---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-23-081459"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: null
cik: "0001753706"
company_name: "Whole Earth Brands, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-07-17T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-13T07:47:49.274204+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO placed on leave; Interim Co-CEOs appointed amid review of Sababa acquisition proposal

## Summary
- Michael Franklin, CEO, placed on leave effective July 16, 2023; he is a partner in Mariposa Capital, an affiliate of Sababa.
- Rajnish Ohri (President & COO International) and Jeffrey Robinson (President Mafco) appointed as Interim Co-CEOs.
- Special Committee (Steven Cohen, Irwin Simon, Denise Faltischek) continues evaluating Sababa proposal and other alternatives.
- No additional compensation for interim Co-CEOs has been determined by the Board.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-23-081459
- form_type: 8-K
- cik: 0001753706
- company_name: Whole Earth Brands, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-07-17T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1753706/000110465923081459/0001104659-23-081459-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1753706/000110465923081459/tm2321429d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-081459
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-081459.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-081459.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Rajnish Ohri was appointed as Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer at Whole Earth Brands, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer
  source text: In the interim, the Board has appointed Rajnish Ohri, the Company’s current President and Chief Operating Officer – International Business (Branded CPG segment), and Jeffrey Robinson, the Company’s current President Mafco (Flavors & Ingredients segment), to act as the Company’s Interim Co-Chief Executive Officers, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1753706/000110465923081459/0001104659-23-081459-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jeffrey Robinson was appointed as Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer at Whole Earth Brands, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer
  source text: In the interim, the Board has appointed Rajnish Ohri, the Company’s current President and Chief Operating Officer – International Business (Branded CPG segment), and Jeffrey Robinson, the Company’s current President Mafco (Flavors & Ingredients segment), to act as the Company’s Interim Co-Chief Executive Officers, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1753706/000110465923081459/0001104659-23-081459-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael Franklin departed as Chief Executive Officer at Whole Earth Brands, Inc..
  - Action: placed on leave
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On July 16, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) unanimously resolved to place Mr. Michael Franklin, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, on a leave of absence, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1753706/000110465923081459/0001104659-23-081459-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.