FILED PURSUANT TO RULE TO 424(B)(3)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-218679

 

PROSPECTUS

 

REED’S, INC.

 

1,416,667 Shares of Common Stock

 

This prospectus covers the resale by the selling shareholder identified in the “Selling Shareholder” section of this prospectus of up to an aggregate of 766,667 shares issued upon exercise of 2017-2 warrants and 650,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of the remainder of the 2017-2 warrants. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling shareholder. We received $1,150,000.50 from the exercise of 766,667 2017-2 warrants, which warrants were exercised pursuant to a warrant exercise agreement dated July 13, 2017 at a reduced exercise price of $1.50 per share. We will receive up to an additional $2,600,000 from the exercise of the remaining 2017-2 warrants by the selling shareholder.

 

Shares of our common stock are traded on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “REED”. On July 18, 2018, the closing sales price for our common stock was $2.75 per share.

 

Investing in our common stock involves substantial risk. In reviewing this prospectus, you should carefully consider the matters described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10.

 

Neither we nor any selling shareholder has authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. This is not an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where it would be unlawful.

 

The date of this prospectus is July 19, 2018

 

   

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 3
   
THE COMPANY 3
   
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 7
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 8
   
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS 8
   
THE OFFERING 9
   
RISK FACTORS 10
   
SELLING SHAREHOLDER 25
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 27
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 27
   
DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON STOCK 28
   
LEGAL MATTERS 29
   
EXPERTS 29
   

MATERIAL CHANGES

29
   
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES 29

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, “Reed’s,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Reed’s, Inc., and “selling shareholders” and “selling shareholder” refer to one or more selling shareholders identified in the “Selling Shareholders” section of this prospectus. References to “securities” include any security that we or the selling shareholders might offer under this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

 

We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.

 

We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which it relates, nor does this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on its front cover or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

 

THE COMPANY

 

Our Products

 

We manufacture our hand-crafted natural beverages using premium natural ingredients. Our products are free of genetically modified organisms (GMO). Over the years, the Company has developed several product offerings. In 2017, we narrowed our focus to our core product flavor offerings of Reed’s Ginger Beer flavors and Virgil’s Craft Sodas. We may re-introduce at a later date our Kombucha and China Cola brands.

 

Reed’s Ginger Beers

 

Ginger ale is the oldest known soft drink. Before modern soft drink technology existed, non-alcoholic beverages were brewed at home directly from herbs, roots, spices, and fruits. These handcrafted brews were highly prized for their taste, tonic, and health-giving properties. Reed’s Ginger Beers are a revival of this lost art of home brewing sodas. We make them with care and attention to wholesomeness and quality, using the finest fresh herbs, roots, spices, and fruits.

 

We believe Reed’s Ginger Beers are unique in their kettle-brewed origin among all mass-marketed soft drinks. Reed’s Ginger Beers contain between 17 and 39 grams of fresh ginger in every 12-ounce bottle. Our products differ from commercial soft drinks in three characteristics: sweetening, carbonation, and coloring for greater adult appeal. We sweeten our products using pure cane sugar. Instead of using injected-based carbonation, we produce our carbonation naturally, through slower, beer-oriented techniques. This process produces smaller, longer lasting bubbles which do not dissipate rapidly when the bottle is opened. We do not add coloring. The color of our products comes naturally from herbs, fruits, spices, roots, and juices.

 

Since Reed’s Ginger Brews are pasteurized, they do not require or contain any preservatives. In contrast, modern commercial soft drinks are typically produced using natural and artificial flavor concentrates prepared by flavor laboratories, tap water, and highly refined sweeteners. Manufacturers make a centrally processed concentrate which lends itself to a wide variety of situations, waters, and filling systems. The final product is generally cold-filled and requires preservatives for stability. Added colors are either artificial, or if natural, they are often highly processed.

 

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The Reed’s Ginger Brews line contain the following products:

 

Reed’s Original Ginger Brew was our first creation and is a Jamaican recipe for homemade ginger ale using 17 grams of fresh ginger root, lemon, lime, honey, raw cane sugar, pineapple, herbs and spices. Reed’s Original Ginger Brew is 20% fruit juice.

 

Reed’s Premium Ginger Brew is sweetened only with honey and pineapple juice. Reed’s Premium Ginger Brew is 20% fruit juice and contains 17 grams of fresh ginger root.

 

Reeds Extra Ginger Brew is the same recipe as Original Ginger Brew, but has 26 grams of fresh ginger root for a stronger bite.

 

Reeds Stronger Ginger Brew has 50% more ginger than the Extra Ginger Brew and has the highest ginger content of any of our beverage products.

 

Reed’s Raspberry Ginger Brew is brewed from 17 grams of fresh ginger root, raspberry juice, and lime. Reed’s Raspberry Ginger Brew is 20% raspberry juice.

 

Reed’s Light 55 Calories Extra Ginger Brew is a reduced calorie version of our top selling Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew, made possible by using Stevia. We use the same recipe of 26 grams of fresh ginger root, honey, pineapple, lemon and lime juices, and exotic spices.

 

Reed’s Natural Energy Elixir is an energy drink infused with all-natural ingredients designed to provide consumers with a healthy and natural boost to energy levels.

 

Virgil’s Root Beer

 

Virgil’s is a premium craft root beer made with natural ingredients. Our root beer contains filtered water, unbleached cane sugar, and spices sourced from around the world such as anise from Spain, licorice from France, bourbon vanilla from Madagascar, cinnamon from Sri Lanka, clove from Indonesia, wintergreen from China, sweet birch and molasses from the southern United States, nutmeg from Indonesia, pimento berry oil from Jamaica, balsam oil from Peru, and cassia oil from China. We purchase these ingredients from vendors who source these spices worldwide and gather them together at the brewing and bottling facilities. We combine these ingredients under strict specifications and finally heat-pasteurize all Virgil’s sodas, to ensure quality. We sell Virgil’s in 12-ounce bottles in both 4 packs and 12 pack boxes. The Virgil’s soda line is also GMO free.

 

In addition to our Virgil’s Root Beer, we also offer a Virgil’s Cream Soda and Virgil’s Black Cherry Cream Soda, Virgil’s Orange Cream Soda, and a Virgil’s ZERO line. In 2018 our Virgil’s ZERO line of 100% Stevia sweetened and zero calorie sodas will be replaced by our NEW Virgil’s O Sugar line of craft sodas. This new natural line of Zero Sugar flavors includes Root Beer, Cola, Lemon-lime, Orange, Black Cherry, and Cream soda.

 

Other Products

 

We have other popular brands with limited distribution including our Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer and Sonoma Sparkler brand of sparkling juices designed to be celebratory drinks for holidays and special occasions.

 

Prior Product Innovations

 

We are experts in flavor and recipe development and have developed many innovative and award-winning products and line extensions. With the expansion of our management team of beverage industry professionals and the added Chief Innovation Officer position, we will continue to be at the forefront of developing flavor profiles and products.

 

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While product innovation will remain a top priority, we have discontinued some drinks in response to various market conditions including changes in consumer preferences and price points in various markets.

 

These innovations which have sold well in the past, may be reintroduced to the marketplace in the future given favorable market conditions. These products include:

 

  Reed’s Ginger Brews: Reed’s Spiced Apple Brew, Reed’s Cherry Ginger Brew, and Reed’s Nausea Relief.
     
  Reed’s Kombucha: all flavors.
     
  Other Products: China Cola, certain private label products, and Reed’s ice creams. 

 

Our Primary Markets

 

We target a niche in the estimated $100 billion carbonated and non-carbonated soft drink markets in the U.S., Canada, and international markets. Our brands are generally regarded as premium and natural, with upscale packaging and are loosely defined as the artisanal (craft), premium bottled carbonated soft drink category.

 

During 2017, management began simplifying operations in order to focus the Company on becoming a premier sales and marketing organization. The new management team is currently assessing best strategies to augment our existing sales and marketing efforts by utilizing industry brokers and outside advertising firms.

 

We have an experienced and geographically diverse sales force promoting our products with senior sales representatives strategically placed in five regions across the country, supported by local Reeds sales staff. Our sales managers are responsible for all activities related to the sales, distribution, and marketing of our brands to our entire retail partner and distributor network in North America. The Company also employs an internal sales force and engages from time to time and in limited circumstances, independent sales brokers and outside representatives to promote our products.

