Roark under the management agreement have been calculated to exclude the impact of the acquisition of International Car Wash Group (“ICWG”) for all periods. The management agreement includes customary exculpation and indemnification provisions in favor of Roark and its affiliates that survived its termination.

ICWG Acquisition and Management Agreement

On August 3, 2020, pursuant to the merger agreement in connection with the acquisition of ICWG, RC IV ICW Merger Sub LLC, a subsidiary of RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings LLC and the direct parent of RC IV Cayman ICW LLC, merged with and into Driven Investor LLC. Driven Investor LLC subsequently contributed

 

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all of the equity interests of RC IV Cayman ICW LLC to the Company in exchange for 430 shares of the Company’s common stock which corresponds to RC IV Cayman ICW LLC’s interest in the combined company. RC IV Cayman ICW LLC is the direct parent of Shine Holdco, a holding company of all of the assets and liabilities of ICWG.

Shine Holdco (UK) Limited (“Shine Holdco”) was a party to a management advisory and consulting services agreement, dated October 3, 2017, with Roark, pursuant to which Roark provided management consulting services to Shine Holdco and received specified consideration for such services. The management consulting services generally consisted of advice concerning management, finance, marketing, strategic planning and such other services as requested from time to time by Shine Holdco’s board of directors. Shine Holdco paid an aggregate of $1.6 million for these management consulting services on a cash basis and inclusive of expense reimbursement under the management agreement during our 2020 fiscal year. Shine Holdco terminated the management agreement in connection with the consummation of our initial public offering and paid approximately $0.5 million for management consulting services provided in the fourth quarter of 2020 and through the closing of our initial public offering. The management agreement includes customary exculpation and indemnification provisions in favor of Roark and its affiliates that survived its termination.

Divisions Maintenance Group

Following the completion of a bidding process, we entered into an agreement and have made payments for facilities maintenance services in the aggregate amount of approximately $3.6 million during the year ended December 25, 2021 and $2.1 million for the six months ended June 25, 2022 to Divisions Maintenance Group, an entity owned by affiliates of Roark. The agreement was reviewed and approved by the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors in accordance with our related person transactions policy.

 

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UNDERWRITING

References to “underwriter” refer to each underwriter named in this section.

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated as of the date of this prospectus supplement, the selling stockholders, severally and not jointly, have agreed to sell to the underwriter named below, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase from the selling stockholders, severally and not jointly if there is more than one underwriter listed below, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below:

 

Underwriter

  

Number of
Shares

 

BofA Securities, Inc.

     3,500,000  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    
3,500,000
 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriter has agreed, severally and not jointly if there is more than one underwriter, to purchase all the shares of common stock in the offering. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults on its purchase commitment, (a) if there is more than one underwriter in this offering, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or (b) if there is only one underwriter, the offering may be terminated.

The underwriter is offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as, and if offered to and accepted by it, subject to approval of legal matters by its counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriter of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel, or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions, Discounts and Expenses

The underwriter proposes to offer the common stock from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the NASDAQ, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt and acceptance by it and subject to its right to reject any order in whole or in part. In connection with the sale of the common stock offered hereby, the underwriter may be deemed to have received compensation in the form of underwriting discounts. The underwriter may effect such transactions by selling common stock to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriter and/or purchasers of common stock for whom it may act as agents or to whom it may sell as principal. The underwriter may receive from purchasers of the common stock normal brokerage commissions in amounts agreed with such purchasers. Sales of common stock made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriter.

The underwriter is purchasing the common stock from the selling stockholders at $             per share, resulting in proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders of approximately $             million.

We estimate that our out of pocket expenses for this offering will be approximately $            . We have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain of their expenses in an amount up to $25,000.

Indemnification

We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriter and its control persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriter or its control persons may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

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No Sales of Similar Securities

We and all directors and executive officers and the selling stockholders have agreed that, without the prior written consent the underwriter, we and they will not, and will not publicly disclose an intention to, during the period ending 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement (the “restricted period”):

 

   

offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock;

 

   

file any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the offering of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock; or

 

   

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock.

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In addition, we and each such person agrees that, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, we or such other person will not, during the restricted period, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock.

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph to do not apply to:

 

   

transactions relating to shares of common stock or any other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering;

 

   

transfers of shares of common stock or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock as a bona fide gift or, if the undersigned is an individual, to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or immediate family members of the undersigned;

 

   

if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, distributions of shares of common stock or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock to controlled affiliates, limited or general partners, members, stockholders or other equity holders of the undersigned;

 

   

facilitating the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of common stock;

 

   

transactions relating to shares of common stock or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement;

 

   

if the undersigned is an individual, transfers of shares of common stock or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock by will or intestacy;

 

   

transfers to the Company, as permitted or required under any benefit plan described in the registration statement relating to this offering and this prospectus, any agreement pursuant to which such shares of common stock were issued, as in effect as of the date of, and which such agreement is described in the registration statement and this prospectus in all material respects, or the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws in connection with the repurchase or forfeiture of shares of common stock or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock;

 

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the exercise of options, stock appreciation rights or warrants to purchase shares of common stock pursuant to an employee benefit plan described in the registration statement and this prospectus;

