Form 4: Utz Brands EVP Arends Reports RSU Grant & Tax Withholdings

Utz Brands' EVP of Supply Chain, Mitchell Andrew Arends, reported the acquisition of 24,390 restricted stock units and the disposition of 13,047 shares for tax obligations.

Summary

• Mitchell Andrew Arends, EVP Chief Integr Supply Chain at Utz Brands, Inc. (UTZ), reported changes in beneficial ownership.
• On January 2, 2026, Arends disposed of a total of 13,047 shares of Class A Common Stock at a price of $10.38 per share.
• These dispositions were for the payment of tax liabilities arising from the settlement of previously granted restricted stock unit awards.
• On January 5, 2026, Arends acquired 24,390 restricted stock units (RSUs) of Class A Common Stock at a price of $0.
• Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Class A Common Stock.
• Following these transactions, Arends beneficially owns 75,699 shares of Class A Common Stock directly.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reflects routine executive compensation and tax-related share dispositions, which are neutral to slightly positive as they indicate ongoing executive alignment through equity grants, but do not provide new operational or financial performance insights.

Positives

• The grant of 24,390 restricted stock units aligns management's interests with long-term shareholder value.
• The acquisition of RSUs at a $0 price indicates a compensation component, incentivizing the executive.

Negatives

• The disposition of 13,047 shares for tax purposes reduces the executive's direct shareholding, though it is a standard practice for RSU vesting.

Future Outlook

The newly granted restricted stock units for Mitchell Andrew Arends are scheduled to vest in three equal tranches on December 31, 2026, December 31, 2027, and December 31, 2028, contingent upon continuous service to the company and other plan conditions.

Industry Context

This filing represents a routine executive compensation event, common across publicly traded companies, where restricted stock units are granted to align executive incentives with long-term company performance and shares are withheld to cover tax obligations upon vesting.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant of RSUs could lead to minor future dilution but aims to align executive incentives with shareholder interests. The tax withholdings are a standard part of executive compensation.
• Employees: Reflects the company's ongoing use of equity-based compensation plans for executives.

Next Steps

• The restricted stock units granted on January 5, 2026, will vest in three annual installments starting December 31, 2026.

Key Dates

Keywords

Utz Brands, UTZ, Form 4, Insider Trading, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Executive Compensation, Stock Grant, Tax Withholding, Mitchell Andrew Arends