 

We sell to well-known popular natural food and gourmet retailers, large grocery store chains, club stores, convenience and drug stores, liquor stores, industrial cafeterias (corporate feeders), and to on premise bars, gourmet restaurants, and delicatessens worldwide. We also sell our products and promotional merchandise directly to consumers via the Internet through our Company website, www.reedsgingerbrew.com.

 

Some of our key customers include:

 

Natural stores: Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Natural Grocers, Earth Fare, and Fresh Thyme Famers Market

 

Gourmet & Specialty stores: Trader Joe’s, Bristol Farms, The Fresh Market, and Central Market

 

Grocery store chains: Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Stop & Shop, H.E.B., and Wegmans

 

Club and Mass Stores: Costco Wholesale, Target, and Walmart

 

Liquor stores: BevMo!, Total Wine & More, and Spec’s

 

Convenience & Drug stores: Circle K, Rite Aid, and CVS Pharmacy

 

Our Distribution Network

 

Our products are brought to market through direct-store-delivery (DSD), customer warehouse, and distributor networks. The distribution system used depends on customer needs, product characteristics, and local trade practices. Our products are brought to market through an extremely flexible and fluid hybrid distribution model.

 

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Our product reaches the market in the following ways:

 

Direct to Natural & Specialty Wholesale Distributors

 

Our natural and specialty distributor partners operate a distribution network delivering thousands of SKUs of natural and gourmet products to thousands of small, independent, natural retail outlets around the U.S., along with national chain customers, both conventional and natural. This system of distribution allows our brands far reaching access to some of the most remote parts of North America.

 

Direct to Store Distribution (DSD) through alcoholic and non-alcoholic distributor network

 

Our independent distributor partners operate DSD systems which deliver primarily beverages, foods, and snacks directly to retail stores where the products are merchandised by their route sales and field sales employees. DSD enables us to merchandise with maximum visibility and appeal. DSD is especially well-suited to products frequently restocked and respond to in-store promotion and merchandising.

 

Direct to Store Warehouse Distribution

 

Some of our products are delivered from our manufacturing plants and warehouses directly to customer warehouses. Some retailers mandate we deliver directly to them, as it is more cost effective and allows them to pass savings along to their consumer. Other retailers may not mandate direct delivery, but they recommend and prefer it as they have the capability to self-distribute and can realize significant savings with direct delivery.

 

Wholesale Distribution

 

Our Wholesale Distributor network handles the wholesale shipments of our products. They have a warehouse, distribution center and ship Reed’s and Virgil’s products directly to the Retailer (or to customers who opt for drop shipping).

 

International Distribution

 

We presently export Reed’s and Virgil’s brands throughout international markets via US based exporters. Some markets are: Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, Philippines, U.K., Israel, South Africa, and Australia.

 

International sales to some areas of the world are cost prohibitive, except for some specialty sales, since our premium sodas are packed in glass, which drives substantial freight costs when shipping overseas. Despite these cost challenges, we believe there are good opportunities for expansion of sales in Canada, the Middle East, England, and Australia and we are increasing our marketing focus on these areas by adding freight friendly packages such as aluminum cans. We are open to exporting and co-packing internationally and expanding our brands into foreign markets, and we have held preliminary discussions with trading companies and import/export companies for the distribution of our products throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, and South America. We believe these areas are a natural fit for Reed’s ginger products, because of the importance of ginger in international markets, especially the Asian market, where ginger is a significant part of diet and nutrition.

 

We believe the strength of our brands, innovation, and marketing, coupled with the quality of our products and flexibility of our distribution network, allows us to compete effectively.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90061. Our telephone number is (310) 217-9400. Our corporate website is www.reedsinc.com. Information contained on our website or that is accessible through our website should not be considered to be part of this prospectus. Our transfer agent is Transfer Online, Inc., telephone (503) 227-2950.

 

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INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC. This 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.

 

We are incorporating by reference the following documents that we have filed with the SEC (other than any filing or portion thereof that is furnished, rather than filed, under applicable SEC rules):

 

● our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018;

 

● our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated May 15, 2018;

 

● our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated March 28, 2018 and May 16, 2018;

 

● all other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act since the end of our 2016 fiscal year; and

 

● the description of our common stock contained under the heading “Description of Securities” in the prospectus forming part of its registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-221059), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 2017, as amended on November 21, 2017, December 1, 2017 and December 4, 2017, and as may be further amended, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

All documents that we subsequently file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

Our Internet address is www.reedsinc.com and the URL where incorporated reports and other reports may be accessed is http://reedsinc.com/investors/sec-filings/.

 

The reports incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available from us upon request. We will provide a copy of any and all of the reports and documents that are incorporated by reference, including exhibits to such reports and documents, in this prospectus to any person, including a beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge, upon written or oral request. Requests for such copies should be directed to the following:

 

Shareholder Services

Reed’s, Inc.

13000 South Spring Street

Los Angeles, California 90061

(310) 217-9400, extension 28 or dmiles@reedsinc.com

 

Except as expressly provided above, no other information, including none of the information on our website, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. We will also provide you with a copy of any or all of the reports or documents that have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the registration statement of which it is a part upon written or oral request, and at no cost to you. If you would like to request any reports or documents from the company, please contact:

 

Shareholder Services

Reed’s, Inc.

13000 South Spring Street

Los Angeles, California 90061

(310) 217-9400, extension 28 or dmiles@reedsinc.com

 

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and web site of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.reedsinc.com, at which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

 

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Federal securities laws, which involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “outlook”, “believes”, “plans”, “intends”, “expects”, “goals”, “potential”, “continues”, “may”, “should”, “seeks”, “will”, “would”, “approximately”, “predicts”, “estimates”, “anticipates” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There will be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks and uncertainties related to:

 

  Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to support capital expansion plans and general operating activities;
     
  Decreased demand for our products resulting from changes in consumer preferences;
     
  Competitive products and pricing pressures and our ability to gain or maintain its share of sales in the marketplace;
     
  The introduction of new products;
     
  We are subject to a broad range of evolving federal, state and local laws and regulations including those regarding the labeling and safety of food products, establishing ingredient designations and standards of identity for certain foods, environmental protections, as well as worker health and safety. Changes in these laws and regulations could have a material effect on the way in which we produce and market our products and could result in increased costs;

 

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  Changes in the cost and availability of raw materials and the ability to maintain our supply arrangements and relationships and procure timely and/or adequate production of all or any of our products;
     
  Our ability to penetrate new markets and maintain or expand existing markets;
     
  Maintaining existing relationships and expanding the distributor network of our products;
     
  The marketing efforts of distributors of our products, most of whom also distribute products that are competitive with our products;
     
  Decisions by distributors, grocery chains, specialty chain stores, club stores and other customers to discontinue carrying all or any of our products that they are carrying at any time;
     
  The availability and cost of capital to finance our working capital needs and growth plans;
     
  The effectiveness of our advertising, marketing and promotional programs;
     
  Changes in product category consumption;
     
  Economic and political changes;
     
  Consumer acceptance of new products, including taste test comparisons;
     
  Possible recalls of our products;
     
  Our ability to make suitable arrangements for the co-packing of any of our products;
     
  Our ability to find alternative copacking and production facilities for our Kombucha and Private Label products if our Los Angeles production facility is damaged by a disaster; and
     
  Our ability to continue to meet continued listing requirements for the NYSE American.

 

Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors” could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ will emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You are advised to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in the reports we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

THE OFFERING

 

This prospectus covers the resale by the selling shareholder identified in the “Selling Shareholder” section of this prospectus of up to an aggregate of 766,667 shares issued upon exercise of 2017-2 warrants and 650,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of the remainder of the 2017-2 warrants. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling shareholder. We received $1,150,000.50 from the exercise of 766,667 2017-2 warrants, which warrants were exercised pursuant to a warrant exercise agreement dated July 13, 2017 at a reduced exercise price of $1.50 per share. We will receive up to an additional $2,600,000 from the exercise of the remaining 2017-2 warrants by the selling shareholder.