 

   

transfers of shares of common stock or any securities convertible into common stock to the Company upon a vesting or settlement event of the Company’s securities or upon the exercise of outstanding equity awards, which securities or equity awards have been issued pursuant to an equity incentive plan of the Company described in the registration statement and this prospectus, on a “cashless” or “net” basis only in an amount necessary to cover tax withholding obligations or the exercise price of options of the undersigned in connection with such vesting or exercise;

 

   

transfers, sales, tenders or other dispositions of common stock to a bona fide third party pursuant to a tender offer for securities of the Company or any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving a change of control of the Company that, in each case, has been approved by the board of directors of the Company (including, without limitation, entering into any lock-up, voting or similar agreement pursuant to which the undersigned may agree to transfer, sell, tender or otherwise dispose of stock in connection with any such transaction, or vote any stock in favor of any such transaction); provided that all shares of common stock subject to this agreement that are not so transferred, sold, tendered or otherwise disposed of remain subject to this agreement; and provided, further, that it shall be a condition of transfer, sale, tender or other disposition that if such tender offer or other transaction is not completed, any common stock subject to this agreement shall remain subject to the restrictions herein;

 

   

transfers or other dispositions (including pursuant to a foreclosure) to or by any third-party pledgee in a bona fide transaction in which Common Stock is collateral to secure obligations pursuant to lending or other arrangements, entered into prior to the date of this prospectus, between such third parties (or their affiliates or designees) and the undersigned and/or its affiliates or any similar arrangement, entered into prior to the date of this prospectus, relating to a financing arrangement for the benefit of the undersigned and/or its affiliates, provided that the undersigned shall provide the underwriter prior written notice informing them of any public filing, report or announcement made by or on behalf of the undersigned relating to any foreclosure of the Undersigned’s pledged Common Stock; or

 

   

the shares to be sold to the underwriter by the undersigned pursuant to the underwriting agreement, if applicable.

The underwriter may release the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “DRVN.”

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit the underwriter selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the underwriter may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of our common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix, or maintain that price.

In connection with the offering, the underwriter may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales, and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriter of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. The underwriter must cover any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after

 

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pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriter in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

If there is more than one underwriter in this offering, the underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the other underwriters have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriter’s purchases to cover short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriter may conduct these transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise.

Neither we nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriter make any representation that the underwriter will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

In connection with the offering, the underwriter or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail.

Other Relationships

The underwriter and its affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. From time to time, the underwriter and its affiliates have directly and indirectly engaged, or may engage, in various financial advisory and investment banking services for us and our affiliates, for which it received, or may receive, customary compensation, fees and expense reimbursement.

In the ordinary course of its various business activities, the underwriter and its affiliates may also make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise). The underwriter and its respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that it acquires, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments. The underwriter has advised us that, except as specifically contemplated in the underwriting agreement, it owes no fiduciary duty or other duties to us in connection with this offering, and it has agreements and relationships with, and owes duties to, third parties, including potential purchasers of the securities in this offering, that may create actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest between the underwriter and us.

Selling Restrictions

Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This

 

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prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Canada

The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriter is not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

China

This prospectus does not constitute a public offer of ADSs, whether by sale or subscription, in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”). The ADSs are not being offered or sold directly or indirectly in the PRC to or for the benefit of, legal or natural persons of the PRC.

Further, no legal or natural persons of the PRC may directly or indirectly purchase any of the ADSs offered by this prospectus or any beneficial interest therein without obtaining all prior PRC’s governmental approvals that are required, whether statutorily or otherwise. Persons who come into possession of this document are required by the issuer and its representatives to observe these restrictions.

 

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European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each an “EEA State”), no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that EEA State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that EEA State or, where appropriate, approved in another EEA State and notified to the competent authority in that EEA State, all in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation, except that it may make an offer to the public in that EEA State of any Shares at any time under the following exemptions under the EU Prospectus Regulation:

 

  (a)  

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the EU Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)  

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the EU Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of representatives for any such offer; or

 

  (c)  

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the EU Prospectus Regulation, provided that no such offer of the Shares shall require the issuer or any Manager to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the EU Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the EU Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the Shares in any EEA State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any Shares, and the expression “EU Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Hong Kong

The shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, or which do not constitute an invitation to the public within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or the Securities and Futures Ordinance, or (ii) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities

laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons

outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” in Hong Kong as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder.

 

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Japan

No registration pursuant to Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) (the “FIEL”) has been made or will be made with respect to the solicitation of the application for the acquisition of the shares of Class A common stock.

Accordingly, the shares of Class A common stock have not been, directly or indirectly, offered or sold and will not be, directly or indirectly, offered or sold in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan) or to others for re-offering or re-sale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and the other applicable laws and regulations of Japan.

For Qualified Institutional Investors (“QII”)

Please note that the solicitation for newly-issued or secondary securities (each as described in Paragraph 2, Article 4 of the FIEL) in relation to the shares of Class A common stock constitutes either a “QII only private placement” or a “QII only secondary distribution” (each as described in Paragraph 1, Article 23-13 of the FIEL). Disclosure regarding any such solicitation, as is otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1, Article 4 of the FIEL, has not been made in relation to the shares of Class A common stock. The shares of Class A common stock may only be transferred to QIIs.

