Contract Chief Financial Officer Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

CONTRACT CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AGREEMENT

THIS CONTRACT CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is dated as of the October 1, 2021. It is made and entered into by and between Karat Packaging Inc., a Delaware corporation, located at 6185 Kimball Ave., Chino, CA 91708 (hereinafter referred to as the “Company"), and PJ LLP, a California Limited Liability Partnership, located at 800 South Figueroa Street, Suite 780, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (hereinafter referred to as “PJ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, PJ has specialized financial skills, experience and knowledge to help the Company with its financial reporting requirements;

WHEREAS, the Company is desirous of retaining (1) PJ to perform general finance and accounting advisory services and (2) Peter Lee, Partner and Co-Founder of PJ, as Interim Chief Financial Officer, and PJ is desirous of continuing its existing relationship with the Company;

WHEREAS, the Company is willing to enter into an agreement with PJ to provide services for the Company, including the services of Mr. Lee as Interim Chief Financial Officer, but only upon the terms and condition provided for hereinafter; and

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual promises made herein and certain additional valuable consideration, as provided for hereafter, it is AGREED, that

1.            SERVICES. Engagement of PJ and in connection therewith agrees to perform the following services (the “Services”):

(a)         Interim Chief Financial Officer (“Interim CFO”) services provided by Peter Lee (“Peter”). As Interim CFO, Peter will consult on various accounting and financial reporting matters with the Company’s Board of Directors, the officers of the Company, and the heads of the Company’s administrative staff, at reasonable times. Peter shall be responsible for the accuracy of the Company’s financial results, including reviewing the Quarterly interim financial statements and the required preparation work for the year-end audit. In net, Peter acts as an external part-time CFO providing the Company with the tools, systems and support necessary to complete the financial reporting responsibilities of the business as required by the federal securities laws, including reviewing and executing certifications required by such laws. Peter is expected to devote 40 hours per month to the business of the Company and to all of the duties that may be required by the terms of this Agreement to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company. Peter is expected to attend one monthly executive meeting at the Company’s corporate headquarters’ in Chino, CA during the Term of this Agreement. 

(b)         In addition, PJ will also provide general finance and accounting advisory services, including assistance on Company specific projects utilizing its firm’s personnel, as directed under Peter, and as outlined in Exhibit A. PJ is expected to devote no more than 90 hours per month to the business of the Company. Under PJ’s discretion, any additional hours incurred in excess of 90 hours per month is subject to billing at 85% of PJ’s standard hourly rates.

The Company agrees to retain PJ to provide such Services under the terms and conditions set forth herein. PJ agrees to render all Services under this Agreement in a professional and business-like manner and in full accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. During the Term of this Agreement, PJ shall devote its energy, skill and best efforts to promote the Company’s business and affairs and to perform their duties hereunder.

2.            TERM AND SERVICE FEE. The Company shall pay PJ for their Services as follows:

2.1        TERM. This Agreement is effective commencing October 8, 2021 and through March 31, 2022, unless it is terminated earlier in accordance with Section 6 (the “Term”).

2.2        SERVICE FEE. PJ will be paid a service fee of (1) $15,000 per month for the Interim CFO Services provided by Peter until such time as the Company appoints a permanent CFO and (2) $20,000 per month for the finance and accounting advisory Services provided by its firm’s personnel through the end of the Term. The service fee is due at the beginning of each month.

The compensation set out above will be PJ’s sole compensation under this Agreement.

3.             INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS. PJ is an independent contractor. PJ and its firm’s personnel shall not be deemed for any purpose to be an employee or agent of Company, and neither party shall have the power or authority to bind the other party to any contract or obligation. PJ is not entitled to unemployment insurance or workers compensation insurance and PJ shall be solely responsible for timely remittance to appropriate authorities of all federal, state, and local taxes and charges incident to the provision of and payment of compensation for Services, and to the operation of PJ’s business, including but not limited to payment of worker’s compensation insurance premiums, social security taxes (FICA, FUTA, OASDI, Medicare hospitalization), and federal and state income taxes (including quarterly estimated taxes). PJ SHALL NOT HOLD ITSELF OUT OR OTHERWISE REPRESENT ITSELF TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR OF THE COMPANY, REGARDLESS OF ANY TITLE OR DESIGNATION THAT PJ MAY HOLD WITH THE COMPANY.