 

The outstanding 2017-2 Warrants expire on April 21, 2022 and have an exercise price equal to $4.00. The 2017-2 Warrant contains customary anti-dilution provisions and is subject to a registration rights agreement.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect our actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. Before making an investment decision in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors set forth below together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business

 

We have a history of operating losses. If we continue to incur operating losses, we eventually may have insufficient working capital to maintain or expand operations according to our business plan.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded a net loss of $1,615,000 and used cash from operations of $4,636,000. As of March 31, 2018, we had a stockholder’s deficit of $833,000 and working capital of $1,384,000 compared to stockholder’s equity of $508,000 and working capital of $2,303,000 at December 31, 2017.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a net loss of $18,373,000 and utilized cash in operations of $3,422,000. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the company experienced significant financing shortages and engaged in three separate transactions to raise capital.

 

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had a cash balance of $3,376,000 and had available borrowing on our existing line of credit of $4,432,000 for a total of $7,808,000 of cash availability. Our line of credit expires in October 2018, which we believe will be renewed and or be replaced. In addition, the Company’s bank notes (“Notes”), totaling $6.9 million also become due in October 2018.

 

If we continue to suffer losses from operations, our working capital may be insufficient to support our ability to expand our business operations as rapidly as we would deem necessary at any time, unless we are able to obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain such financing on acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to pursue our business objectives and would be required to reduce our level of operations, including reducing infrastructure, promotions, personnel and other operating expenses. These events could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. If adequate funds are not available or if they are not available on acceptable terms, our ability to fund the growth of our operations, take advantage of opportunities, develop products or services or otherwise respond to competitive pressures, could be significantly limited.

 

Disruption within our supply chain, contract manufacturing or distribution channels could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability, through our suppliers, business partners, contract manufacturers, independent distributors and retailers, to produce, transport, distribute and sell products is critical to our success. The Company is currently negotiating the sale of the LA Plant, which may lead to significant changes in our current supply chain model.

 

Damage or disruption to our suppliers or to manufacturing or distribution capabilities due to weather, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics such as influenza, labor strikes or other reasons, could impair the manufacture, distribution and sale of our products. Many of these events are outside of our control. Failure to take adequate steps to protect against or mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Failure to realize the goal of discontinuing the allocation of capital to the LA Plant, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are currently seeking partners to sell LA Plant equipment that was impaired in our most recent quarter. The estimated value of the impairment in our most recent quarter may not be sufficient to cover further losses. There can be no assurances we will timely dispose of these assets, at expected prices. The sale of the equipment is subject to many variables that are difficult to forecast. Failure to realize our goal of discontinuing the allocation of capital to the LA Plant could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We may need additional financing in the future, which may not be available when needed or may be costly and dilutive.

 

We may require additional financing to support our working capital needs in the future. The amount of additional capital we may require, the timing of our capital needs and the availability of financing to fund those needs will depend on a number of factors, including our strategic initiatives and operating plans, the performance of our business and the market conditions for debt or equity financing. Additionally, the amount of capital required will depend on our ability to meet our case sales goals and otherwise successfully execute our operating plan. We believe it is imperative to meet these sales objectives in order to lessen our reliance on external financing in the future. Although we believe various debt and equity financing alternatives will be available to us to support our working capital needs, financing arrangements on acceptable terms may not be available to us when needed. Additionally, these alternatives may require significant cash payments for interest and other costs or could be highly dilutive to our existing shareholders. Any such financing alternatives may not provide us with sufficient funds to meet our long-term capital requirements. If necessary, we may explore strategic transactions that we consider to be in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders, which may include, without limitation, public or private offerings of debt or equity securities, a rights offering, and other strategic alternatives; however, these options may not ultimately be available or feasible.

 

Restrictive covenants related to our debt obligations may restrict our ability to obtain future financing.

 

We are prohibited from entering into a Variable Rate Transaction (defined below) for a period of two years expiring April 21, 2019. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of common stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of common stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the common stock (including a price based anti-dilution provision that resets the conversion, exercise or exchange price due to the pricing of a financing that occurs after the date of such transaction) or (ii) enters into any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price. We are also restricted from incurring future indebtedness pursuant to our current secured debt obligations.

 

In addition, we granted certain investors rights of participation in future financings, in the aggregate, of up to 100%. These participation rights could severely impact the Company’s ability to engage investment bankers to structure a financing transaction and raise additional financing on favorable terms. Furthermore, negotiating and obtaining a waiver to these participation may either not be possible or may be costly to the Company.

 

Our indebtedness and liquidity needs could restrict our operations and make us more vulnerable to adverse economic conditions.

 

Our existing indebtedness may adversely affect our operations and limit our growth, and we may have difficulty making debt service payments on such indebtedness as payments become due. We may also experience the occurrence of events of default or breach of financial covenants. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we violate any of the restrictions or covenants, a significant portion of our indebtedness may become immediately due and payable, our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us may terminate. We might not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments.

 

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Our reliance on distributors, retailers and brokers could affect our ability to efficiently and profitably distribute and market our products, maintain our existing markets and expand our business into other geographic markets.

 

Our ability to maintain and expand our existing markets for our products, and to establish markets in new geographic distribution areas, is dependent on our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with reliable distributors, retailers and brokers strategically positioned to serve those areas. Most of our distributors, retailers and brokers sell and distribute competing products and our products may represent a small portion of their businesses. The success of this network will depend on the performance of the distributors, retailers and brokers of this network. There is a risk that the mentioned entities may not adequately perform their functions within the network by, without limitation, failing to distribute to sufficient retailers or positioning our products in localities that may not be receptive to our product. Our ability to incentivize and motivate distributors to manage and sell our products is affected by competition from other beverage companies who have greater resources than we do. To the extent that our distributors, retailers and brokers are distracted from selling our products or do not employ sufficient efforts in managing and selling our products, including re-stocking the retail shelves with our products, our sales and results of operations could be adversely affected. Furthermore, such third-parties’ financial position or market share may deteriorate, which could adversely affect our distribution, marketing and sales activities.

 

Our ability to maintain and expand our distribution network and attract additional distributors, retailers and brokers will depend on a number of factors, some of which are outside our control. Some of these factors include:

 

  the level of demand for our brands and products in a particular distribution area;
  our ability to price our products at levels competitive with those of competing products; and
  our ability to deliver products in the quantity and at the time ordered by distributors, retailers and brokers.

 

We may not be able to successfully manage all or any of these factors in any of our current or prospective geographic areas of distribution. Our inability to achieve success with regards to any of these factors in a geographic distribution area will have a material adverse effect on our relationships in that particular geographic area, thus limiting our ability to maintain or expand our market, which will likely adversely affect our revenues and financial results.

 

We incur significant time and expense in attracting and maintaining key distributors.

 

Our marketing and sales strategy depends in large part on the availability and performance of our independent distributors. We currently do not have, nor do we anticipate in the future that we will be able to establish, long-term contractual commitments from some of our distributors. We may not be able to maintain our current distribution relationships or establish and maintain successful relationships with distributors in new geographic distribution areas. Moreover, there is the additional possibility that we may have to incur additional expenditures to attract and maintain key distributors in one or more of our geographic distribution areas in order to profitably exploit our geographic markets.

 

If we lose any of our key distributors or national retail accounts, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

We depend in large part on distributors to distribute our beverages and other products. Most of our outside distributors are not bound by written agreements with us and may discontinue their relationship with us on short notice. Most distributors handle a number of competitive products. In addition, our products are a small part of our distributors’ businesses.

 

We continually seek to expand distribution of our products by entering into distribution arrangements with regional bottlers or other direct store delivery distributors having established sales, marketing and distribution organizations. Many of our distributors are affiliated with and manufacture and/or distribute other soda and non-carbonated brands and other beverage products. In many cases, such products compete directly with our products.

 

The marketing efforts of our distributors are important for our success. If our brands prove to be less attractive to our existing distributors and/or if we fail to attract additional distributors, and/or our distributors do not market and promote our products above the products of our competitors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

12
 

 

It is difficult to predict the timing and amount of our sales because our distributors are not required to place minimum orders with us.