For Non-QII Investors

Please note that the solicitation for newly-issued or secondary securities (each as described in Paragraph 2, Article 4 of the FIEL) in relation to the shares of Class A common stock constitutes either a “small number private placement” or a “small number private secondary distribution” (each as is described in Paragraph 4, Article 23-13 of the FIEL). Disclosure regarding any such solicitation, as is otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1, Article 4 of the FIEL, has not been made in relation to the shares of Class A common stock. The shares of Class A common stock may only be transferred en bloc without subdivision to a single investor.

Korea

The ADSs offered by this prospectus have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Investments Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FSCMA”), and the ADSs have been and will be offered in Korea as a private placement under the FSCMA. None of the ADSs may be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the FSCMA and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FETL”). Furthermore, the purchaser of the ADSs will comply with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to requirements under the FETL) in connection with the purchase of the ADSs. By the purchase of the ADSs, the relevant holder thereof will be deemed to represent and warrant that if it is in Korea or is a resident of Korea, it purchased the ADSs pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined under Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA) under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a

 

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relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to conditions set forth in the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor, the securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation has acquired the shares under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer in that corporation’s securities pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore, or Regulation 32.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an accredited investor, the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer that is made on terms that such rights or interest are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction (whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets), (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32.

Singapore SFA Product Classification—In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018), that the shares are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Switzerland

This document is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the securities. The securities may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) and no application has or will be made to admit the securities to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

United Kingdom

In relation to the United Kingdom, no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in accordance with the UK Prospectus Regulation, except that it may make an offer to the public in the United Kingdom of any shares at any time under the following exemptions

 

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under the UK Prospectus Regulation:

 

  (a)  

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)  

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

  (c)  

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, provided that no such offer of the shares shall require the issuer or any Manager to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the UK Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

In the United Kingdom, the offering is only addressed to, and is directed only at, “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, who are also (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of “investment professionals” in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); (ii) high net worth bodies corporate, unincorporated associations and partnerships and trustees of high value trusts as described in Article 49(2) of the Order; or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined herein) with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock sold pursuant to this offering. The following discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, all as in effect as of the date hereof. All of the preceding authorities are subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. We have not requested, and will not request, a ruling from the IRS with respect to any of the U.S. federal income tax consequences described below, and as a result there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not disagree with or challenge any of the conclusions we have reached and describe herein.

This discussion only addresses Non-U.S. Holders that hold our common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a Non-U.S. Holder in light of such Non-U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances or that may be applicable to Non-U.S. Holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law (including, for example, partnerships and other pass-through entities, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect mark-to-market treatment, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, Non-U.S. Holders who acquire our common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for their services, Non-U.S. Holders liable for the alternative minimum tax, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, former citizens or former long-term residents of the United States, Non-U.S. Holders that hold our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction, Non-U.S. Holders subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to our common stock being taken into account in an applicable financial statement, and “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds). In addition, this discussion does not address U.S. federal tax laws other than those pertaining to U.S. federal income tax (such as U.S. federal estate or gift tax or the Medicare contribution tax on certain net investment income), nor does it address any aspects of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. taxes. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of these taxes.

For purposes of this discussion, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust, other than:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if: (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a person treated as a partner of such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Persons that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are treated as partners in a partnership holding shares of our common stock are urged to consult their own tax advisors.

 

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THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR CONSEQUENCES TO THEM UNDER U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND APPLICABLE NON-U.S. TAX LAWS OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Distributions

Distributions of cash or property that we pay in respect of our common stock will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Subject to the discussions below under “—U.S. Trade or Business Income,” “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “—FATCA,” you generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or at a reduced rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty, on any dividends received in respect of our common stock. If the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess first will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in our common stock, and thereafter will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “—Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock.” However, except to the extent that we elect (or the paying agent or other intermediary through which you hold your common stock elects) otherwise, we (or the intermediary) must generally withhold at the applicable rate on the entire distribution, in which case you would be entitled to a refund from the IRS for the withholding tax on the portion, if any, of the distribution that exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

In order to obtain a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty, you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or, in each case, a successor form) certifying your entitlement to benefits under such treaty. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding your possible entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty.

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussions below under “—U.S. Trade or Business Income,” “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “—FATCA,” you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of any gain on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock unless:

 

   

the gain is U.S. trade or business income (as defined below), in which case, such gain will be taxed as described in “—U.S. Trade or Business Income” below;

 

   

you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which certain capital gains allocable to U.S. sources exceed certain capital losses allocable to U.S. sources, provided you have timely filed your U.S. federal income tax return with respect to such losses; or

 

   

we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) under Section 897 of the Code at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and your holding period for such common stock, in which case, subject to the exception set forth in the third sentence of the next paragraph, such gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as described in “—U.S. Trade or Business Income” below.

In general, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other

 

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assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming in the future, a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the event that we are determined to be a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock by a Non-U.S. Holder will, nonetheless, not be subject to tax as U.S. trade or business income if your holdings (direct and indirect, taking into account certain constructive ownership rules) at all times during the applicable period described in the third bullet point above constituted 5% or less of our common stock and our common stock was “regularly traded” (as defined by applicable Treasury regulations) on an established securities market during such period.