4.            BEST EFFORTS OF PJ. PJ is expected to devote the minimum hours per month, as set forth in Subsection 1(b), to the business of the Company and to all of the duties that may be required by the terms of this Agreement to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company. PJ shall at all times faithfully, with diligence and to the best of their ability, experience and talents, perform all the duties that may be required of and from them pursuant to the express and implicit terms hereof to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company. Such Services shall be rendered at such place or places as the Company and/or PJ shall in good faith require or as the interest, needs, business or opportunity of the Company shall require.

5.            EXPENSES. PJ is authorized to incur reasonable expenses. The Company shall reimburse PJ for all such out-of-pocket expenses on the presentation by PJ, from time to time, of an itemized account of such expenditures in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Internal Revenue Service.

6.            TERMINATION. PJ can terminate this Agreement by giving the Company sixty (60) days notice to the Company. The Company can terminate this Agreement by giving PJ sixty (60) days notice. The Company can terminate this Agreement immediately, without penalties, by demonstrating willful misconduct, malfeasance, gross negligence or other like conduct adversely affecting the best interests of the Company, including, without limitation, (i) the failure or neglect by PJ to perform their duties hereunder; (ii) the commission of any felony against the Company, including, without limitation, any fraud against the Company, any of its affiliates, clients or customers of the Company.

7.             CONFIDENTIALITY. PJ shall not divulge to others any information they may obtain during the course of their Term relating to their Services for the Company without first obtaining written permission of the Company.

8.             RETURN OF DOCUMENTS. On termination of PJ’s Services with the Company, or at any time upon the request of the Company or its affiliates, PJ shall return to the Company all documents, including all copies thereof, and all other property relating to the business or affairs of the Company, including, without limitation, customer lists, agents or representatives lists, commission schedules and information manuals, letters, materials, reports, lists and records (all such documents and other property being hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Materials”), in its possession or control, no matter from whom or in what manner they may have acquired such property. PJ acknowledges and agrees that all of the Materials are property of the Company and releases all claims of right of ownership thereto.

During the Term of PJ’s services to the Company, PJ may accumulate records containing data that should be reflected in the Company’s books and records. The Company will determine that all such data, if necessary, will so be reflected. Accordingly, the Company will not expect PJ to maintain copies of such records in our possession.

9.             REPORTING. Upon request of the Company, PJ shall provide regular reports to the Company.

10.          OTHER ACTIVITIES. During the Term of PJ’s Services to the Company, PJ is free to engage in other business activities, except that PJ may not accept work, enter into contracts, or accept obligations inconsistent or incompatible with PJ’s obligations or the scope of Services to be rendered for the Company under this Agreement.

11.          INDEMNIFICATION.

11.1        Of Company by PJ. At all times after the effective date of this Agreement, PJ shall indemnify the Company and its officers, members, managers, employees, owners, subcontractors, sublicensees, affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Company Indemnitees”) from all damages, liabilities, expenses, claims, or judgments (including interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys’ fees, accounting fees, and expert witness fees) (collectively, the “Claims”) that the Company Indemnitees may incur and that arise from:

11.2        Of PJ by Company. At all times after the effective date of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify PJ and its officers, members, managers, employees, agents, contractors, sublicensees, affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “PJ Indemnitees”) from all Claims that PJ indemnitees may incur arising from:

12.          FORCE MAJEURE. A party will not be considered in breach of or in default because of, and will not be liable to the other party for, any delay or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement by reason of pandemic, fire, earthquake, flood, explosion, strike, riot, war, terrorism, or similar event beyond that party’s reasonable control (each a “Force Majeure Event”). However, if a Force Majeure Event occurs, the affected party shall, as soon as practicable, notify the other party of the Force Majeure Event and its impact on performance under this Agreement and use reasonable efforts to resolve any issues resulting from the Force Majeure Event and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

13.          ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACT. PJ may not assign its rights under this Agreement without the written consent of the Company.

