Ethan Allen sets CEO transition by June 2027

Ethan Allen’s board has launched a formal CEO succession process, committing to name a new chief executive by June 30, 2027 while Farooq Kathwari oversees the transition.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (ETD) announced that its Board of Directors is conducting a formal, independent CEO succession process to identify a successor to M. Farooq Kathwari, the current Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board has committed to publicly announcing the next CEO no later than June 30, 2027, when Mr. Kathwari’s current employment agreement is scheduled to end. As part of the planned transition, Mr. Kathwari has agreed to remain on the Board as a non-executive director until the Company’s 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, after which he will step down. An independent Board committee has engaged a nationally recognized executive search firm to evaluate both internal and external candidates while Mr. Kathwari continues to lead the management team and execute the Company’s strategic priorities.

8-K Event Classification

3 items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01

3 items

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.

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

CEO announcement deadline: June 30, 2027 Board service end-point: 2027 annual meeting Manufacturing share: 75% of custom-crafted furniture +2 more

5 metrics

CEO announcement deadline June 30, 2027 Date by which the Board has committed to announce Ethan Allen’s next CEO

Board service end-point 2027 annual meeting Meeting at which M. Farooq Kathwari will step down from the Board

Manufacturing share 75% of custom-crafted furniture Portion manufactured in Ethan Allen’s own North American facilities

Year founded 1932 Ethan Allen has been recognized for product quality and craftsmanship since 1932

Form type Form 8-K Current report announcing the ongoing CEO succession process

Key Terms

CEO succession process, vertically integrated, omnichannel retail strategies, forward-looking statements, +2 more

6 terms

CEO succession process financial

"today announced the Board of Directors’ ongoing formal CEO succession process"

vertically integrated financial

"designer-led, vertically integrated platform"

Vertically integrated describes a company that owns and controls multiple steps in making and selling its products or services — for example sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, and distribution. Like a bakery that grows its own wheat, mills the flour, bakes the bread and runs the shops, this setup can lower costs, improve quality and speed to market and protect profit margins, but it also requires more capital and can reduce flexibility.

omnichannel retail strategies financial

"digital transformation, omnichannel retail strategies, and supply chain efficiency"

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning"

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

proxy statement regulatory

"intends to file a proxy statement and BLUE proxy card"

A proxy statement is a document companies send to shareholders ahead of a meeting that lays out the items up for a vote—like who will sit on the board, executive pay, and major corporate decisions—and provides background so shareholders can decide how to cast their votes or appoint someone to vote for them. Think of it as an agenda plus a ballot and briefing notes, important because the outcomes can change control, strategy, and value.

participants in the solicitation regulatory

"are deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies"

People or firms who actively seek to influence shareholders’ choices in a corporate action—such as a vote, merger, proxy contest, or tender offer. This can include company insiders, advisers, bankers, lawyers and professional solicitors who contact investors to persuade them. Investors care because knowing who is doing the persuading reveals potential conflicts, resources and credibility behind the campaign, much like checking who is organizing a political campaign before accepting its message.

FAQ

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

What CEO succession timeline did Ethan Allen (ETD) announce in this Form 8-K?

Ethan Allen’s Board committed to publicly announcing the next CEO no later than June 30, 2027, which is when M. Farooq Kathwari’s current employment agreement is scheduled to end, as part of its ongoing formal CEO succession process.

What is M. Farooq Kathwari’s future role at Ethan Allen (ETD) under the announced plan?

M. Farooq Kathwari will continue as Chairman, President and CEO during the search and, as part of the planned succession, has agreed to remain a non-executive Board member after June 30, 2027 until the Company’s 2027 annual meeting, when he will step down from the Board.

Who is overseeing the CEO search process at Ethan Allen (ETD)?

The Corporate Governance, Nominations and Sustainability Committee, composed entirely of independent directors, is overseeing the succession process and has engaged a nationally recognized executive search firm to identify and evaluate internal and external CEO candidates.

