10-K/A
Mister Car Wash, Inc. (MCW)
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|---|
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934<br><br>For the Transition Period From ___to___ |
|---|
Commission File Number 001-40542

Mister Car Wash, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
| Delaware | 47-1393909 |
|---|---|
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| 222 E. 5th Street, Tucson, Arizona | 85705 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (520) 615-4000
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, par value $0.01 per share | MCW | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
| 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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price of the shares of common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on June 30, 2025, was $603,562,916.
The number of shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 13, 2026 was 328,479,065.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
None
Explanatory Note:
On February 27, 2026, Mister Car Wash, Inc. filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, or the 2025 Annual Report. The 2025 Annual Report omitted Part III, Items 10 (Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance), 11 (Executive Compensation), 12 (Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters), 13 (Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence) and 14 (Principal Accountant Fees and Services) in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, which provides that such information may be either incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement or included in an amendment to Form 10-K, in either case filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.
This Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K, or this Amendment, is being filed solely to:
- amend Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the 2025 Annual Report to include the information required by such Items;
- delete the reference on the cover of the 2025 Annual Report to the incorporation by reference of portions of our proxy statement into Part III of the 2025 Annual Report; and
- amend Part IV to file an exhibit pursuant to S-K Item 601(b)(10) and file new certifications of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer as exhibits to this Amendment under Item 15 of Part IV hereof, pursuant to Rule 12b-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Because no financial statements have been included in this Amendment and this Amendment does not contain or amend any disclosure with respect to Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of the certifications have been omitted. We are not including the certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as no financial statements are being filed with this Amendment.
Except as described above, this Amendment does not modify or update disclosure in, or exhibits to, the 2025 Annual Report. Furthermore, this Amendment does not change any previously reported financial results, nor does it reflect events occurring after the date of the 2025 Annual Report. Information not affected by this Amendment remains unchanged and reflects the disclosures made at the time the 2025 Annual Report was filed. Accordingly, this Amendment should be read in conjunction with the 2025 Annual Report and our other filings with the SEC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PART III | 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 2 | |
| Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 5 | |
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 22 | |
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 24 | |
| Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 25 | |
| PART IV | 27 | ||
| Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 27 | |
| Item 16. | Form 10-K Summary | 27 | |
| Signatures | 28 |
Jeffrey Suer has served as a member of our Board of Directors since August 2014. Mr. Suer is a Partner of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. Prior to joining Leonard Green & Partners in August 2013, Mr. Suer previously served as a private equity associate at Apollo Global Management LLC and a mergers and acquisitions analyst at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Suer received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and a B.S. in Mathematics/Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. We believe Mr. Suer is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his extensive experience investing in and supporting high-growth, market-leading companies.
Jodi Taylor has served as a member of our Board of Directors since June 2021. Ms. Taylor previously served as an executive officer of Container Store Group, Inc., a publicly traded specialty retailer of storage and organization products, until her retirement in March 2021. She was the Chief Financial Officer from December 2007 through August 2020, the Secretary from October 2013 through March 2021, and the Chief Administrative Officer from July 2016 through March 2021. Prior to joining Container Store Group, Inc., Ms. Taylor spent nine years as the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Harold’s Stores, Inc., a regional specialty retailer of high-end apparel. Prior to that role, she served as Chief Financial Officer Secretary and Treasurer of Baby Superstore, Inc. from 1994 through 1997. Since August 2020, Ms. Taylor has served on the board of directors of the J.M. Smucker Company since 2020, where she also serves as Chair of the audit committee. She has also served on the board of directors of Wella Company since March 2023, where she also serves as Chair of the audit committee. She has been a certified public accountant since 1984 (inactive since 2021), starting with an accounting role at Deloitte & Touche LLP. We believe Ms. Taylor is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to her experience as an executive officer of a public company and her financial and accounting expertise.
John Danhakl has served as a member of our Board of Directors since August 2014. Mr. Danhakl is Managing Partner of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. The firm partners with experienced management teams and often with founders to invest in market-leading companies. Mr. Danhakl joined LGP in 1995. Previously, Mr. Danhakl was a Managing Director in the Los Angeles office of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette ("DLJ"). Prior to DLJ, Mr. Danhakl was a Vice President in corporate finance at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc. Mr. Danhakl presently serves on the board of directors of IQVIA Holdings, Inc. since February 2010, Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. since June 2015. He is a 1980 graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and received an M.B.A. in 1985 from Harvard Business School. We believe Mr. Danhakl is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his extensive experience investing in and supporting high-growth, market-leading companies, and his experience as a financial analyst.
John Lai has served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since 2021, and as our President, Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board since June 2013. Mr. Lai has been with Mister Car Wash, Inc, and its predecessor entities since 2002, serving as Vice President of Market Development until assuming the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lai has served as a director at the Southern Arizona Leadership Council since December 2019. Mr. Lai received a B.S. from the University of Arizona. We believe that Mr. Lai is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors based on his understanding of our business and operations and perspective as our President and Chief Executive Officer.
Jonathan Seiffer has served as a member of our Board of Directors since August 2014. Mr. Seiffer is a Senior Partner at Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., which he joined as an Associate in October 1994. Mr. Seiffer has previously served on the board of directors of Signet Jewelers, LTD from 2019 to 2025, of AerSale Corporation from 2020 to 2025 and BJ’s Wholesale Club from 2011 to 2020. Mr. Seiffer obtained a B.S. in finance and systems engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. We believe Mr. Seiffer is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his extensive experience investing in and supporting high-growth, market-leading companies.
Ronald Kirk has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2021. Mr. Kirk has been Senior Of Counsel at the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP since April 2013. From 2009 until 2013, Mr. Kirk served as the U.S. Trade Representative under President Obama, where he focused on the development and enforcement of U.S. intellectual property law. Prior to serving as U.S. Trade Representative, from 2005 to 2009, Mr. Kirk was a partner of the law firm of Vinson & Elkins LLP and, from 1994 to 2005, was a partner in the Corporate Securities Practice of Gardere Wynne & Sewell LLP. Mr. Kirk currently serves on the board of directors of Texas Instruments Incorporated and previously served on the board of directors of Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings, LLC. Mr. Kirk received a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from Austin College and a J.D. from University of Texas at Austin School of Law. We believe Mr. Kirk is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to his broad leadership experience and experience as an independent director for other public companies.
Veronica Rogers has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2021. Currently Ms. Rogers is a DCI Fellow of Stanford University. Ms. Rogers has served as Senior Vice President, Head of Global Sales and
Business Operations of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC from January 2020 to April 2023 where she led go-to-market strategy globally both physically and digitally, including PlayStation Store and subscription Services with more than 45 million subscribers. From 2006 to 2020, she served in various managerial roles in sales, marketing, and business development at Microsoft Corporation, most recently as Vice President, Device Partner, Sales from 2018 to 2020. Ms. Rogers received a B.A. in Economics and a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge, as well as a Master of Science degree in European Political Economy and Political Science from the London School of Economics. We believe Ms. Rogers is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to her experience as an executive officer of public companies.
Information Regarding Executive Officers
The table below identifies and sets forth certain biographical and other information regarding our executive officers as of April 10, 2026. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
| Executive Officer | Age | Position | In Current Position Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Lai | 62 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | 2013 |
| Jedidiah Gold | 46 | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | 2019 |
| Mary Porter | 55 | Chief People Officer | 2023 |
| Joseph Matheny | 50 | Chief Innovation Officer | 2023 |
| Carlos Chavez | 55 | Chief Technology Officer | 2025 |
| Michelle Krall | 54 | General Counsel, Secretary, and Compliance Officer | 2025 |
Mr. Lai’s biographical information is set forth above under “Information Regarding Directors.”
Jedidiah Gold has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since July 2019. Mr. Gold previously served as Senior Director Finance, Assistant Treasurer at Yum Brands, Inc. from May 2016 to July 2019, and as Chief Financial Officer MENAPak at KFC Corporation from October 2014 to May 2016. Mr. Gold received a M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Indiana University and a B.S. in accounting from the University of Utah.
Mary Porter has served as our Chief People Officer since April 2023. Ms. Porter previously served as the Vice President of Human Resources for Nordstrom from January 2018 to April 2023, supporting Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack locations across both the U.S. and Canada, a position she achieved as the culmination of a 27-year long journey with the company. From HR compliance to Talent Acquisition to strategic business support, Mary has experience across many Human Resources functions. Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.
Joseph Matheny has served as our Chief Innovation Officer since October 2023. Mr. Matheny previously served as our Senior Vice President, Operations since March 2020. Mr. Matheny joined our Company in 1998 and previously served as our Vice President, Operations from December 2016 to March 2020, and served in General Manager, Regional Manager, and Division Manager roles prior.
Carlos Chavez has served as our Chief Technology Officer since February 2025. He started his career in management consulting with Deloitte and pivoted to an agency developing and implementing digital strategies for Fortune 100 companies. He left consulting to lead technology teams at several global multi-unit brands, including Blockbuster, FedEx, and Yum! Brands. His most recent work with a Pacific Northwest tire retailer focused on digital transformation, including fostering a lean innovation culture and creating extensive business intelligence capabilities to drive data-driven decisions at all levels of the company. Carlos holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
Michelle Krall has served as our General Counsel, Secretary, and Compliance Officer since May 2025. Ms. Krall brings legal expertise and operational experience to Mister. She began her legal career at a large law firm specializing in commercial real estate and retail leasing before moving into the apparel and footwear industries. Throughout her 17 years with DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, she oversaw all legal functions as the company’s Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. During her tenure, she also led the real estate, construction, procurement and strategic planning teams. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University and a Juris Doctorate degree from The Ohio State University.
Committees of the Board
We believe that each of our directors has the experience, skills, qualities, and time to successfully perform his or her duties as a director and contribute to our Company’s success. In selecting these directors, the Board determined each to be of high integrity and good judgment, with a record of accomplishment in their chosen fields, and displaying the independence of mind and strength of character to effectively represent the best interests of all stockholders and
provide practical insights and a variety of perspectives, together producing a cohesive body in terms of board process, collaboration, and mutual respect.
| Director | Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Danhakl | |||
| J. Kristofer Galashan | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ronald Kirk | ✓ | ✓ | |
| John Lai | |||
| Dorvin Donald Lively | ✓ | ||
| Atif Rafiq | ✓ | ||
| Veronica Rogers | CHAIR | ||
| Jonathan Seiffer | ✓ | CHAIR | |
| Jeffrey Suer | |||
| Jodi Taylor | CHAIR |
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee currently consists of Dorvin Donald Lively, Ronald Kirk and Jodi Taylor, with Ms. Taylor serving as chair. All members of our Audit Committee meet the requirements for financial sophistication under the applicable NASDAQ rules and regulations. Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that each member of our Audit Committee qualifies as “independent” under the NASDAQ rules applicable to Audit Committee members and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) applicable to Audit Committee members. In addition, our Board of Directors has determined that each of Ms. Taylor and Mr. Lively qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Conduct (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Conduct constitutes a “code of ethics” as defined in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K.
Our Code of Conduct is available under the Governance section of the Investor Relations page of our website located at ir.mistercarwash.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the NASDAQ rules concerning any amendments to, or waivers of, any provisions of our Code of Conduct.
Insider Trading Policy and Procedures
Our Board of Directors has adopted an Insider Trading Policy, which applies to our directors, officers, and employees. The policy prohibits our directors, officers, and employees from purchasing financial instruments, such as prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds, or otherwise engaging in transactions that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of our equity securities. All such transactions involving our equity securities, whether such securities were granted as compensation or are otherwise held, directly or indirectly, are prohibited.
Process for Stockholder Nominations
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to our Board since we last provided disclosure of such procedures.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
General
In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”), we provide an overview and analysis of the compensation awarded to or earned by our named executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table below (each, an “NEO”) during fiscal 2025, including the elements of our compensation program for NEOs, material compensation decisions made under that program for fiscal 2025 and the material factors considered in making those decisions. Our NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2025, are:
John Lai, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer;
Jedidiah Gold, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer;
Mary Porter, Chief People Officer;
Joseph Matheny, Chief Innovation Officer;
Carlos Chavez, Chief Technology Officer
Executive Summary
2025 Compensation Highlights
Consistent with our compensation philosophy, key compensation decisions for 2025 included the following:
- Base Salaries and Target Annual Cash Incentive Opportunities. The 2025 base salaries increased as part of the regular merit review process while target bonuses (as a percentage of base salary) for our NEOs were revised for 2025.