 

Our independent distributors and national accounts are not required to place minimum monthly or annual orders for our products. In order to reduce their inventory costs, independent distributors typically order products from us on a “just in time” basis in quantities and at such times based on the demand for the products in a particular distribution area. Accordingly, we cannot predict the timing or quantity of purchases by any of our independent distributors or whether any of our distributors will continue to purchase products from us in the same frequencies and volumes as they may have done in the past. Additionally, our larger distributors and partners may make orders that are larger than we have historically been required to fill. Shortages in inventory levels, supply of raw materials or other key supplies could negatively affect us.

 

If we do not adequately manage our inventory levels, our operating results could be adversely affected.

 

We need to maintain adequate inventory levels to be able to deliver products to distributors on a timely basis. Our inventory supply depends on our ability to correctly estimate demand for our products. Our ability to estimate demand for our products is imprecise, particularly for new products, seasonal promotions and new markets. If we materially underestimate demand for our products or are unable to maintain sufficient inventory of raw materials, we might not be able to satisfy demand on a short-term basis. If we overestimate distributor or retailer demand for our products, we may end up with too much inventory, resulting in higher storage costs, increased trade spend and the risk of inventory spoilage. If we fail to manage our inventory to meet demand, we could damage our relationships with our distributors and retailers and could delay or lose sales opportunities, which would unfavorably impact our future sales and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, if the inventory of our products held by our distributors and retailers is too high, they will not place orders for additional products, which would also unfavorably impact our sales and adversely affect our operating results.

 

Our dependence on independent contract manufacturers could make management of our manufacturing and distribution efforts inefficient or unprofitable.

 

We are expected to arrange for our contract manufacturing needs sufficiently in advance of anticipated requirements, which is customary in the contract manufacturing industry for comparably sized companies. Based on the cost structure and forecasted demand for the particular geographic area where our contract manufacturers are located, we continually evaluate which of our contract manufacturers to use. To the extent demand for our products exceeds available inventory or the production capacity of our contract manufacturing arrangements, or orders are not submitted on a timely basis, we will be unable to fulfill distributor orders on demand. Conversely, we may produce more product inventory than warranted by the actual demand for it, resulting in higher storage costs and the potential risk of inventory spoilage. Our failure to accurately predict and manage our contract manufacturing requirements and our inventory levels may impair relationships with our independent distributors and key accounts, which, in turn, would likely have a material adverse effect on our ability to maintain effective relationships with those distributors and key accounts.

 

Increases in costs of packaging and ingredients may have an adverse impact on our gross margin.

 

Over the past few years, costs of organic ingredients and natural ingredients have increased due to increased demand and required the company to obtain these ingredients from a wider population of qualified vendors. If the company is unable to pass on these costs, the gross margin will be significantly impacted.

 

Inability to sustain price increases may have an adverse impact on our gross revenue.

 

The Company has not historically raised prices. As the Company implements pricing corrections in the market place, volume may be negatively impacted resulting in a net decrease in gross revenue.

 

Increased market spending may not drive volume growth

 

The Company’s marketing effort in the past have been limited. The anticipated increase in marketing spending may not generate an increase in sales volume resulting in a net decrease in gross revenue.

 

13
 

 

Increases in costs of energy and freight may have an adverse impact on our gross margin.

 

Over the past few years, volatility in the global oil markets has resulted in high fuel prices, which many shipping companies have passed on to their customers by way of higher base pricing and increased fuel surcharges. With recent declines in fuel prices, some companies have been slow to pass on decreases in their fuel surcharges. If fuel prices increase again, we expect to experience higher shipping rates and fuel surcharges, as well as energy surcharges on our raw materials. It is hard to predict what will happen in the fuel markets in 2018. Due to the price sensitivity of our products, we may not be able to pass such increases on to our customers.

 

Disruption within our supply chain, contract manufacturing or distribution channels could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability, through our suppliers, business partners, contract manufacturers, independent distributors and retailers, to make, move and sell products is critical to our success. The Company is currently negotiating the sale of the LA Plant that may lead to significant changes in our current supply chain model.

 

Damage or disruption to our suppliers or to manufacturing or distribution capabilities due to weather, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics such as influenza, labor strikes or other reasons, could impair the manufacture, distribution and sale of our products. Many of these events are outside of our control. Failure to take adequate steps to protect against or mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel our efficiency and operations would be adversely affected.

 

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees in such areas as sales, marketing, product development and finance. In general, we compete to hire new employees, and, in some cases, must train them and develop their skills and competencies. Our operating results could be adversely affected by increased costs due to increased competition for employees, higher employee turnover or increased employee benefit costs. Any unplanned turnover, particularly involving our key personnel, could negatively impact our operations, financial condition and employee morale.

 

If we fail to protect our trademarks and trade secrets, we may be unable to successfully market our products and compete effectively.

 

We rely on a combination of trademark and trade secrecy laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property rights. Failure to protect our intellectual property could harm our brand and our reputation, and adversely affect our ability to compete effectively. Further, enforcing or defending our intellectual property rights, including our trademarks, copyrights, licenses and trade secrets, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. We regard our intellectual property, particularly our trademarks and trade secrets to be of considerable value and importance to our business and our success, and we actively pursue the registration of our trademarks in the United States and internationally. However, the steps taken by us to protect these proprietary rights may not be adequate and may not prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our trademarks, trade secrets or similar proprietary rights. In addition, other parties may seek to assert infringement claims against us, and we may have to pursue litigation against other parties to assert our rights. Any such claim or litigation could be costly. In addition, any event that would jeopardize our proprietary rights or any claims of infringement by third parties could have a material adverse effect on our ability to market or sell our brands, profitably exploit our products or recoup our associated research and development costs.

 

14
 

 

Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and damage our reputation.

 

We may become party to litigation claims and legal proceedings. Litigation involves significant risks, uncertainties and costs, including distraction of management attention away from our business operations. We evaluate litigation claims and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we establish reserves and disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal proceedings, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from those envisioned by our current assessments and estimates. Our policies and procedures require strict compliance by our employees and agents with all U.S. and local laws and regulations applicable to our business operations, including those prohibiting improper payments to government officials. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures may not ensure full compliance by our employees and agents with all applicable legal requirements. Improper conduct by our employees or agents could damage our reputation or lead to litigation or legal proceedings that could result in civil or criminal penalties, including substantial monetary fines, as well as disgorgement of profits.

 

We are subject to risks inherent in sales of products in international markets.

 

Our operations outside of the United States contribute to our revenue and profitability, and we believe that developing and emerging markets present important future growth opportunities for us. However, there can be no assurance that existing or new products that we manufacture, distribute or sell will be accepted or be successful in any particular foreign market, due to local or global competition, product price, cultural differences, consumer preferences or otherwise. Here are many factors that could adversely affect demand for our products in foreign markets, including our inability to attract and maintain key distributors in these markets; volatility in the economic growth of certain of these markets; changes in economic, political or social conditions, imposition of new or increased labeling, product or production requirements, or other legal restrictions; restrictions on the import or export of our products or ingredients or substances used in our products; inflationary currency, devaluation or fluctuation; increased costs of doing business due to compliance with complex foreign and U.S. laws and regulations. If we are unable to effectively operate or manage the risks associated with operating in international markets, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results.

 

The United States generally accepted accounting principles and related pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide variety of matters that are relevant to our business, such as, but not limited to, stock-based compensation, trade spend and promotions, and income taxes are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by our management. Changes to these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by our management could significantly change our reported results.

 

If we are unable to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, our stock price and investor confidence could be materially and adversely affected.

 

We are required to maintain both disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting that are effective. Because of their inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting, however well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the controls will prevent or detect misstatements. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only the reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions. The failure of controls by design deficiencies or absence of adequate controls could result in a material adverse effect on our business and financial results, which could also negatively impact our stock price and investor confidence.

 

If we are unable to build and sustain proper information technology infrastructure, our business could suffer.

 

We depend on information technology as an enabler to improve the effectiveness of our operations and to interface with our customers, as well as to maintain financial accuracy and efficiency. If we do not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, we could be subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, the loss of customers, business disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breaches.

 

15
 

 

We could be subject to cybersecurity attacks.

