Sec Form 13D Filing - Engaged Capital LLC filing for UPBOUND GROUP INC. (UPBD) - 2023-12-13

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. 1)¹

Upbound Group, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

76009N100

(CUSIP Number)

GLENN W. WELLING

ENGAGED CAPITAL, LLC

610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 950

Newport Beach, California 92660

(949) 734-7900

 

RYAN NEBEL

OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP

1325 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

(212) 451-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

December 11, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☒
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				WC
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							1,668,192
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							1,668,192
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				1,668,192
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				3.1%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				PN

  

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B, LP
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☒
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				WC
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							892,456
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							892,456
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				892,456
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				1.6%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				PN

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, LP
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☒
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				- 0 -
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				0%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				PN

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd.
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☒
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				- 0 -
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				0%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				CO

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Engaged Capital, LLC
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☒
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4	< /td>	SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							2,560,648
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							2,560,648
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				2,560,648
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				4.7%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				OO

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☒
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							2,560,648
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							2,560,648
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				2,560,648
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				4.7%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				OO

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Glenn W. Welling
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☒
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				USA
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							2,560,648
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							2,560,648
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				2,560,648
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				4.7%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				IN

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Christopher B. Hetrick

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☒

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

PF, OO

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

USA

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

83,976*

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

- 0 -

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

83,976*

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

- 0 -

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

83,976*

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

Less than 1%*

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

  

* Includes 55,251 Shares (as defined in Item 1) underlying certain Director Deferred Stock Units awarded to Mr. Hetrick in his capacity as a director of the Issuer, each of which represents the right to receive one Share upon the termination of Mr. Hetrick’s service as a director of the Issuer.

 

The following constitutes Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (“Amendment No. 1”). This Amendment No. 1 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth herein.

Item 1.

Security and Issuer.

Item 1 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

This statement relates to the common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Shares”), of Upbound Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 5501 Headquarters Drive, Plano, Texas 75024.

Item 2.

Identity and Background.

Item 2(b) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

(b)       The address of the principal office of each of Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Offshore is c/o Conyers Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman KY1-1111, Cayman Islands. The address of the principal office of each of Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B, Engaged Capital Fund, Engaged Capital, Engaged Holdings and Messrs. Welling and Hetrick is 610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 950, Newport Beach, California 92660.

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

The Shares purchased by each of Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B were purchased with working capital (which may, at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business). The aggreg ate purchase price of the 1,668,192 Shares beneficially owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master is approximately $38,678,388, including brokerage commissions. The aggregate purchase price of the 892,456 Shares beneficially owned by Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B is approximately $21,698,105, including brokerage commissions.

Other than the 55,251 Director Deferred Stock Units awarded to Mr. Hetrick in his capacity as a director of the Issuer (each of which represents the right to receive one Share upon the termination of Mr. Hetrick’s service as a director of the Issuer), the Shares directly owned by Mr. Hetrick were purchased with personal funds. The aggregate purchase price of the 28,725 Shares purchased by Mr. Hetrick is approximately $986,455, excluding brokerage commissions.

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction.

Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:

The sales of Shares reported herein were undertaken for the purposes of effectuating a portfolio rebalancing and are not an indication of the Reporting Persons’ view on the future prospects of the Issuer. The Issuer remains one of the largest positions in Engaged Capital’s portfolio and Mr. Hetrick continues to serve as a director of the Issuer.

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

Items 5(a) – (c) and (e) are hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

(a)       The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 54,294,852 Shares outstanding as of October 24, 2023, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as reported in the Issuer’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2023.

As of the date hereof, Engaged Capital Flagship Master directly beneficially owned 1,668,192 Shares, constituting approximately 3.1% of the Shares outstanding.

As of the date hereof, Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B directly beneficially owned 892,456 Shares, constituting approximately 1.6% of the Shares outstanding.

Engaged Capital, as the general partner and investment adviser of Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B, may be deemed to beneficially own the 2,560,648 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B, constituting approximately 4.7% of the Shares outstanding. Engaged Holdings, as the managing member of Engaged Capital, may be deemed to beneficially own the 2,560,648 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B, constituting approximately 4.7% of the Shares outstanding. Mr. Welling, as the Founder and CIO of Engaged Capital and sole member of Engaged Holdings, may be deemed to beneficially own the 2,560,648 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B, constituting approximately 4.7% of the Shares outstanding.

