Cracker Barrel insider gets 2,909 options at $43.8 strike; vesting to 2028
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Director and SVP of Store Operations Doug Hisel reported multiple equity awards on 10/09/2025. He received a 2,000-share Restricted Stock Award that cliffs vests on 10/02/2028 subject to continued employment, and 1,232 time-based restricted stock units (RSUs) that vest in three equal annual installments on 9/30/2026, 9/30/2027, and 9/30/2028. He also received 2,909 stock options with an exercise price of $43.8 that vest ratably on the same three annual dates and expire on 09/30/2035. Following these awards, his direct beneficial ownership stands at 3,357 common shares and 2,909 underlying shares via options. The awards were granted in connection with a promotion and annual long‑term incentive program.
Positive
- Retention-focused awards: 2,000-share restricted stock award cliffs vest on 10/02/2028
- Multi-year alignment: RSUs and options vest ratably on 9/30/2026, 9/30/2027, and 9/30/2028
- Reported promptly: Form 4 filed showing transparent disclosure of insider awards
Negative
- Concentrated time-based vesting: A significant portion of compensation depends on continued employment through 2028
- Options priced at $43.8: future value requires the stock to exceed the exercise price before expiration on 09/30/2035
Insights
Grants align pay with retention through multi‑year vesting.
The combination of a restricted stock award that cliffs vest and RSUs/options that vest ratably over three years ties a material portion of the officer's compensation to continued service through 2028. The $43.8 option strike places future value dependent on share performance above that price.
Key dependencies include continued employment and future stock price relative to $43.8; investors can monitor outstanding option expiration timing and scheduled vesting dates through 9/30/2026–9/30/2028.
Grant structure follows common retention and incentive practices.
The awards were disclosed on the required Form 4 and are described as a promotion award plus annual LTI awards, indicating standard governance processes for executive pay. The cliff and ratable vesting provide distinct retention signals: a single long cliff and graduated annual vesting.
Material items to note are the cliff vest date 10/02/2028 for the restricted award and the aggregate post‑grant direct holdings of 3,357 shares plus 2,909 options, which quantify ownership alignment with shareholders.
Insider Trade Summary
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant/Award | Stock Options (Right to Buy) | 2,909 | $0.00 | -- |
| Grant/Award | Common Stock | 2,000 | $0.00 | -- |
| Grant/Award | Common Stock | 1,232 | $43.80 | $54K |
Footnotes (1)
- Represents a Restricted Stock Award granted in connection with the reporting person's promotion within the company. This Award will cliff vest on 10/2/28 and will be contingent upon the reporting person's continued employment with the company on the vesting date. Represents an annual LTI plan award of time-based RSUs which will vest ratably over three years in equal installments on 9/30/26, 9/30/27, and 9/30/28. Represents an annual LTI plan award of stock options which will vest ratably over three years in equal installments on 9/30/26, 9/30/27, and 9/30/28.