 

Cybersecurity attacks are evolving and include malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in business processes, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data. Such unauthorized access could subject us to operational interruption, damage to our brand image and private data exposure, and harm our business.

 

We must increase our stockholders’ equity to $6 million to meet continued listing standards of the NYSE American or meet the $50,000,000 market capitalization.

 

As of March 31, 2018, we had a stockholder’s deficit of $833,000 compared to stockholder’s equity of $508,000 at December 31, 2017.

 

A delisting of our common stock and our inability to list the stock on another national securities exchange could negatively impact us by: (i) reducing the liquidity and market price of our common stock; (ii) reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing; (iii) limiting our ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing us from accessing the public capital markets; and (iv) impairing our ability to provide equity incentives to our employees. While a delisting of our common stock would not constitute a specific event of default under the documents governing our senior credit facilities, our lenders could claim that a delisting would trigger a default under the material adverse change covenant or the cross-default provisions under such documents.

 

Risk Factors Relating to Our Industry

 

We may experience a reduced demand for some of our products due to health concerns (including obesity) and legislative initiatives against sweetened beverages.

 

Consumers are concerned about health and wellness; public health officials and government officials are increasingly vocal about obesity and its consequences. There has been a trend among some public health advocates and dietary guidelines to recommend a reduction in sweetened beverages, as well as increased public scrutiny, potential new taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, and additional governmental regulations concerning the marketing and labeling/packing of the beverage industry. Additional or revised regulatory requirements, whether labeling, tax or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, increasing public concern with respect to sweetened beverages could reduce demand for our beverages and increase desire for more low-calorie soft drinks, water, enhanced water, coffee-flavored beverages, tea, and beverages with natural sweeteners. We are continuously working to launch new products that round out our diversified portfolio.

 

Legislative or regulatory changes that affect our products could reduce demand for products or increase our costs.

 

Taxes imposed on the sale of certain of our products by federal, state and local governments in the United States, Canada or other countries in which we operate could cause consumers to shift away from purchasing our beverages. Several municipalities in the United States have implemented or are considering implementing taxes on the sale of certain “sugared” beverages, including non-diet soft drinks, fruit drinks, teas and flavored waters to help fund various initiatives. These taxes could materially affect our business and financial results.

 

Additional taxes levied on us could harm our financial results.

 

Recent legislative proposals to reform U.S. taxation of non-U.S. earnings could have a material adverse effect on our financial results by subjecting a significant portion of our non-U.S. earnings to incremental U.S. taxation and/or by delaying or permanently deferring certain deductions otherwise allowed in calculating our U.S. tax liabilities.

 

We compete in an industry that is brand-conscious, so brand name recognition and acceptance of our products are critical to our success.

 

Our business is substantially dependent upon awareness and market acceptance of our products and brands by our targeted consumers. In addition, our business depends on acceptance by our independent distributors of our brands as beverage brands that have the potential to provide incremental sales growth rather than reduce distributors’ existing beverage sales. Although we believe that we have been relatively successful towards establishing our brands as recognizable brands in the New Age beverage industry, it may be too early in the product life cycle of these brands to determine whether our products and brands will achieve and maintain satisfactory levels of acceptance by independent distributors and retail consumers. We believe that the success of our product name brands will also be substantially dependent upon acceptance of our product name brands. Accordingly, any failure of our brands to maintain or increase acceptance or market penetration would likely have a material adverse affect on our revenues and financial results.

 

16
 

 

Competition from traditional non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers may adversely affect our distribution relationships and may hinder development of our existing markets, as well as prevent us from expanding our markets.

 

We target a niche in the estimated $100 billion carbonated and non-carbonated soft drink markets in the US, Canada and international markets. Our brands are generally regarded as premium and natural, with upscale packaging and are loosely defined as the artisanal (craft), premium bottled carbonated soft drink category. The soft drink industry is highly fragmented and the craft soft drink category consists of such competitors as, Henry Weinhards, Thomas Kemper, Hansen’s, Izze, Boylan and Jones Soda, to name a few. These brands have the advantage of being seen widely in the national market and being commonly known for years through well-funded ad campaigns. Our products have a relatively high price for an artisanal premium beverage product, minimal mass media advertising and a relatively small but growing presence in the mainstream market compared to many of our competitors.

 

The beverage industry is highly competitive. We compete with other beverage companies not only for consumer acceptance but also for shelf space in retail outlets and for marketing focus by our distributors, all of which also distribute other beverage brands. Our products compete with a wide range of drinks produced by a relatively large number of manufacturers, most of which have substantially greater financial, marketing and distribution resources than ours. Some of these competitors are placing severe pressure on independent distributors not to carry competitive sparkling brands such as ours. We also compete with regional beverage producers and “private label” soft drink suppliers.

 

Increased competitor consolidations, market-place competition, particularly among branded beverage products, and competitive product and pricing pressures could impact our earnings, market share and volume growth. If, due to such pressure or other competitive threats, we are unable to sufficiently maintain or develop our distribution channels, we may be unable to achieve our current revenue and financial targets. As a means of maintaining and expanding our distribution network, we intend to introduce product extensions and additional brands. We may not be successful in doing this and other companies may be more successful in this regard over the long term. Competition, particularly from companies with greater financial and marketing resources than ours, could have a material adverse effect on our existing markets, as well as on our ability to expand the market for our products.

 

We compete in an industry characterized by rapid changes in consumer preferences and public perception, so our ability to continue developing new products to satisfy our consumers’ changing preferences will determine our long-term success.

 

Failure to introduce new brands, products or product extensions into the marketplace as current ones mature and to meet our consumers’ changing preferences could prevent us from gaining market share and achieving long-term profitability. Product lifecycles can vary and consumers’ preferences and loyalties change over time. Although we try to anticipate these shifts and innovate new products to introduce to our consumers, we may not succeed. Customer preferences also are affected by factors other than taste, such as health and nutrition considerations and obesity concerns, shifting consumer needs, changes in consumer lifestyles, increased consumer information and competitive product and pricing pressures. Sales of our products may be adversely affected by the negative publicity associated with these issues. If we do not adequately anticipate or adjust to respond to these and other changes in customer preferences, we may not be able to maintain and grow our brand image and our sales may be adversely affected.

 

Global economic conditions may continue to adversely impact our business and results of operations.

 

The beverage industry, and particularly those companies selling premium beverages like us, can be affected by macro-economic factors, including changes in national, regional, and local economic conditions, unemployment levels and consumer spending patterns, which together may impact the willingness of consumers to purchase our products as they adjust their discretionary spending. The recent disruptions in the overall economy and financial markets as a result of the global economic downturn have adversely impacted the United States and Canada. This reduced consumer confidence in the economy has reduced consumers’ discretionary spending and we believe this has negatively affected consumers’ willingness to purchase beverage products such as ours. Moreover, adverse economic conditions may adversely affect the ability of our distributors to obtain the credit necessary to fund their working capital needs, which could negatively impact their ability or desire to continue to purchase products from us in the same frequencies and volumes as they have done in the past. If we experience similar adverse economic conditions in the future, sales of our products could be adversely affected, collectability of accounts receivable may be compromised and we may face obsolescence issues with our inventory, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.

 

17
 

 

If we encounter product recalls or other product quality issues, our business may suffer.

 

Product quality issues, real or imagined, or allegations of product contamination, even when false or unfounded, could tarnish our image and could cause consumers to choose other products. In addition, because of changing government regulations or implementation thereof, or allegations of product contamination, we may be required from time to time to recall products entirely or from specific markets. Product recalls could affect our profitability and could negatively affect brand image.

 

We could be exposed to product liability claims.

 

Although we have product liability and basic recall insurance, insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover all product liability claims that may arise. To the extent our product liability coverage is insufficient, a product liability claim would likely have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition. In addition, any product liability claim brought against us may materially damage the reputation and brand image of our products and business.

 

Our business is subject to many regulations and noncompliance is costly.

 

The production, marketing and sale of our beverages, including contents, labels, caps and containers, are subject to the rules and regulations of various federal, provincial, state and local health agencies. If a regulatory authority finds that a current or future product or production run is not in compliance with any of these regulations, we may be fined, or production may be stopped, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, any adverse publicity associated with any noncompliance may damage our reputation and our ability to successfully market our products. Furthermore, the rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time and while we closely monitor developments in this area, we cannot anticipate whether changes in these rules and regulations will impact our business adversely. Additional or revised regulatory requirements, whether labeling, environmental, tax or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Significant additional labeling or warning requirements may inhibit sales of affected products.

