Eastside Distilling of Portland, Oregon, announces it has signed a non-binding term sheet with key first and second lien debt holders that, if completed, will convert a substantial portion of outstanding debt to equity. This would significantly reduce interest expense going forward and help Eastside to regain compliance with the Shareholders Equity Rule for continued Nasdaq listing. In the proposed transaction, principal creditors would exchange $6.2 million of debt for equity at an exchange rate of no less than $4.00 per common share equivalent and no more than $4.80 per common share equivalent. New equity would be limited to less than 20% of total voting stock with the balance in new non-voting convertible preferred stock. In addition, interest payments on the remaining debt would be restructured and certain debt maturities would be extended. These changes would have a materially positive impact on cash flow and support Eastside’s growth initiatives, especially in digital can printing.
After submitting the proposed deleveraging plan to Nasdaq, Eastside received notification on June 8, 2023 that Nasdaq has extended the deadline for Eastside to achieve compliance with its Shareholders Equity Rule to September 30, 2023. Eastsdie received notice on May 30 that it had regained compliance with the minimum price requirement for continued listing.
Eastside is also pleased to reconfirm its second quarter guidance of positive EBITDA for its Craft division with a substantial reduction in the net operating loss for the division. Craft’s operating performance continues to improve, with May posting the highest monthly segment sales ever. Eastside has digitally printed more than 15 million cans since its new Portland, Oregon location was opened last year. Eastside is also updating second quarter guidance to state that its Spirits division is performing better than internal profit plans.
Geoffrey Gwin, Eastside’s CEO, stated, “I am very pleased with Eastside’s improvements in the quarter and also that our key strategic partners are acknowledging these improvements with their willingness to consider this debt for equity transaction.”