Rocky Mountain Chocolate (RMCF) names COO with bonus and stock awards
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (RMCF) appointed David Denker as Chief Operating Officer and principal operating officer, effective August 14, 2026. The Board approved the appointment and an amendment to his employment terms on August 18, 2026, and later announced it publicly in a press release.
Under the amended employment agreement, Denker receives an annual base salary of $185,000 and is eligible for an annual cash incentive bonus targeted at 50% of base salary based on company performance goals. He is also eligible for restricted stock unit awards valued at $82,500 at target performance, vesting on achievement of specified performance goals and continued service.
Denker is an at-will employee. If his employment is terminated by the company without Cause or by him for Good Reason, he is entitled to cash severance equal to three months of base salary and reimbursement of three months of COBRA premiums, subject to the employment agreement’s conditions. The company states there are no family relationships or related-party transactions requiring disclosure.
Positive
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Filing Explained
David Denker is now Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s Chief Operating Officer, effective August 14, 2026, with responsibility expanded beyond franchise development to include manufacturing, production, franchise operations and development. This changes executive operating coverage but does not itself change ownership or reported financing.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
at-will employee regulatory
restricted stock units financial
Good Reason regulatory
forward-looking statements regulatory
Certified Franchise Executive other
FAQ
What executive change did RMCF announce in this Form 8-K?
What is David Denker’s compensation package as COO of RMCF?
What severance benefits does RMCF’s COO receive upon certain terminations?
Is RMCF’s new COO employed on a fixed term or at will?
What equity incentives are available to the RMCF COO under the agreement?
How large is Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s store network mentioned in the release?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Appointment of Chief Operating Officer
On August 18, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the appointment of David Denker as Chief Operating Officer (principal operating officer) of the Company, effective August 14, 2026.
Mr. Denker, age 39, has served as the Company’s Vice President of Franchise Development since September 2025 and subsequently assumed broader leadership responsibilities across the Company. Prior to joining the Company, from July 2024 through August 2025, Mr. Denker served as President and Chief Growth Officer of Cookie Plug, where his responsibilities included franchise operations and development, merchandising, marketing and product innovation. From January 2024 through July 2024, Mr. Denker served as Fractional Senior Vice President of Operations for Salty Dawg, and prior to that, he spent more than a decade with The Vitamin Shoppe and related entities, including serving as Senior Director of Franchise and International Development from November 2021 through December 2023 and as Senior Director of New Business Development and International from December 2019 through November 2021, where he was responsible for franchise strategy and development, international expansion, new business development and the growth of alternative channels. Mr. Denker holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Vermont and is a Certified Franchise Executive.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Denker and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. There are no family relationships between Mr. Denker and any director or executive officer of the Company and there are no related party transactions between the Company and Mr. Denker which would require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K.
Chief Operating Officer Employment Agreement
On August 18, 2026, the Company entered into an amendment to Mr. Denker’s offer of employment (the “Amendment”) in connection with his appointment as Chief Operating Officer, effective August 16, 2026, amending Mr. Denker’s original offer of employment, dated August 17, 2025 (the “Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Amendment, Mr. Denker was appointed Chief Operating Officer and his annual base salary will be $185,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and procedures.
Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Denker is eligible for an annual cash incentive bonus with an initial target of 50% of his annual base salary, based on the achievement of Company performance goals as established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Denker is also eligible for an equity incentive grant in the form of restricted stock units, with a value of $82,500 at target performance, vesting based on the achievement of specified performance goals set annually and ongoing service with the Company.
Mr. Denker is an at-will employee. If the Company terminates Mr. Denker’s employment without Cause or Mr. Denker terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), Mr. Denker will receive: (a) a cash amount equal to three (3) months of his base salary, and (b) reimbursement for COBRA premium continuation payments for a period of three (3) months following the date of termination, subject to compliance with the terms of the Employment Agreement.
The foregoing summary of the terms of the Employment Agreement and the Amendment and does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Employment Agreement and the Amendment, copies of which are included as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 8.01. Other Events
On August 24, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Denker’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 10.1* | Offer of Employment, dated August 17, 2025, by and between Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. and David Denker. | |
| 10.2* | Amendment to Offer of Employment, dated August 18, 2026, by and between Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. and David Denker. | |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated August 24, 2026. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
| * | Management contract or compensatory plan. |
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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.
| Date: August 24, 2026 | ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. | |
| By: | /s/ Carrie Cass | |
| Carrie Cass | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
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Exhibit 99.1
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Appoints David Denker as Chief Operating Officer
Expanded leadership role strengthens focus on production, merchandising, operational excellence, franchise support and sustainable growth
DURANGO, Colo., August 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMCF) (the “Company” or “RMCF”), America’s Chocolatier® since 1981, today announced the appointment of David Denker, CFE, as Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Denker, who has served as Vice President of Franchise Development since joining RMCF in 2025, will assume broader responsibility for the Company’s operations, including its Durango manufacturing and production operations, franchise operations and franchise development.
While leading franchise development, Mr. Denker has contributed to the Company’s new store openings, remodels and omnichannel strategies. In his expanded role, he will focus on driving continuous improvement across the organization and building the operating infrastructure necessary to support RMCF’s long-term growth strategy.
Mr. Denker’s key priorities will include:
| ● | Improving production consistency, capacity, efficiency and product availability while maintaining the quality and craftsmanship that have defined RMCF; |
| ● | Creating greater alignment across product development, vendor strategy and sourcing, merchandising, marketing and the experience delivered to guests across the brand; and |
| ● | Advancing the Company’s experiential retail, new store, remodel and omnichannel strategies, including in-store, digital ordering, delivery, catering and other channels. |
“David’s impact at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has extended well beyond franchise development,” said Al Harper, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. “He has played an important role in shaping our strategic plan and has a strong understanding of what our franchise partners need to be successful. David brings an operator’s mindset, extensive franchise experience and a strong focus on turning strategy into action. As we move into our next phase, execution is critical, and expanding David’s leadership creates greater alignment between our factory in Durango, our franchise system, our stores and ultimately the experience we deliver to our guests.”
“Our opportunity is to connect all parts of the business around a common operating rhythm and a culture of continuous improvement,” said Mr. Denker. “That means asking every day how we can operate more efficiently and better support our franchise partners. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is an iconic brand with a passionate franchise community and a team in Durango that takes tremendous pride in the products we make. Our responsibility is to build on those strengths while preserving the craftsmanship, experiential retail and innovation that make Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory special.”
About David Denker
Prior to joining RMCF, Mr. Denker served as President and Chief Growth Officer of Cookie Plug, where his responsibilities included franchise growth and initiatives across operations, training, marketing and loyalty. Previously, Mr. Denker spent approximately a decade with The Vitamin Shoppe, where he designed and launched the company’s omnichannel franchise program and negotiated international licensing agreements that supported the opening of more than 30 locations across international markets. Mr. Denker holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Vermont and is a Certified Franchise Executive.
About Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. is a leading franchisor, manufacturer and retailer of premium chocolates and other confectionery products. As America’s Chocolatier® since 1981, the Company produces an extensive assortment of premium chocolates, gourmet caramel apples and other handcrafted confections. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is ranked among Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2026. Together with its franchisees and licensees, the Company operates approximately 250 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations across the United States and internationally. The Company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “RMCF.”
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 future operational initiatives, strategic priorities, product innovation, franchise growth, and shareholder value creation. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.
Investor Contact
Sean Mansouri, CFA
Elevate IR
(720) 330-2829
RMCF@elevate-ir.com
Media Contact
Raymond Barrett
Director of Marketing
(305) 801-5641
rbarrett@rmcf.net