 

Various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements relating to the chemical content or perceived adverse health consequences of certain of our products. These types of requirements, if they become applicable to one or more of our products under current or future environmental or health laws or regulations, may inhibit sales of such products. In California, a law requires that a specific warning appear on any product that contains a component listed by the state as having been found to cause cancer or birth defects. This law recognizes no generally applicable quantitative thresholds below which a warning is not required. If a component found in one of our products is added to the list, or if the increasing sensitivity of detection methodology that may become available under this law and related regulations as they currently exist, or as they may be amended, results in the detection of an infinitesimal quantity of a listed substance in one of our beverages produced for sale in California, the resulting warning requirements or adverse publicity could affect our sales.

 

We may not be able to develop successful new beverage products, which are important to our growth.

 

An important part of our strategy is to increase our sales through the development of new beverage products. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to develop, market and distribute future beverage products that will enjoy market acceptance. The failure to continue to develop new beverage products that gain market acceptance could have an adverse impact on our growth and materially adversely affect our financial condition. We may have higher obsolescent product expense if new products fail to perform as expected due to the need to write off excess inventory of the new products.

 

18
 

 

Our results of operations may be impacted in various ways by the introduction of new products, even if they are successful, including the following:

 

  sales of new products could adversely impact sales of existing products;
  we may incur higher cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses in the periods when we introduce new products due to increased costs associated with the introduction and marketing of new products, most of which are expensed as incurred; and
  when we introduce new platforms and bottle sizes, we may experience increased freight and logistics costs as our co-packers adjust their facilities for the new products.

 

The growth of our revenues is dependent on acceptance of our products by mainstream consumers.

 

We have dedicated significant resources to introduce our products to the mainstream consumer. As such, we have increased our sales force and executed agreements with distributors who, in turn, distribute to mainstream consumers at grocery stores and other retailers. If our products are not accepted by the mainstream consumer, our business could suffer.

 

Our failure to accurately estimate demand for our products could adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

We may not correctly estimate demand for our products. Our ability to estimate demand for our products is imprecise, particularly with new products, and may be less precise during periods of rapid growth, particularly in new markets. If we materially underestimate demand for our products or are unable to secure sufficient ingredients or raw materials including, but not limited to, glass, labels, flavors or packing arrangements, we might not be able to satisfy demand on a short-term basis. Furthermore, industry-wide shortages of certain juice concentrates and sweeteners have been and could, from time to time in the future, be experienced, which could interfere with and/or delay production of certain of our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. We do not use hedging agreements or alternative instruments to manage this risk.

 

The loss of our largest customers would substantially reduce revenues.

 

Our customers are material to our success. If we are unable to maintain good relationships with our existing customers, our business could suffer.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company had two customers that each accounted for 27% and 11% of gross sales, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company had one customer that accounted for 21% of gross sales. No other customer exceeded 10% of sales for either period. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had accounts receivable from one customer which comprised 24% of its total accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had accounts receivable due from two customers which accounted for approximately 23% and 16% of total accounts receivable, respectively.

 

The loss of our largest vendors would substantially reduce revenues.

 

Our vendors are material to our success. If we are unable to maintain good relationships with our existing vendors, our business could suffer.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company had two vendors which accounted for approximately 16.6% and 14.1% of all purchases, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company had one vendor which accounted for approximately 18% of all purchases. No other vendor accounted for more than 10% of all purchases in either period. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had three vendors which accounted for 11.3%, 19.5%, and 40.7% of total accounts payable, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had one vendor which accounted for 20% of its total accounts payable. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had two vendors which accounted for approximately 10% each of the total accounts payable.

 

19
 

 

The loss of our third-party distributors could impair our operations and substantially reduce our financial results.

 

We depend in large part on distributors to distribute our beverages and other products. Most of our outside distributors are not bound by written agreements with us and may discontinue their relationship with us on short notice. Most distributors handle a number of competitive products. In addition, our products are a small part of our distributors’ businesses.

 

We continually seek to expand distribution of our products by entering into distribution arrangements with regional bottlers or other direct store delivery distributors having established sales, marketing and distribution organizations. Many of our distributors are affiliated with and manufacture and/or distribute other soda and non-carbonated brands and other beverage products. In many cases, such products compete directly with our products.

 

The marketing efforts of our distributors are important for our success. If our brands prove to be less attractive to our existing distributors and/or if we fail to attract additional distributors, and/or our distributors do not market and promote our products above the products of our competitors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Price fluctuations in, and unavailability of, raw materials and packaging that we use could adversely affect us.

 

We do not enter into hedging arrangements for raw materials. Although the prices of raw materials that we use have not increased significantly in recent years, our results of operations would be adversely affected if the price of these raw materials were to rise and we were unable to pass these costs on to our customers.

 

We depend upon an uninterrupted supply of the ingredients for our products, a significant portion of which we obtain overseas, principally from Peru, Brazil and Fiji and Indonesia. We do not have agreements guaranteeing supply of our ingredients. Any decrease in the supply of these ingredients or increase in the prices of these ingredients as a result of any adverse weather conditions, pests, crop disease, interruptions of shipment or political considerations, among other reasons, could substantially increase our costs and adversely affect our financial performance.

 

We also depend upon an uninterrupted supply of packaging materials, such as glass for our bottles. We obtain our bottles both domestically and internationally. Any decrease in supply of these materials or increase in the prices of the materials, as a result of decreased supply or increased demand, could substantially increase our costs and adversely affect our financial performance.

 

The loss of any of our co-packers could impair our operations and substantially reduce our financial results.

 

We rely on third parties, called co-packers in our industry, to produce some of our beverages, to produce our glass bottles and to bottle some of our beverages.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had utilized three separate co-pack packers for most its production and bottling of beverage products in the Eastern United States. Although there are other packers and the Company has outfitted our own brewery and bottling plant, a change in packers may cause a delay in the production process, which could ultimately affect operating results.

 

Our co-packing arrangements with other companies are on a short term basis and such co-packers may discontinue their relationship with us on short notice. Our co-packing arrangements expose us to various risks, including:

 

  if any of those co-packers were to terminate our co-packing arrangement or have difficulties in producing beverages for us, our ability to produce our beverages would be adversely affected until we were able to make alternative arrangements; and
  our business reputation would be adversely affected if any of the co-packers were to produce inferior quality.

 

20
 

 

We compete in an industry characterized by rapid changes in consumer preferences and public perception, so our ability to continue to market our existing products and develop new products to satisfy our consumers’ changing preferences will determine our long-term success.

 

Consumers are seeking greater variety in their beverages. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our continued ability to develop and introduce different and innovative beverages. In order to retain and expand our market share, we must continue to develop and introduce different and innovative beverages and be competitive in the areas of quality and health, although there can be no assurance of our ability to do so. There is no assurance that consumers will continue to purchase our products in the future. Additionally, many of our products are considered premium products and to maintain market share during recessionary periods, we may have to reduce profit margins, which would adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, there is increasing awareness and concern for the health consequences of obesity. This may reduce demand for our non-diet beverages, which could affect our profitability. Product lifecycles for some beverage brands and/or products and/or packages may be limited to a few years before consumers’ preferences change. The beverages we currently market are in varying stages of their lifecycles and there can be no assurance that such beverages will become or remain profitable for us. The beverage industry is subject to changing consumer preferences and shifts in consumer preferences may adversely affect us if we misjudge such preferences. We may be unable to achieve volume growth through product and packaging initiatives. We also may be unable to penetrate new markets. If our revenues decline, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly because of the seasonality of our business.

 

Our highest revenues occur during the summer and fall, the third and fourth quarters of each fiscal year. These seasonality issues may cause our financial performance to fluctuate. In addition, beverage sales can be adversely affected by sustained periods of bad weather.

 

Our manufacturing process is not patented.