- Annual Cash Incentives. Our Compensation Committee selected performance goals for our 2025 performance-based annual bonus program that were intended to promote our business plan and short-term goals with regard to adjusted EBITDAR. In light of our achievement of the performance goals, the Compensation Committee determined to pay out annual bonuses at 100% of target for each of our NEOs.
- Equity Awards. The Compensation Committee approved awards of RSUs and stock options to promote executive retention and reward long-term value creation.
Compensation Philosophy
Compensation Governance and Best Practices
We are committed to having strong governance standards with respect to our compensation programs, procedures, and practices. Our key compensation practices include the following:
| What We Do | What We Do Not Do | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | Emphasize performance-based, at-risk compensation. | X | Do not grant uncapped cash incentives or guaranteed equity compensation. |
| ✓ | Use equity compensation to promote executive retention and reward long-term value creation. | X | Do not reprice our stock option awards. |
| ✓ | Weight the overall pay mix towards incentive compensation for senior executives. | X | No hedging or pledging of Company stock. |
| ✓ | Engage an independent compensation consultant to advise our Compensation Committee. | X | No tax gross-ups on change-in-control. |
| ✓ | Maintain robust stock ownership guidelines. | ||
| ✓ | Hold annual Say-on-Pay advisory vote for stockholders. |
Executive Compensation Objectives and Philosophy
The primary objective of our executive compensation program is to attract, motivate, and reward leaders with the skills and experience necessary to successfully execute on our strategic plan to maximize stockholder value while maintaining our people-first culture. Our executive compensation program is designed to:
Attract and retain talented and experienced executives in a competitive and dynamic market;
Motivate our NEOs to help our company achieve the best possible financial and operational results while supporting and promoting our people-first culture;
Provide reward opportunities consistent with our performance on both a short-term and long-term basis; and
Align the long-term interests of our executives, including our NEOs, with those of our stockholders.
We strive to set our overall total compensation at a market-competitive level. In determining total compensation for executives, the Compensation Committee considers competitive market data from our peer group, experience, individual performance, scope of position and the competitive demand for proven executive talent, as described further below under “Determination of Executive Compensation.”
Determination of Executive Compensation
Role of Board of Directors/Compensation Committee/Executive Officers
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and overseeing our executive compensation programs and reviews and determines the compensation to be provided to our NEOs, other than with respect to our CEO, whose compensation is determined by the board of directors (the “Board”).
In setting executive compensation, the Compensation Committee considers a number of factors, including the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to the Chief Executive Officer’s own compensation) and our human resources team, current and past total compensation, competitive market data and analysis provided by the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, Company performance and each executive’s impact on performance, each executive’s relative scope of responsibility and potential, each executive’s individual performance and demonstrated leadership, and internal equity pay considerations. Our Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations are based on his evaluation of each NEO’s individual performance and contributions, of which our Chief Executive Officer has direct knowledge. Our Board makes decisions regarding our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, following recommendations from the Compensation Committee.
Role of Compensation Consultant
To design a competitive executive compensation program that will continue to attract top executive talent and reflect our compensation philosophy, our Compensation Committee has retained Exequity as an independent compensation consultant to provide executive compensation advisory services, help evaluate our compensation philosophy and objectives and provide guidance in administering our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee has evaluated Exequity’s independence pursuant to the requirements of NASDAQ and SEC rules and has determined that Exequity does not have any conflicts of interest in advising the Compensation Committee.
Use of Peer Groups
While the Compensation Committee does not establish compensation levels solely based on a review of competitive data or benchmark to any particular level, it believes such data is a useful tool in its deliberations as our compensation policies and practices must be competitive in the marketplace for us to be able to attract, motivate and retain qualified executive officers. To gain an understanding of current compensation practices and assess the competitiveness of our compensation program, the Compensation Committee reviews pay of executives serving in similar positions at peer group companies. The Compensation Committee reviews the composition of the peer group annually in consultation with Exequity and considers the following:
- Size, including total revenues, market capitalization, total enterprise value, and EBITDA;
- Industries in which the Company competes for executive talent; and
- Other factors, including scale, footprint, and brand recognition.
In its review of the peer group for 2025 compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee, based upon Exequity’s recommendation and report, maintained the same peer group as the prior year. The peer group used for 2025 compensation decisions consisted of the following companies:
| <ul><li><span>Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>Petco Health & Wellness Company, Inc.</span></li></ul> |
|---|---|---|
| <ul><li><span>Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>Leslie’s, Inc.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>Planet Fitness, Inc.</span></li></ul> |
| <ul><li><span>Dine Brands Global, Inc.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>National Vision Holdings, Inc.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>Shake Shack, Inc.</span></li></ul> |
| <ul><li><span>Driven Brands Holdings, Inc.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>Valvoline, Inc.</span></li></ul> |
| <ul><li><span>First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc.</span></li></ul> | <ul><li><span>Papa John's International, Inc.</span></li></ul> | |
| --- | --- |
Elements of Compensation
The primary elements of our NEOs’ compensation and the main objectives of each are:
- Base Salary. Base salary attracts and retains talented executives, recognizes individual roles and responsibilities, and provides stable income;
- Annual Performance-Based Incentive Compensation. Annual performance bonuses promote short-term performance objectives and reward executives for their contributions toward achieving those objectives;
- Equity Based Long-Term Incentive Compensation. Equity compensation, provided in the form of stock options and Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), aligns executives’ interests with our stockholders’ interests, emphasizes long-term financial and operational performance, and helps retain executive talent.
In addition, our NEOs are eligible to participate in our health and welfare programs, our 401(k) plan, and nonqualified deferred compensation plan on the same basis as our other eligible employees. We also maintain severance and change in control arrangements, which aid in attracting and retaining executive talent and help executives to remain focused and dedicated during potential transition periods due to a change in control. Each of these elements of compensation for 2025 is described further below.
Base Salary
The base salaries of our NEOs are an important part of their total compensation package, and are intended to reflect their respective positions, experience, duties, and responsibilities. Base salary is a visible and stable fixed component of our compensation program. Base salaries provide our NEOs with a reasonable degree of financial certainty and stability. Our Compensation Committee, and with respect to our Chief Executive Officer, the Board, annually reviews and determines the base salaries of our executives and evaluates the base salaries of new hires at the time of hire.
Our NEOs’ base salary rates were as set forth below:
| Name | 2025 Base Salary Rate as of 12/31/2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| John Lai | $ | 1,000,000 |
| Jedidiah Gold | $ | 525,000 |
| Mary Porter | $ | 418,700 |
| Joseph Matheny | $ | 350,000 |
| Carlos Chavez | $ | 400,000 |
Annual Performance-Based Incentive Compensation
We consider cash incentive bonuses to be an important component of our total compensation program and to provide incentives necessary to retain executive officers. For 2025, each NEO was eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus based on a specified target annual bonus award amount, expressed as a percentage of the NEO’s base salary. In fiscal 2025, our NEOs participated in our annual cash incentive bonus program at the following target percentages of base salary:
| Name | Target Bonus as a Percentage of Base Salary |
|---|---|
| John Lai | 125% |
| Jedidiah Gold | 75% |
| Mary Porter | 50% |
| Joseph Matheny | 50% |
| Carlos Chavez | 50% |
Such target bonuses as a percentage of base salary were increased from the prior year for all except for Mr. Gold, who was the only NEO to receive an increase in fiscal year 2024 and as a result did not receive an increase in 2025, following the Compensation Committee's consideration of the factors set forth above under “Determination of Executive Compensation.”
Our 2025 Executive Bonus Program was based on the achievement of a single Company performance metric of adjusted EBITDAR to plan. Adjusted EBITDAR is defined as net income before interest expense, net, income tax
provision, depreciation and amortization expense, gain on sale of assets stock-based compensation expense and related taxes, acquisition expenses, non-cash rent expense, other nonrecurring charges, cash rent expense, bonus expense and acquired store EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDAR was used because it incentivizes profitability irrespective of the timing of sale-leaseback transactions the Company may pursue. The adjusted EBITDAR target (or plan) for 2025 was $485.5 million. Minimum payouts required a threshold achievement level of 94% adjusted EBITDAR to plan, with target performance achieved at 100% of plan, and maximum achievement at 110% of plan. For actual performance between the specified threshold, target, and maximum levels, the resulting payout percentage would be interpolated on a linear basis. The following table sets forth each NEO’s bonus payout opportunity (as a percentage of target) upon various performance achievement levels:
| Adjusted EBITDAR Plan Attainment (%)1 | Payout % |
|---|---|
| <94.0% | 0% |
| 94.0% | 50% |
| 95.2% | 60% |
| 96.4% | 70% |
| 97.6% | 80% |
| 98.8% | 90% |
| 100.0% | 100% |
| 102.0% | 120% |
| 104.0% | 140% |
| 106.0% | 160% |
| 108.0% | 180% |
| 110.0%+ | 200% |
Based on the achievement of adjusted EBITDAR of $482.3 million, which was 99.34% attainment of adjusted EBITDAR to plan, the NEOs earned payouts under the 2025 Executive Bonus Program at 94.47% of target. The Compensation Committee exercised its discretion to adjust bonus payouts for 2025 to 100%. The amounts of the NEOs’ 2025 performance bonuses based on actual performance are set forth in the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in the “2025 Summary Compensation Table” below and the NEO’s additional discretionary bonuses are set forth in the column entitled “Bonus” in the “2025 Summary Compensation Table” below.
No other cash incentives were paid to our NEOs in 2025.
Equity-Based Long-Term Incentive Awards
We view equity-based compensation as a critical component of our balanced total compensation program. Equity-based compensation creates an ownership culture among our employees that provides an incentive to contribute to the continued growth and development of our business and aligns the interest of our executives with those of our stockholders.
Our Compensation Committee believes it is essential to provide equity-based compensation to our executive officers to link the interests and risks of our executive officers with those of our stockholders, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring a strong linkage between company performance and pay. Our historical practice has been to grant executive officers equity awards with a vesting period of at least three years to promote such linkage.
Our general practice has been to grant equity awards on a predetermined schedule. At the first quarterly meeting of any new fiscal year, the Committee or, with respect to the CEO’s equity award, the Board, reviews and approves the value and amount of the equity compensation (including stock options) to be awarded to executive officers. The grant of approved equity awards then occurs roughly a week after the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, following public disclosure of the voting results from such annual meeting. The Committee does not take material nonpublic information into account when determining the timing and terms of equity compensation awards. We have not timed the disclosure of material nonpublic information to affect the value of executive compensation. No off-cycle stock option awards were granted to NEOs in fiscal year 2025. During fiscal year 2025, we did not grant equity awards to our NEOs during the four business days prior to or the one business day following the filing of our periodic reports or the filing or furnishing of a Form 8-K that discloses material nonpublic information.
Specifically, in June 2025, we made the following grants of stock options and RSUs to each of the NEOs in the table below:
| Name | Number of Shares Underlying Stock Options | Number of RSUs | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Lai | 561,797 | 282,485 | ||
| Jedidiah Gold | 122,893 | 61,793 | ||
| Mary Porter | 35,112 | 17,655 | ||
| Joseph Matheny | 35,112 | 17,655 | ||
| Carlos Chavez | 35,112 | 17,655 |
The target annual grant values for each of the NEOs are as follows: Mr. Lai and Mr. Gold are determined by the Board each year following consideration of the factors set forth above in “Determination of Executive Compensation” and were set at $4,000,000 and $875,000, respectively; Ms. Porter - $250,000; Mr. Matheny - $250,000; and Mr. Chavez - $250,000.
Retirement Savings, Health, and Welfare Benefits
We currently maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. The Code allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation, within prescribed limits, on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the 401(k)-plan. Currently, we provide matching contributions in the 401(k)-plan equal to 50% of a participant’s salary deferrals up to 3% of his or her compensation, subject to limits provided in the Code. These matching contributions vest after one year of service. We believe that providing a vehicle for tax-deferred retirement savings though our 401(k)-plan, and making matching contributions, adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our employees, including our named executive officers, in accordance with our compensation policies.
We also maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan in which certain of our eligible employees, including certain of our named executive officers, participate. Under this plan, participants may defer the payment of eligible salary and incentive compensation until certain specified payment dates. For 2025, contributions made by our NEOs to our deferred compensation plan are represented in the “2025 Summary Compensation Table” below and further described in the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table” below.
Employee Benefits and Perquisites
All our full-time employees, including our named executive officers, are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans, including:
- Medical, dental and vision benefits
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance; and
- Life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
In addition, certain of our key employees (including our named executive officers) are eligible to participate in supplemental executive disability insurance. The amount of executive disability insurance premiums paid by us on behalf of each named executive officer are set forth below in the “2025 Summary Compensation Table” in the column entitled “All Other Compensation.”
