Exhibit
4.4


 


AMERGENT
HOSPITALITY GROUP INC. 


2021
INDUCEMENT PLAN 


(as
adopted by the Board of Directors on July 8, 2021 and amended on July 27, 2021)


 


SECTION
1. INTRODUCTION


 


1.1
Establishment. The purpose of this Amergent Hospitality Group Inc. 2021 Inducement Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests
of Amergent Hospitality Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its Subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively “Amergent” or
the “Company”), by allowing the Company to secure and retain the services of Participant(s).


 


1.2
Purpose. The purpose of this Plan is to promote the best interest of the Company, and its stockholders by providing a means of non-cash
remuneration to induce Participants who contribute most to the operating progress and earning power of the Company to continue in their
positions with the Company.


 


SECTION
2. DEFINITIONS


 


The
following definitions shall be applicable to the terms used in this Plan:


 


2.1
“Affiliated Corporation” means any corporation that is now or shall be during the term of this Plan either a parent corporation
with respect to the Company or a subsidiary corporation with respect to the Company (within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively,
of the Internal Revenue Code;


 


2.2
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time.


 


2.3
“Committee” means the compensation committee of the board of directors.


 


2.4
“Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock with par value $.0001.


 


2.5
“Company” means Amergent Hospitality Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any subsidiary or Affiliated Corporation.


 


2.6
“Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, as set forth in Section 17 hereof.


 


2.7
“Participant” means any employee, director, officer, consultant, or advisor of the Company who is determined (in accordance
with the provisions of Section 4 hereof) to be eligible to receive an Option or Stock Award hereunder; provided however Frederick L.
Glick is the only participant in this Plan.


 




    	 



     


    

 


2.8
“Option” means the grant to a Participant of a right to acquire shares of Common Stock.


 


2.9
“Plan” means this Stock Plan, dated July 8, 2021.


 


2.10
“Stock Award” means the grant to a Participant of shares of Common Stock issuable directly under this Plan rather than upon
exercise of an Option.


 


Wherever
appropriate, words used in this Plan in the singular may mean the plural, the plural may mean the singular, and the masculine may mean
the feminine.


 


SECTION
3. ADOPTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THIS PLAN.


 


Upon
adoption by the Company’s board of directors, this Plan became effective as of April 26, 2019. In the absence of contrary action
by the board of directors, and except for action taken by the Committee pursuant to Section 4 in connection with the determination of
Participants, any action taken by the Committee or by the board of directors with respect to the implementation, interpretation or administration
of this Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding.


 


SECTION
4. ELIGIBILITY AND AWARDS


 


The
Committee shall determine at any time and from time to time after the effective date of this Plan: (i) the Participants; (ii) the number
of shares of Common Stock issuable directly or to be granted pursuant to an Option; (iii) the price per share at which each Option may
be exercised, in cash or cancellation of fees for services for which the Company is liable, if applicable, or the value per share if
a direct issue of stock pursuant to a Stock Award; and (iv) the terms on which each Option may be granted. Such determination may from
time to time be amended or altered at the sole discretion of the Committee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3 hereof, no such
determination by the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Company unless and until the board of directors has approved
the same; provided, however, that if the Committee is composed of a majority of the persons then comprising the board of directors of
the Company, such approval by the board of directors shall not be necessary.


 


SECTION
5. GRANT OF OPTION OR STOCK AWARD


 


Subject
to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the terms and conditions under which an Option or Stock Award may be granted to a
Participant shall be set forth in a written agreement (i.e., a Consulting Agreement, Services Agreement, Fee Agreement, or
Employment Agreement) and, if an Option, a written Grant of Option in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (which may contain such
modifications thereto and such other provisions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine).


 


The
Committee may grant an unrestricted Stock Award under the Plan. An unrestricted Stock Award is an Award pursuant to which the grantee
may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted in respect of past services
or other valid consideration, or in lieu of cash compensation due to such grantee.


 




    	 	 	2



     


    

 


SECTION
6. TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK


 


The
total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance by the Company either directly Stock Awards or underlying Options
granted under this Plan shall not be more than Five Hundred Thousand (500,000). Such Common Stock may be authorized and unissued or
reacquired Common Stock of the Company.