 

None of the manufacturing processes used in producing our products are subject to a patent or similar intellectual property protection. Our only protection against a third party using our recipes and processes is confidentiality agreements with the companies that produce our beverages and with our employees who have knowledge of such processes. If our competitors develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or otherwise obtain access to our knowledge, we will have greater difficulty in competing with them for business, and our market share could decline.

 

If we are not able to retain the full time services of our management team, it will be more difficult for us to manage our operations and our operating performance could suffer.

 

Our business is dependent, to a large extent, upon the services of our management team. We depend on our management team. We do have a written employment agreement with two of five members of our management team. In addition, we do not maintain key person life insurance on any of our management team. Therefore, in the event of the loss or unavailability of any member of the management team to us, there can be no assurance that we would be able to locate in a timely manner or employ qualified personnel to replace him. The loss of the services of any member of our management team or our failure to attract and retain other key personnel over time would jeopardize our ability to execute our business plan and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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The price of our common stock may be volatile, and a shareholder’s investment in our common stock could suffer a decline in value.

 

There has been significant volatility in the volume and market price of our common stock, and this volatility may continue in the future. In addition, factors such as quarterly variations in our operating results, litigation involving us, general trends relating to the beverage industry, actions by governmental agencies, national economic and stock market considerations as well as other events and circumstances beyond our control could have a significant impact on the future market price of our common stock and the relative volatility of such market price.

 

A prolonged decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. If we are unable to raise the funds required for all of our planned operations and key initiatives, we may be forced to allocate funds from other planned uses, which may negatively impact our business and operations, including our ability to develop new products and continue our current operations.

 

Many factors that are beyond our control may significantly affect the market price of our shares. These factors include:

 

  price and volume fluctuations in the stock markets;
  changes in our revenues and earnings or other variations in operating results;
  any shortfall in revenue or increase in losses from levels expected by us or securities analysts;
  changes in regulatory policies or law;
  operating performance of companies comparable to us; and
  general economic trends and other external factors.

 

Even if an active market for our common stock is established, stockholders may have to sell their shares at prices substantially lower than the price they paid for it or might otherwise receive than if a broad public market existed.

 

There has been a very limited public trading market for our securities and the market for our securities, may continue to be limited, and be sporadic and highly volatile.

 

There is currently a limited public market for our common stock. Holders of our common stock may, therefore, have difficulty selling their shares, should they decide to do so. In addition, there can be no assurances that such markets will continue or that any shares, which may be purchased, may be sold without incurring a loss. Any such market price of our shares may not necessarily bear any relationship to our book value, assets, past operating results, financial condition or any other established criteria of value, and may not be indicative of the market price for the shares in the future.

 

Future financings could adversely affect common stock ownership interest and rights in comparison with those of other security holders.

 

Our board of directors has the power to issue additional shares of common or preferred stock up to the amounts authorized in our certificate of incorporation without stockholder approval, subject to restrictive covenants contained in the Company’s contracts. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our existing stockholders will be reduced, and these newly issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we issue any additional common stock or securities convertible into common stock, such issuance will reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power of each other stockholder. In addition, such stock issuances might result in a reduction of the book value of our common stock. Any increase of the number of authorized shares of common stock or preferred stock would require board and shareholder approval and subsequent amendment to our certificate of incorporation.

 

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Risk Factors Related to this Offering and Our Common Stock

 

If we are not able to achieve our objectives for our business, the value of an investment in our company could be negatively affected.

 

In order to be successful, we believe that we must, among other things:

 

 

increase the sales price and volume for our products;

significantly reduce co-packer fees, packaging and ingredient costs;

  resolve supply chain facility operation;
  manage our operating expenses to sufficiently support operating activities;
  reduce fixed costs at or near current levels by eliminating inefficient operations; and
  avoid significant increases in variable costs relating to production, marketing and distribution.

 

We may not be able to meet these objectives, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We have incurred significant operating expenses in the past and may do so again in the future and, as a result, will need to increase revenues in order to improve our results of operations. Our ability to increase sales volume will depend primarily on success in marketing initiatives with industry brokers, improving our distribution base with DSD companies, introducing new no sugar brands, and focus on the existing core brands in the market. Our ability to successfully enter new distribution areas and obtain national accounts will, in turn, depend on various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the continued demand for our brands and products in target markets, the ability to price our products at competitive levels, the ability to establish and maintain relationships with distributors in each geographic area of distribution and the ability in the future to create, develop and successfully introduce one or more new brands, products, and product extensions.

 

We do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the near future, so our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell their shares.

 

We intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend. Unless we pay dividends, our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell such shares.

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of us more difficult, limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management and limit the market price of our common stock.

 

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws include provisions that:

 

  authorize our board of directors to issue, without further action by the stockholders, shares of undesignated preferred stock;
     
  specify that special meetings of our stockholders can be called only upon the request of a majority of our board of directors or our Chief Executive Officer;
     
  establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors; and
     
  prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors.

 

These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management, and may discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change of control of our company that is in the best interest of our minority stockholders. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if they are viewed as discouraging future takeover attempts.

 

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Furthermore, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or did own within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

 

  before the stockholder became interested, the 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 which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or
     
  at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions the Company’s board of directors does not approve in advance. Section 203 may also discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of Common Stock held by stockholders.

 

These provisions of Delaware law and the Certificate of Incorporation could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of the Company’s common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the Company’s management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC (“Raptor), our largest shareholder, holds approximately 28% of our common stock and may greatly influence the outcome of all matters on which stockholders vote.

 

Because Raptor controls a large portion of our stock, approximately 28%, it may greatly influence the outcome of all matters on which stockholders vote. Daniel J. Doherty, III, a principal and shareholder of Raptor also serves as a director of Reed’s. Raptor’s interests may not always coincide with the interests of other holders of our common stock.

 

Christopher J. Reed, our founder, Chief Innovation Officer, and a member of our Board of Directors, holds approximately 12% of our common stock and may greatly influence the outcome of all matters on which stockholders vote.

 

Because Christopher J. Reed controls a large portion of our stock, approximately 12%, he may greatly influence the outcome of all matters on which stockholders vote. Mr. Reed’s interests may not always coincide with the interests of other holders of our common stock.

 

Management controls greater than 40% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

 

Because our management controls greater than 40% of our outstanding common stock, management may greatly influence the outcome of all matters on which stockholders vote. Management’s interests may not always coincide with the interests of other holders of our common stock.

 

If securities analysts or industry analysts downgrade our shares, publish negative research or reports, or do not publish reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us, our business and our industry. If one or more analysts adversely change their recommendation regarding our shares or our competitors’ stock, our share price would likely decline. If one or more analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our share price or trading volume to decline. As a result, the market price for our common stock may decline.

 

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SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

 

The shares of common stock being offered by the selling shareholders are those previously issued to the selling shareholders upon exercise of 2017-2 warrants and those issuable to the selling shareholders upon exercise of its remaining warrants. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling shareholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time.

 

Raptor/ Harbor Reed’s SPV LLC

 

Raptor/ Harbor Reed’s SPV LLC (“Raptor”) is the Company’s largest shareholder and beneficially owns approximately 28% of the Company’s common stock.

 

On January 10, 2018, the board of directors of Reed’s appointed Daniel J. Doherty III to serve as a director, filling a vacancy. Mr. Doherty is a principal and significant shareholder of Raptor. Mr. Doherty has joint voting and dispositive control of the equity securities held by Raptor with another of its principal

 

On December 6, 2017, we entered into a definitive Backstop Agreement with Raptor, whereby Raptor, as a backstop to our 2017 rights offering, agreed to purchase from us a minimum of $6 million of units pursuant to its subscription rights and in a private placement, subject to customary terms and conditions. Raptor will exercise its basic subscription right for a minimum of 750,000 units and may exercise its over-subscription privilege as a rights holder in the rights offering (subject to pro-ration as described elsewhere in this prospectus), but has no obligation to do so. The backstop commitment will be reduced by the subscription price paid by Raptor for its exercise of the basic subscription right (if any) and over-subscription privilege (if any) in the rights offering. The backstop commitment will also be reduced to the extent aggregate gross proceeds to Company from the exercise of rights by rights holders exceeds $8 million and is subject to other customary terms and conditions. The backstop commitment is scheduled to close not later than the third trading day following the expiration date of the rights offering. Investment of any amount greater than $6 million will be made in Raptor’s sole discretion, subject to limitations of NYSE American Company Guide Section 713 and shareholder approval obtained at the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

As compensation for the backstop commitment and subject to the closing of the rights offering, we issued to Raptor, five- year warrants to purchase 750,000 shares of our common stock. These backstop warrants have an exercise price equal to $1.50, are not exercisable for a term of 180 days and will have a cashless exercise feature. We also agreed to register the shares of common stock underlying the units (including shares of common stock underlying the warrants contained in the units) and shares of common stock underlying the backstop warrants. We will be subject to certain liquidated damages if we do not register the shares within the prescribed time frame.