Will Ethan Allen (ETD) consider external candidates for the CEO role?

Yes. The Board’s independent committee has engaged an executive search firm that is identifying and evaluating both internal and external candidates as part of the formal CEO succession process.

What strategic priorities will Ethan Allen (ETD) focus on during the CEO transition?

During the transition, Ethan Allen plans to focus on its designer-led retail network, North American manufacturing and logistics, technology investments, and disciplined cost management, while continuing its digital transformation and omnichannel retail strategies.

How much of Ethan Allen’s (ETD) furniture is made in its own facilities?

Ethan Allen states that it manufactures about 75% of its custom-crafted furniture in its own North American manufacturing facilities, supporting its vertically integrated business model.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Available on EDGAR 09/21/2026 - 04:18 PM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 09/21/2026 - 04:17 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

false 0000896156 0000896156 2026-09-21 2026-09-21

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 of earliest event reported): September 21, 2026

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-11692	06-1275288
(State or other jurisdiction of  incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

25 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury, Connecticut	06811-5286
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 743-8000

Former name or former address, if changed since last report: Not Applicable

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, $0.01 Par Value	ETD	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 September 21, 2026, Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (“Ethan Allen” or the “Company”) issued a press release stating that the Company's Board of Directors (the “Board”) has committed to publicly announcing the Company's next Chief Executive Officer, to succeed M. Farooq Kathwari, the Company's current Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer no later than June 30, 2027, the date on which Mr. Kathwari's current employment agreement with the Company is scheduled to end. As part of the planned succession, Mr. Kathwari has agreed to remain a non-executive member of the Board until the Company's 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, at which time he will step down from the Board.

Item 8.01 Other Events

A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release dated September 21, 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 thereunto duly authorized.

	ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. (Registrant)
Date: September 21, 2026	By:	/s/ Matthew J. McNulty
		Matthew J. McNulty Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

Exhibit 99.1

Ethan Allen Board Announces Ongoing CEO Succession Process to Drive 

Next Phase of Value Creation

Formal, Independent Process Will Consider Internal and External Candidates

Board Commits to Announcing Next CEO of Ethan Allen No Later Than June 30, 2027

DANBURY, CT – September 21, 2026 – Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (“Ethan Allen” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ETD), a leading interior design company, manufacturer and retailer in the home furnishings marketplace, today announced the Board of Directors’ (the “Board”) ongoing formal CEO succession process.

The Corporate Governance, Nominations and Sustainability Committee, composed entirely of independent directors, and whose charter requires it to develop and review with the Board a succession plan for the Chief Executive Officer, has engaged a nationally recognized executive search firm that is identifying and evaluating both internal and external candidates. The Board has committed to publicly announcing Ethan Allen’s next CEO no later than June 30, 2027, the date on which Mr. Kathwari’s current contract is scheduled to end. As part of the planned succession, Mr. Kathwari has agreed to remain as a non-executive member of the Board after June 30, 2027 until the Company’s 2027 annual meeting, at which time he will step down from the Board.

Consistent with the Board’s succession planning, Mr. Kathwari will continue to lead the Company’s management team and execute Ethan Allen’s strategic priorities while supporting the Board’s search and an orderly leadership transition.

“Ethan Allen’s Board is focused on overseeing the Company for the long-term benefit of all shareholders. We have a leadership team that has built and continues to advance Ethan Allen’s designer-led, vertically integrated platform. The succession process has a clear timeline that reflects the Board’s commitment to an orderly, well-governed leadership transition. The independent directors are conducting a thorough process to identify a leader with demonstrated experience who can build on and accelerate the Company’s ongoing digital transformation, omnichannel retail strategies, and supply chain efficiency to best guide Ethan Allen’s next chapter,” said David M. Sable, Ethan Allen’s Lead Independent Director, Chair of the Company’s Compensation Committee, and a member of the Corporate Governance, Nominations and Sustainability Committee.

