[S-8] Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. Employee Benefit Plan Registration

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. describes how its charter and Texas law (TBOC) will govern indemnification and director liability. The company will eliminate monetary liability for directors for most acts, while preserving liability for breaches of loyalty, bad-faith conduct, improper personal benefit, and statutory exceptions. The TBOC permits indemnification and advancement of expenses for directors, officers and certain others, subject to determinations by disinterested directors, board committees, special counsel or shareholder votes. The registrant will enter indemnification agreements with directors and officers, expects standard D&O insurance, and the underwriting agreement allocates certain indemnities between the company and underwriters. The filing notes that indemnification for Securities Act liabilities may be unenforceable under SEC views.

Positive

• Charter limits director monetary liability for most acts, which can help attract qualified board members
• Indemnification agreements will be entered with directors and officers to provide broad protection to management
• Company expects to maintain D&O insurance covering directors and officers and indemnification payments
• Clear procedural safeguards under TBOC for approving indemnification and expense advancement

Negative

• Liability exceptions retained for breaches of loyalty, bad-faith conduct, knowing law violations, and improper personal benefits
• Securities Act indemnification may be unenforceable under SEC precedent, limiting protection for certain liabilities
• Advancement of expenses requires undertakings to repay if ultimately not entitled, which could expose individuals to repayment obligations

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Charter provisions, indemnification agreements, and TBOC create broad protections for directors and officers, with standard carve-outs and procedural safeguards.

The filing outlines customary Texas-law indemnification mechanics and a charter provision eliminating most director monetary liability while retaining accountability for loyalty breaches, bad faith, illegal acts, and improper personal gains. It details required procedures for permissive indemnification determinations and expense advancement safeguards, including written undertakings and reimbursement obligations if indemnification is ultimately not permitted. The company plans to sign indemnification agreements and maintain D&O insurance, and the underwriting agreement contains reciprocal indemnities with the underwriters. The mention that Securities Act indemnities may be unenforceable is a necessary legal caveat.

Securities/Regulatory Counsel

TL;DR: Disclosure is thorough and follows typical S-8/Form S-1 incorporation practices, with appropriate legal qualifications.

The disclosure incorporates prior registration statements and 8-A descriptions by reference and specifies limits on what is deemed incorporated. It explains statutory mechanisms under the TBOC for indemnification approvals and expense advancements, and confirms the company will enter indemnification agreements and maintain insurance. The filing properly flags the SEC's position that certain Securities Act indemnities may be unenforceable, aligning with customary underwriter and issuer disclosures.

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2025

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

BLACK ROCK COFFEE BAR, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas			33-5053729
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

9170 E. Bahia Drive, Suite 101

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

(458) 256-9688

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. 2025 Incentive Award Plan

(Full Title of the Plans)

Mark Davis

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc.

9170 E. Bahia Drive, Suite 101

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

(458) 256-9688

(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Ian D. Schuman

Stelios G. Saffos

Alex K. Kassai

Scott W. Westhoff

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

(212) 906-1200

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☐

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☒

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o

Proposed sales to take place as soon after the effective date of the registration statement as awards granted under the above-named plans are granted, exercised and/or distributed.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference into this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

In this registration statement, Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. is sometimes referred to as “Registrant,” “we,” “us” or “our.”

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allows the Registrant to “incorporate by reference” the information it files with them, which means that the Registrant can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this registration statement, and later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this information. The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this registration statement the following documents previously filed with the SEC:

(a)The prospectus filed by the Registrant with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, dated September 15, 2025 relating to the registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-289685); and

(b)The description of the Registrant’s Class A common stock set forth in the Registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A12B (File No. 001-42844), filed by the Registrant with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on September 12, 2025, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, all documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents, except as to specific sections of such statements as set forth therein. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement contained herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

Under no circumstances shall any information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

See the description of the Registrant’s common stock set forth in the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-289685).

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Registrant is governed by the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”). The TBOC permits a corporation to indemnify a director or officer who was, is, or is threatened to be a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding as a result of the performance of his or her duties if such person acted in good faith and, in the case of conduct in the person’s official capacity, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and, in all other cases, that the person reasonably believed his or her conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Subject to certain exceptions, the TBOC further permits a corporation to eliminate in its charter all monetary liability of the corporation’s directors to the corporation or its shareholders for conduct in performance of such director’s duties, but not for a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty or receipt of an improper benefit. The Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of formation will provide that a director of the corporation will not be liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for any act or omission by the director in the performance of his or her duties, except that there will be no limitation of liability to the extent the director has been found liable under applicable law for: (i) breach of the director’s duty of loyalty owed to the corporation or its shareholders; (ii) an act or omission not in good faith that constitutes a breach of duty of the director to the corporation or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (iii) a transaction from which the director received an improper benefit, regardless of whether the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director’s duties; or (iv) an act or omission for which the liability of the director is expressly provided for by an applicable statute.

Sections 8.101 and 8.103 of the TBOC provide that a corporation may indemnify a person who was, is or is threatened to be a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding because the person is or was a director only if a determination is made that such indemnification is permissible under the TBOC: (i) by a majority vote of the directors who at the time of the vote are disinterested and independent, regardless of whether such directors constitute a quorum; (ii) by a majority vote of a board committee designated by a majority of disinterested and independent directors and consisting solely of disinterested and independent directors; (iii) by special legal counsel selected by the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors as set forth in (i) or (ii); (iv) by the shareholders in a vote that excludes the shares held by directors who are not disinterested and independent; or (v) by a unanimous vote of the shareholders.

