Registration Nos. 333-231463
333-225385
333-204014
333-171113
333-160357
333-123426
333-76026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 To Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-231463
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 To Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-225385
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 To Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-204014
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 To Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-171113
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 To Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-160357
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 To Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-123426
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 To Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-76026
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AARONS HOLDINGS COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia | 85-2484385 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
400 Galleria Parkway SE, Suite 300
Atlanta, Georgia 30339-3182
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
The Aarons, Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Equity and Incentive Award Plan, 2020 Amendment and Restatement; the Aarons, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 2020 Amendment and Restatement; the Aaron Rents, Inc. 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan, as Amended and Restated; the Aarons, Inc. Employees Retirement Plan, as amended and restated; and the Aarons, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, 2020 Amendment and Restatement
(Full title of the plan)
Robert W. Kamerschen
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & Corporate Secretary
400 Galleria Parkway SE, Suite 300
Atlanta, Georgia 30339-3182
(Name and address of agent for service)
(678) 402-3000
(Telephone number, including area code, for agent for service)
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Aarons Holdings Company, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the Company or the Registrant), files these Post-Effective Amendments (the Amendments) to the Registration Statements on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on (i) May 14, 2019 (Registration No. 333-231463), (ii) June 1, 2018 (Registration No. 333-225385), (iii) May 8, 2015 (Registration No. 333-204014), (iv) December 10, 2010 (Registration No. 333-171113), (v) June 30, 2009 (Registration No. 333-160357), (vi) March 18, 2005 (Registration No. 333-123426), and (vii) December 28, 2001 (Registration No. 333-76026) (the Registration Statements in clauses (i) through (vii) of this sentence, the Initial Registration Statements) as the successor registrant to Aarons, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the Predecessor), in connection with the reorganization of the Predecessor into a new holding company structure (the Reorganization).
The Reorganization was completed on October 16, 2020 and was effected through a merger pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 1, 2020, by and among the Registrant, the Predecessor and Aarons Merger Sub, Inc. As a result of the Reorganization, the Predecessor became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant. In the Reorganization, each outstanding share of common stock of the Predecessor, par value $0.50 per share, was converted into one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.50 per share.
Following the Reorganization, the Company is the successor issuer to the Predecessor pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). As the successor issuer, the shares of the Companys common stock are deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AAN.
In connection with the Reorganization, the Company assumed the Predecessors obligations, and agreed to perform all obligations of the Predecessor under, the Aaron Rents, Inc. 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan, as Amended and Restated (the 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan), the Aarons, Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Equity and Incentive Award Plan (the 2015 Equity and Incentive Plan), the Aarons, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP), the Aarons, Inc. Employees Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan) and the Aarons, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the Deferred Compensation Plan). At the consummation of the Reorganization, the following plans were each amended and restated in connection with the Reorganization to effectuate the Companys assumption of such plans and, among other things, to provide that references to the Predecessor be changed to refer to the Company and references to the Predecessors common stock be changed to refer to the Companys common stock: the 2015 Equity and Incentive Award Plan, the ESPP and the Deferred Compensation Plan. In addition, the Retirement Plan and the 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan were amended to reflect the Companys assumption thereof.
In accordance with paragraph (d) of Rule 414 under the Securities Act, the Company, as the successor registrant to Predecessor, hereby expressly adopts the Initial Registration Statements as its own registration statements (except as specifically amended by these Amendments) for all purposes of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. These Amendments shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act. Predecessor paid all registration fees at the time of filing the Initial Registration Statements.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The information specified in Items 1 and 2 of Part I of Form S-8 is omitted from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the introductory note to Part I of Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants as covered by the Initial Registration Statements, each as amended by the Amendments (collectively, the Registration Statements) and as required by Rule 428(b)(1).
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. | INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE |
The following documents filed with the Commission by the Registrant or the Predecessor are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) | Predecessors Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (filed on February 20, 2020); |
(b) | Amendment No. 1 to Predecessors Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (filed on April 27, 2020); |
(c) | Predecessors Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 (filed July 29, 2020) and Predecessors Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 (filed May 7, 2020); |
(d) | Predecessors Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2020, February 20, 2020, February 25, 2020, March 19, 2020, April 24, 2020, May 7, 2020, June 19, 2020 and July 29, 2020 (other than any portion of such filings not deemed to be filed); |
(e) | The description of the Registrants common stock, par value $0.50 per share, contained in Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K12B (filed on October 16, 2020), and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and |
(f) | Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K12B (filed on October 16, 2020). |
In addition, all reports and documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, unless expressly stated otherwise therein), subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.
Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) of the Exchange Act, the Registrant is the successor issuer with respect to the above documents in items (a) through (d) previously filed by the Predecessor with the Commission and incorporated by reference herein. Any statement contained in this registration statement, in any amendment hereto or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed supplement to this registration statement or in any document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
ITEM 4. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. | INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL |
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
The Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that none of the Companys directors will be personally liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages resulting from a breach of the duty of care or any other duty owed to the Company as a director to the fullest extent permitted by Georgia law.
Article VII of the Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws requires the Company to indemnify any person to the fullest extent permitted by law for any liability and expense resulting from any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding (a Proceeding) (other than an action or suit by or in the right of the Company) resulting from the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company, including service at the Companys request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, administrator or agent of another entity. In such a Proceeding, an officer or director may only be indemnified for expenses and liabilities if he or she acted in good faith and, in the case of conduct in an official capacity, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the Company and, in all other cases, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be not opposed to the best interest of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Article VII of the Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws also requires the Company to indemnify any person from any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by or in the right of the Company resulting from the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company, including service at the Companys request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, administrator or agent of another entity (a) to the fullest extent permitted by law against all expenses if he or she acted in good faith and, in the case of conduct in an official capacity, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and in all other cases, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to not be opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, and (b) to the fullest extent permitted by law (including through a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to Section 14-2-854 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code, as amended from time to time) against all expenses and liabilities that may be imposed upon or incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from such Proceeding.