Other Benefits and Perquisites
We maintain a Company aircraft that is used primarily for business air travel by our executive officers and other senior personnel. From time to time, Mr. Lai uses the Company aircraft for personal air travel pursuant to guidelines approved by our Board of Directors. On certain occasions, Mr. Lai’s family members and guests may accompany him on a flight. For 2025, the value of the aggregate incremental costs associated with Mr. Lai’s personal usage of Company aircraft was $178,187. We determine the incremental costs of the personal use of Company aircraft based on the variable operating costs to us, which include: (i) aircraft fuel expenses per hour of flight; (ii) certain variable repair and maintenance expenses; (iii) remote hangar, landing, ramp, and airport fees; (iv) customs, foreign permit, and similar fees; (v) crew travel expenses; (vi) supplies and catering; and (vii) passenger ground transportation. Flights where there are no passengers on Company aircraft (so-called “deadhead” flights), are allocated to Mr. Lai when in connection with personal use. Because Company aircraft is used primarily for business travel, this methodology excludes fixed costs that do not change based on usage, such as aircraft permanent hangar rent, insurance, depreciation, and pilot salaries.
In addition, we provide Mr. Lai with a car allowance and all NEOs with cell phone allowances. The actual car and cell phone allowance amounts paid to our named executive officers for 2025 are set forth below in the “2025 Summary Compensation Table” in the column entitled “All Other Compensation.”
We believe the benefits and perquisites described above are necessary and appropriate to provide a competitive compensation package to our named executive officers.
Tax Gross-Ups
We provide tax gross-up payments to our named executive officers in limited, unique circumstances to cover their personal income taxes that may pertain to compensation or perquisites provided to them including for relocation benefits. Mr. Lai received a tax gross-up of $68,037 in 2025 associated with the income associated with his Company aircraft usage. Mr. Chavez received a tax gross-up of $14,994 in 2025 associated with his relocation benefits. No other named executive officers received a tax gross-up from the Company in 2025.
Severance and Change in Control Arrangements
We are party to an employment agreement with Mr. Lai and maintain an Executive Severance Plan, as amended, in which our other executive officers participate, which provides for severance benefits and payments upon certain terminations without cause or resignations for good reason. Our Compensation Committee believes that these types of arrangements are necessary to attract and retain executive talent and are a customary component of executive compensation. In particular such arrangements can mitigate a potential disincentive for our NEOs when they are evaluating a potential acquisition of the Company and can encourage retention through the conclusion of the transaction. The payments and benefits provided under our severance and change in control arrangements are designed to be competitive with market practices. A description of these arrangements, as well as information on the estimated payments and benefits that our NEOs would have been eligible to receive as of December 31, 2025, are set forth in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
Other Policies and Considerations
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We maintain an executive officer and director stock ownership guidelines that are applicable to our executive officers, including our named executive officers, and non-employee directors other than those directors affiliated with LGP or an affiliate thereof. Our executive officers and applicable non-employee directors are expected to satisfy the applicable guidelines set forth below within five years of the later of (i) the effective date of our IPO on June 24, 2021, and (ii) the date of such individual’s appointment to a position with the Company that is subject to such guidelines, and to hold at least such minimum value in shares of common stock for so long as they are an executive officer or non-employee director, as applicable, thereafter.
| Executive | Salary Multiple Threshold ($) |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | 5x annual base salary |
| Other Executive Officers | 3x annual base salary |
| Directors | 5x annual cash retainer |
Derivatives Trading, Hedging, and Pledging Policies
Our Insider Trading Policy provides that no employee, officer, or director may acquire, sell, or trade in any interest or position relating to the future price of Company securities, such as a put option, a call option, or a short sale, or engage in hedging transactions. In addition, our Insider Trading Policy provides that no employee, officer, or director may pledge Company securities as collateral to secure loans. This prohibition means, among other things, that these individuals may not hold Company securities in a “margin” account, which would allow the individual to borrow against their holdings to buy securities.
Clawback Policy
Effective December 1, 2023, in accordance with SEC and NYSE requirements the Company adopted a new Compensation Clawback Policy (the “Clawback Policy”), which provides for the reasonably prompt recovery (or clawback) of certain excess incentive-based compensation received during an applicable three-year recovery period by current or former executive officers in the event the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due
to the material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws. Excess incentive-based compensation for these purposes generally means the amount of incentive-based compensation received during the applicable 3-year recovery period by such executive officer that exceeds the amount of incentive-based compensation that would have been received by such executive officer had it been determined based on the restated amounts, without regard to any taxes paid. Incentive-based compensation potentially subject to recovery under the Clawback Policy is generally limited to any compensation granted, earned or vested based wholly or in part on the attainment of one or more financial reporting measures.
The Clawback Policy does not condition such clawback on the fault of the executive officer, but the Company is not required to recoup amounts in limited circumstances set forth in the Clawback Policy where the Compensation Committee has made a determination that recovery would be impracticable. The Company may not indemnify any such executive officer against the loss of such recovered compensation in the event of a mandatory accounting restatement.
Section 409A
The Compensation Committee takes into account whether components of the compensation for our executive officers will be adversely impacted by the penalty tax imposed by Section 409A of the Code and aims to structure these components to be compliant with or exempt from Section 409A to avoid such potential adverse tax consequences.
“Golden Parachute” Payments
Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code provide that certain executive officers and other service providers who are highly compensated or hold significant equity interests may be subject to an excise tax if they receive payments or benefits in connection with a change in control of the Company that exceeds certain prescribed limits, and that we, or a successor, may forfeit a tax deduction on the amounts subject to this additional tax. While the Compensation Committee may take the potential forfeiture of such tax deduction into account when making compensation decisions, it will award compensation that it determines to be consistent with the goals of our executive compensation program even if such compensation is not deductible by us. We do not provide any tax gross-up to cover excise taxes under Section 4999 in connection with a change in control.
Accounting for Share-Based Compensation
We follow Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, (“ASC Topic 718”), for our share-based compensation awards. ASC Topic 718 requires companies to measure the compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and RSUs, based on the grant date “fair value” of these awards. This calculation is performed for accounting purposes and reported in the compensation tables below, even though our NEOs may never realize any value from their awards.
Executive Compensation Tables
2025 Summary Compensation Table
The following table contains information about the compensation earned by each of our NEOs during our most recently completed fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, to the extent applicable.
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary () | Bonus ()(2) | StockAwards()(3) | OptionAwards()(3) | Non-EquityIncentive PlanCompensation()(4) | All OtherCompensation()(5) | Total () |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Lai | 2025 | |||||||
| President and Chief | 2024 | |||||||
| Executive Officer | 2023 | |||||||
| Jedidiah Gold | 2025 | |||||||
| Chief Financial | 2024 | |||||||
| Officer | 2023 | |||||||
| Mary Porter | 2025 | |||||||
| Chief People | 2024 | |||||||
| Officer | 2023 | |||||||
| Joseph Matheny | 2025 | |||||||
| Chief Innovation | 2024 | |||||||
| Officer | 2023 | |||||||
| Carlos Chavez(1) | 2025 | |||||||
| Chief Technology | 2024 | |||||||
| Officer | 2023 |
All values are in US Dollars.
- Mr. Chavez became an employee of Mister Car Wash in 2025 and therefore has no compensation reported for such fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
- Amounts reflect payment of (a) the difference between the payout amount for performance bonuses based on the percentage attainment of adjusted EBITDAR to plan under the 2025 Executive Bonus Program actually achieved and the amount paid out following the Compensation Committee exercising its discretion to adjust bonus payouts for 2025 to 100% (please see the description of the annual bonus program under “Cash Incentive Compensation” above in Item 11), and (b) with respect to Mrs. Porter for 2023 and Mr. Chavez for 2025, the amount of their sign-on bonus as set forth in their respective Employment Offer Letters.
- For 2025, amounts reflect the full grant-date fair value of stock awards and stock options granted during fiscal 2025. We provide information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the value of all stock awards and option awards made to our NEOs in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
- For 2025, amounts reflect payouts under the 2025 Executive Bonus Program based on actual performance. Please see the description of the annual bonus program under “Cash Incentive Compensation” above in Item 11.
- Amounts for fiscal 2025 represent:
| CarAllowance() | CellPhoneAllowance() | PersonalUse ofAircraft()(a) | Relocation () | CompanyPaid Individual Disability Insurance() | TaxGross-Up() | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Lai | ||||||
| Jed Gold | ||||||
| Mary Porter | ||||||
| Joe Matheny | ||||||
| Carlos Chavez |
All values are in US Dollars.
- Reflects the aggregate incremental costs associated with Mr. Lai’s personal usage of Company aircraft. For additional information on how these amounts were determined, see “Elements of Compensation – Other Benefits and Perquisites” above in Item 11.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2025
The following table provides information relating to grants of plan-based awards made during fiscal 2025 to our NEOs.
| Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Grant Date | Threshold() | Target() | Maximum() | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(#) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options(#) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards(/Sh) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards() | ||
| John Lai | ||||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | — | 561,797 | ||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | 282,485 | — | — | |||||||
| Jedidiah Gold | ||||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | — | 122,893 | ||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | 61,793 | — | ||||||||
| Mary Porter | ||||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | — | 35,112 | ||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | 17,655 | — | ||||||||
| Joseph Matheny | ||||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | — | 35,112 | ||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | 17,655 | — | ||||||||
| Carlos Chavez | ||||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | — | 35,112 | ||||||||
| 6/1/2025(2) | 17,655 | — |
All values are in US Dollars.
- Amounts reflect potential payouts under our 2025 Executive Bonus Program. Please see the description of the annual bonus program under “Cash Incentive Compensation” section above in Item 11.
- The options and RSUs vest in three ratable installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting dates.
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
Summary of Executive Compensation Arrangements
Below is a written description of our employment arrangements with certain of our named executive officers. We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lai and offer letters with Mr. Gold, Ms. Porter, and Mr. Chavez, and promotion letters with Mr. Matheny. The descriptions below include the initial compensation levels set under such employment arrangements rather than reflecting any increased compensation levels which may have since been approved by our Compensation Committee following our entrance into such employment arrangement with the applicable executive.
John Lai
In June 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lai in connection with our initial public offering (the “CEO Agreement”).
Pursuant to the CEO Agreement, Mr. Lai is entitled to an annual base salary of $1,000,000 and an annual performance-based bonus based on the achievement of performance targets set by our Board of Directors or its delegate with a target bonus opportunity of 100% of his annual base salary. Under the CEO Agreement, Mr. Lai is also entitled to personal use of the Company’s aircraft pursuant to the terms and guidelines set forth in the Company’s aircraft usage policy then in effect.
Mr. Lai will be entitled to severance benefits in the event of certain qualifying terminations of employment pursuant to the Severance Plan, as described below.
The CEO Agreement also provides for a Code Section 280G “cutback” such that payments or benefits that he receives in connection with a change in control will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of any excise tax under Code Sections 280G and 4999 if such reduction would result in a greater after-tax payment amount to Mr. Lai.
The CEO Agreement contains perpetual confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants as well as 18-month post-termination non-competition and non-solicitation covenants.
Jedidiah Gold
We are party to an offer letter with Mr. Gold dated June 10, 2019, providing for his employment as Chief Financial Officer. The offer letter provides Mr. Gold is entitled to an initial base salary of $300,000 and eligible for an annual performance-based bonus with a target opportunity of 30% of his annual base salary. Additionally, 15,403 stock options were requested at the first Board meeting following offer. Further, Mr. Gold was entitled to executive relocation benefits.
Mary Porter
We are party to an offer letter with Ms. Porter dated March 1, 2023, providing for her employment as Chief People Officer. The offer letter provides Ms. Porter is entitled to an initial base salary of $375,000 and eligible for an annual performance-based bonus with a target opportunity of 40% of her annual base salary and an initial equity grant of RSUs and stock options with an aggregate grant value of $500,000. Further, Ms. Porter was entitled to executive relocation benefits, including a $15,000 net lump sum for incidentals. Ms. Porter was also entitled to a one-time $62,000 sign-on bonus when she joined the Company in April of 2023. If Ms. Porter's employment had terminated before her one-year anniversary, she would have been obligated to repay the full amount of the bonus.
Joseph Matheny
We are party to a promotion letter with Mr. Matheny dated October 15, 2023, providing for his employment as Chief Innovation Officer. The promotion letter provides Mr. Matheny is entitled to an initial base salary of $350,000 and eligible for an annual performance-based bonus with a target opportunity of 40% of his annual base salary and an annual equity grant of RSUs and stock options with an aggregate grant value of $250,000.
Carlos Chavez
We are party to an offer letter with Mr. Chavez dated December 16, 2024, providing for his employment as Chief Technology Officer. The offer letter provides Mr. Chavez is entitled to an initial base salary of $400,000 and eligible for an annual performance-based bonus with a target opportunity of 40% of his annual base salary and an initial equity grant of RSUs and stock options with an aggregate grant value of $250,000. Further, Mr. Chavez was entitled to executive relocation benefits, including a $15,000 net lump sum for incidentals and associated tax gross-up payments, see total relocation benefits in the above “2025 Summary Compensation Table” in the column entitled “All Other Compensation.” Mr. Chavez was also entitled to a one-time $75,000 sign-on bonus when he joined the Company in January of 2025. If Mr. Chavez's employment is terminated before his two-year anniversary, he will be obligated to repay the full amount of the bonus.
Executive Severance Plan
We currently maintain the Executive Severance Plan, or the Severance Plan, as amended, pursuant to which our senior executives, including our named executive officers, may receive severance benefits in connection with certain terminations of employment. This Plan was recently modified by the Compensation Committee of the Board to replace prior executive officers which have departed our employment with current executive officers with the substantive portions of such Severance Plan remaining unchanged. Each capitalized term not defined in this section shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Severance Plan.
In the event an eligible participant is terminated by the Company without Cause, or an eligible participant employee terminates his or her employment for Good Reason, in each case, at any time other than during the period beginning six (6) months before and ending on twenty-four (24) after a Change in Control (the “Protection Period”), then such participant will be entitled to receive:
Accrued Obligations. The Participant shall be entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid annual base salary, unreimbursed business expenses incurred in accordance with the Company policies, or other amounts earned or accrued through the Participant’s Termination of Employment under the Company Group’s applicable health, welfare, retirement, or other similar fringe benefit programs as required by their terms or by applicable law;
An aggregate cash payment (the “Severance Payment”) equal to the product of (i) such participant’s severance multiplier (for Mr. Lai and Mr. Gold, 1.5 Base Salary Rate; and for each other named executive officer, 1.0 Base Salary Rate) (the “Non-CIC Severance Multiplier”) and
Payment or reimbursement of such participant’s and his or her covered eligible dependents’ health insurance coverage under COBRA (for Mr. Lai and Mr. Gold, 18 months; and for each other named executive officer, 12 months) (the “Severance Period); and
Accelerated vesting of such participant’s outstanding equity to the extent provided in any written agreement between such participant and the Company.
In the event an eligible participant is terminated by the Company without Cause, or terminates his or her employment for Good Reason, in each case, during the Protection Period, then such participant will be entitled to receive:
- A lump-sum cash payment equal to the product of (i) such participant’s change in control severance multiplier (for Mr. Lai, 2.0; and for each other named executive officer, 1.5) (the “CIC Severance Multiplier”) and (ii) the sum of such participant’s Base Salary Rate and target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination of employment occurs;
- A lump-sum cash payment equal to the cash incentive compensation with respect to the fiscal year in which such participant’s termination of employment occurs, based on actual achievement of any applicable Company performance goals or objectives and any applicable individual performance goals or objectives, prorated for the number of days the participant was employed during that fiscal year;
- Payment or reimbursement of such participant’s and his or her covered eligible dependents’ health insurance coverage under COBRA for up to the number of years equal to such participant’s CIC Severance Multiplier; and
- Accelerated vesting of such participant’s outstanding equity to the extent provided in any written agreement between such participant and the Company.
Receipt of severance benefits under the Severance Plan is subject to: (a) the eligible participant’s compliance with certain restrictive covenants, including (i) 18-month post-termination non-competition and non-solicitation of customers and employees’ covenants, (ii) a perpetual confidentiality covenant and (iii) a perpetual non-disparagement covenant in favor of the Company; and (b) the covered employee’s execution of a general release of claims.
In addition, in the event of death or Disability, an eligible participant will be entitled to receive accelerated vesting of such participant’s outstanding equity to the extent provided in any written agreement between such participant and the Company.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2025 Fiscal Year-End Table
The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity incentive plan awards for each NEO as of December 31, 2025.
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price () | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested () (1) | |||
| John Lai | 6/25/2021(3) | 800,000 | 200,000 | 6/25/2031 | 80,000 | |||||
| 3/1/2023(4) | 328,946 | 328,948 | 3/1/2033 | 162,162 | ||||||
| 6/1/2024(6) | 187,793 | 375,587 | 6/1/2034 | 189,664 | ||||||
| 6/1/2025(7) | — | 561,797 | 6/1/2035 | 282,485 | ||||||
| Jedidiah Gold | 9/9/2019(2) | 709,728 | — | 9/8/2029 | — | |||||
| 6/25/2021(3) | 150,000 | 37,500 | 6/25/2031 | 15,000 | ||||||
| 3/1/2023(4) | 61,677 | 61,678 | 3/1/2033 | 30,406 | ||||||
| 6/1/2024(6) | 41,079 | 82,160 | 6/1/2034 | 41,489 | ||||||
| 6/1/2025(7) | — | 122,893 | 6/1/2035 | 61,793 | ||||||
| Mary Porter | 6/1/2023(5) | 42,625 | 21,313 | 6/1/2033 | 10,238 | |||||
| 6/1/2024(6) | 11,737 | 23,474 | 6/1/2034 | 11,854 | ||||||
| 6/1/2025(7) | — | 35,112 | 6/1/2035 | 17,655 | ||||||
| Joseph Matheny | 11/22/2016(2) | 148,608 | — | 11/22/2026 | — | |||||
| 11/22/2016(2) | 222,912 | — | 11/22/2026 | — | ||||||
| 6/25/2021(3) | 50,000 | 12,500 | 6/25/2031 | 5,000 | ||||||
| 3/1/2023(4) | 20,558 | 20,560 | 3/1/2033 | 10,136 | ||||||
| 6/1/2024(6) | 11,737 | 23,474 | 6/1/2034 | 11,854 | ||||||
| 6/1/2025(7) | — | 35,112 | 6/1/2035 | 17,655 | ||||||
| Carlos Chavez | 6/1/2025(7) | — | 35,112 | 6/1/2035 | 17,655 |
All values are in US Dollars.
- Amounts are calculated based on multiplying the number of shares shown in the table by the per share closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2025, which was $5.56.
- Awards granted are fully vested as of December 31, 2025.
- Awards granted on June 25, 2021, vest in five annual equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment through each applicable vesting date.
- Awards granted on March 1, 2023, vest in four annual equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to the named executive officer's continued employment through each applicable vesting date.
- Awards granted to Ms. Porter on June 1, 2023, vest in three annual equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to the named executive officer's continued employment through each applicable vesting date.
- Awards granted on June 1, 2024, vest in three annual equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment through each applicable vesting date.
- Awards granted on June 1, 2025, vest in three annual equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment through each applicable vesting date.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2025
| Option Awards(1) | Stock Awards(2) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise () | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting () | ||
| John Lai | — | 255,912 | ||||
| Jedidiah Gold | 183,769 | 50,946 | ||||
| Mary Porter | — | 16,163 | ||||
| Joseph Matheny | 260,064 | 15,993 | ||||
| Carlos Chavez | — | — |
All values are in US Dollars.
- Amounts are calculated by multiplying the number of shares as to which the option was exercised by the market price of the shares on the exercise date, net of the exercise price.
- Amounts are calculated by multiplying the number of shares vested by our closing stock price on the applicable vesting date.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table
We maintain the Mister Car Wash Deferred Compensation Plan for a select group of our highly compensated employees, in which certain of our NEOs participate other than Mr. Chavez. The following table contains information regarding non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
| Name | ExecutiveContributionsin Last FY ()(1) | RegistrantContributionsin Last FY () | AggregateEarningsin Last FY()(2) | AggregateWithdrawals/Distributions() | AggregateBalanceat LastFYE ()(3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Lai | |||||
| Jedidiah Gold | |||||
| Mary Porter | |||||
| Joseph Matheny | |||||
| Carlos Chavez |
All values are in US Dollars.
- These contributions are reported in the 2025 Summary Compensation Table as base salary for Messrs. Lai and Gold and Ms. Porter and a mixture of base salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation for Mr. Matheny.
- Because the amounts do not represent above-market earnings, they are not reported in the 2025 Summary Compensation Table.
- Of the aggregate balance reported here for each NEO, the following amounts were reported in prior years' summary compensation tables: $962,715 for Mr. Lai, $412,869 for Mr. Gold, and $84,705 for Mr. Matheny.
The Mister Car Wash Deferred Compensation Plan allows eligible participants to defer up to 90% of their base salary and/or incentive plan compensation as well as any refunds from our 401(k) Plan. Participants may elect investment measurement options selected by the Company in whole percentages. These investment options do not represent actual ownership of or ownership rights in the applicable funds; they serve the purpose of valuing the account and the corresponding obligation of the Company.
At the time of annual enrollment, participants also make distribution elections for the upcoming year’s contributions. Actual distributions are made pursuant to those elections.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
We maintain the Severance Plan, as amended, pursuant to which our senior executives, including our named executive officers, may receive severance benefits in connection with certain terminations of employment.
In addition to the severance benefits provided under the Severance Plan, as described above, pursuant to the option and restricted stock unit award agreements entered into by our NEOs under the 2021 Incentive Award Plan, in the event of (i) the executive’s termination by the Company without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” during the twenty-four month period following a change in control of the Company, or by reason of such executive’s termination due to death or disability, such outstanding option and/or restricted stock unit awards will vest in full; and (ii) executive’s qualifying retirement, the portion of the option or restricted stock unit award which would have vested within twelve months following the date of the Company’s receipt of a written notice of resignation by the executive at a time when he or she is retirement eligible will accelerate and vest.
Estimated Potential Payments
The following table summarizes the payments that would be made to our NEOs upon the occurrence of certain qualifying terminations of employment or a change in control, in any case, occurring on December 31, 2025. Amounts shown do not include (i) accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination or (ii) other benefits earned or accrued by the NEO during his/her employment that are available to all salaried employees, such as accrued vacation.
| Termination | Termination | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without Cause | Without Cause | |||||||
| or for Good | or for Good | Termination | ||||||
| Reason / | Change in | Reason / | due to | Retirement | ||||
| Cause Outside | Control (no | Cause During | Death or | Qualifying | ||||
| Name | Benefit | Protection Period () | Termination) ()(1) | Protection Period () | Disability () | Termination ()(10) | ||
| John Lai | Cash | (4) | (7) | |||||
| Equity Acceleration (2) | ||||||||
| Continued Healthcare | (5) | (8) | ||||||
| Total (3) | ||||||||
| Jedidiah Gold | Cash | (4) | (9) | |||||
| Equity Acceleration (2) | ||||||||
| Continued Healthcare | (5) | (8) | ||||||
| Total (3) | ||||||||
| Mary Porter | Cash | (6) | (9) | |||||
| Equity Acceleration (2) | ||||||||
| Continued Healthcare | (5) | (8) | ||||||
| Total (3) | ||||||||
| Joseph Matheny | Cash | (6) | (9) | |||||
| Equity Acceleration (2) | ||||||||
| Continued Healthcare | (5) | (8) | ||||||
| Total (3) | ||||||||
| Carlos Chavez | Cash | (6) | (9) | |||||
| Equity Acceleration (2) | ||||||||
| Continued Healthcare | (5) | (8) | ||||||
| Total (3) |
All values are in US Dollars.
- Represents the value of equity acceleration for stock options granted under our 2014 and 2021 Plans. The value of equity acceleration was calculated by (i) multiplying the number of accelerated shares of common stock underlying the options by $5.56, the closing trading price of our common stock on December 31, 2025, and (ii) subtracting the aggregate exercise price for the options.
- With respect to options, the value of equity acceleration was calculated by (i) multiplying the number of accelerated shares of common stock underlying the options by $5.56, the closing trading price of our common stock on December 31, 2025, and (ii) subtracting the aggregate exercise price for the options. Options that were “underwater” were not included as they do not have a positive aggregate spread value. With respect to RSUs, the value of equity acceleration was calculated by multiplying the number of accelerated RSUs by $5.56, the closing trading price of our common stock on December 31, 2025.
- Amounts shown are the maximum potential payment the NEO would have received as of December 31, 2025. Prorated bonuses were prorated at 100% to illustrate maximum potential payments. Amounts of any reduction pursuant to the 280G best pay provision, if any, would be calculated upon actual termination of employment.