Section 8.104 of the TBOC provides that the corporation may pay or reimburse, in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a present director who was, is or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding after the corporation receives a written affirmation by the director of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under Section 8.101 and a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that he or she has not met that standard or if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of the director is not otherwise permitted under the TBOC. Section 8.105 also provides that reasonable expenses incurred by a former director, or a present or former employee, agent, or officer of the corporation, who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by the corporation, in advance of the final disposition of the action, as the corporation considers appropriate.

Section 8.105 of the TBOC provides that, subject to restrictions in its certificate of formation and to the extent consistent with other law, a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to a person who is not a director, including an officer, employee, or agent of the corporation as provided by: (i) the corporation’s governing documents; (ii) an action by the corporation’s governing authority; (iii) resolution by the shareholders; (iv) contract; or (v) common law. As consistent with Section 8.105, persons who are not directors may seek indemnification and advancement of expenses from a corporation to the same extent that directors may seek indemnification and advancement of expenses from a corporation.

Further, the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of formation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that the Registrant must indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by law. The Registrant is also expressly required to advance certain expenses to its directors and officers, except for claims brought by the Registrant, and carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for its directors and officers for some liabilities.

The Registrant also entered into, or will enter into prior to the completion of its initial public offering, indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide, or will provide, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC and the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of formation and amended and restated bylaws against (i) any and all direct and indirect liabilities and reasonable expenses, including judgments, fines, penalties, interest and amounts paid in settlement of any claim with the Registrant’s approval and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements and (ii) any liabilities incurred as a result of serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent (including as a trustee, fiduciary, partner, or manager or in a similar capacity) of another enterprise or an employee benefit plan at the Registrant’s request. The indemnification agreements also provide for, or will provide for, the advancement or payment of expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to the Registrant if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of formation and amended and restated bylaws or the terms of the indemnification agreements.

The Registrant expects to maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (i) to its directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (ii) to the Registrant with respect to indemnification payments that it may make to such directors and officers. The underwriting agreement provides for indemnification by the underwriters of the Registrant and its officers and directors, and by the Registrant of the underwriters, for certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise in connection with the Registrant’s initial public offering.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, or persons controlling the Registrant under any of the foregoing provisions, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

Exhibit Number

Incorporated by Reference

Filed Herewith

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc.

X

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc.

X

4.1

Specimen stock certificate evidencing the shares of Class A common stock

S-1/A

333-289685

4.1

September 2, 2025

5.1

Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP

X

23.1

Consent of KPMG LLP, as to Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc.

X

23.2

Consent of KPMG LLP, as to Black Rock Coffee Holdings, LLC

X

23.3

Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)

X

24.1

Power of Attorney (see signature page)

X

99.1						Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. 2025 Incentive Award Plan																														X
99.2						Form Option Agreement under 2025 Incentive Award Plan						S-1/A						333-289685						10.13						September 2, 2025
99.3						Form Option Agreement under 2025 Incentive Award Plan (CEO)						S-1/A						333-289685						10.14						September 2, 2025
99.4						Form Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2025 Incentive Award Plan						S-1/A						333-289685						10.15						September 2, 2025
99.5						Form Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2025 Incentive Award Plan (CEO)						S-1/A						333-289685						10.16						September 2, 2025
107.1						Calculation of Filing Fee Table																														X

Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement,

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Table” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if this registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement, relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, on September 15, 2025.

			BLACK ROCK COFFEE BAR, INC.
			By:			/s/ Mark Davis
			Name:			Mark Davis
			Title:			Chief Executive Officer and Director

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc., hereby severally constitute and appoint Mark Davis, Rodd Booth and Sam Seiberling, and each of them singly (with full power to each of them to act alone), our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them for him and in his name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as full to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Mark Davis

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)

September 15, 2025

Mark Davis

/s/ Rodd Booth

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

September 15, 2025

Rodd Booth

/s/ Michael Schmidt

Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

September 15, 2025

Michael Schmidt

/s/ Jeff Hernandez

Director

September 15, 2025

Jeff Hernandez

/s/ Daniel Brand

Director

September 15, 2025

Daniel Brand

/s/ Jake Spellmeyer

Director

September 15, 2025

Jake Spellmeyer

/s/ Bryan Pereboom

Director

September 15, 2025

Bryan Pereboom

/s/ Richard Federico

Director

September 15, 2025

Richard Federico

/s/ Sarah Goldsmith-Grover

Director

September 15, 2025

Sarah Goldsmith-Grover

/s/ Andrew Braithwaite

Director

September 15, 2025

Andrew Braithwaite

/s/ Kristina Cashman

Director

September 15, 2025

Kristina Cashman

FAQ

What does the filing say about director liability for BRCB?

The registrant's charter will eliminate monetary liability for directors for most acts, but not for breaches of loyalty, bad-faith conduct, knowing violations of law, transactions with improper benefit, or liabilities required by statute.

Will Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. advance legal expenses to directors and officers?

Yes, the TBOC permits advancement of reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition after a written affirmation of good faith and an undertaking to repay if indemnification is later found impermissible.

Does the company provide indemnification agreements for executives and directors?

The registrant will enter into indemnification agreements with each director and executive officer providing indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC and company governing documents.

Does the filing address insurance for directors and officers (D&O)?

Yes, the company expects to maintain standard D&O insurance covering directors and officers and coverage for indemnification payments the company may make.

Are there limits on what is incorporated by reference into this registration statement?

Yes, the filing specifies which prior registration statements and 8-A descriptions are incorporated by reference and states that certain subsequent filings are incorporated from their filing dates, with exceptions noted.