BARK (NYSE: BARK) ends takeover talks and backs standalone strategy

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

BARK, Inc. disclosed that its Board’s Special Committee has ended its review of previously disclosed takeover proposals and decided not to pursue a transaction. An unsolicited preliminary non-binding offer from Great Dane Ventures was withdrawn, and a separate unsolicited proposal from the GNK/Lemonis Group was rejected as not adequately reflecting the Company’s value.

The Special Committee concluded that concluding the current review and continuing BARK’s existing standalone strategy is in stockholders’ best interests. BARK states it remains open to evaluating future strategic opportunities while emphasizing disciplined execution, sustainable growth, profitability, and enhancing long-term stockholder value.

Insights

M&A and corporate governance analyst

BARK ends sale talks, rejects proposals as undervaluing business, and reaffirms standalone strategy.

BARK reports that its Special Committee reviewed unsolicited, preliminary, non-binding proposals, including one from the GNK/Lemonis Group, and decided not to pursue a transaction. A separate proposal from Great Dane Ventures had already been withdrawn, effectively closing the current strategic review process.

The Special Committee determined the GNK/Lemonis Group proposal did not adequately reflect the Company’s value and concluded that continuing the existing standalone plan is in stockholders’ best interests. This shifts expectations from a potential buyout toward ongoing independent operations and internal value creation efforts.

The Company notes it remains open to future strategic opportunities but now emphasizes disciplined execution, sustainable growth, and profitability. Subsequent company filings and disclosures will be important for understanding how operational performance and capital allocation support the renewed focus on long-term standalone value.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date Earliest Event Reported):

March 20, 2026

BARK, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-39691

85-1872418

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

20 Jay Street, Suite 940 Brooklyn, NY

11201 (Zip Code)

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(855) 501-2275

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e- 4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001

BARK

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On March 20, 2026, BARK, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that the Special Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has determined not to pursue a transaction following a review of previously disclosed proposals. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.						Description
99.1						Press release dated as of March 20, 2026
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

BARK, Inc.
By:			/s/ Allison Koehler
			Name: Allison Koehler
			Title: Chief Legal Officer

Date: March 20, 2026

BARK Determines Not to Pursue Transaction Following

Review of Previously Disclosed Proposals

NEW YORK, March 20, 2026 — BARK, Inc. (NYSE: BARK) (“BARK” or the “Company”) today provided an update regarding previously disclosed preliminary non-binding indicative proposals involving the Company.

As previously disclosed, on January 9, 2026, the Company received an unsolicited preliminary non-binding indicative proposal from Great Dane Ventures, LLC (“Great Dane”), an entity formed by certain of the Company’s stockholders, to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock not already beneficially owned by Great Dane. That proposal has since been withdrawn.

Also as previously disclosed, on January 14, 2026, the Company received an unsolicited preliminary non-binding indicative proposal from GNK Holdings LLC and Marcus Lemonis (collectively, the “GNK/Lemonis Group”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock not already beneficially owned by the GNK/Lemonis Group. The Special Committee of the Board of Directors, consistent with its fiduciary duties and in consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors, carefully evaluated the proposal and determined that it did not adequately reflect the value of the Company. Based on this evaluation, the Special Committee has determined not to pursue a transaction with the GNK/Lemonis Group.

While the Company remains open to evaluating strategic opportunities that would further enhance stockholder value, the Special Committee has decided that it is in the best interests of stockholders to conclude the current review process. The Special Committee believes that continuing to execute the Company’s existing standalone strategy represents the best path to maximize long-term stockholder value.

The Company remains focused on disciplined execution, driving sustainable growth and profitability, and enhancing long-term stockholder value.

About BARK

BARK is the world’s most dog-centric company, devoted to making all dogs happy with the best products, food, services, and content. BARK’s dog-obsessed team leverages its unique, data-driven understanding of what makes each dog special to design playstyle-specific toys, wildly satisfying treats, dog-first experiences that foster the health and happiness of dogs everywhere, and more. Founded in 2011, BARK loyally serves millions of dogs nationwide with BarkBox and Super Chewer, its themed toys and treats subscriptions; custom product collections through its retail partner network, including Target, Chewy, and Amazon; BARK in the Belly, a premium dog food and consumables line that donates 100% of food profits to fight canine hunger; and BARK Air, the first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first. At BARK, we want to make dogs as happy as they make us because dogs and humans are better together. Sniff around at bark.co for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company’s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can

identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” "anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Actual results and outcomes could differ materially from any results or outcomes made or implied in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks and information included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 5, 2026, copies of which may be obtained by visiting the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.bark.co/ or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.

Contacts

Investors:

investors@barkbox.com

Media:

press@barkbox.com

Jim Golden / Ed Hammond / Quinn Conway

Collected Strategies

BARK-CS@collectedstrategies.com

FAQ

What did BARK (BARK) announce regarding potential takeover proposals?

BARK announced that its Board’s Special Committee has ended its review of previously disclosed takeover proposals and decided not to pursue a transaction. The committee concluded this after evaluating the offers with independent advisors and determining the terms did not adequately reflect the company’s value.

What happened to the Great Dane Ventures proposal for BARK (BARK)?

BARK previously received an unsolicited preliminary non-binding proposal from Great Dane Ventures to acquire shares it did not already own. That Great Dane proposal has since been withdrawn, leaving no active offer from that group as the strategic review process concludes.

How did BARK’s Special Committee evaluate the GNK/Lemonis Group proposal?

The Special Committee, following its fiduciary duties and working with independent legal and financial advisors, evaluated the GNK/Lemonis Group’s unsolicited preliminary non-binding proposal. It determined the proposal did not adequately reflect BARK’s value and therefore chose not to pursue a transaction with that group.

Is BARK (BARK) still considering a sale or other strategic alternatives?

BARK’s Special Committee has closed the current review and decided not to pursue a transaction from the previously disclosed proposals. However, the company states it remains open to evaluating strategic opportunities that could further enhance stockholder value in the future.

What strategic direction did BARK (BARK) reaffirm after ending deal talks?

After deciding not to pursue a transaction, BARK’s Special Committee stated that continuing the company’s existing standalone strategy is in stockholders’ best interests. The company emphasizes disciplined execution, driving sustainable growth and profitability, and focusing on enhancing long-term stockholder value.

Does BARK’s update include any financial results or transaction terms?

The update focuses on the outcome of BARK’s strategic review rather than financial results or detailed deal terms. It discusses the withdrawal and rejection of unsolicited proposals and emphasizes the decision to continue with the company’s standalone strategy to build long-term stockholder value.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 9.2 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 2.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 15.3 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 27.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 15.9 KB