S-3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 28, 2022

Registration No. 333-          

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

KURA SUSHI USA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   26-3808434
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

17461 Derian Avenue, Suite 200

Irvine, California 92614

(657) 333-4100

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Jeffrey Uttz

Chief Financial Officer

Kura Sushi USA, Inc.

17461 Derian Avenue, Suite 200

Irvine, California 92614

(657) 333-4100

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

Hiroki Suyama, Esq.

Aaron A. Seamon, Esq.

Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

555 South Flower Street, 31F

Los Angeles, California 90071

(213) 624-2500

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined by the Registrant.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ☒

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 28, 2022

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

KURA SUSHI USA, INC.

$125,000,000

Class A Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Subscription Rights

Share Purchase Contracts

Share Purchase Units

 

 

From time to time, we may offer and sell up to $125,000,000 of any combination of our Class A common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights, share purchase contracts or share purchase units described in this prospectus, either individually or in combination.

Our Class A common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “KRUS.”

We have two classes of common stock: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes per share, and all such holders will vote together as a single class except as otherwise required by applicable law. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible into one share of Class A common stock at the option of the holder, upon transfer or in certain specified circumstances. As of November 30, 2022, Kura Sushi, Inc. is the holder of 4,126,500 shares of outstanding Class A common stock and the sole holder of 1,000,050 shares of outstanding Class B common stock.

This prospectus describes the general terms of the securities we may offer and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.

The securities may be sold directly by us to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

We are an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”).

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks that we have described under the caption “Risk Factors” on page 4. We may include specific risk factors in supplements to this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors.” This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                , 2022.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About this Prospectus

     i  

Prospectus Summary

     1  

Risk Factors

     4  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     4  

Use of Proceeds

     5  

Description of Capital Stock

     5  

Description of Depositary Shares

     9  

Description of Warrants

     11  

Description of Subscription Rights

     12  

Description of Share Purchase Contracts and Share Purchase Units

     13  

Plan of Distribution

     14  

Legal Matters

     16  

Experts

     16  

Where You Can Find More Information

     16  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     16  

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell, either individually or in combination, in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $125,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before buying any of the securities being offered.

This prospectus does not contain all of the information that is in the registration statement. We omitted certain parts of the registration statement from this prospectus as permitted by the SEC. We refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits for additional information about us and the securities that may be sold under this prospectus.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so.

 

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The information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

In this prospectus, “Kura Sushi USA,” “Kura Sushi,” “Kura,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company” and the “Company” refer to Kura Sushi USA, Inc. unless expressly indicated or the context otherwise requires. “Kura Japan” and “majority shareholder” refer to Kura Sushi, Inc. We refer to our Class A common stock as “common stock,” unless the context otherwise requires. We sometimes refer to our Class A common stock and Class B common stock as “equity interests” when described on an aggregate basis.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial conditions, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.

Our Business

Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (“Kura Sushi”) is a technology-enabled Japanese restaurant concept that provides guests with a distinctive dining experience by serving authentic Japanese cuisine through an engaging revolving sushi service model, which we refer to as the “Kura Experience.” We encourage healthy lifestyles by serving freshly prepared Japanese cuisine using high-quality ingredients that are free from artificial seasonings, sweeteners, colorings, and preservatives. We aim to make quality Japanese cuisine accessible to our guests across the United States through affordable prices and an inviting atmosphere.

Authentic Japanese Cuisine—A Tribute to Our Roots. We provide our guests with a Kura Experience that is uniquely Japanese and is based on the legacy built by Kura Japan. Kura Japan opened its first revolving sushi restaurant in 1984 and was among the pioneers of the revolving sushi restaurant model. Our various sushi items are made fresh using high-quality fish and certified 100% organic rice. Our vinegar, made using old-world methods, is sourced from Japan. Our broths are made in-house daily using ingredients that impart complex umami flavors. To complement our sushi selection, we offer a variety of side dishes and desserts including gyoza, tempura, soups, ramen, ojyu boxes, mochi, and cheesecake. In our commitment to our Japanese heritage and traditional cooking methods, we have prepared our food without artificial sweeteners, seasonings, colorings, or preservatives since our formation.

