---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001437749-21-025791"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "RMCF"
cik: "0001616262"
company_name: "Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc."
filed_at: "2021-11-09T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T10:44:55.997739+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO Merryman to step down upon hire of new CEO; stays as CFO/interim CEO; gets accelerated RSU vesting, $1.33M severance

## Summary
- Bryan J. Merryman voluntarily steps down as President and CEO upon hiring of successor; remains CFO and interim CEO until then.
- Board accelerated vesting of 66,667 unvested RSUs granted to Merryman, effective Nov 3, 2021.
- Amendment provides $1,326,813 termination payment plus $18,000 for insurance coverage upon any termination; company to fund $1.34M rabbi trust.
- Non-compete revised to two years covering US/Canada chocolate manufacturing/retail; change-in-control gross-up limited to events prior to Nov 3, 2021.
- Outplacement reimbursement up to $53,250 over two years; consulting agreement option until Nov 3, 2022.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001437749-21-025791
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: RMCF
- cik: 0001616262
- company_name: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
- filed_at: 2021-11-09T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1616262/000143774921025791/0001437749-21-025791-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1616262/000143774921025791/rmcfd20211108_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-21-025791
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-21-025791.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-21-025791.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Bryan J. Merryman changed role as Chief Financial Officer and interim President and Chief Executive Officer at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc..
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer and interim President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Bryan J. Merryman agreed to voluntarily step down as President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the "Company") upon the hiring of a new President and CEO for the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1616262/000143774921025791/0001437749-21-025791-index.htm

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