 


SECTION
7. COST BASIS AND PURCHASE PRICE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK


 


The
negotiated cost basis of stock issued directly as a Stock Award or the exercise price for each Option to purchase shares of Common Stock
shall be as determined by the Committee, it being understood that the price so determined by the Committee may vary from one Participant
to another. In computing the negotiated direct issue price as a Stock Award or the Option exercise price per share of Common Stock, the
Committee shall take into consideration, among other factors, the restrictions set forth in Section 11 hereof.


 


SECTION
8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS


 


The
Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of each Option granted to Participants, which terms shall be set forth in writing.
The terms and conditions so set by the Committee may vary from one Participant to another. In the event that all the Committee approves
an Option permitting deferred payments, the Participant’s obligation to pay for such Common Stock may be evidenced by a promissory
note executed by such Participant and containing such modifications thereto and such other provisions as the Committee, in its sole discretion,
may determine.


 


SECTION
9. DELIVERY OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK


 


The
Company shall deliver to each Participant such number of shares of Common Stock as such Participant is entitled to receive pursuant to
a Stock Award or elects to purchase upon exercise of the Option. Such shares, which shall be fully paid and nonassessable upon the issuance
thereof (unless a portion or all of the purchase price shall be paid on a deferred basis) shall be represented by a certificate or certificates
registered in the name of the Participant and stamped with an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions thereon, if any. Subject
to the terms and provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the written agreement to which he is a party, an Participant
shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares, including the right to vote the shares and to receive all dividends
or other distributions paid or made with respect thereto (except to the extent such Participant defaults under a promissory note, if
any, evidencing the deferred purchase price for such shares), provided that such shares shall be subject to the restrictions hereinafter
set forth.


 




    	 	 	3



     


    

 


SECTION
10. RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES; PARTICIPANTS


 


10.1
Employment. Nothing contained in this Plan or in any Option or Stock Award granted under this Plan shall confer upon any Participant
any right with respect to the continuation of his or her employment by the Company or any Affiliated Corporation, or interfere in any
way with the right of the Company or any Affiliated Corporation, subject to the terms of any separate employment agreement to the contrary,
at any time to terminate such employment or to increase or decrease the compensation of the Participant from the rate in existence at
the time of the grant of an Option or Stock Award. Whether an authorized leave of absence, or absence in military or government service,
shall constitute termination of employment shall be determined by the Committee at the time.


 


10.2
Non-transferability. No right or interest of any Participant an Option or Stock Award shall be assignable or transferable during the
lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or subjected to any lien, directly or indirectly, by operation of law,
or otherwise, including execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge or bankruptcy. However, the board of directors may, in its sole
discretion, permit transfers to family members if and to the extent such transfers are permissible under applicable securities laws.
In the event of a Participant’s death, a Participant’s rights and interest in an Option or Stock Award shall be transferable
by testamentary will or the laws of descent and distribution, and delivery of any shares of Common Stock due under this Plan shall be
made to, and exercise of any Options may be made by, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs or legatees. If in the opinion
of the Committee a person entitled to payments or to exercise rights with respect to this Plan is unable to care for his or her affairs
because of mental condition, physical condition, or age, payment due such person may be made to, and such rights shall be exercised by,
such person’s guardian, conservator or other legal personal representative upon furnishing the Committee with evidence satisfactory
to the Committee of such status.


 


SECTION
11. GENERAL RESTRICTIONS


 


11.1
Investment Representations. The Company may require any person to whom an Option or Stock Award is granted, as a condition of exercising
such Option, or receiving such Stock Award, to give written assurances in substance and form satisfactory to the Company and its counsel
to the effect that such person is acquiring the Common Stock subject to the Option or Stock Award for his or her own account for investment
and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the same, and to such other effects as the Company deems necessary
or appropriate in order to comply with federal and applicable state securities laws.


 




    	 	 	4



     


    

 


11.2
Restrictions on Transfer of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock issuable directly as a Stock Award or upon exercise of an Option
may not be offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement or pursuant to an exemption
from registration, the availability of which is to be established to the satisfaction of the Company, and any certificates representing
shares of Common Stock will bear a legend to that effect. However, the Company may, in the sole discretion of the board of directors,
register with the Securities and Exchange Commission some or all of the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under this Plan.
Special resale restrictions may, however, continue to apply to officers, directors, control shareholders and affiliates of the Company
and such persons will be required to obtain an opinion of counsel as regards their ability to resell shares received pursuant to this
Plan.


 


11.3
Compliance with Securities Laws. Each Option or Stock Award shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time counsel to the Company
shall determine that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or Stock Award upon
any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental or regulatory body, is necessary
as a condition of, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of shares thereunder, such Option or Stock Award may not be accepted
or exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained
on conditions acceptable to the Committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Company to apply for or to obtain such listing,
registration or qualification.


 


SECTION
12. COMPLIANCE WITH TAX REQUIREMENTS


 


Each
Participant shall be liable for payment of all applicable federal, state and local income taxes incurred as a result of the receipt of
a Stock Award or an Option, the exercise of an Option, and the sale of any shares of Common Stock received pursuant to a Stock Award
or upon exercise of an Option. The Company may be required, pursuant to applicable tax regulations, to withhold taxes for a Participant,
in which case the Company’s obligations to deliver shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of any Option granted under this Plan
or pursuant to any Stock Award, shall be subject to the Participant’s satisfaction of all applicable federal, state and local income
and other income tax withholding requirements.


 


SECTION
13. PLAN BINDING UPON ASSIGNS OR TRANSFEREES


 


In
the event that, at any time or from time to time, any Option or Stock Award is assigned or transferred to any party (other than the Company)
pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.2 hereof, such party shall take such Option or Stock Award pursuant to all provisions and conditions
of this Plan, and, as a condition precedent to the transfer of such interest, such party shall agree (for and on behalf of himself or
itself, his or its legal representatives and his or its transferees and assigns) in writing to be bound by all provisions of this Plan.


 




    	 	 	5



     


    

 


SECTION
14. COSTS AND EXPENSES


 


All
costs and expenses with respect to the adoption, implementation, interpretation and administration of this Plan shall be borne by the
Company.


 


SECTION
15. CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS


 


	(a)	Changes
                                            in Capitalization. In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
                                            recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar
                                            change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock
                                            other than an ordinary cash dividend, the number and class of securities and exercise price
                                            per share of this option shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substitute options
                                            may be granted, if applicable) in the manner determined by the Committee. Without limiting
                                            the generality of the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock
                                            by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to
                                            this option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than
                                            as of the record date for such dividend), then the Participant, if he exercises this option
                                            between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend, shall be entitled
                                            to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common
                                            Stock acquired upon such option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were
                                            not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.



 


	(b)	Reorganization
                                            Events. A “Reorganization Event” shall mean: (a) any merger or consolidation
                                            of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which all of the Common Stock of
                                            the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other
                                            property or is cancelled, (b) any transfer or disposition of all of the Common Stock of the
                                            Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction
                                            or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.



 


	(c)	Consequences
                                            of a Reorganization Event.



 


(1) In connection with a Reorganization Event, the board of directors may take any one or more of the following actions with respect to this option (or any portion thereof) on such terms as the board of directors determines (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in another agreement between the Company and the Participant): (i) provide that this option shall be assumed, or a substantially equivalent option shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), make or provide for a cash payment to the Participant with respect to this option equal to (A) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the vested portion of this option (after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting that occurs upon or immediately prior to such Reorganization Event) multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of (I) the Acquisition Price over (II) the exercise price of this option and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of this option, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, this option shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise price hereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing.




 




    	 	 	6



     


    

 


(2) For purposes of Section 6(c)(1)(i), this option shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, this option confers the right to purchase, for each share of Common Stock subject to this option immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of this option to consist solely of such number of shares of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) that the board of directors determined to be equivalent in value (as of the date of such determination or another date specified by the board of directors) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.




 





SECTION
16. PLAN AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION


 


The
board of directors, upon recommendation of the Committee or at its own initiative, at any time may terminate and at any time and from
time to time and in any respect, may amend or modify this Plan, including:


 


		(a)	Increase
                                            the total amount of Common Stock that may be awarded under this Plan, except as provided
                                            in Section 15 of this Plan;



 


		(b)	Change
                                            the classes of persons from which Participants may be selected or materially modify the requirements
                                            as to eligibility for participation in this Plan;



 


		(c)	Increase
                                            the benefits accruing to Participants; or



 


		(d)	Extend
                                            the duration of this Plan.



