---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001437749-24-002388"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "RMCF"
cik: "0001616262"
company_name: "Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc."
filed_at: "2024-01-29T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-06T15:56:44.218726+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Rocky Mountain Chocolate names Starlette B. Johnson interim CEO, replaces Robert Sarlls

## Summary
- Robert Sarlls terminated without cause on Jan 27; severance includes 15 months base salary, pro-rated bonus, and 12 months COBRA.
- Starlette B. Johnson appointed Interim CEO effective Jan 28; she was a Board member since March 2023.
- Board reduced from 6 to 5 directors following Sarlls' resignation.
- Johnson brings 30+ years of retail/hospitality experience including leadership at Dave & Buster's and Brinker International.
- Company states goal to return to growth and profitability in Fiscal 2025 under the Strategic Transformation Plan.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001437749-24-002388
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: RMCF
- cik: 0001616262
- company_name: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
- filed_at: 2024-01-29T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1616262/000143774924002388/0001437749-24-002388-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1616262/000143774924002388/rmcfd20240128_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-24-002388
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-24-002388.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001437749-24-002388.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Starlette B. Johnson was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On January 28, 2024, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (the “Company”) appointed Starlette B. Johnson to the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1616262/000143774924002388/0001437749-24-002388-index.htm
- Executive change
  Robert Sarlls was terminated as Chief Executive Officer at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc..
  - Action: terminated
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On January 27, 2024, Robert Sarlls’ employment as Chief Executive Officer of the Company was terminated without Cause (as such term is defined in Mr. Sarlls’ offer letter with the Company, dated May 3, 2022, the “Sarlls Offer Letter”), effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1616262/000143774924002388/0001437749-24-002388-index.htm

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