 

Further, on December 6, 2017, we entered into an amendment agreement with Raptor, extending its subordinated convertible non-redeemable secured note in the principal amount of $3.4 million by twenty-four months in exchange for amending the conversion price of the note from $3.00 to $1.75. Concurrently with the reduction of the subscription price in the rights offering, we also agreed to further reduce the conversion price to $1.50. We also agreed to register the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the note. We will be subject to certain liquidated damages if we do not register the shares within the prescribed time frame. This amendment to the note is subject to closing of the rights offering and will be null and void if the rights offering is terminated, for any reason.

 

We also reimbursed Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC for all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by them in connection with the backstop agreement and the transactions contemplated in the amount of $25,000.

 

On July 13, 2017, we entered into a Warrant Exercise Agreement with Raptor to induce Raptor to purchase 766,667 shares of our common stock. The repriced warrants have an exercise price per share of $1.50 and were revised to modify language pertaining to “Fundamental Transactions”. Restrictions upon exercise were waived as to the repriced warrants. Reed’s received gross proceeds of $1,150,000 from Raptor’s exercise of the repriced warrants. We also issued to the Raptor additional second tranche warrants to purchase up to 350,000 shares of our common stock and additional third tranche warrants to purchase up to 60,000 shares of our common stock. Second tranche warrants have a term of five years, may be exercised commencing 6 months from the date of issuance and have an exercise price equal to $2.00. The third tranche warrants were exercisable immediately upon issuance for a term of five-years, with an exercise price equal to $1.55. Raptor was also granted the right to appoint a non-voting observer to our board of directors for so long as Raptor or its affiliates is a beneficial owner of our stock. As of the date hereof, Raptor has not made such an appointment.

 

On April 21, 2017, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, we sold and issued a secured convertible subordinated non-redeemable note in the principal amount of $3,400,000 and a warrant to purchase 1,416,667 shares of common stock to Raptor. The note bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum, compounded monthly on a 360-day year/ 30-day month basis. The note is secured by a second priority security interest in the Company’s assets, which is subordinate to the first priority security interest of PMC Financial Services Group, LLC. The note may not be prepaid and originally matured on April 21, 201. After 180 days, the note may be converted, at any time and from time to time, into 1,133,333 shares of common stock of the Company. The warrant will expire on April 21, 2019 and has an exercise price equal to $4.00 per share. The note and warrant contain customary anti-dilution provisions and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the note and exercise of the warrant have been registered on Form S-1. Raptor was also granted a right to participate in future financing transactions of the Company for a term of two years.

 

The table below lists the selling shareholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the selling shareholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling shareholder, based on its ownership of the shares of common stock, notes and/ or warrants, as of June 28, 2018, assuming exercise of the warrants held by the selling shareholders and conversion of the note on that date, without regard to any limitations on exercise or conversion.

 

The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling shareholders.

 

Any selling shareholders who are affiliates of broker-dealers and any participating broker-dealers are deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any commissions or discounts given to any such selling stockholder or broker-dealer may be regarded as underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.

 

The term “selling shareholders” also includes any pledgees, assignees, or other successors in interest to the selling shareholders named in the table below. Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge, each person named in the table below has sole voting and investment power (subject to applicable community property laws) with respect to the shares of common stock set forth opposite such person’s name. We will file a supplement to this prospectus (or a post-effective amendment hereto, if necessary) to name successors to any named selling stockholders who are able to use this prospectus to resell the common stock registered hereby.

 

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Name of Selling Shareholder  Number of
Shares Owned
Before Offering
   Number of Shares
Being Offered
   Number of Shares
Owned
After Offering
   Percent of
Shares Owned
After Offering
 
Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC (1)   8,843,334(2)   2,550,000(3)   6,293,334    18%

 

(1) James Pallotta and Daniel Doherty have discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the shares of common stock held by Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC and may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of these shares. Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC is an affiliate of a registered broker dealer. The shares being registered hereunder consist of shares issuable upon conversion of warrants acquired in the ordinary course of business, and, at the time of the acquisition of such securities, Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC did not have any arrangements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such securities.

 

(2) Includes 142,700 shares owned by James Pallotta, natural control person and member of Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC and 20,000 shares owned by Daniel Doherty, natural control person and member of Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC. Messrs. Pallotta and. Doherty each disclaim beneficial ownership of shares held by Raptor /Harbor Reed’s SPV, LLC, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Raptor/Harbor Reed’s SPV LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by Messrs. Pallota and Doherty. Includes 3,143,333 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently-exercisable warrants. Also includes 2,266,667 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Non-Redeemable Secured Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $3,400,000.

 

(3) Includes 650,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of 2017-2 warrants.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling shareholder. We received $1,150,000.50 from the exercise of 766,667 2017-2 warrants, which warrants were exercised pursuant to a warrant exercise agreement dated July 13, 2017 at a reduced exercise price of $1.50 per share. We will receive up to an additional $2,600,000 from the exercise of the remaining 2017-2 warrants by the selling shareholder.

 

The proceeds from the exercise of remaining 2017-2 warrants will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Each selling shareholder of the securities and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their securities covered hereby on the principal trading market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. A selling shareholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:

 

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
privately negotiated transactions;
settlement of short sales;
in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the selling shareholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security;
through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
a combination of any such methods of sale; or
any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

The selling shareholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption form registration under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.

 

Broker-dealers engaged by the selling shareholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling shareholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA IM-2440.

 

In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein, the selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling shareholders may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

 

The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each selling shareholder has informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities.

 

The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company incident to the registration of the securities. The Company has agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Because selling shareholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act including Rule 172 thereunder. In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. The selling shareholders have advised us that there is no underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the resale securities by the selling shareholders.

 

We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which the securities may be resold by the selling shareholders without registration and without regard to any volume or manner-of-sale limitations by reason of Rule 144, without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all of the securities have been sold pursuant to this prospectus or Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. The resale securities will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

 

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the selling shareholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of securities of the common stock by the selling shareholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling shareholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON STOCK

 

The following is a summary of the material terms of our common stock. This summary does not purport to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law.

 

We are authorized to issue 40,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value. Holders of common stock are each entitled to cast one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to shareholders. Cumulative voting is not allowed; the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock may elect all directors. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board out of funds legally available and, in the event of liquidation, to share pro rata in any distribution of our assets after payment of liabilities. Our directors are not obligated to declare a dividend. It is not anticipated that dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. Holders of common stock do not have preemptive rights to subscribe to any additional shares we may issue in the future. There are no conversion, redemption, sinking fund or similar provisions regarding the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

 

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

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. Subject to certain exceptions, the statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder unless:

 

  prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
     
  upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
     
  on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the date of determination whether the person is an “Interested Stockholder” did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

 

In addition, our authorized but unissued shares of common stock are available for our board to issue without stockholder approval. We may use these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans The existence of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or other transaction. Our authorized but unissued shares may be used to delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by our stockholders. The board of directors is also authorized to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws, which could delay, defer or prevent a change in control.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus have been passed upon for us by Libertas Law Group, Inc., Santa Monica, California.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of Reeds, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 appearing in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been audited by Weinberg & Company, PA, an independent registered public accounting firm, to the extent and for the periods indicated in their report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon such report and upon authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

MATERIAL CHANGES

 

There have been no material changes in the Company’s affairs since its fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 that have not been described in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In addition, indemnification may be limited by state securities laws.

 

29
 

 

REED’S, INC.

 

1,416,667 Shares of Common Stock

 

PROSPECTUS