“The Board takes its succession and governance responsibilities seriously. Succession is a standing agenda item where the Board regularly evaluates the Company's leadership capabilities, emergency and long-term succession plans, and the capabilities required to execute our strategy over the long term,” stated Cynthia Ekberg Tsai, Chair of the Company’s Corporate Governance, Nominations and Sustainability Committee.

“I fully support the Board-led, independent CEO succession process. As Ethan Allen’s largest shareholder, I remain deeply invested in the Company’s long-term success and committed to helping ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition. I will remain focused on executing Ethan Allen’s strategic priorities while doing everything I can to support a successful transition,” said Farooq Kathwari.

“This process provides an important period of leadership, continuity and stability. It is also allowing the Board to conduct a thoughtful, deliberate, and rigorous succession process on a timeline driven by the long-term needs of the Company. We are grateful for Farooq’s leadership over the last four decades as he helped build an incredible brand known for craftsmanship and high-touch customer service and look forward to building on this legacy during our next chapter of growth. The Board is confident in the strength and commitment of the Company's leadership team today, and we remain equally focused on ensuring we have the leadership, talent, and organizational depth necessary for continued success in the years ahead,” concluded Mr. Sable.

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During the transition process, Ethan Allen will remain focused on executing its differentiated strategy, including its designer-led retail network, North American manufacturing and logistics, technology investments, and disciplined cost management.

The Board remains committed to engaging with shareholders and providing appropriate updates on the succession process.

ABOUT ETHAN ALLEN

Ethan Allen (NYSE: ETD) is a leading interior design destination combining state-of-the-art technology with personal service. Ethan Allen design centers, which represent a mix of Company-operated and independent licensee locations, offer complimentary interior design service and sell a full range of home furnishings, including custom furniture and artisan-crafted accents for every room in the home. Vertically integrated from product design through logistics, the Company manufactures about 75% of its custom-crafted furniture in its own North American manufacturing facilities and has been recognized for product quality and craftsmanship since 1932. Learn more at www.ethanallen.com and follow Ethan Allen on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company’s chief executive officer succession planning process, the conduct, scope and timing of the Board’s search for a successor chief executive officer, the anticipated timing and completion of a leadership transition, the Company’s strategic and operating priorities, and the Company’s expectation to continue to engage constructively with its shareholders. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, in the Company’s 2026 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other factors identified in its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Ethan Allen undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

The Company intends to file a proxy statement and BLUE proxy card with the SEC in connection with its solicitation of proxies for its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2026 Annual Meeting”). THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain the proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents as and when filed by the Company with the SEC without charge from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

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Participants in the Solicitation

M. Farooq Kathwari; Maria Eugenia Casar; David M. Sable; Tara I. Stacom; Cynthia Ekberg Tsai; and Matthew J. McNulty are deemed to be “participants” (as defined in Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Information about the compensation of the Company's non-employee Directors is set forth in the section titled “Director Compensation” in the Company's definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on September 26, 2025 (the “2025 Proxy Statement”), at page 16, and is available here. Information about the compensation of Mr. Kathwari is set forth in the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and the related Compensation Tables in the 2025 Proxy Statement at page 31 and is available here. Information regarding the participants' holdings of the Company's securities can be found in the section titled “Security Ownership” in the 2025 Proxy Statement, at page 42, and is available here. Additional updates to certain participants' holdings following the date of the 2025 Proxy Statement have been reflected in their subsequent Section 16 filings (Forms 3, 4 and 5), which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or on the Company's website at https://ir.ethanallen.com/sec-filings/section-16-filings.

Such filings are available on the Company's website at https://ir.ethanallen.com/sec-filings or through the SEC's website via the links referenced above. Updated information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Company's proxy statement on Schedule 14A and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Investor Relations Contact:

IR@ethanallen.com

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Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 16.2 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 11.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 15.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 11.3 KB