“Revolutionary” and Engaging Dining Experience. The Kura Experience is a multi-sensory experience for our guests comprised of the sight of our beautifully crafted cuisine weaving through our restaurants, the motion of dishes zipping by tables on the express belt, robots delivering drinks and condiments, the sound of anime videos playing on tableside touch screens, the thrill of being rewarded for achieving dining milestones, and the flavor of authentic Japanese dishes, which collectively create a highly entertaining and engaging environment for our guests. Our revolving conveyor belt service model offers a steady stream of dishes and continuous service which we believe builds anticipation and a sense of discovery among our guests. To simplify the guest experience, all plates on the revolving conveyor belt are the same price within a restaurant. In addition, items ordered on our on-demand screen arrive on the express belt in a theatrical fashion, which we believe our guests find entertaining and adds to the sense of constant motion in our restaurants. Our menu of small plates allows our guests to sample a variety of dishes, and with over 130 items on our menu, there is always something new to enjoy when our guests return. We also seek to delight and reward our guests for achieving dining milestones with short anime videos and a rotating selection of small toys from our Bikkura-Pon rewards machines. For every five plates placed into the plate slot, the tableside touch screen plays a short anime video, and for every 15 plates, our proprietary tableside Bikkura-Pon rewards machine dispenses a toy. We believe our Bikkura-Pon rewards machines encourage guests to consume a greater quantity of plates as they work towards achieving the next dining milestone. Our continuous service model creates an atmosphere of active participation where food is at the center of the conversation, and we believe it also creates a memorable and shareable experience for our guests.

Compelling Value Proposition with Broad Appeal. Our service model allows our guests to control their dining experience, from food variety to time spent on a meal, and from portions to check size. With instant

 

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access to food on the revolving conveyor belt, our guests can drop in for a quick meal or stay longer for a more relaxed dining experience. Our guests can enjoy high-quality dishes at affordable prices because of our efficient kitchen operations and low front-of-house labor needs. The average plate price on the revolving conveyor belt of our restaurants is around $3.50, which appeals to guests with appetites and budgets both large and small. We believe that our authentic approach to a popular cuisine and unique and flexible dining experience appeal to a wide range of demographics. In addition, we believe our commitment to high-quality and non-artificial ingredients in our food is at the forefront of current dining trends as consumers continue to seek healthy and natural food options.

Highly Attractive Restaurant-Level Economics. At Kura Sushi, we leverage the disciplined operational expertise honed over the more than 35-year history of Kura Japan to help us achieve strong restaurant-level economics. We believe our results are driven by our high-volume restaurants, intelligent and efficient operations, and flexible real estate model:

 

   

High-Volume Restaurants: We believe the combination of authentic Japanese cuisine at an accessible price point and a service model that promotes discovery, fun, and optionality for guests creates a highly differentiated dining experience that drives traffic and robust sales in our restaurants;

 

   

Intelligent and Efficient Operations: Our revolving conveyor belt, express belt, and touch screen menu enable self-service dining and reduce our need for service staff. In addition, our use of sushi robots, vinegar mixing machines, and automatic rice washers in our kitchens eliminates the need for highly trained and expensive sushi chefs. The proprietary technology deployed in our kitchens allows us to collect real-time data on food consumption and guest preferences which we analyze to further optimize our restaurants and enhance the dining experience; and

 

   

Flexible Real Estate: We have a flexible restaurant model which has allowed us to open restaurants as small as 1,600 square feet and as large as 6,800 square feet. We believe this allows us to maximize our sales per square foot.

Additional Information

For additional information related to our business and operations, please refer to the reports incorporated herein by reference, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as described under the caption “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

Registrant Information

Our corporate address is 17461 Derian Avenue, Suite 200, Irvine, California 92614, and our telephone number is (657) 333-4100. Our website address is www.kurasushi.com. Information found on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus. Our website address is included in this document as an inactive textual reference only.

The Securities We May Offer

We may offer shares of our Class A common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants to purchase equity securities, subscription rights to purchase equity securities, share purchase contracts and share purchase units, either individually or in combination, up to a total dollar amount of $125,000,000, from time to time under this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of any offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

   

designation or classification;

 

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aggregate offering price;

 

   

rates and times of payment of dividends, if any;

 

   

redemption, conversion, exercise or exchange terms, if any;

 

   

conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange;

 

   

ranking;

 

   

restrictive covenants, if any;

 

   

voting or other rights, if any; and

 

   

material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any.

The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We, and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities to or through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

 

   

the names of those agents or underwriters;

 

   

applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;

 

   

details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and

 

   

the net proceeds to us.

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings made pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as any amendments thereto reflected in any such subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material based on the information currently known to us. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also read carefully the section below entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in such documents other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The terms such as “target,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “objective,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “design,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan,” “anticipate” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to:

 

   

the impact of a potential resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic or an outbreak of other highly contagious viruses;

 

   

our ability to successfully achieve increases in our comparable restaurant sales and average unit volumes;

 

   

our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy and open new restaurants that are profitable;

 

   

our ability to expand in existing and new markets;

 

   

our projected growth in the number of our restaurants;

 

   

macroeconomic conditions and other economic factors;

 

   

our ability to compete with many other restaurants;

 

   

our reliance on vendors, suppliers and distributors, including Kura Japan;

 

   

changes in food and supply costs, including the impact of inflation and tariffs;

 

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concerns regarding food safety and foodborne illness;

 

   

changes in consumer preferences and the level of acceptance of our restaurant concept in new markets;

 

   

minimum wage increases and mandated employee benefits that could cause a significant increase in our labor costs, as well as the impact of labor availability;

 

   

the failure of our automated equipment or information technology systems or the breach of our network security;

 

   

the loss of key members of our management team;

 

   

the impact of governmental laws and regulations;

 

   

volatility in the price of our common stock; and

 

   

those other risk factors described in our reports filed with the SEC.

Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us hereunder, if any, for working capital, to fund new growth and for other general corporate purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 10,000,100 shares of Class B common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. A description of material terms and provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws affecting the rights of holders of our capital stock is set forth below. The description is intended as a summary, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws. As of November 30, 2022, there were 8,790,702 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, 1,000,050 shares of Class B common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Class A Common Stock

Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, holders of our Class A common stock will be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, and holders of our Class A common stock will not be entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors. This means that the holders of a

 

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majority of the combined voting power of our outstanding equity interests will be able to elect all of the directors then standing for election. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, holders of our Class A common stock shall be entitled to receive dividends out of any of our funds legally available when, as and if declared by our board of directors. Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of our preferred stock, the holders of our equity interests shall be entitled to receive the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them. Holders of Class A common stock will not have preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our Class A common stock. All outstanding shares of Class A common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

Class B Common Stock

Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our Class B common stock has the same rights as our Class A common stock except for (i) certain conversion rights as described below under “Conversion Rights” below, and (ii) on all matters to be voted on by stockholders, holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes per share. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, holders of our Class B common stock shall be entitled to receive dividends out of any of our funds legally available when, as and if declared by our board of directors. Upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of our preferred stock, the holders of shares of our equity interests shall be entitled to receive the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them. Holders of Class B common stock will not have preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our Class B common stock. All outstanding shares of Class B common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

Kura Japan is the only holder of shares of Class B common stock.

Conversion Rights

Shares of Class A Common Stock have no conversion rights. Each share of our Class B common stock is automatically convertible into one share of Class A common stock upon the earliest of the date such share ceases to be beneficially owned, as such term is defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, by Kura Japan, or the date that Kura Japan ceases to beneficially own at least 20.0% of the total number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding. In addition, each share of Class B common stock may be converted at any time into one share of Class A common stock at the option of the holder. The one-to-one conversion ratio will be equitably preserved in the event of any stock dividend, stock split or combination or merger, consolidation or other reorganization by us with another entity. Except for the foregoing conversion rights of the Class B common stock and provisions applicable equally to both Class A common stock and Class B common stock, including, but not limited to, the repurchase of such shares by the Company, there are no provisions which otherwise limit the lifespan of the Class B common stock or would require conversion to Class A common stock.

Preferred Stock

Subject to limitations prescribed by law and in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of the shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, privileges, preferences, and relative participating, optional or other rights, if any, of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company.

 

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Voting Rights

Except as required by Delaware law or except as otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Each holder of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on the applicable record date for all of these matters, while each holder of Class B common stock is entitled to 10 votes for each share held of record on the applicable record date for all of these matters.

Holders of Class A common stock have no cumulative voting rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any stock or other securities, and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to Class A common stock. Class B common stock is identical in all respects to Class A common stock, except with respect to voting and conversion rights. Kura Japan will be the only holder of shares of Class B common stock.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law, Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Our Amended and Restated Bylaws

Certain provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could make the acquisition of the Company more difficult. These provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and are designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate with our board of directors.

Stockholder meetings. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, only the board of directors, or the chairman of the board of directors or the Chief Executive Officer with the concurrence of a majority of the board of directors, may call special meetings of stockholders.

Requirements for advance notification of stockholder nominations and proposals. Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors.

Stockholder action by written consent permitted only if our majority shareholder and its affiliates own a majority of the voting power of the equity interests. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the right of stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting only for such period as Kura Japan and its affiliates collectively own a majority of the combined voting power of our outstanding equity interests. This provision will, in certain situations, make it more difficult for stockholders, who are not our majority shareholder or its affiliates, to take action opposed by the board of directors.

Undesignated preferred stock. The authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for the board of directors, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to obtain control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the Company.

Amendment of provisions in the certificate of incorporation. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the combined voting power of our outstanding equity interests in order to amend any provision of our certificate of incorporation.

Amendment of provisions in the bylaws. Our amended and restated bylaws will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the combined voting power of our outstanding equity interests in order to amend any provision of our bylaws.

 

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Controlled company. As discussed above, our Class B common stock has 10 votes per share, while Class A common stock is the only class of stock that is publicly traded and has one vote per share. 100% of our Class B common stock is held by Kura Japan. Until our dual class structure terminates, Kura Japan will be able to control all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval even if it owns significantly less than 50% of the number of shares of our outstanding equity interests. This concentrated control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transaction that other stockholders may view as beneficial.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation expressly provides that we will not be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Exclusive Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws each contain an exclusive forum provision providing that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for: (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any of our directors, officers, employees, agents or stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws, or (4) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. However, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

In addition, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or any other claim for which the federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this provision included in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws. The exclusive forum provisions, if enforced, may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find the exclusive forum provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. For example, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware recently determined that a provision stating that U.S. federal district courts are the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act is not enforceable.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our Class A and Class B common stock.

Listing

Our Class A common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “KRUS.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description of the depositary shares and terms of the deposit agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the depositary shares and those portions of the deposit agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our depositary shares. There may be other provisions in the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt relating to the depositary shares which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the depositary shares. The forms of the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

General

We may choose to offer from time to time fractional interests in our shares of common stock or preferred stock. If we do so, we will issue fractional interests in our common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fraction of a share of common stock or a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as the case may be, and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

We will deposit the shares of common stock or preferred stock represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a depositary which we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a depositary share you will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of common stock or preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary share, including, as the case may be, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, subscription and liquidation rights.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all payments of cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, in proportion to the numbers of the depositary shares owned by the applicable holders on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount, however, that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.

If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to it, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this happens, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net sale proceeds to the holders. The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights that we offer to holders of the preferred stock will be made available to the holders of depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If we redeem common stock or a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the redemption proceeds received by the depositary. The depositary will mail notice of redemption not less than 30, and not more than 60, days before the date fixed for redemption to the record holders of the depositary shares to be redeemed at their addresses appearing in the depositary’s books. The redemption price for each depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price for each share of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, payable in relation to the redeemed common stock or preferred stock. Whenever we redeem shares of common stock or preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing, as the

 

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case may be, fractional interests in the shares of common stock or preferred stock redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the depositary may determine.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be considered outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the cash, securities or other property payable upon the redemption and any cash, securities or other property to which the holders of the redeemed depositary shares were entitled upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

The amount distributed in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of any taxes.

Voting the Depositary Shares

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled to vote, as holder of fractional interests in common stock or preferred stock, the depositary will mail to you the information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary how to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent practicable, to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action which the depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific instructions from you.

Amendment and Termination of Depositary Agreement

We may enter into an agreement with the depositary at any time to amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, the holders of a majority of the depositary shares must approve any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the existing holders of depositary shares. We or the depositary may terminate the deposit agreement only if (a) all outstanding depositary shares issued under the agreement have been redeemed or (b) a final distribution in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up has been made to the holders of the depositary shares

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred shares and any redemption of the preferred shares. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to resign, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect when a successor depositary has been appointed and has accepted the appointment. Such appointment must occur within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $125,000,000.

 

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Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward all reports and communications from us which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required or otherwise determine to furnish to holders of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be.

We and the depositary will not be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for our gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if we or the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our and the depositary’s obligations under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the agreement. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary shares, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, unless a satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, for deposit, you or other persons believed to be competent and on documents which we and the depositary believe to be genuine.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description of the warrants and terms of the warrant agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the warrants and those portions of the warrant agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our warrants. There may be other provisions in the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the warrants. The forms of the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

General

We may issue warrants to purchase equity securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;

 

   

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;

 

   

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

   

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the terms of any mandatory or optional redemption provisions relating to the warrants;

 

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the terms of any right we have to accelerate the exercise of the warrants upon the occurrence of certain events;

 

   

if the warrants will be sold with any other securities, and the date, if any, on and after which those warrants and any other securities will be transferable;

 

   

the identity of the warrant agent;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time; and

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of equity securities, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the equity securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

The following description of the subscription rights and terms of the subscription rights agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the subscription rights and those portions of the subscription rights agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our subscription rights. There may be other provisions in the subscription rights agreement and the subscription certificate relating to the subscription rights which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the subscription rights. The forms of the subscription rights agreement and the subscription certificate will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

General

Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security and may or may not be transferable. As part of the rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement under which the underwriters or any other person would purchase any securities that are not purchased in such rights offering. If we issue subscription rights, they may be governed by a separate subscription rights agreement that we will sign with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation to any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.

 

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In general, a right entitles the holder to purchase for cash a specific number of shares of equity securities at a specified exercise price. The rights are normally issued to stockholders as of a specific record date, may be exercised only for a limited period of time and become void following the expiration of such period. If we determine to issue subscription rights, we will accompany this prospectus with a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things:

 

   

the record date for stockholders entitled to receive the rights;

 

   

the number of equity securities that may be purchased upon exercise of each right;

 

   

the exercise price of the rights;

 

   

whether the rights are transferable;

 

   

the period during which the rights may be exercised and when they will expire;

 

   

the steps required to exercise the rights;

 

   

the price, if any, for the subscription rights;

 

   

the number of subscription rights issued;

 

   

the terms of the equity securities;

 

   

the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;

 

   

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights;

 

   

the other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of the subscription rights;

 

   

whether the rights include “oversubscription rights” so that the holder may purchase more securities if other holders do not purchase their full allotments;

 

   

whether we intend to sell the shares of equity securities that are not purchased in the rights offering to an underwriter or other purchaser under a contractual “standby” commitment or other arrangement; and

 

   

any applicable United States federal income tax considerations.

If fewer than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND SHARE PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue share purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, or other securities described in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement at a future date or dates. The price per share may be fixed at the time the share purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the share purchase contracts. The share purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of share purchase units consisting of a share purchase contract and either shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, any other security described in the applicable prospectus supplement, or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holder’s obligations to purchase the securities under the share purchase contracts.

The share purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the share purchase units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The share purchase

 

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contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner. In certain circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid share purchase contracts upon release to a holder of any collateral securing the holder’s obligations under the original share purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the share purchase contracts or share purchase units. The description in the prospectus supplement will only be a summary, and you should read the share purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the share purchase contracts or share purchase units. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the share purchase units and the share purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each share purchase contract or share purchase unit and any related agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell our securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, direct sales to the public, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell our securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to one or more purchasers or through a combination of any of these methods. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

Each time we use this prospectus to sell our securities, we will also provide a prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the specific plan of distribution and terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

   

the name or names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale;

 

   

any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

   

any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

   

any public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

Only underwriters, dealers or agents named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters, dealers or agents of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account, and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the

 

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conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. If so, we will name the underwriter and describe the nature of any such relationship in the prospectus supplement.

We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. If we use agents, they may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such agents at the time of resale. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment. If we sell securities directly, then we may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly, and we may sell the securities directly to institutional or other investors, who may be deemed underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resales of those securities. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, if we sell directly, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved. We will not make an offer of securities in any jurisdiction that does not permit such an offer. The terms of these sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such institutions could include banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

All securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover overallotments, if any, in connection with the distribution. Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

Unless otherwise mandated by order or other action taken by the SEC, any underwriters or agents that are qualified market makers on Nasdaq may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on Nasdaq in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock. Passive market makers must

 

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comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the aggregate maximum consideration, discount or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the issuance of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon by our counsel, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, Los Angeles, California, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the securities are being distributed in an underwritten offering, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of Kura Sushi USA, Inc. as of August 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2022, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, which are available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and therefore omits certain information contained in the registration statement. We have also filed exhibits and schedules with the registration statement that are excluded from this prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule for a complete description of any statement referring to any contract or other document. You may obtain a copy of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules, without charge, at www.sec.gov.

We also maintain a website at www.kurasushi.com, through which you can access our SEC filings free of charge. The information set forth on our website is not incorporated into or otherwise part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referring to these filed documents. Any information referred to in this

 

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way is considered part of this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. This prospectus omits certain information contained in the registration statement, as permitted by the SEC. You should refer to the registration statement, including the exhibits, for further information about us and the securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. Statements in this prospectus regarding the provisions of certain documents filed with, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement are not necessarily complete and each statement is qualified in all respects by that reference. We incorporate by reference the following documents that have been filed with the SEC (other than information that has been “furnished” but not “filed” under the Exchange Act, including, but not limited to, information furnished under either Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K and corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 as an exhibit thereto):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on November 10, 2022;

 

   

our Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on October 3, 2022; and

 

   

the description of our capital stock provided in Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on November 10, 2022.

Any information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus modifies or replaces such information. We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus, including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement. Information in such future filings shall update and supplement the information provided in this prospectus as of the respective dates such information is filed. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

We will provide, upon written or oral request, without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information incorporated herein by reference (exclusive of exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference herein). You may request in writing or orally a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Kura Sushi USA, Inc.

17461 Derian Avenue, Suite 200

Irvine, CA 92614

(657) 333-4100

Attn: Corporate Secretary

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered.

 

     Amount  

SEC registration fee

   $ 13,775  

Accounting fees and expenses

     *  

Legal fees and expenses

     *  

Transfer agent, trustee and registrar fees and expenses

     *  

Printing and miscellaneous fees and expenses

     *  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *  
  

 

 

 

 

*

The fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Registrant is a Delaware corporation. Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorney fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.

Further subsections of DGCL Section 145 provide that:

(1) to the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith;

 

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(2) the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for pursuant to Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise; and

(3) the corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance of behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145.

As used in this Item 6, the term “proceeding” means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether or not by or in the right of Registrant, and whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise.

Section 145 of the DGCL makes provision for the indemnification of officers and directors in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify officers and directors of Registrant under certain circumstances from liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, in effect, that, to the fullest extent and under the circumstances permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, Registrant will indemnify any and all of its officers and directors. Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors. These agreements require Registrant to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under DGCL against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. Registrant may, in its discretion, similarly indemnify its employees and agents. Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation also relieves its directors from monetary damages to Registrant or its stockholders for breach of such director’s fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Under Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, a corporation may relieve its directors from personal liability to such corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of their fiduciary duty as directors except (i) for a breach of the duty of loyalty, (ii) for failure to act in good faith, (iii) for intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iv) for willful or negligent violations of certain provisions in the DGCL imposing certain requirements with respect to stock repurchases, redemptions and dividends or (v) for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Registrant has entered into employment agreements with Hajime Uba (in his position as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant), Jeffrey Uttz (in his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant), Brent Takao (in his position as Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Registrant) and Shahin Allameh (in his position as Chief Operating Officer of the Registrant). Such employment agreements require Registrant to indemnify such officers to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law and the Registrant’s bylaws, and in accordance with such officers’ indemnification agreements. In addition, for the duration of such officers’ employment and for a period of six years thereafter, such employment agreements require Registrant to purchase and maintain, at Registrant’s expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, which provides coverage to such officers on terms that are no less favorable than coverage provided to directors and similarly situated executives of the Registrant.

Registrant has purchased insurance policies which, within the limits and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, cover certain expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by directors and officers in connection with proceedings that may be brought against them as a result of an act or omission committed or suffered while acting as a director or officer of Registrant.

 

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Item 16.

Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number     
    1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement
    3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to our current report on Form  8-K filed with the SEC on August 5, 2019 as Exhibit 3.1)
    3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 5, 2019 as Exhibit 3.2)
    4.1    Specimen Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form S-1/A (File No.  333-232551) filed with the SEC on July 22, 2019 as Exhibit 4.1)
    4.2    Description of Kura Sushi USA, Inc.’s Capital Stock (incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on November 10, 2022 as Exhibit 4.2)
    4.3*    Form of Certificate of Designation
    4.4*    Form of Deposit Agreement (including form of depositary receipt).
    4.5*    Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant Certificate)
    4.6*    Form of Subscription Agent Agreement
    4.7*    Form of Subscription Certificate
    4.8*    Form of Share Purchase Contract Agreement
    4.9*    Form of Depositary Agreement relating to Share Purchase Contracts
    5.1    Opinion of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
  23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP
  23.2    Consent of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)
  107    Calculation of Filing Fee Table

 

*

To be filed, if necessary, subsequent to the effectiveness of this registration statement by an amendment to this registration statement or incorporated by reference pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with an offering of securities.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings

 

(a)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in Exhibit 107 Calculation of Filing Fee Table in the effective registration statement;

 

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  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

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(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(h)(3) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Irvine, State of California, on December 28, 2022.

 

KURA SUSHI USA, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Jeffrey Uttz

  Jeffrey Uttz
  Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each of the undersigned officers and directors does hereby constitute and appoint Hajime Uba and Jeffrey Uttz, and each of them, or their substitute or substitutes, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute and file or cause to be filed any and all instruments, documents or exhibits which said attorneys and agents, or any one of them, determine may be necessary or advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act and any rules or regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this registration statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to this registration statement, to any and all amendments, both pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this registration statement and to any and all instruments, documents or exhibits filed as part of or in conjunction with this registration statement or amendments or supplements thereof, and to any additional registration statement to be filed under SEC Rule 462(b), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the powers of substitution and revocation, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and agents, or any one of them, or their substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. In witness whereof, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the dates indicated below.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Hajime Uba

Hajime Uba

  

Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer

and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  December 28, 2022

/s/ Jeffrey Uttz

Jeffrey Uttz

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  December 28, 2022

/s/ Brent Takao

Brent Takao

  

Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and

Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)

  December 28, 2022

/s/ Shintaro Asako

Shintaro Asako

  

Director

  December 28, 2022

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Kim Ellis

Kim Ellis

  

Director

  December 28, 2022

/s/ Seitaro Ishii

Seitaro Ishii

  

Director

  December 28, 2022

/s/ Carin L. Stutz

Carin L. Stutz

  

Director

  December 28, 2022

 

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EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO      

 

Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

555 South Flower Street, 31st Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90071

     

O +1 213 624 2500

F +1 213 623 4581

squirepattonboggs.com

December 28, 2022

Kura Sushi USA, Inc.

17461 Derian Avenue, Suite 200

Irvine, California 92614

 

Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Kura Sushi USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), relating to the contemplated issuance and sale from time to time of up to One Hundred Twenty Five Million Dollars ($125,000,000) in aggregate public offering price of the Company’s securities consisting of any or all of the following: (i) Class A common stock, par value of $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), (ii) preferred stock, par value of $0.001 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (iii) depositary shares each of which will represent a fractional interest in a fractional share or multiple shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (“Depositary Shares”), (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (“Warrants”), (v) subscription rights to purchase shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (“Subscription Rights”), (vi) share purchase contracts for the purchase and sale of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or any other security described in the applicable prospectus supplement (the “Share Purchase Contracts”), (vii) share purchase units consisting of a Share Purchase Contract and either Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, or any other security described in the applicable prospectus supplement, or any combination of the foregoing (the “Share Purchase Units”).

The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Subscription Rights, Share Purchase Contracts and Share Purchase Units are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Securities.” The Securities may be issued and sold or delivered from time to time as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus contained therein and any prospectus supplements thereto.

In connection with the registration of the Securities, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including: (i) the organizational documents of the Company, (ii) minutes and records of the corporate proceedings of the Company including the Board of Directors of the Company related to the Registration Statement and (iii) the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto. In addition to the foregoing, we have made such investigations of law and fact as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein.

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In such examination and in rendering the opinion expressed below, we have assumed, without independent investigation or verification: (i) the genuineness of all signatures on all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us, (ii) the legal capacity and authority of all persons or entities (other than the Company) executing all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us, (iii) the authenticity and completeness of all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us as originals, (iv) that all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us as certified, electronic, facsimile, conformed, photostatic or other copies conform to authentic originals thereof, and that such originals are authentic and complete, (v) the due authorization, execution and delivery of all agreements, instruments, certificates and other documents by all parties thereto (other than the Company), (vi) that the statements contained in the certificates and comparable documents of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and other persons on which we have relied for the purposes of this opinion set forth below are true and correct, and (vii) that the officers and directors of the Company have properly exercised their fiduciary duties. As to all questions of fact material to the opinion and as to the materiality of any fact or other matter referred to herein, we have relied (without independent investigation) upon representations and certificates or comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Company.

In addition, we have assumed that (i) a purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (ii) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto will have become effective and comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement and no stop order suspending its effectiveness will have been issued and remain in effect; (iii) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement; (iv) a prospectus supplement or term sheet will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby and will comply at all relevant times with all applicable laws; (v) the Company will have obtained any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities necessary (A) to issue and sell the Securities being offered, and (B) to execute and deliver the applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or other applicable operative document; (vi) any securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any Securities being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise and, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock offered, there will be sufficient shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, authorized under the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and in effect, and not otherwise reserved for issuance; (vii) at the time of issuance of the Securities, the Company validly exists and is duly qualified and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has the necessary corporate power for such issuance; (viii) at the time of issuance of the Securities, the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and in effect and then-operative bylaws of the Company are in full force and effect and have not been amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise altered, and there has been no authorization of any such amendment, restatement, supplement or


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other alteration, in either case since the date hereof; and (ix) the terms, execution and delivery of the Securities (A) do not result in breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments to which the Company is bound or violations of applicable statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, and (B) comply with any applicable requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, exceptions and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. The shares of Common Stock to be issued and sold by the Company, when duly authorized by appropriate corporate action of the Company (including the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof), and issued, sold and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such authorization, the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and applicable law and in the manner and for the consideration stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2. When, as and if (a) any particular series of Preferred Stock has been authorized and duly established in accordance with applicable law, (b) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, issuance and delivery of shares of such Preferred Stock (and the filing of any required certificate of designation, amendment or supplement to the organizational documents of the Company), and (c) the shares of such Preferred Stock have been issued, sold and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such authorization, the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and applicable law and in the manner and for the consideration stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement, such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

3. When, as and if (a) any Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, in the form of Depositary Shares has been duly authorized and duly established in accordance with the applicable deposit agreements and applicable law, (b) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of such Depositary Shares (and any required amendment or supplement to the applicable deposit agreement), (c) the Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, represented by the Depositary Shares has been duly delivered to the depositary under the applicable deposit agreement, and (d) the depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers, such Depositary Shares will be validly issued and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the deposit agreement.

4. When, as and if (a) any particular series of Warrants has been duly authorized and duly established in accordance with the applicable warrant agreements and applicable law, (b) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of such Warrants (and any required amendment or supplement to the applicable warrant agreement), and (c) the Warrants have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers against payment therefor in accordance with such authorization, the applicable warrant agreement, the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting


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or similar agreement and applicable law and authenticated by the Warrant Agent, such Warrants (including any Warrants duly executed and delivered upon the exchange or conversion of Warrants that are exchangeable or convertible into another series of Warrants) will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

5. When, as and if (a) any particular series of Subscription Rights has been duly authorized and duly established in accordance with the applicable subscription rights agreements and applicable law, (b) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of such Subscription Rights (and any required amendment or supplement to the applicable subscription rights agreement), and (c) the Subscription Rights have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers against payment therefor in accordance with such authorization, the applicable subscription rights agreement, the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and applicable law and authenticated by the rights agent, such Subscription Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

6. When, as and if (a) any Share Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized and duly established in accordance with the applicable share purchase contracts and applicable law, (b) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of such Share Purchase Contracts, and (c) the Share Purchase Contracts have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers in accordance with such authorization, the applicable share purchase contract and applicable law, such Share Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

7. When, as and if (a) any Share Purchase Units have been duly authorized and duly established in accordance with the applicable share purchase unit agreement and applicable law, (b) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of such Share Purchase Units, and (c) the Share Purchase Units have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers in accordance with such authorization, the applicable share purchase unit agreements and applicable law, such Share Purchase Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

The opinions set forth above are subject to the following qualifications and exceptions:

(a) Our opinions set forth above are subject to (i) the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of general application affecting creditors’ rights, (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, including (without limitation) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and other similar doctrines affecting the enforceability of agreements generally (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) insofar as they relate to indemnification provisions, the effect of federal and state securities laws and public policy relating thereto.


