BARK sets CEO severance, change-in-control terms

BARK, Inc. adopted a new Severance and Change in Control Agreement for Chief Executive Officer Matt Meeker, effective upon Board approval on February 18, 2026.

Accepted by SEC EDGAR 02/24/2026 - 04:58 PM EST

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Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

BARK, Inc. adopted a new Severance and Change in Control Agreement for Chief Executive Officer Matt Meeker, effective upon Board approval on February 18, 2026. The agreement provides 12 months of salary continuation, a pro-rated target bonus, 12 months of accelerated vesting of time-based equity awards, and 12 months of COBRA health coverage if he is involuntarily terminated outside a change in control context.

If he is involuntarily terminated within six months before or 18 months after a change in control, he would instead receive a lump sum equal to two times annual base salary plus target bonus, full vesting of time-based equity awards, and 24 months of COBRA coverage, subject to signing and not revoking a release of claims. The company notes this structure is generally consistent with other executive agreements but with higher multiples reflecting his CEO role.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did BARK (BARK) disclose about its CEO’s severance terms?

BARK approved a new Severance and Change in Control Agreement for CEO Matt Meeker. It defines cash payments, equity vesting, and COBRA health coverage he could receive if involuntarily terminated, including enhanced benefits tied to a potential change in control event.

What severance does BARK’s CEO receive for a standard involuntary termination?

For an involuntary termination not tied to a change in control, the CEO is eligible for 12 months of base salary continuation, a lump-sum pro-rated target annual bonus, 12 months of accelerated vesting on time-based equity awards, and 12 months of continued COBRA health insurance coverage.

How do BARK CEO severance benefits change around a change in control?

If the CEO is involuntarily terminated within six months before or 18 months after a change in control, he may receive a lump sum equal to two times annual base salary plus target bonus, full vesting of time-based equity awards, and 24 months of COBRA health coverage.

What conditions must be met for BARK’s CEO to receive severance benefits?

Severance benefits are conditioned on Matt Meeker executing and not revoking a release of claims against BARK and its affiliates. This means he must formally waive specified legal claims for the cash, equity vesting, and COBRA benefits described in the agreement.

How does BARK describe the CEO’s Severance and CIC Agreement versus others?

BARK states the CEO’s Severance and Change in Control Agreement is generally consistent with other executive severance agreements but includes enhanced severance multiples. These higher cash and benefit levels are described as commensurate with his responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer.

What equity treatment is included in BARK’s CEO severance protections?

The agreement provides 12 months of accelerated vesting of time-based equity awards for a standard involuntary termination. In a qualifying change in control-related involuntary termination, it provides accelerated vesting of all time-based equity awards, significantly altering vesting timing if those conditions occur.

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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):

February 18, 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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment

of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On February 18, 2026, the Board of Directors of BARK, Inc. (the "Company") approved a Severance and Change in Control Agreement (the "Severance and CIC Agreement") for the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Matt Meeker, that provides (i) upon an involuntary termination for (a) salary continuation payments equal to twelve (12) months base salary, (b) a lump sum payment equal to the pro-rated target annual bonus for the relevant fiscal year, (c) twelve (12) months accelerated vesting of time-based equity awards, and (d) twelve (12) months continued health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”); and (ii) upon an involuntary termination occurring six (6) months prior to, or eighteen (18) months after, a change in control of the Company for (x) a lump sum payment equal to two (2) times annual base salary plus Mr. Meeker's target annual bonus, (y) accelerated vesting of all time-based equity awards, and (z) twenty four (24) months continued health insurance coverage under COBRA.

Severance benefits under the Severance and CIC Agreement are subject to Mr. Meeker’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims against the Company and its affiliates. Mr. Meeker’s Severance and CIC Agreement is generally consistent with the structure of the Company’s severance agreements with its executive officers but with enhanced severance multiples commensurate with Mr. Meeker’s role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

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: February 24, 2026

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

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