As of the date hereof, Mr. Hetrick may be deemed to beneficially own 83,976 Shares, including 55,251 Director Deferred Stock Units (each of which represents the right to receive one Share upon the termination of Mr. Hetrick’s service as a director of the Issuer), constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding.

The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owners of any securities of the Issuer he or it does not directly own. Each of the Reporting Persons specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein that he or it does not directly own.

(b)       Each of Engaged Capital Flagship Master, Engaged Capital, Engaged Holdings and Mr. Welling may be deemed to share the power to vote and dispose of the Shares owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master.

Each of Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B, Engaged Capital, Engaged Holdings and Mr. Welling may be deemed to share the power to vote and dispose of the Shares owned by Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B.

Mr. Hetrick has the sole power to vote and dispose of the Shares beneficially owned by him.

(c)       Schedule B annexed hereto lists all transactions in securities of the Issuer by the Reporting Persons during the past 60 days. All of such transactions were effected in the open market unless otherwise noted therein.

(e)       As of December 11, 2023, the Reporting Persons ceased to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Shares of the Issuer.

Item 6.

Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

Item 6 is hereby amended to add the following:

Mr. Hetrick has been awarded an aggregate of 55,251 Director Deferred Stock Units in his capacity as a director of the Issuer (each of which represents the right to receive one Share upon the termination of Mr. Hetrick’s service as a director of the Issuer).

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: December 13, 2023

	Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP
	By:	Engaged Capital, LLC General Partner
	By:	/s/ Glenn W. Welling
		Name:	Glenn W. Welling
		Title:	Founder and Chief Investment Officer

 

 

	Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-B, LP
	By:	Engaged Capital, LLC General Partner
	By:	/s/ Glenn W. Welling
		Name:	Glenn W. Welling
		Title:	Founder and Chief Investment Officer

 

 

	Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, LP
	By:	Engaged Capital, LLC General Partner
	By:	/s/ Glenn W. Welling
		Name:	Glenn W. Welling
		Title:	Founder and Chief Investment Officer

 

 

	Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd.
	By:	/s/ Glenn W. Welling
		Name:	Glenn W. Welling
		Title:	Director

  

 

	Engaged Capital, LLC
	By:	/s/ Glenn W. Welling
		Name:	Glenn W. Welling
		Title:	Founder and Chief Investment Officer

  

 

	Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC
	By:	/s/ Glenn W. Welling
		Name:	Glenn W. Welling
		Title:	Sole Member

 

 

	/s/ Glenn W. Welling
	Glenn W. Welling

 

 

	/s/ Christopher B. Hetrick
	Christopher B. Hetrick

  

 

SCHEDULE B

Transactions in Securities of the Issuer During the Past 60 Days

Nature of the Transaction

Securities Acquired/(Disposed)

Price Per Security($)

Date of Acquisition/Disposition

 

ENGAGED CAPITAL FLAGSHIP MASTER FUND, LP

 

Sale of Common Stock	(30,000)	29.1182	11/07/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(13,225)	28.5071	11/10/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(4,481)	28.5065	11/13/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(120,000)	30.2663	11/14/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(80,000)	30.0169	11/15/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(17,053)	29.0951	11/16/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(28,129)	29.6018	11/17/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(92,943)	29.7474	11/20/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(110,188)	29.8947	11/21/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(9,407)	29.5105	11/28/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(41,299)	29.5211	11/29/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(40,000)	29.1010	11/30/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(70,000)	30.0337	12/01/2023
Sale of Common Stock	(64,250)	31.3223	12/11/2023

 

ENGAGED CAPITAL CO-INVEST V-B, LP

 

Sale of Common Stock

(385,750)

31.3223

12/11/2023

  

CHRISTOPHER B. HETRICK

 

Award of Director Deferred Stock Unit

316

*

10/24/2023

 

 

---

* Awarded by the Issuer in connection with Mr. Hetrick’s service as a director of the Issuer.