14.          GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to principles of conflict of laws. Each of the parties waives any right to object to the jurisdiction or venue of such courts or to claim that such courts are an inconvenient forum.

15.          AMENDMENT. No amendment to this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by a party.

16.          COUNTERPARTS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES.

16.1.        Counterparts. The parties may execute this Agreement in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original but all of which constitute one and the same instrument.

16.2.        Electronic Signatures. This Agreement, agreements ancillary to this Agreement, and related documents entered into in connection with this Agreement are signed when a party’s signature is delivered by facsimile, email, or other electronic medium. These signatures must be treated in all respects as having the same force and effect as original signatures.

17.          NOTICES. Each party giving or making any notice, request, demand, or other communication required or permitted by this Agreement shall give that notice in writing and use one of the following types of delivery, each of which is a writing for purposes of this Agreement: personal delivery, mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return-receipt requested), nationally recognized overnight courier (fees prepaid), or email. No notice or other required or permitted communication shall be effective unless and until received. A notice is effective only if the party giving notice complies with the terms stated herein. A party shall address notices under this section to a party at the following addresses:

If to the Company:

Karat Packaging Inc.

6185 Kimball Ave.

Chino, CA 91708

If to PJ:

PJ LLP

800 South Figueroa Street,

Suite 780

Los Angeles, CA 90017

18.          MODIFICATION AND WAIVER. No waiver of a breach, failure of any condition, or any right or remedy contained in or granted by the provisions of this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party waiving the breach, failure, right, or remedy. No waiver of any breach, failure, right, or remedy will be deemed a waiver of any other breach, failure, right, or remedy, whether or not similar, and no waiver will constitute a continuing waiver, unless the writing so specifies.

19.           REMEDIES FOR BREACH. PJ recognizes and acknowledges that the remedy at law for a breach by PJ of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement shall be inadequate. PJ agrees that the Company, in addition to all other legal and equitable remedies it may have, shall have the right to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of this Agreement if there is such a breach or threatened breach. The Company hereby expressly reserves the right to offset any costs it incurs as a result of any breach of this Agreement by PJ against any amounts payable to PJ hereunder and the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice for a breach of this Agreement by PJ. Both parties shall have all other rights and remedies available at law or in equity for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement. PJ agrees that all sums payable to it under this Agreement shall be available to the Company to satisfy PJ’s breach of this Agreement and to satisfy PJ’s indemnity agreement set forth herein. If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees from the other party.

20.          SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision may be removed. Thereafter, the Agreement shall be considered to be legal, valid or enforceable provision as though the removed provision had never comprised a part of the Agreement. The remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by their removal from this Agreement.

21.          NO PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE. Nothing in this Agreement is either intended and should not in any way be construed to create any form of joint venture, partnership or agency relationship of any kind between the Company and PJ. The parties expressly disclaim any intention of any kind to create any such relationship between themselves.

22.          ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement, representation and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no amendment or modification shall be valid or binding unless made in writing and signed by the parties to this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or written, between the Company and PJ with respect to the subject matter hereof, and contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties relating in any way to PJ’s services for the Company. Neither party was induced to enter this Agreement by, and neither party is relying on, any statement, representation, warranty, or agreement of the other party except those set forth expressly in this Agreement. Except as set forth expressly in this Agreement, there are no conditions precedent to this Agreement’s effectiveness.

23. HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience only, and do not affect this Agreement’s construction or interpretation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement or caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first set forth above.

Exhibit A

During the Term of our engagement, PJ will provide finance and accounting advisory services to the Company. We will assist with preparing the following documents to be filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”):

In addition, PJ will also assist with the following projects during the term of our engagement: