Note 15 - Related Party Transactions

Sale and Leaseback

On May 26, 2021, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with OK Biltong Facility, LLC (“Buyer”), an entity controlled by a member of the Company’s board of directors, pursuant to which the parties consummated a sale and leaseback transaction (the “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”) of the Company’s manufacturing facility and the surrounding property in Madill, Oklahoma (the “Real Property”) for a total purchase price of $7,500,000.

In connection with the consummation of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the Company entered into a lease agreement (the “Lease Agreement”) with Buyer pursuant to which the Company leased back the Real Property from Buyer for an initial term of twelve (12) years unless earlier terminated or extended in accordance with the terms of the Lease Agreement. Under the Lease Agreement, the Company’s financial obligations include base rent of approximately $60,000 per month, which rent will increase on an annual basis at two percent (2%) over the initial term and two-and-a-half percent (2.5%) during any extension term. The Company is also responsible for all monthly expenses related to the leased facility, including insurance premiums, taxes and other expenses, such as utilities. Under the Lease Agreement, the Company has three (3) options to extend the term of the lease by five (5) years for each such option and a one-time right and option to purchase the Real Property at a price that escalates over time and, if Buyer decides to sell the Real Property, the Company has a right of first refusal to purchase the Real Property on the same terms offered to any third party.

The Company determined that the sale and leaseback transaction contained continuing involvement and thus used the financing method consistent with ASC 842. The transfer did not qualify as a sale, hence it is considered a "failed" sale and both parties account for it as a financing transaction. Accordingly, a financing obligation related to the operating lease in the amount of the sale price ($7,500,000) has been booked and the corresponding assets on the balance sheet are maintained. Under the finance method, rental payments are applied as amortization and/or interest expense on the financing obligation as appropriate using an assumed interest rate. The Company is accounting for these as interest only payments because the Company's incremental cost to borrow when applied to the financing obligation is greater than the rental payments under the Lease Agreement. The Company recognized interest expense of $741,715 and $727,171 during the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Promissory Notes

On April 19, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of $1,175,000 in Notes to related parties. See Note 10 for a description of the Notes and Note 12 for further discussion on the warrants issued in connection with the Notes. The balance owed to related parties was $1,273,893 inclusive of $98,893 of accrued interest as of December 31, 2023.

Other

During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company purchased approximately $1,007 and $143,420, respectively, in goods from an entity controlled by a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the "Related Party Manufacturer"). The balance owed to the Related Party Manufacturer as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $807 and $0, respectively.

The Company previously had note receivables due from certain directors, officers and employees of the Company. The note receivables and the accrued interest was forgiven in connection with the Business Combination on July 20, 2021. The forgiveness of these note receivables resulted in non-cash compensation expense to the related parties for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company agreed to reimburse the related parties for their portion of income taxes related to the non-cash compensation. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the balance owed to the related parties was $278,771 and $632,946, respectively.

In connection with the PSA, a named executive officer of the Company granted the Lender a security interest in certain personal property owned by the named executive officer to further secure the Company's obligations under the PSA. See further discussion at Note 9. As consideration for granting the security interest to the Lender, the Company agreed to pay the name executive officer a fee of $100,000 and reimbursement of out of pocket expenses. The balance owed to the name executive officer as of December 31, 2023 is $100,000.