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(b) We express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of: (i) consents to, or restrictions upon, judicial relief or jurisdiction or venue; (ii) waivers of rights or defenses with respect to stay, extension or usury laws; (iii) advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights; (iv) waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights; (v) provisions for exclusivity, election or cumulation of rights or remedies; (vi) provisions authorizing or validating conclusive or discretionary determinations; (vii) grants of setoff rights; (viii) provisions for the payment of attorneys’ fees where such payment is contrary to law or public policy; (ix) proxies, powers and trusts; (x) restrictions upon non-written modifications and waivers; (xi) provisions prohibiting, restricting, or requiring consent to assignment or transfer of any right or property; (xii) any provision to the extent it requires any party to indemnify any other person against loss in obtaining the currency due following a court judgment in another currency; and (xiii) provisions for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty.

(c) To the extent that the obligations of the Company under the deposit agreements, the warrant agreements, subscription rights agreements, the share purchase contracts or the share purchase unit agreements (collectively, the “Securities Agreements”) may be dependent on such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the applicable deposit agent, warrant agent, rights agent, share purchase contract agent or share purchase unit agent (each an “Agent” and collectively, the “Agents”) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that such Agent is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the applicable Securities Agreements; that each Securities Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by applicable Agent and constitutes the legally valid and binding obligations of such Agent, enforceable against such Agent in accordance with its terms; that the applicable Agent is in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as an agent under the Securities Agreements with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the applicable Agent has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the applicable Securities Agreements.

Without limiting any of the other limitations, exceptions and qualifications stated elsewhere herein, we express no opinion with regard to the applicability or effect of the law of any jurisdiction other than, as in effect as of the date of this letter, the internal law of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law.

This opinion letter deals only with the specified legal issues expressly addressed herein, and you should not infer any opinion that is not explicitly stated herein from any matter addressed in this opinion letter. This opinion is given as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and we assume no obligation to update or supplement the opinions contained herein to reflect any facts or circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in laws which may hereafter occur.


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December 28, 2022

Page  6

   Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the use of our report dated November 10, 2022, with respect to the financial statements of Kura Sushi USA, Inc., incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Irvine, California

December 28, 2022

EX-FILING FEES

Exhibit 107

CALCULATION OF FILING FEE TABLE

Form S-3

(Form Type)

Kura Sushi USA, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

 

               
Security Type    Title of Each
Class
of Securities to
be Registered(1)
   Fee
Calculation
or Carry
Forward
Rule
   Amount
Registered
   Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
   Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
  

Fee

Rate

   Amount of
Registration
Fee
               
Equity    Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share    457(o)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)       (1)(2)
               
Equity    Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share    457(o)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)       (1)(2)
               
Equity    Depositary Shares(3)    457(o)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)       (1)(2)
               
Other    Warrants(4)    457(o)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)       (1)(2)
               
Other    Subscription Rights(5)    457(o)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)       (1)(2)
               
Other    Share Purchase Contracts    457(o)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)       (1)(2)
               
Other    Share Purchase Units    457(o)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)       (1)(2)
               
Unallocated (Universal Shelf)       457(o)    (1)(2)    (1)(2)    $125,000,000    $0.0001102    $13,775
           

Total Offering Amounts

   (1)(2)    (1)(2)    $125,000,000       $13,775
           
Total Fees Previously Paid                —  
           
Total Fee Offsets                —  
           
Net Fee Due                        $13,775

 

(1)

The proposed maximum per unit and aggregate offering prices per class of securities will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement and for each class of security pursuant to Instruction 2.A.iii.b. to Item 16(b) of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). An indeterminate number of the securities of each identified class to be offered at indeterminate prices is being registered pursuant to this registration statement with a maximum aggregate offering price not to exceed $125,000,000. Securities registered hereunder may be offered in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. Pursuant to Rule 457(o), the registration fee is calculated based on the maximum aggregate offering price of all securities listed.

(2)

Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act, the securities registered hereunder include such indeterminate amount of securities as may be issued upon exercise, conversion or exchange of, pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments, or pursuant to a stock dividend, stock split or similar transaction with respect to securities that provide for such issuance, exercise, conversion, exchange, adjustment, stock split or similar transaction. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any of these securities.

(3)

Each depositary share registered hereunder will be issued under a deposit agreement and will represent an interest in a fractional share or multiple shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

(4)

Warrants represent rights to purchase Class A common stock or preferred stock registered under this registration statement.

(5)

The subscription rights to purchase shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock will be offered without additional consideration.