U.S. Trade or Business Income

For purposes of this discussion, dividends paid in respect of our common stock and gain on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock will be considered to be “U.S. trade or business income” if (A)(i) such dividends or gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States and (ii) you are eligible for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty and such treaty requires that such dividends or gain is attributable to a permanent establishment (or, if you are an individual, a fixed base) that you maintain in the United States or (B) with respect to gain, we are or have been a USRPHC at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of our common stock and your holding period for our common stock (subject to the exception set forth above in the last sentence of the second paragraph of “—Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock”). Generally, a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. trade or business income is not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax (provided that the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, including providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form)); instead, the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at regular U.S. federal income tax rates (generally in the same manner as a United States person) on the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. trade or business income. If you are a corporation, any U.S. trade or business income that you receive may also be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate, or at a lower rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We must annually report to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder any dividends paid in respect of our common stock that is subject to U.S. federal withholding tax or that is exempt from such withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established. Under certain circumstances, the Code imposes a backup withholding obligation on certain reportable payments. Dividends paid to you will generally be exempt from backup withholding if you certify your non-U.S. status by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or Form W-8ECI (or, in each case, a successor form) or otherwise establish an exemption, and the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person or that the conditions of such other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.

The payment of the proceeds from a Non-U.S. Holder’s sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock to or through the U.S. office of any broker (U.S. or non-U.S.) will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding unless you certify as to your non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury by providing the certification described above to the broker or otherwise establish an exemption, and the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. The payment of proceeds from a Non-U.S. Holder’s sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding unless the non-U.S. broker has certain types of relationships with the United States (a “U.S. related financial intermediary”). In the case of the payment of proceeds from a Non-U.S. Holder’s sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is either a United States person or a U.S. related financial

 

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intermediary, information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply on the payment unless the broker has documentary evidence, such as the certifications described above, in its files certifying that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person and the broker has no knowledge to the contrary. You are urged to consult your tax advisor on the application of information reporting and backup withholding in light of your particular circumstances.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to you will be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

FATCA

Pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), “foreign financial institutions” and “non-financial foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code) that do not otherwise qualify for an exemption must comply with information reporting rules with respect to their U.S. account holders and investors or be subject to a withholding tax on certain types of U.S.-source payments made to them (whether received as a beneficial owner or as an intermediary for another party).

More specifically, a foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity that does not comply with the FATCA reporting requirements or otherwise qualify for an exemption will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax with respect to any “withholdable payments.” For this purpose, withholdable payments generally include dividends on, or (subject to the proposed Treasury regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the disposition of, our common stock paid to a foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Withholding under FATCA currently applies to dividends paid in respect of our common stock. Proposed Treasury regulations, the preamble to which state that they can be relied upon until final Treasury regulations are issued, exempt from FATCA withholding gross proceeds from the dispositions of stock. To prevent withholding on dividends, Non-U.S. Holders may be required to provide the Company (or its withholding agents) with applicable tax forms or other information. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of FATCA to them based on their particular circumstances.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriter by Latham & Watkins LLP.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Driven Brands Holdings Inc. appearing in Driven Brands Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 25, 2021, and the effectiveness of Driven Brands Holdings Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2021, have been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated and combined financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

Driven Brands Holdings Inc.

Common Stock

This prospectus contains a general description of the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “common stock”) that the selling stockholders may offer for sale. The specific terms of the offering for our common stock and the names of the selling stockholders will be contained in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, carefully before you invest in our common stock.

Our shares of common stock are listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “DRVN.”

Investing in our shares of common stock involves risks that are referenced under the caption “Risk Factors” on page 6 of this prospectus. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The date of this prospectus is September 12, 2022.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

     2  

THE COMPANY

     5  

RISK FACTORS

     6  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL STOCK

     8  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     16  

LEGAL MATTERS

     20  

EXPERTS

     21  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     22  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     23  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that Driven Brands Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is also referred to as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration procedure. Under this procedure, the selling stockholders may offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, shares of our common stock.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the common stock the selling stockholders may offer. Each time the selling stockholders offer and sell shares of common stock, we or parties acting on our behalf will provide a prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus that describes the terms of the offering, including information about the selling stockholders. The applicable prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus as described below under the heading “Incorporation by Reference.” Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement and the information incorporated by reference, provides additional information about us and our shares of common stock. The registration statement can be read at the SEC web site (www.sec.gov) as discussed below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information provided in the registration statement, this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the cover page of these documents. The selling stockholders are not making an offer to sell shares of common stock in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

The selling stockholders may sell shares of common stock to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. The selling stockholders and their agents reserve the sole right to accept or reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of the shares of common stock. The prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time the selling stockholders offer shares of common stock, will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of such shares of common stock, and any related fee, commission or discount arrangements. See “Plan of Distribution.”

The prospectus supplement may also contain information about any material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the shares of common stock covered by the prospectus supplement.

Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the offering may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Securities Act.”