- Represents continued salary payments for 18 months.
- Represents continued healthcare premiums for 18 months for Mr. Lai and Mr. Gold and 12 months for Ms. Porter, Mr. Matheny, and Mr. Chavez.
- Represents continued salary payments for 12 months.
- Represents two times the sum of (i) Mr. Lai’s base salary and (ii) Mr. Lai’s target 2025 annual bonus, as well as the prorated amount of Mr. Lai’s 2026 annual bonus, prorated at 100% for this exercise payable in a lump sum.
- Represents continued healthcare premiums for 24 months for Mr. Lai, and 18 months for Mr. Gold, Ms. Porter, Mr. Matheny, and Mr. Chavez.
- Represents 1.5 times the sum of (i) the executive’s base salary and (ii) the executive’s target 2025 annual bonus, as well as the prorated amount of the executive’s 2026 annual bonus, prorated at 100% for this exercise payable in a lump sum.
- Represents equity acceleration for a “Retirement Qualifying Termination,” under and as defined in the applicable stock award grant document (“Grant Documents”). Mr. Lai is the only NEO that is “Retirement Eligible” (as defined Grant Documents), although a “Retirement Notice” (as defined Grant Documents) has not been provided by Mr. Lai.
CEO Pay Ratio
In accordance with the requirements set forth by Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are required to disclose the median of the annual total compensation of our employees, the annual total compensation of our CEO, John Lai, and the ratio of these two amounts. In accordance with SEC rules requiring the identification of a new median employee every three years, Mister Car Wash has identified the median employee for 2025 using the methodology established in 2023. Our methodology to identify the median of the annual total compensation of all employees in 2025 included the following calculations, assumptions, adjustments, and estimates:
- As wash operations rely on many part-time hourly employees and turnover and job changes among those positions is consistently high, the methodology for calculating total annual compensation relies on the annualization of crew members’ available work history in their job as of the snapshot date selected.
- We annualize 2025 pay for all full-time and part-time permanent employees who were actively employed as of December 31, 2025. Our entire workforce is exclusively US-based.
- The median employee selected was within +/- 1% of the median total compensation and had at least 3 years of tenure with the company. The median employee’s total 2025 compensation was $33,679.
- The 2025 annual total compensation of the CEO was $6,517,002.
- The ratio of the 2025 annual total compensation of the CEO to the 2025 annual total compensation of the median employee was 194 to 1.
Our CEO pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules. These rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to exclude up to 5% of their workforce and make reasonable estimates and assumptions that may impact their employee populations. As a result, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above. Other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates, and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
2025 Director Compensation
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash () | Stock Awards ()(1) | Total () |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jodi Taylor | |||
| Veronica Rogers | |||
| Dorvin Lively | |||
| Ronald Kirk | |||
| Atif Rafiq |
All values are in US Dollars.
- Amounts reflect the full grant-date fair value of stock awards granted during 2025 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. We provide information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the value of all stock awards made to our directors in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
The table below shows the aggregate numbers of unvested stock awards held as of December 31, 2025, by each non-employee director.
| Name | Unvested Stock Awards Outstanding at FYE | |
|---|---|---|
| Jodi Taylor | 14,144 | |
| Veronica Rogers | 14,144 | |
| Dorvin Lively | 14,144 | |
| Ronald Kirk | 14,144 | |
| Atif Rafiq | 14,144 |
We currently maintain a non-employee director compensation policy that is applicable to each of our non-employee directors (other than those who are affiliated with LGP, who are not compensated for their director responsibilities). Pursuant to this non-employee director compensation policy, each such non-employee director will receive a mixture of cash and equity compensation.
Pursuant to this policy, each eligible non-employee director will receive an annual cash retainer of $75,000 that will be paid quarterly in arrears. The chairperson of the Audit Committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $25,000, the chairperson of the Compensation Committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $25,000, and the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $25,000. Members of multiple committees received an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000.
Also, pursuant to this policy, we intend to grant all eligible non-employee directors an initial equity award of RSUs that has a grant date value of $100,000 upon election to our Board of Directors, and thereafter an annual equity award of RSUs that has a grant date value of $100,000, in each case, which will vest in full on the earlier of (i) the next occurring annual meeting of our stockholders or (ii) the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to the non-employee director’s continued service through the applicable vesting date.
Mr. Lai also served as an executive officer in 2025 and as a result has been excluded from the Director Compensation Table. His compensation for 2025 is described above in the “Summary Compensation Table.”
Compensation Committee Report
The material in this report is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall the material in this section be deemed to be “soliciting material” or incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other document filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s Item 11 section in this Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K with management. Based upon such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K and thereby incorporated into Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Compensation Committee:
Veronica Rogers, Chair
Jonathan Seiffer
J. Kristofer Galashan
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal year 2025, those who served on the Compensation Committee were Veronica Rogers, Jonathan Seiffer, and J. Kristofer Galashan. During 2025, no member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of the Company at any time during 2025 or as of the date of this Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K, nor was any such individual a former officer of the Company. In 2025, no member of our Compensation Committee had any relationship or transaction with us that would require disclosure as a “related person transaction” under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K in this Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K, other than the information provided under the section entitled “Certain Transactions with Related Persons.” See also “2025 Director Compensation” section in Item 11 above for a description of compensation paid to members of the Compensation Committee.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2026, by:
- each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our voting securities;
- each of our directors and each of our named executive officers; and
- all directors and executive officers as a group.
The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules issued by the SEC. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial” owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Applicable percentage ownership is based on 328,685,816 shares of Company Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2026. Shares of our common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2026 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as indicated in the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the individuals and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them, subject to any applicable community property laws.
Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed is c/o Mister Car Wash, Inc., 222 E. 5th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85705.
| Name of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares<br>Beneficially Owned | Percentage Beneficially<br>Owned | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holders of More than 5%: | ||||||
| Green Equity Investors VI, L.P., Green Equity Investors Side VI, L.P., LGP Associates VI-A LLC and LGP Associates VI-B LLC (1) | 219,213,079 | 66.7 | % | |||
| Greenhouse Funds LLLP(2) | 16,549,713 | 5.0 | % | |||
| Executive Officers and Directors: | ||||||
| John Lai(3) | 8,616,937 | 2.6 | % | |||
| Jedidiah Gold(4) | 1,079,402 | *% | ||||
| Mary Porter(5) | 79,443 | *% | ||||
| Joseph Matheny(6) | 602,922 | *% | ||||
| Carlos Chavez(7) | — | — | ||||
| John Danhakl(1) | — | — | ||||
| Jonathan Seiffer(1) | — | — | ||||
| Jeffrey Suer(1) | — | — | ||||
| J. Kristofer Galashan(1) | — | — | ||||
| Jodi Taylor(8) | 51,076 | *% | ||||
| Dorvin Donald Lively(9) | 156,281 | *% | ||||
| Ronald Kirk(10) | 53,479 | *% | ||||
| Veronica Rogers(11) | 42,024 | *% | ||||
| Atif Rafiq(12) | 32,031 | *% | ||||
| All executive officers and directors as a group (15 persons)(13) | 10,713,595 | 3.3 | % |
* Represents less than 1%.
Based solely on the Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2022, Green Equity Investors VI, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“GEI VI”) is the direct owner of 134,812,845 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer (the “GEI VI Shares”). Green Equity Investors Side VI, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“GEI Side VI”), is the direct owner of 80,348,253 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer (the “GEI Side VI Shares”), LGP Associates VI-A LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Associates VI-A”), is the direct owner of 315,683 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer (the “Associates VI-A Shares”), and LGP Associates VI-B LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Associates VI-B” and together with GEI VI, GEI Side VI, and Associates VI-A, the “LGP Funds”) is the direct owner of 3,736,298 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer (the “Associates VI-B Shares” and, collectively with the GEI VI Shares, the GEI Side VI Shares, and the Associates VI-A Shares, the “Shares”).GEI Capital VI, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Capital”) is the general partner of GEI VI and GEI Side VI. Green VI Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), is a limited partner of GEI VI and GEI Side VI. Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“LGP”) is the management company of GEI VI and GEI Side VI. LGP Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“LGPM”) is the general partner of LGP. Peridot Coinvest Manager LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Peridot”) is the manager of each of Associates VI-A and Associates VI-B. Capital, as the general partner of GEI VI and GEI Side VI, Holdings, as a limited partner of GEI VI and GEI Side VI, LGP, as the manager of GEI VI and GEI Side VI, LGPM, as the general partner of LGP, and Peridot as the manager of Associates VI-A and Associates VI-B, directly (whether through ownership or position) or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, may be deemed to share voting and investment power with respect to the Shares. As such, Capital, LGP, LGPM, Holdings, and Peridot may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial owners of the Shares. Each of the foregoing holder’s address is c/o Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 2000, Los Angeles, California 90025. For a description of certain relationships between us and LGP, see Item 13 “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”
Based solely on the Schedule 13F filed on February 17, 2026, Greenhouse Funds LLLP, is the direct owner of 16,549,713 shares of Common Stock. The foregoing holder’s address is believed to be 605 S. Eden Street, Suite 250, Baltimore, MD 21231.
Represents (i) 7,135,724 shares of our common stock, (ii) 1,481,123 shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026 and (iii) no shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 86,079 shares of our common stock, (ii) 993,323 shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) no shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 25,081 shares of our common stock, (ii) 54,362 shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) no shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026. Excludes shares of our common stock that may be acquired under our ESPP within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 138,827 shares of our common stock, (ii) 464,095 shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) no shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) no shares of our common stock, (ii) no shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) no shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 36,932 shares of our common stock, (ii) no shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) 14,144 shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 142,137 shares of our common stock, (ii) no shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) 14,144 shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 39,335 shares of our common stock, (ii) no shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) 14,144 shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 27,880 shares of our common stock, (ii) no shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) 14,144 shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 17,887 no shares of our common stock, (ii) no shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) 14,144 shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Represents (i) 7,649,882 shares of our common stock, (ii) 2,992,993 shares of our common stock underlying options to purchase common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2026and (iii) 70,720 shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that vest within 60 days of March 31, 2026. Excludes shares of our common stock that may be acquired under our ESPP within 60 days of March 31, 2026.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Policies and Procedures on Transactions with Related Parties
Our Board of Directors recognizes the fact that transactions with related parties present a heightened risk of conflicts of interests or improper valuation (or the perception thereof). Our Board of Directors has adopted a written policy on transactions with related parties that is in conformity with the requirements for issuers having publicly held common stock that is listed on the NASDAQ. Under such policy, a related party transaction (as defined in the policy), and any material amendment or modification to a related party transaction, will be reviewed and approved or ratified by a committee of the Board of Directors composed solely of independent directors who are disinterested or by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors.
In connection with the review and approval or ratification of a related party transaction:
- management will disclose to the committee or disinterested directors, as applicable, information such as the name of the related party and the basis on which the person is a related party, the material terms of the related party transaction, including the approximate dollar value of the amount involved in the transaction and other the material facts as to the related party’s direct or indirect interest in, or relationship to, the related party transaction;
- management will advise the committee or disinterested directors, as applicable, as to other relevant considerations such as whether the related party transaction conflicts with the terms of our agreements governing our material outstanding indebtedness that limit or restricts our ability to enter into a related party transaction; and
- related party transactions will be disclosed in our applicable filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, and related rules, and, to the extent required.
In addition, the related party transaction policy provides that the committee or disinterested directors, as applicable, in connection with any approval or ratification of a related party transaction involving a non-employee director or director nominee, should consider whether such transaction would compromise the director or director nominee’s status as an “independent,” or “non-employee” director, as applicable, under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Each of the transactions described below entered into following the adoption of our related party transaction policy was approved in accordance with such policy.
Stockholders Agreement
In August 2014, we entered into a stockholders agreement with LGP, certain of our executive officers and certain other stockholders.
In connection with the IPO, we amended and restated the stockholders agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”) to eliminate certain provisions (but maintain those related to the registration rights, which are described below) and to provide specific Board rights and obligations. The Stockholders Agreement includes provisions pursuant to which we granted the right to cause us, in certain instances, at our expense, to file registration statements under the Securities Act covering resales of our common stock held by LGP, and the right to LGP and certain other stockholders to piggyback on such registration statements in certain circumstances. These shares represent approximately 66.7% of our then outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2026. These shares also may be sold under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, depending on their holding period and subject to restrictions in the case of shares held by persons deemed to be our affiliates. The Stockholders Agreement also requires us to indemnify such stockholders in connection
with any registrations of our securities. In addition, the Stockholders Agreement provides that LGP is entitled to designate individuals to be included in the slate of nominees recommended by our Board of Directors for election to our Board of Directors, to ensure that the composition of our Board of Directors and its committees complies with the provisions of the Stockholders Agreement related to the composition of our Board of Directors and its committees.