Notwithstanding these requirements, any officer or director is entitled to indemnification of any expenses in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such officer or director has been wholly successful on the merits or otherwise in such Proceeding.
Article VII of the Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws also requires the Company to indemnify any person to the fullest extent permitted by law for any expense imposed upon or incurred in connection with acting as a witness or other participant in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding resulting from the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company, including service at the Companys request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, administrator or agent of another entity.
The provisions of the Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws regarding indemnification are consistent in all material respects with the laws of the State of Georgia, which authorize indemnification of corporate officers and directors.
The Companys directors and officers are also insured against losses arising from any claim against them in connection with their service as directors and officers of the Company for wrongful acts or omissions, subject to certain limitations.
ITEM 7. | EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED |
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. | EXHIBITS |
* | Filed herewith. |
ITEM 9. | UNDERTAKINGS |
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; and |
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused these Post-Effective Amendments to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 16th day of October, 2020.
AARONS HOLDINGS COMPANY, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Robert W. Kamerschen | |
Name: Robert W. Kamerschen | ||
Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & Corporate Secretary |
Each of the undersigned officers and directors of Aarons Holdings Company, Inc. hereby constitutes and appoints Robert P. Sinclair, Jr., Robert W. Kamerschen and C. Kelly Wall as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, in his or her name and on his or her behalf, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to these Registration Statements, whether pre-effective or post-effective, including any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power of authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, these Post-Effective Amendments have been signed below by the following persons on October 16, 2020 in the capacities indicated.
Name |
Position |
Date | ||
/s/ John W. Robinson III John W. Robinson III |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ C. Kelly Wall C. Kelly Wall |
Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ Robert P. Sinclair, Jr. Robert P. Sinclair, Jr. |
Vice President, Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ Kelly H. Barrett Kelly H. Barrett |
Director | October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ Kathy T. Betty Kathy T. Betty |
Director | October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ Douglas C. Curling Douglas C. Curling |
Director | October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ Cynthia N. Day Cynthia N. Day |
Director | October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ Curtis L. Doman Curtis L. Doman |
Director | October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ Walter G. Ehmer Walter G. Ehmer |
Director | October 16, 2020 | ||
/s/ Hubert L. Harris, Jr. |
Director | October 16, 2020 | ||
Hubert L. Harris, Jr. | ||||
/s/ Ray M. Robinson |
Director | October 16, 2020 | ||
Ray M. Robinson |
Exhibit 5.1
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King & Spalding LLP 1l80 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3521 Tel: +1 404 572 4600 Fax: +1 404 572 5100 www.kslaw.com |
October 16, 2020
Aarons Holdings Company, Inc.
400 Galleria Parkway, S.E., Suite 300
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Aarons Holdings Company, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the Company), in connection with the preparation of certain Post-Effective Amendments to the Registration Statements on Form S-8 filed by Aarons, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on (i) May 14, 2019 (Registration No. 333-231463), (ii) June 1, 2018 (Registration No. 333-225385), (iii) May 8, 2015 (Registration No. 333-204014), (iv) December 10, 2010 (Registration No. 333-171113), (v) June 30, 2009 (Registration No. 333-160357), (vi) March 18, 2005 (Registration No. 333-123426), and (vii) December 28, 2001 (Registration No. 333-76026) (the Registration Statements referenced in clauses (i) through (vii) of this sentence the Initial Registration Statements and, as amended, the Registration Statements) to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act). The Registration Statements relate to shares of the Companys common stock, par value $0.50 per share (the Shares), to be issued pursuant to, or upon the exercise of options, stock appreciation rights or other stock-based awards granted under, the Aarons Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Equity and Incentive Award Plan, 2020 Amendment and Restatement; the Aarons, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 2020 Amendment and Restatement; the Aaron Rents, Inc. 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan, as amended and restated; the Aarons, Inc. Employees Retirement Plan, as amended and restated; and the Aarons, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, 2020 Amendment and Restatement (collectively, the Plans).
In our capacity as counsel to the Company, we have examined and relied upon the accuracy of original, certified, conformed or photographic copies of such records, agreements, certificates and other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions set forth below. In all such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of signatures on original documents and the conformity to such original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photographic copies and, as to certificates of public officials, we have assumed the same to have been properly given and to be accurate. As to matters of fact material to this opinion, we have relied, without independent verification, upon statements and representations of representatives of the Company and public officials.
Aarons Holdings Company, Inc.
October 16, 2020
Page 2
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares are duly authorized and, when issued pursuant to, or upon the exercise of options, stock appreciation rights or other stock-based awards granted under, the Plans, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
This opinion is limited in all respects to the laws of the State of Georgia, and no opinion is expressed with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect that such laws may have on the opinions expressed herein. This opinion is limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.
This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update this opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in any laws or regulations which may hereafter occur.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statements. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ King & Spalding LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the following Registration Statements on Form S-8:
1) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-231463) dated May 14, 2019, |
2) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-225385) dated June 1, 2018, |
3) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-204014) dated May 8, 2015, |
4) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-171113) dated December 10, 2010, |
5) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-160357) dated June 30, 2009, |
6) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-123426) dated March 18, 2005, and |
7) | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-76026) dated December 28, 2001; |
of our reports dated February 20, 2020, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Aarons, Inc. and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Aarons, Inc. and subsidiaries included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Aarons, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
October 16, 2020