 

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STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management, and expected market growth are forward-looking statements. In particular, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to: (i) our strategy, outlook and growth prospects; (ii) our operational and financial targets and dividend policy; (iii) general economic trends and trends in the industry and markets; and (iv) the competitive environment in which we operate. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but instead represent our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in the 2021 Annual Report (as defined below), the First Quarter 10-Q, the Second Quarter 10-Q (as defined below), and in this prospectus as well as in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on its website at www.sec.gov. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this prospectus and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or review publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference and the documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, merger, dispositions, joint ventures, or investments we may undertake. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, important factors that could cause our results to vary from expectations include, but are not limited to:

 

   

our ability to compete with other businesses in the automotive aftermarket industries, including other international, national, regional and local repair and maintenance shops, paint and collision repair shops, oil change shops, glass repair and replacement shops, car washes, automobile dealerships, and suppliers of automotive parts;

 

   

advances and changes in automotive technology, including, but not limited to, changes in the materials used for the construction of structural components and body panels, changes in the types of paints and coatings used for automobiles or materials used for tires, changes in engines and drivetrains to hybrid and electric technology, increased prevalence of sensors and back-up cameras, and increased prevalence of self-driving vehicles and shared mobility;

 

   

changes in consumer preferences, perceptions and spending patterns;

 

   

changes in the cost of, availability of and shipping costs of automobile supplies, parts, paints, coatings and motor oil;

 

   

changes in the availability or cost of labor, including health care-related or other costs;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

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changes in interest rates, commodity prices, energy costs and foreign exchange rates;

 

   

the impact of inflation on our expenses and consumer demand for our products and services;

 

   

global events, including military conflicts;

 

   

the ability of our key suppliers, including international suppliers, to continue to deliver timely high-quality products to us at quantities and prices similar to historical levels;

 

   

disruptions in the supply of specific products or to the business operations of key or recommended suppliers;

 

   

the willingness of our vendors and service providers to supply goods and services pursuant to customary credit arrangements;

 

   

our ability to maintain direct repair program relationships with insurance partners;

 

   

changes in general economic conditions and the geographic concentration of our locations, which may affect our business;

 

   

the operational and financial success of franchised, independently-operated and company-operated locations;

 

   

the willingness of franchisees to participate in and comply with our business model and policies;

 

   

our ability to successfully enter new markets;

 

   

our ability to successfully complete construction, including renovations, conversions, and build-outs of existing and additional locations;

 

   

risks associated with implementing our growth strategy, including our ability to open additional domestic and international franchised, independently-operated and company-operated locations and to continue to identify, acquire, and refranchise automotive aftermarket businesses, and the willingness of franchisees to continue to invest in and open new franchises;

 

   

the potential adverse impact of strategic acquisitions;

 

   

additional leverage incurred in connection with acquisitions or other capital expenditure initiatives;

 

   

the effect of the media’s reports and social media on our reputation;

 

   

the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising programs;

 

   

the adverse impacts caused by weather and the seasonality of our operations;

 

   

increased insurance and self-insurance costs;

 

   

our ability to comply with existing and future health, employment, data privacy, environmental and other government regulations;

 

   

our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property;

 

   

the adverse effect of litigation;

 

   

a significant failure, interruption or security breach of our computer systems or information technology;

 

   

increases in national, federal, state, local and provincial taxes, as well as changes in tax guidance and regulations and the impact on our effective tax rate;

 

   

catastrophic events, including war, terrorism and other international conflicts, public health issues (including the coronavirus pandemic and the availability of vaccinations) or natural disasters;

 

   

the effect of restrictive covenants in the documents related to indebtedness of our business; and

 

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other risk factors included under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein.

There may be other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. We can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

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THE COMPANY

Driven Brands is the largest automotive services company in North America with a growing and highly-franchised base of more than 4,600 locations across 49 U.S. states and 14 other countries. Our scaled, diversified platform provides high-quality services to an extensive range of consumer and commercial customers who rely on their automobiles in all economic environments to get to work and in many other aspects of their daily lives. Our breadth of services cover a wide variety of automotive needs, including paint, collision, glass, and repair services, as well as a variety of high-frequency services, such as oil changes and car washes. We generate consistent recurring revenue and strong operating margins, with limited maintenance capital expenditures. Our network generated approximately $1.5 billion in revenue from approximately $4.5 billion in system-wide sales in 2021.

We have a portfolio of highly recognized brands, including Take 5 Oil Change, Meineke, MAACO, CARSTAR, Auto Glass Now, and 1-800-Radiator & A/C. Our brands have been providing quality services to retail and commercial customers around the world for over 350 years combined. We believe that the longevity and awareness of our brands, tenure of our franchisees, and the quality and value of our offerings resonate deeply with our customers. Maaco and Meineke have been operating since 1972 and are two of the most recognizable brands in the industry. In addition, Take 5 Oil Change has been operating since 1984, and CARSTAR has been in operation since 1989. Our brands are supported by highly qualified Driven Brands field operations team members, who provide training and operational expertise to our franchisees and company-operated and independently-operated locations to help them deliver best-in-class customer service and drive strong financial performance.

The Driven Brands platform enables our portfolio of brands to be stronger together than they are apart. We have invested heavily in the creation of unique and powerful shared services, which we believe provide each brand with more resources and produce better results than any individual brand could achieve on its own. Our locations are strengthened by ongoing training initiatives, targeted marketing enhancements, procurement savings, and cost efficiencies, driving revenue and profitability growth for both Driven Brands and for our franchisees. Our performance is further enhanced by a data analytics engine of approximately 23 billion data elements informed by customers across our thousands of locations at every transaction.

For a description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information regarding us, see our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus. For instructions on how to find copies of the filings incorporated by reference in this prospectus, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Our principal executive office is located at 440 S. Church Street, Suite 700, Charlotte, NC 28202.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks discussed or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, together with all the other information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” included in the 2021 Annual Report (as defined below), the First Quarter 10-Q and the Second Quarter 10-Q (as defined below), both of which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following is a description of the material terms of, and is qualified in its entirety by, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

Our purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).

Authorized Capital

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes capital stock consisting of:

 

   

900,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “common stock”); and

 

   

100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “preferred stock”).

As of September 1, 2022, there are 167,392,160 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Unless our board of directors determines otherwise, we will issue all shares of our capital stock in uncertificated form.

Common Stock

Voting Rights. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to which stockholders are entitled to vote generally, including the election or removal of directors. The holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

Dividends. Section 203 of the DGCL permits a corporation to declare and pay dividends out of “surplus” or, if there is no “surplus,” out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. “Surplus” is defined as the excess of the net assets of the corporation over the amount determined to be the capital of the corporation by the board of directors. The capital of the corporation is typically calculated to be (and cannot be less than) the aggregate par value of all issued shares of capital stock. Net assets equals the fair value of the total assets minus total liabilities. The DGCL also provides that dividends may not be paid out of net profits if, after the payment of the dividend, capital is less than the capital represented by the outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets.

Declaration and payment of any dividend is subject to the discretion of our board of directors. The time and amount of dividends are dependent upon our financial condition, operations, cash requirements and availability, debt repayment obligations, capital expenditure needs and restrictions in our debt instruments, industry trends, the provisions of Delaware law affecting the payment of dividends to stockholders and any other factors our board of directors may consider relevant.

Liquidation. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The common stock is not subject to further calls or assessment by us. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, powers, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to those of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock we may authorize and issue in the future.

 

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Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock (including convertible preferred stock). Unless required by law, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance without further action by the shareholders our of common stock. Our board of directors may determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative participations, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of that series, including, without limitation:

 

   

the designation of the series;

 

   

the number of shares of the series, which our board of directors may, except where otherwise provided in the preferred stock designation, increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares then outstanding);

 

   

whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or non-cumulative and the dividend rate of the series;

 

   

the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable;

 

   

the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;

 

   

the terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

 

   

the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of our Company;

 

   

whether the shares of the series will be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of our Company or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of the other class or series or other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any rate adjustments, the date or dates as of which the shares will be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which the conversion may be made;

 

   

restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series; and

 

   

the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.

We could issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, impede or discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of shareholders of our common stock might believe to be in their best interests or in which they might receive a premium for their common stock over the market price of the common stock. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the holders of our common stock by restricting dividends on the common stock, diluting the voting power of the common stock or subordinating the liquidation rights of the common stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse impact on the market price of our common stock.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Certain Provisions of Delaware Law

Our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the DGCL, contain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, reduce our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize stockholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these provisions may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of our Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or other takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

 

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Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock

Delaware law does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. However, the listing requirements of NASDAQ, which apply so long as our common stock remains listed on NASDAQ, require stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or then outstanding number of shares of common stock. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions.

Our board of directors may generally issue preferred shares on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our Company or the removal of our management. Moreover, our authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock will be available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans.

One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our Company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of our management and possibly deprive our stockholders of opportunities to sell their shares of common stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.

Classified Board of Directors

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible, and with the directors serving three-year terms. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors are elected each year. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that, subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances or to any rights granted to our Principal Stockholders under our stockholders agreement, the number of directors is fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board of directors. “Principal Stockholders” under our stockholders agreement refer to Driven Equity LLC and RC IV Cayman ICW Holdings LLC and their affiliates.

Business Combinations

We have opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL; however, our certificate of incorporation contains similar provisions providing that we may not engage in certain “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

   

prior to such time, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding certain shares; or

 

   

at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns, or within the previous three years owned, 15% or more of our voting stock. For purposes of this section only, “voting stock” has the meaning given to it in Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

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Under certain circumstances, this provision will make it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. This provision may encourage companies interested in acquiring our Company to negotiate in advance with our board of directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our board of directors and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates and any of their respective direct or indirect transferees and any group as to which such persons are a party do not constitute “interested stockholders” for purposes of this provision.

Removal of Directors; Vacancies

Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation, directors serving on a classified board may be removed by the stockholders only for cause. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class; provided, however, at any time when our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 50% in voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, directors may only be removed for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class. In addition, our certificate of incorporation also provides that, subject to the rights granted to one or more series of preferred stock then outstanding or the rights granted under the stockholders agreement with affiliates of our Principal Stockholders, any vacancies on our board of directors are filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, by a sole remaining director or by the stockholders; provided, however, at any time when our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 40% in voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any newly created directorship on the board of directors that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the board of directors may, subject to any rights granted to our Principal Stockholders under our stockholders agreement, only be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders).

No Cumulative Voting

Under Delaware law, the right to vote cumulatively does not exist unless the certificate of incorporation specifically authorizes cumulative voting. Our certificate of incorporation does not authorize cumulative voting. Therefore, stockholders holding a majority in voting power of the shares of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors are able to elect all our directors.

Special Stockholder Meetings

Our certificate of incorporation provides that special meetings of our stockholders may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the board of directors or the chairman of the board of directors; provided, however, so long as our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates own, in the aggregate, at least 40% in voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, special meetings of our stockholders shall also be called by the board of directors or the chairman of the board of directors at the request of our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates. Our bylaws prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our Company.

 

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Requirements for Advance Notification of Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors. In order for any matter to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder must comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. Our bylaws allow the chairman of the meeting at a meeting of the stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of our Company.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of our stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless our certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our certificate of incorporation precludes stockholder action by written consent at any time when our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 40% in voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of preferred stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken by written consent to the extent provided by the applicable certificate of designation relating to such series.

Supermajority Provisions

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend, change, add to, rescind or repeal, in whole or in part, our bylaws without a stockholder vote in any matter not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or our certificate of incorporation. For as long as our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 40% in voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any amendment, alteration, rescission or repeal of our bylaws by our stockholders requires the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of our stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such amendment, alteration, rescission or repeal. At any time when our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 40% in voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any amendment, alteration, rescission or repeal of our bylaws by our stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that at any time when our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 40% in voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, the following provisions in our certificate of incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting

 

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power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class:

 

   

the provision requiring a 66 2/3% supermajority vote for stockholders to amend our bylaws;

 

   

the provisions providing for a classified board of directors (the election and term of our directors);

 

   

the provisions regarding resignation and removal of directors;

 

   

the provisions regarding competition and corporate opportunities;

 

   

the provisions regarding entering into business combinations with interested stockholders;

 

   

the provisions regarding stockholder action by written consent;

 

   

the provisions regarding calling special meetings of stockholders;

 

   

the provisions regarding filling vacancies on our board of directors and newly created directorships;

 

   

the provisions eliminating monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty by a director; and

 

   

the amendment provision requiring that the above provisions be amended only with a 66 2/3% supermajority vote.

The combination of the classification of our board of directors, the lack of cumulative voting and the supermajority voting requirements make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Because our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management.

These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers, delaying, or preventing changes in control of our management or our Company, such as a merger, reorganization or tender offer. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of us. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions are also intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in management.

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment

Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, our stockholders have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of us. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Stockholders’ Derivative Actions

Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of our shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.

Exclusive Forum

Our certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive

 

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forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our Company, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer of our Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (iii) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws or (iv) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided, that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state court sitting in the State of Delaware, or if no state court of the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum. Additionally, our certificate of incorporation states that the foregoing provision will not apply to claims arising under the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or other federal securities laws for which there is exclusive federal or concurrent federal and state jurisdiction. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. The exclusive forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder as a result of our exclusive forum provisions.

Conflicts of Interest

Delaware law permits corporations to adopt provisions renouncing any interest or expectancy in certain opportunities that are presented to the corporation or its officers, directors or stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Delaware law, renounces any interest or expectancy that we have in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, specified business opportunities that are from time to time presented to our officers, directors or stockholders or their respective affiliates, other than those officers, directors, stockholders or affiliates who are our or our subsidiaries’ employees. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each of our Principal Stockholders or any of their affiliates or any director who is not employed by us (including any non-employee director who serves as one of our officers in both his director and officer capacities) or his or her affiliates has no duty to refrain from (i) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which we or our affiliates now engage or propose to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with us or our affiliates. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event that our Principal Stockholders or any of their affiliates or any non-employee director acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself or himself or its or his affiliates or for us or our affiliates, such person has no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to us or any of our affiliates and they may take any such opportunity for themselves or offer it to another person or entity. Our certificate of incorporation does not renounce our interest in any business opportunity that is expressly offered to a non-employee director solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no business opportunity is deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for us unless we would be permitted to undertake the opportunity under our certificate of incorporation, we have sufficient financial resources to undertake the opportunity and the opportunity would be in line with our business.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. Our certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of these provisions is to eliminate the rights of us and our stockholders, through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages from a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly

 

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negligent behavior. However, exculpation does not apply to any director if the director has acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized illegal dividends, repurchases or redemptions or derived an improper benefit from his or her actions as a director.

Our bylaws provide that we must generally indemnify, and advance expenses to, our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We also are expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.

The limitation of liability, indemnification and advancement provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, shareholders may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “DRVN”.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The selling stockholders may offer and sell shares of common stock in any one or more of the following ways:

 

   

to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;

 

   

directly to one or more other purchasers;

 

   

through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell shares of common stock as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

through agents on a best-efforts basis; or

 

   

otherwise through a combination of any of the above methods of sale.

In addition, the selling stockholders may enter into option, share lending or other types of transactions that require such selling stockholders to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus. The selling stockholders may also enter into hedging transactions with respect to the securities of such selling stockholders. For example, the selling stockholders may:

 

   

enter into transactions involving short sales of the shares of common stock by underwriters, brokers or dealers;

 

   

sell shares of common stock short and deliver the shares to close out short positions;

 

   

enter into option or other types of transactions that require the selling stockholders to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus; or

 

   

loan or pledge the shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who may sell the loaned shares or, in the event of default, sell the pledged shares.

Any selling stockholder will act independently of the Company in making decisions with respect to the timing manner and size of each sale of shares of common stock covered by this prospectus.

The selling stockholders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell shares of common stock covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use shares of common stock pledged by such selling stockholders or borrowed from such selling stockholders or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use shares of common stock received from such selling stockholders in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, the selling stockholders may otherwise loan or pledge shares of common stock to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the shares of common stock short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in the securities of such selling stockholders or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

Shares of common stock may also be exchanged for satisfaction of selling stockholders’ obligations or other liabilities to their creditors. Such transactions may or may not involve brokers or dealers.

Each time the selling stockholders sell shares of common stock under this prospectus, the selling stockholders will provide a prospectus supplement that will name any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in

 

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the offer and sale of the shares of common stock. The prospectus supplement will also set forth the terms of the offering, including:

 

   

the purchase price of the shares of common stock and the proceeds such selling stockholders will receive from the sale of the shares of common stock;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

   

any public offering or purchase price and any discounts or commissions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers;

 

   

any commissions allowed or paid to agents;

 

   

any securities exchanges on which the shares of common stock may be listed;

 

   

the method of distribution of the shares of common stock;

 

   

the terms of any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with the underwriters, brokers or dealers; and

 

   

any other information we think is important.

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the shares of common stock will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account. The shares of common stock may be sold from time to time by the selling stockholders in one or more transactions:

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to such prevailing market prices;

 

   

at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

Such sales may be effected:

 

   

in transactions on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the shares of common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

   

in transactions in the over-the-counter market;

 

   

in block transactions in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares of common stock as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction, or in crosses, in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the trade;

 

   

through the writing of options; or

 

   

through other types of transactions.

The shares of common stock may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the shares of common stock offered will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all the offered shares of common stock if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discount or concession allowed or re-allowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.

The selling stockholders might not sell any shares of common stock under this prospectus. In addition, any shares of common stock covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

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The shares of common stock may be sold directly by the selling stockholders, or through agents designated by such selling stockholders from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the shares of common stock in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by such selling stockholders to such agent will be set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Offers to purchase the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of the shares of common stock may be made, by the selling stockholders directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the shares of common stock. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters, dealers or agents will be authorized to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase shares of common stock from the selling stockholders pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutional investors with which these contracts may be made include, among others:

 

   

commercial and savings banks;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

pension funds;

 

   

investment companies; and

 

   

educational and charitable institutions.

In all cases, these purchasers must be approved by such selling stockholders. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that (a) the purchase of the shares of common stock must not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which that purchaser is subject, and (b) if the shares of common stock are also being sold to underwriters, the selling stockholders must have sold to these underwriters the shares of common stock not subject to delayed delivery. Underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents used by the selling stockholders in any offering of shares of common stock under this prospectus may be customers of, engage in transactions with, and perform services for us and/or such selling stockholders, as applicable, or affiliates of ours and/or such selling stockholders, as applicable, in the ordinary course of business. Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us and/or selling stockholders to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to be reimbursed by us and/or such selling stockholders for certain expenses.

Any selling stockholder may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act.

Any shares of common stock initially sold outside the United States may be resold in the United States through underwriters, dealers or otherwise.

Any underwriters to which offered shares of common stock are sold by the selling stockholders for public offering and sale may make a market in such shares of common stock, but those underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time.

 

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The anticipated date of delivery of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering.

To comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the shares of common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the offered shares of common stock will be passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Driven Brands Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’/members’ equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, and December 28, 2019 and the related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

In this prospectus, we “incorporate by reference” certain information that is filed with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to that information. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. The following documents have been filed by us with the SEC and are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2022 (the “2021 Annual Report”);

 

   

Portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 8, 2022 that are incorporated by reference into Part III of the 2021 Annual Report;

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 26, 2022, filed with the SEC on May 6, 2022 (the “First Quarter 10-Q”);

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 25, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2022 (the “Second Quarter 10-Q”);

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2022, May  20, 2022 and July 11, 2022; and

 

   

The description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement filed on Form 8-A pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act with the SEC on January 14, 2021, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.

All documents and reports that we file with the SEC (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until the completion of the offering under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus by reference. The information contained on or accessible through our website (http://www.drivenbrands.com) is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

You may request a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to these filings unless we have specifically included or incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, from the SEC as described under “Where You Can Find More Information” or, at no cost, by writing or telephoning the Company at the following address:

Investor Relations

440 S. Church Street, Suite 700

Charlotte, NC 28202

(704)-377-8855

e-mail: investors@drivenbrands.com

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the shares of common stock offered in this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, because some parts have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information with respect to us and our shares of common stock, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any agreement, contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete; reference is made in each instance to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each statement is qualified by reference to the exhibit.

You may inspect and obtain these reports and other information without charge at the website maintained by the Commission. The address of this website is www.sec.gov.

 

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7,000,000 Shares

Driven Brands Holdings Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

                    , 2022