Matthew Lai Employment
John Lai’s son, Matthew Lai, is a non-executive employee of the Company who earned aggregate compensation of approximately $165,468 during fiscal year 2025, including $108,268 in cash compensation, $50,000 in equity compensation and $7,200 in fringe benefits. The compensation for Mr. Lai was established by Mister in accordance with its compensation practices applicable to employees with comparable qualifications and responsibilities and holding similar positions, without the involvement of John Lai.
HubInternational Insurance Services Inc.
Hub International Insurance Services Inc. (“HUB”) is controlled by LGP, the majority owner of the Company. During 2025, the Company appointed and engaged Hub for property and casualty insurance brokerage services for an annual fixed fee. Additionally, for the placement of new policies and bonds outside the scope of property and casualty plans, we pay Hub a commission as part of the plan premiums. During 2025, we paid $235,000 annual fixed fee and $59,398 of commissions as part of new policy premiums.
Indemnification Agreements
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), subject to certain exceptions contained in our amended and restated bylaws. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our directors and officers will not be liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors. The indemnification agreements provide the indemnitees with contractual rights to indemnification, and expense advancement and reimbursement, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL, subject to certain exceptions contained in those agreements.
There is no pending litigation or proceeding naming any of our directors or officers for which indemnification is being sought, and we are not aware of any pending litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any director or executive officer.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table sets forth the fees of Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, billed to the Company in each of the last two fiscal years.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Audit Fees | $ | 1,511,220 | $ | 1,493,909 |
| Audit-Related Fees | 1,895 | 1,895 | ||
| Tax Fees | 284,478 | 474,018 | ||
| All Other Fees | — | — | ||
| Total | $ | 1,797,593 | $ | 1,969,822 |
Audit fees for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, consisted of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit and interim reviews of Mister’s financial statements.
Audit-related fees for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, consisted of fees billed for subscriptions.
Tax fees for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, consisted of fees related to federal and state income tax and indirect tax return compliance and consulting matters.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The formal written charter for our Audit Committee requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all audit services to be provided to us, whether provided by our principal auditor or other firms, and all other services (review, attest
and non-audit) to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm, other than de minimis non-audit services approved in accordance with applicable SEC rules. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy (the “Pre-Approval Policy”) that sets forth the procedures and conditions pursuant to which audit and non-audit services proposed to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm may be pre-approved. The Pre-Approval Policy generally provides that the Audit Committee will not engage an independent registered public accounting firm to render any audit, audit-related, tax or permissible non-audit service unless the service is either (i) explicitly approved by the Audit Committee (“specific pre-approval”) or (ii) entered into pursuant to the pre-approval policies and procedures described in the Pre-Approval Policy (“general pre-approval”). Unless a type of service to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm has received general pre-approval under the Pre-Approval Policy, it requires specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee or by a designated member of the Audit Committee to whom the committee has delegated the authority to grant pre-approvals. Any member of the Audit Committee to whom the committee delegates authority to make pre-approval decisions must report any such pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. If circumstances arise where it becomes necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval categories or above the pre-approved amounts, the Audit Committee requires pre-approval for such additional services or such additional amounts. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval. For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee will consider whether such services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
On an annual basis, the Audit Committee reviews and generally pre-approves the services (and related fee levels or budgeted amounts) that may be provided by our independent registered accounting firm without first obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may revise the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.
All services reported in the Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and All Other Fees categories above were approved by the Audit Committee.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
| Mister Car Wash, Inc. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date: April 28, 2026 | By: | /s/ John Lai |
| John Lai | ||
| Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer<br><br>(Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Date: April 28, 2026 | By: | /s/ Jedidiah Gold |
| Jedidiah Gold | ||
| Chief Financial Officer<br><br>(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
EX-10.14
Exhibit 10.14
PURPOSE
The Mister Car Wash, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the “Plan”) was established by the Board of Directors of Mister Car Wash, Inc. (the “Board”), effective as of the date of closing of the initial public offering of Mister Car Wash, Inc. (the “Company”). The purpose of this Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by retaining certain executive-level employees through the provision of severance protections to such employees in the event their employment is terminated under the circumstances described in this Plan. The Plan is intended to be, and shall be interpreted and construed as, an unfunded employee welfare benefit plan under Section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and Section 2520.104-24 of the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Labor, maintained primarily for the benefit of a select group of management or highly compensated employees (a “top-hat” plan).
POLICY STATEMENT
- Definitions and Construction
- Definitions. Whenever used in this Plan, capitalized terms shall have the same meaning as set forth herein or in Appendix A.
- Construction. Captions and titles contained in this Plan are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless the context requires otherwise.
- Participation
The Participants are the executive-level employees of the Company Group who are designated by the Company to participate in this Plan from time to time. The Company may designate such employees by name, title, position, function, salary band, any other category deemed appropriate by the Company, or any combination of the foregoing from time to time. A list of Participants is set forth in Appendix B hereto (as such Appendix B may from time to time be amended by the Committee). In addition, as a condition to participation in this Plan, each individual agrees to be bound by, the terms and conditions of this Plan.
- Termination of Employment Without Cause or For Good Reason Other Than During the Protection Period
In the event of a Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability) or by Participant for Good Reason, in each case, at any time other than during the Protection Period, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the compensation and benefits described in this Section 4.
Accrued Obligations. The Participant shall be entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid annual base salary, unreimbursed business expenses incurred in accordance with the Company Group’s
policies, or other amounts earned or accrued through the Participant’s Termination of Employment under the Company Group’s applicable health, welfare, retirement, or other similar fringe benefit programs as required by their terms or by applicable law (the rights to such payments, the “Accrued Obligations”). For purposes of this Section 4.1, a Participant shall have the right to receive an annual cash bonus with respect to the year prior to the year in which the Participant’s Termination of Employment occurs if such bonus has been “earned”, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and is as yet unpaid.
The Accrued Obligations shall be payable on their respective scheduled payment dates in accordance with their terms.
- Severance Benefits. Provided that the Participant executes the Release prior to the applicable Release Deadline and such Release then becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms, subject to Section 17, and subject to the Participant’s compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 10 herein, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the following severance payments and benefits (the “Severance Benefits”):
(a) Severance Payments. The Company shall pay the Participant an aggregate amount equal to the Participant’s Severance Payment, payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regular pay practices during the period beginning on such Termination of Employment and ending at the end of the applicable Severance Period (subject to Section 17.6).
(b) COBRA Premiums. If such Participant timely and properly elects continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plans (other than its health care flexible spending account) pursuant to COBRA, then the Company shall directly pay or, at its election, reimburse the Participant for COBRA premiums for the Participant and the Participant’s covered eligible dependents (at the same benefit levels in effect on the Participant’s Termination of Employment) (the “Benefits Continuation”) for the period commencing on such Termination of Employment and ending on the earliest of (i) the number of years (or partial years, if applicable) thereafter equal to the Severance Period, (ii) the date such Participant is no longer eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, and (iii) that date on which the Participant becomes eligible to receive group health plan coverage from another employer (such period, the “Benefits Continuation Period”). The Participant must notify the Company immediately upon becoming eligible to receive group health plan coverage by means of subsequent employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (ii) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover the Participant under its group health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company reimbursement shall thereafter be paid to the Participant in substantially equal monthly installments over the Benefits Continuation Period (or the remaining portion thereof).
(c) Equity Acceleration. The Participant will be entitled to accelerated vesting of any Equity Awards that are outstanding as of the Participant’s Termination of Employment to the extent provided in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company Group.
- Termination of Employment Without Cause or For Good Reason During the Protection Period
In the event of a Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause or by Participant for Good Reason during the Protection Period, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the compensation and benefits described in this Section 5.
Accrued Obligations. The Participant shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations.
Severance Benefits. Provided that the Participant executes the Release prior to the applicable Release Deadline and such Release then becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms, subject to Section 17, and subject to the Participant’s compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 10 herein, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the following severance payments and benefits (the “CIC Severance Benefits”):
CIC Severance Payment. The Company shall pay to the Participant in a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) the Participant’s CIC Severance Multiplier and (ii) the Participant’s CIC Severance Payment within sixty (60) days after the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment.
Prorated Bonus. The Company shall pay the Participant an amount equal the Prorated Bonus on the later of (i) the 61st day following the date of such Termination of Employment and (ii) the date payments under such plan are made with respect to such year to participants who remain actively employed by the Company or any of its affiliates throughout the remainder of such year; provided that such Prorated Bonus shall be paid in the year following the year in which the Prorated Bonus was earned.
COBRA Premiums. The Participant will be entitled to the Benefits Continuation, as set forth in Section 4.2(c), for the period commencing on such Termination of Employment and ending on the earliest of (i) the number of years (or partial years, if applicable) thereafter equal to the CIC Severance Multiplier, (ii) the date such Participant is no longer eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, and (iii) that date on which the Participant becomes eligible to receive group health plan coverage from another employer (such period, the “CIC Benefits Continuation Period”). The Participant shall notify the Company immediately upon becoming eligible to receive group health plan coverage by means of subsequent employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Code Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (ii) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover the Participant under its group health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company reimbursement shall thereafter be paid to the Participant in substantially equal monthly installments over the CIC Benefits Continuation Period (or the remaining portion thereof).
Equity Acceleration. The Participant will be entitled to accelerated vesting of any Equity Awards that are outstanding as of the Participant’s Termination of Employment to the extent provided in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company Group.
Termination of Employment Upon Death or Disability
In the event of a Participant’s Termination of Employment as a result of termination by the Company due to death or Disability, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the compensation and benefits described in this Section 6.
- Accrued Obligations. The Participant shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations.
- Equity Acceleration. The Participant will be entitled to accelerated vesting of any Equity Awards that are outstanding as of the Participant’s Termination of Employment to the extent provided in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company Group.
- Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason
In the event of a Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company for Cause or by Participant without Good Reason, the Participant shall be entitled to receive only the Accrued Obligations and shall not be entitled to any severance compensation or benefits hereunder or otherwise.
- Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code
Unless a written employment agreement between a Participant and a member of the Company Group in effect at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Employment provides otherwise for the treatment of excess parachute payments under Section 280G of the Code:
Excess Parachute Payment. In the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Participant pursuant to this Plan or otherwise (collectively, the “Payments”) would subject the Participant to any excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”) due to the characterization of such Payments as an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, then, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Plan, the amount of such Payments will not exceed the amount which produces the greatest after-tax benefit to the Participant. For purposes of this Section 8.1, if the Payments must be reduced, then such Payments shall be reduced in such manner (and in such order) as determined by the Company in good faith based on determinations of the 280G Advisor (as defined below) and such determination by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive on the applicable Participant.
Determination by 280G Advisor. Upon the occurrence of any event that would give rise to any Payments pursuant to this Plan (an “Event”), the Company shall request a determination to be made in connection with the Event by a nationally recognized independent public accounting firm or other third party advisor with experienced in performing calculations regarding the applicability of Section 280G of the Code and the Excise Tax selected by the Company (the “280G Advisor”) of the amount and type of such Payments which would produce the greatest after-tax benefit to the Participant. For the purposes of such determination, the 280G Advisor may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Participant shall furnish to the 280G Advisor such information and documents as the 280G Advisor may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses the 280G Advisor may reasonably charge in connection with their services contemplated by this Section. In the event that, following any payment of any Payments, it is determined that a greater reduction in the
Payments than initially determined by the 280G Advisor should have been made to implement the objectives and intent of this Section 8, the excess amount shall be returned immediately by the Participant to the Company.
Entire Plan; Relation to Other Agreements
Except as otherwise set forth herein (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Sections 4.2(d) and 5.2(d)) or otherwise agreed to in writing between the Company Group and a Participant, the Plan contains the entire understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreement, arrangement and understanding between any Participant and the Company Group, with respect to the subject matter hereof. By participating in the Plan and accepting the Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, hereunder, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that any prior agreement, arrangement and understanding between any Participant, on the one hand, and the Company Group, on the other hand, with respect to the subject matter hereof is hereby superseded and ineffective with respect to the Participant (including with respect to any severance arrangement contained in an employment agreement, employment letter agreement and/or similar agreement or arrangement by and between the Participant and any member of the Company Group), except as otherwise agreed herein, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Sections 4.2(d) and 5.2(d).
- Confidential Information, Non-Competition, and Non-Solicitation
- As an express condition to participation in this Plan, each Participant acknowledges and agrees that such Participant is bound by the provisions of this Section 10. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if a Participant violates any of his or her obligations under this Section 10 (or any similar confidentiality, return of property, non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, or intellectual property covenant that runs in favor of any member of the Company Group and by which such Participant is bound, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference (collectively, “Similar Covenants”)), then the Company (and its applicable affiliates) shall be relieved of all obligations to provide or make available any further payments or benefits to the Participant pursuant to this Plan, and the Company may require the Participant to repay or forfeit to the Company (on a pre-tax or after-tax basis) any such payments or benefits that the Participant was previously provided by the Company or any of its affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, each Participant shall remain obligated to comply with any Similar Covenants in addition to the provisions of this Section 10.
- Each Participant agrees that the Participant shall not use for the Participant’s own purpose or for the benefit of any person or entity (including, without limitation, a Competing Business (as defined below)) other than the Company Group or its respective shareholders or affiliates, nor shall the Participant otherwise disclose to any individual or entity at any time while the Participant is employed by the Company Group or thereafter any Proprietary Information of the Company unless such disclosure
(a) has been authorized by the Board; (b) is reasonably required within the course and scope of the Participant’s employment with the Company; or (c) is required by law, a court of competent jurisdiction or a governmental or regulatory agency. “Proprietary Information” shall mean (a) the name or address of any customer, supplier or parent or subsidiary entity of the Company Group or any information concerning the transactions or relations of any customer, supplier or parent or subsidiary of the Company Group or any of its shareholders; (b) any information concerning any product, service,
technology or procedure offered or used by the Company Group, or under development by or being considered for use by the Company Group; (c) any information relating to marketing or pricing plans or methods, capital structure, or any business or strategic plans of the Company Group; (d) any inventions, innovations, trade secrets, patents and processes in any way relating, directly or indirectly, to the Company Group’s business developed by the Participant alone or in conjunction with others; and (e) any other information which the Board has determined by resolution and communicated to the Participant in writing to be proprietary information for purposes hereof; provided, however, that “Proprietary Information” shall not include any information that is or becomes generally known to the public other than through actions of the Participant in violation of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Section 10 or any Similar Covenants.
- The Participant acknowledges that in the course of the Participant’s employment with the Company Group the Participant will become familiar with Proprietary Information and that the Participant’s services will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company Group. Therefore, the Participant agrees that, for a period of eighteen (18) months following the Participant’s Termination of Employment (the “Restricted Period”), the Participant shall not directly or indirectly own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, or in any manner engage in any business competing with any business of the Company within the United States, Canada and any other geographical area in which the Company then engages in business or engaged in business at any time during the Participant’s employment with the Company (such business, “Competing Business”).
Nothing herein shall prohibit the Participant from being a passive owner of not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding equity of any entity which is publicly traded or a mutual investment fund so long as the Participant has no direct or indirect active participation in the business of such entity.
During the Restricted Period, the Participant shall not directly or indirectly (a) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company Group to terminate such employment, or in any way interfere with the employee relationship between the Company Group and any such employee; (b) hire any person who is, or, at any time during the twelve (12)-month period immediately prior to the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment, was, an employee of the Company Group; or (c) induce or attempt to induce any person having a business relationship with the Company Group to cease doing business with the Company Group or interfere materially with the relationship between any such person and the Company Group.
The Participant agrees not to disparage the Company Group, any of its products or practices, any of its directors, officers, agents, representatives, employees or its parent or subsidiary entities, either orally or in writing, at any time; provided that the Participant shall not be required to make any untruthful statement or to violate any law.
The parties hereto agree that the time, duration and area for which the covenants set forth in this Section 10 are to be effective are reasonable. In the event that any court or arbitrator determines that the time period or the area, or both of them, are unreasonable and that any of the covenants are to that extent unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that such covenants will remain in full force and effect, first, for the greatest time period, and second, in the greatest geographical area that would not render them unenforceable. The parties intend that this Section 10 will be deemed to be a series of
separate covenants, one for each and every county, parish and similar subdivision of each and every state of the United States of America (and each and every subdivision of each other geographical area in which the Company Group then engages in business or engaged in business at any time during the Participant’s employment with the Company Group). The Participant agrees that damages are an inadequate remedy for any breach of the covenants in this Section 10 and that the Company will, whether or not it is pursuing any potential remedies at law, be entitled to equitable relief in the form of preliminary and permanent injunctions without bond or other security upon any actual or threatened breach of this Section 10. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that this Section 10 (a) is ancillary to a valid employment relationship with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (b) is reasonably necessary to protect the Company Group’s legitimate business interest (including, without limitation, the Company Group’s customer relationships and Proprietary Information), and (c) does not unreasonably restrict the Participant’s right to work in his chosen profession. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing herein is intended to or will prohibit the Participant from filing a charge with, reporting possible violations of law or regulation to, participating in any investigation by, cooperating with, or communicating directly with, or providing information in confidence to, any governmental entity or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law or regulation.
Administration
This Plan is administered by the Committee. The Committee, from time to time, may also appoint such individuals to act as the Committee’s representatives as the Committee considers necessary or desirable for the effective administration of the Plan.
If the Committee is required to exercise its powers with respect to an issue that affects only one of the Committee members, then such member shall recuse themselves and be replaced by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
The Committee, from time to time, may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable for the proper and efficient administration of the Plan and as are consistent with the terms of the Plan.
In administering the Plan, the Committee (and its appointed representative) shall have the sole and absolute discretionary authority to construe and interpret the provisions of the Plan (and any related or underlying documents or policies), to interpret applicable law, and make factual determinations thereunder, including the authority to determine the eligibility of employees and the amount of benefits payable under the Plan. Any interpretation of this Plan and any decision on any matter within the discretion of the Committee made by the Committee in good faith is binding on all persons. Notwithstanding the discretion granted to the Committee, if its decision is challenged in a legal proceeding, the Committee’s interpretations and determinations will be reviewed under a preponderance of the evidence standard.
The Committee keeps records of this Plan and is responsible for the administration of this Plan.
If, due to errors in drafting, any Plan provision does not accurately reflect its intended meaning, as demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other evidence of intent, or as determined by the
Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, the provision shall be considered ambiguous and shall be interpreted by the Committee in a fashion consistent with its intent, as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Committee.
This Section may not be invoked by any employee, the Participant or other person to require this Plan to be interpreted in a manner inconsistent with its interpretation by the Committee.
The Company will pay all costs of administration, except as provided with respect to disputes below.
Claims for Benefits
ERISA Plan. This Plan is intended to be (a) an employee welfare plan as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA and (b) a “top-hat” plan maintained for the benefit of a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Company Group.
Application for Benefits. All applications for payments and/or benefits under the Plan (“Benefits”) shall be submitted to the Committee with a copy to the Company’s General Counsel, at the addresses indicated in the “Contacts for Claims and Appeals” section of this Plan. Applications for Benefits must be in writing on forms acceptable to the Committee and must be signed by the Participant, beneficiary or other person (the “Claimant”). A Claimant may authorize a representative to act on his or her behalf with respect to any claim under the Plan. Claims for Benefits under the Plan shall be administered in accordance with Section 503 of ERISA and the Department of Labor regulations and guidance thereunder, subject to the temporary COVID-19 extension of deadlines described below. The Committee reserves the right to require the Claimant to furnish such other proof of the Claimant’s expenses, including without limitation, receipts, canceled checks, bills, and invoices as may be required by the Committee.
Appeal of Denial of Claim.
If a Claimant’s claim for Benefits is denied, the Committee shall provide notice to the Claimant in writing of the denial within ninety (90) days after its submission. The notice shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant and shall include:
The specific reason or reasons for the denial;
Specific references to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
An explanation of the Plan’s claims review procedures and a statement of claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a), subject to the Plan’s arbitration provisions, following a final adverse benefit determination.
If special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the initial claim, a written notice of the extension, the reason therefor, and the date by which the Committee expects to render a decision shall be furnished to the Claimant before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period. In no
event shall such extension exceed ninety (90) days.
If a claim for Benefits is denied, the Claimant, at the Claimant’s sole expense, may submit a written appeal of the denial to the Committee within sixty (60) days of the receipt of written notice of the denial, subject to the temporary COVID-19 extension of deadlines described below, at the address indicated in the “Contacts for Claims and Appeals ” section of the Plan. In pursuing such appeal the Claimant:
will be provided, upon request and without charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits;
may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim; and
will receive a review that takes into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the appeal, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.
The Committee will conduct a full and fair review of the claim and the initial claim denial. The decision on review shall be made within sixty (60) days of receipt of the request for review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request for review. If such an extension of time is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant before the end of the original sixty (60) day period and shall indicate the special circumstances requiring such extension of time and the date by which the Committee expects to render the decision on review. The decision on review shall be made in writing, shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, and, if the decision on review is a denial of the appealed claim for Benefits, shall include:
The specific reason or reasons for the denial;
Specific references to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
A statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and without charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim for Benefits; and
A statement of claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a), subject to the Plan’s arbitration provisions.
Temporary COVID-19 Extension of Deadlines. The Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service and Department of the Treasury (the “Agencies”) issued COVID-19-related relief to temporarily extend the deadlines to file ERISA claims and appeals. Under this relief, the period from March 1, 2020 until sixty (60) days after the announced end of the national emergency (or such other date announced by the Agencies) will be disregarded in determining the deadlines for a Claimant to file claims and appeals under this Plan, provided, however, that no more
than one year will be disregarded in determining a given deadline.
Disputes Subject to Arbitration. Any claim, dispute or controversy arising out of this Plan, the interpretation, validity or enforceability of this Plan or the alleged breach thereof shall be submitted by the parties to binding arbitration by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) or as otherwise required by ERISA; provided, however, that (a) the arbitrator shall have no authority to make any ruling or judgment that would confer any rights with respect to trade secrets, confidential and proprietary information or other intellectual property; and (b) this arbitration provision shall not preclude the parties from seeking legal and equitable relief from any court having jurisdiction with respect to any disputes or claims relating to or arising out of the misuse or misappropriation of intellectual property. Such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the then-existing AAA Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures. The rules can be found at https://www.adr.org/employment, or a copy will be provided upon request. Judgment may be entered on the award of the arbitrator in any court having jurisdiction.
Site of Arbitration. The site of the arbitration proceeding shall be in Tucson, Arizona or any other site mutually agreed to by the Company and the Participant.
Costs and Expenses Borne by Company. All costs and expenses of arbitration shall be paid by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant initiates the arbitration, and the arbitrator finds that the Participant’s claims were totally without merit or frivolous, then the Participant shall be responsible for the Participant’s own attorneys’ fees and costs.
12.6. If any judicial proceeding is undertaken to appeal or arbitrate the denial of a claim or bring any other action under ERISA other than a breach of fiduciary duty claim, the evidence presented may be strictly limited to the evidence timely presented to the Committee. In addition, any such judicial proceeding must be filed no later than two (2) years from the date of the final adverse benefit determination of an applicant’s appeal of the denial of his or her claim for benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the applicable, analogous state statute of limitations has run or will run before the aforementioned two (2)-year period, the state’s statute of limitations shall be controlling.
- No Contract of Employment
Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any amendment thereto, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any person the right to be retained by the Company, a Successor or any other member of the Company Group. Except as otherwise established in an employment agreement between the Company Group and a Participant, the employment relationship between the Participant and the Company is an “at-will” relationship. Accordingly, either the Participant or the Company may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without Cause, and with or without notice except as otherwise provided by Section 15. In addition, nothing in this Plan shall in any manner obligate any Successor or other member of the Company Group to offer employment to any Participant or to continue the employment of any Participant whom it does hire for any specific duration of time.
Successors and Assigns
Successors of the Company. The Company shall require any Successor, expressly, absolutely and
unconditionally to assume and agree to perform this Plan in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement shall be a material breach of this Plan and shall entitle the Participant to resign for Good Reason and to receive the benefits provided under this Plan in the event of a qualifying Termination of Employment during the Protection Period.
Acknowledgment by Company. If, after a Change in Control, the Company fails to reasonably confirm that it has performed the obligation described in Section 14.1 within thirty (30) days after written notice from the Participant, such failure shall be a material breach of this Plan and shall entitle the Participant to resign for Good Reason and to receive the benefits provided under this Plan in the event of a qualifying Termination of Employment during the Protection Period.
Heirs and Representatives of Participant. This Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Participant’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devises, legatees or other beneficiaries. If the Participant should die while any amount would still be payable to the Participant hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of the Participant) if the Participant had continued to live, then all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Plan to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Participant’s estate.
Notices
General. For purposes of this Plan, notices and all other communications shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier, postage prepaid, as follows:
if to the Company:
Mister Car Wash, Inc. 222 E. 5th Street Tucson, Arizona 85705
Attention: General Counsel
- if to the Participant, at the home address which the Company has its personnel records.
Either party may provide the other with notices of change of address, which shall be effective upon receipt.
Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company of the Participant’s employment or any resignation by the Participant shall be communicated by a notice of termination or resignation to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 15.1. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Plan relied upon, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and shall specify the termination date.
Termination and Amendment of Plan
The Plan may be terminated or amended by the Board or the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may not be terminated or amended during the Protection Period without the consent of each Participant, and no termination or amendment of the Plan will affect any rights or obligations to provide payments or benefits due or payable hereunder prior to such termination or amendment; and provided, further, that the Plan may not be amended at any time to substantially reduce payments or benefits due or payable hereunder to a Participant without such Participant’s prior consent.
Section 409A
General. The payments and benefits under the Plan are intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted to comply with or exempt from Section 409A. If the Company determines that any particular provision of the Plan would cause a Participant to incur any tax or interest under Section 409A, the Company may, but is not obligated to, take commercially reasonable efforts to reform such provision to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, provided that any such modifications shall not increase the cost or liability to the Company. To the extent that any provision of the Plan is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Participants and the Company of the applicable provision without resulting in the imposition of a tax under Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 17.1 does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to make any such modification or take any other action, and the Company does not guaranty or accept any liability for any tax consequences to the Participants under the Plan.
Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if the Company determines at the time of a Participant’s Separation from Service that the Participant is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, then, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which a Participant is entitled under the Plan is required to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Participant’s benefits shall not be provided to the Participant before the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service with the Company or (ii) the date of the Participant’s death. On the first business day following the expiration of the applicable delay, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to the Participant (or the Participant’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to the Participant under the Plan shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.
Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, any compensation or benefit payable under the Plan that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A and is designated under the Plan as payable upon a Participant’s termination of employment with the Company shall be payable only upon the Participant’s Separation from Service with the Company.
Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursements payable under the Plan are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements shall be paid to the Participant no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and a Participant’s right to reimbursement under the Plan will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
Installments. For purposes of applying the provisions of Section 409A to the Plan, each separately identified amount to which a Participant is entitled under the Plan shall be treated as a separate payment. In addition, to the extent permissible under Section 409A, the right to receive any installment payments under the Plan shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii). Whenever a payment under the Plan specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.
Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent that any payments due under the Plan as a result of a Participant’s Termination of Employment are subject to the Participant’s execution of the Release, (a) no such payments shall be made unless and until such Release has been so executed and has become effective and irrevocable, and (b) any payments delayed pursuant to Section 17.6(a) shall be paid in lump sum on the first payroll date following the Release becoming effective and irrevocable; provided that, in any case where the Participant’s Termination of Employment and the Release Deadline fall in two (2) separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to the Participant that are conditioned on the Release and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year.
Miscellaneous Provisions
Unfunded Obligation. Any amounts payable to Participants pursuant to the Plan are unfunded obligations. The Company shall not be required to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations. The Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Board or the Company and a Participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in any Participant or the Participant’s creditors in any assets of the Company.
No Duty to Mitigate; Obligations of Company. A Participant shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Plan by seeking employment with a new employer or otherwise, nor shall any such payment or benefit (except for benefits to the extent described in Sections 4.2(c), 5.2(c) and 8.2) be reduced by any compensation or benefits that the Participant may receive from employment by another employer. Except as otherwise provided by this Plan, the obligations of the Company to make payments to the Participant and to make the arrangements provided for herein are absolute and unconditional and may not be reduced by any circumstances, including without limitation any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
right which the Company may have against the Participant or any third party at any time.
No Representations. The Participant acknowledges that in becoming a Participant in the Plan, the Participant is not relying and has not relied on any promise, representation or statement made by or on behalf of the Company which is not set forth in this Plan.
Waiver. No waiver by the Participant or the Company of any breach of, or of any lack of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Plan by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.
Choice of Law. The Plan is a welfare plan subject to ERISA and it shall be interpreted, administered, and enforced in accordance with that law. To the extent that state law is applicable the internal laws of the state of Delaware without regard to any conflict of laws provisions shall be controlling in all matters relating to this Plan.
Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect.
Benefits Not Assignable. Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, no right or interest of any Participant under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, in whole or in part, either directly or by operation of law or otherwise, including, without limitation, by execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge or in any other manner, and no attempted transfer or assignment thereof shall be effective. No right or interest of any Participant under the Plan shall be liable for, or subject to, any obligation or liability of such Participant.
Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Plan will be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes. However, whether cash severance amounts are eligible compensation under the Company’s benefit plans will be determined by the terms of such plans.
Information to be Furnished by Participants. Each Participant must furnish to the Company such documents, evidence, data or other information as the Company considers necessary or desirable for the purpose of administering this Plan. Benefits under this Plan for each Participant are provided on the condition that the Participant furnishes full, true and complete data, evidence or other information, and that the Participant will promptly sign any document related to the Plan, requested by the Company.
Consultation with Legal and Financial Advisors. The Participant acknowledges that this Plan confers significant legal rights, and may also involve the waiver of rights under other agreements; that the Company has encouraged the Participant to consult with the Participant’s personal legal and financial advisors; and that the Participant has had adequate time to consult with the Participant’s advisors.
Contacts for Claims and Appeals
COMMITTEE: Committee
Mister Car Wash, Inc. c/o Corporate Secretary 222 E. 5th Street Tucson, Arizona 85705
(520) 615-4000
LEGAL PROCESS: Legal process with respect to the Plan may be served upon the
Committee (in its capacity as Plan administrator).
GENERAL COUNSEL: General Counsel Mister Car Wash, Inc. 222 E. 5th Street Tucson, Arizona 85705
(520) 615-4000
Appendix A
Whenever used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Base Salary Rate” means the Participant’s annual base salary rate in effect immediately prior to the Participant’s Termination of Employment.
“Cause” has the meaning provided therefor in a written employment agreement between the Participant and any member of the Company Group in effect at the applicable time, if any, or, if the Participant is not at the time party to an effective employment agreement with a “Cause” definition, then “Cause” means any of the following:
- commission of, conviction of, or entry of a plea by the Participant of nolo contendere to a felony that is materially detrimental to the Company Group, its reputation, or its respective stockholders; (b) malfeasance, willful or gross misconduct, or willful dishonesty of the Participant that materially and adversely affects the business or affairs of the Company Group, its reputation, or its respective stockholders;
(c) conviction of or entry of a plea by the Participant of nolo contendere to a crime involving fraud; (d) material violation by the Participant of the ethics/policy code of the Company Group, including breach of duty of loyalty to the Company or any other member of the Company Group;
- willful failure by the Participant to perform his duties and responsibilities hereunder or under any employment agreement between the Participant and any member of the Company Group, which failure has not been cured by the Participant within fifteen (15) days after written notice thereof to the Participant from the Company;
- inappropriate use or disclosure by the Participant of Proprietary Information in violation of any employment agreement, stockholders agreement or any other written agreement between the Participant and any member of the Company Group that adversely affects the business or the affairs of the Company Group in a material way; or
- material breach by the Participant not caused by the Company Group of any terms and conditions of any employment agreement, stockholders agreement or any other written agreement between the Participant and any member of the Company Group, which breach has not been cured by the Participant within fifteen (15) days after written notice thereof to the Participant from the Company or any other member of the Company Group.
“Change in Control”, “CIC” has the meaning given in the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as may be amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto.
“CIC Severance Multiplier” means, with respect to any Participant, the applicable CIC Severance Multiplier set forth on Appendix B.
“CIC Severance Payment” means, with respect to any Participant, the sum of (x) the Participant’s Base Salary Rate and (y) the Participant’s target annual bonus for the year in which such Participant’s Termination of Employment occurs.
“COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto and any applicable regulations (including proposed or temporary regulations) and other Internal Revenue Service guidance promulgated thereunder.
“Committee” means the committee whose members are the Company’s Chief People Officer, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Company’s General Counsel; provided that, if any Committee member must recuse themselves with respect to a claim, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer shall serve as the alternate member.
“Company” means Mister Car Wash, Inc., and, following a Change in Control, a Successor that agrees to assume all of the terms and provisions of this Plan or a Successor which otherwise becomes bound by operation of law to this Plan.
“Company Group” means the group consisting of the Company and each present or future parent and subsidiary corporation or other business entity thereof.
“Disability” means that the Participant has become entitled to receive benefits under an applicable Company long-term disability plan or, if no such plan covers the Participant, that the Committee has made a good faith determination that the Participant has become physically or mentally incapacitated or disabled such that the Participant is unable to perform for the Company substantially the same services as the Participant performed prior to incurring such incapacity or disability, and such incapacity or disability exists for an aggregate of four (4) calendar months in any twelve (12) month period. In connection with making such determination, the Company, at its option and expense, shall be entitled to select and retain a physician to confirm the existence of such incapacity or disability, and the determination made by such physician shall be binding on the parties for the purposes of this Plan.
“Equity Award” means a Company equity-based award granted under any equity-based incentive plan of the Company, including, but not limited to, the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
“Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following conditions without the Participant’s consent unless the Company fully corrects the circumstances constituting Good Reason on or prior to the applicable cure period noted below:
a material diminution in the Participant’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose any isolated, insubstantial or inadvertent actions not taken in bad faith and which are remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; or
a material reduction in the Participant’s base salary, as the same may be increased from time to time (other than in connection with across-the-board base salary reductions of all or substantially all similarly situated employees of the Company); or
a material change in the geographic location of the Participant’s principal location as of the date hereof, which shall, in any event, include only a relocation of more than fifty (50) miles from such principal location.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant will not be deemed to have resigned for Good Reason unless
- the Participant provides the Company with written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed by the Participant to constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days after the date of the occurrence of any event that the Participant knows or should reasonably have known to constitute Good Reason,
- the Company fails to cure such acts or omissions within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such notice, and
- the effective date of the Participant’s termination for Good Reason occurs no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Company’s cure period.
“Participant” means each individual who listed on Appendix B.
“Protection Period” means the period beginning six (6) months prior to the date of the consummation of the Change in Control and ending on the twenty-four (24)-month anniversary of such Change in Control.
“Release” means a general release of all known and unknown claims against the Company and its affiliates and their stockholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns in the Company’s then-applicable form (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will not contain any restrictive covenants that are in excess of those to which the applicable Participant was subject as of his or her Termination of Employment).
“Release Deadline” means the date which is twenty-one (21) days following the Participant’s Termination of Employment (or forty-five (45) days if necessary to comply with applicable law).
“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Separation from Service” means a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A.
“Severance Payment” means, with respect to any Participant, (A) if such Participant is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, 1.5x the Participant’s Base Salary Rate, (B) if such Participant is the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, 1.5x the Participant’s Base Salary Rate and (C) with respect to any other Participant Chief People Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Innovation Officer and the General Counsel, 1x the Participant’s Base Salary Rate.
“Severance Period” shall, with respect to any Participant, commence upon such Participant’s Termination of Employment and end (A) if such Participant is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, after a period of eighteen (18) months and (B) with respect to any other Participant, after a period of twelve (12) months.
“Specified Employee” means a specified employee of the Company as defined in Section 409A.
“Successor” means any successor in interest to substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
“Termination of Employment” means the termination of the applicable Participant’s employment with, or performance of services for, the Company Group.
Appendix B
| Participant | CIC Severance Multiplier | Non-CIC Severance Multiplier | Benefits Continuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Lai | 2 | 1.5x | 18 months |
| Jedidiah Gold | 1.5 | 1.5x | 18 months |
| Carlos Chavez | 1.5 | 1x | 12 months |
| Michelle Krall | 1.5 | 1x | 12 months |
| Joe Matheny | 1.5 | 1x | 12 months |
| Mary Porter | 1.5 | 1x | 12 months |
EX-31.1
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, John Lai, certify that:
I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K of Mister Car Wash, Inc.; and
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report.
| Date: April 28, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| /s/ John Lai | |
| John Lai | |
| Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer<br><br>(Principal Executive Officer) |
EX-31.2
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Jedidiah Gold, certify that:
I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K of Mister Car Wash, Inc.; and
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report.
| Date: April 28, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| /s/ Jedidiah Gold | |
| Jedidiah Gold | |
| Chief Financial Officer<br><br>(Principal Financial Officer) |