 


Any
Option or other Stock Award granted to a Participant prior to the date this Plan is amended, modified or terminated will remain in effect
according to its terms unless otherwise agreed upon by the Participant; provided, however, that this sentence shall not impair the right
of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Section 11 or Section 15. The termination or any modification or
amendment of this Plan shall not, without the consent of a Participant, affect his rights under Option or other Stock Award previously
granted to him.


 



SECTION
17. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS PLAN


 


17.1
Effective Date. This Plan is effective as of July 8, 2021, the date it was adopted by the board of directors of the
Company.


 


17.2
Duration of this Plan. This Plan shall terminate at midnight on July 8, 2026, and may be extended thereafter or terminated prior
thereto by action of the board of directors; and no Option or Stock Award shall be granted after such termination. Options and Stock
Awards outstanding at the time of this Plan’s termination may continue to be exercised, or become free of restrictions, in
accordance with their terms.


 


[continued
on following page]


 




    	 	 	7



     


    

 


SECTION
18. BURDEN AND BENEFIT


 


The
terms and provisions of this Plan shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, each Participant, his executives or administrators,
heirs, and personal and legal representatives.


 


Dated
as of the 8th day of July, 2021.


 


	 AMERGENT
    HOSPIT ALITY GROUP, INC.	By:
    	 
	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	Michael
D. Pruitt, CEO 


 










    	 	 	8



     


    




 


EXHIBIT
A


 


FORM
OF


GRANT
OF OPTION PURSUANT TO THE AMERGENT HOSPITALITY GROUP INC.


2021
INDUCEMENT PLAN


 


Amergent
Hospitality Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to _________________________ (“Optionee”)
an Option to purchase ___________ shares of common stock, no par value (the “Shares”) of the Company at the purchase price
of $______ per share (the “Purchase Price”), in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the 2021 Inducement
Plan (the “Plan”).


 


The
Grant of Option evidenced by this agreement is material to the Participant’s continued employment with the Company. This Grant
of Option is further subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Employment Agreement by and between the Optionee and the Company
(“Employment Agreement”).


 


This
option is exercisable in whole or in part, and upon payment in cash or cancellation of fees, or other form of payment acceptable to the
Company, to the principal place of business of the Company in Charlotte North Carolina. This Grant of Option supersedes and replaces
any prior notice of option grant, description of vesting terms or similar documents previously delivered to Optionee for options granted
on the date stated below.


 


This
Grant of Option may terminate with respect to any portion of this Grant of Option that has not vested pursuant to the terms and conditions
of the Employment Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, vested options must be exercised no later than the Expiration Date, set forth
below.


 


Subject
to the preceding paragraph, this Grant of Option, or any portion hereof, may be exercised only to the extent vested per the attached
schedule, and must be exercised by Optionee no later than ____________________________ (the “Expiration Date”) by (i) notice
in writing, signed by Optionee; and (ii) payment of the Purchase Price pursuant to the terms of this Grant of Option and the Plan. Any
portion of this Grant of Option that is not exercised on or before the Expiration Date shall lapse. The notice must refer to this Grant
of Option, and it must specify the number of shares being purchased, and recite the consideration being paid therefor. Notice shall be
deemed given on the date on which the notice is received by the Company.


 


This
Option shall be considered validly exercised once payment therefor has cleared the banking system or the Company has issued a credit
memo for services in the appropriate amount, or receives a duly executed acceptable promissory note, if the Option is granted with deferred
payment, and the Company has received written notice of such exercise. If payment is not received within two business days after the
date the notice is received, the Company may deem the notice to be invalid.


 




    	 	 	9



     


    

 


If
Optionee fails to exercise this Option in accordance with this Grant of Option, then this Grant of Option shall terminate and have no
force and effect, in which event the Company and Optionee shall have no liability to each other with respect to this Grant of Option.


 


This
Option may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.


 


The
validity, construction and enforceability of this Grant of Option shall be construed under and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware,
without regard to its rules concerning conflicts of laws, and any action brought to enforce this Grant of Option or resolve any controversy,
breach or disagreement relative hereto shall be brought only in a court of competent jurisdiction within the Mecklenburg County, State
of North Carolina.


 


The
shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Option (the “Underlying Shares”) may not be sold, exchanged, assigned,
transferred or permitted to be transferred, whether voluntarily, involuntarily or by operation of law, delivered, encumbered, discounted,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of until (i) the Underlying Shares have been registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-8, or such other form as may be appropriate, in the discretion of
the Company; or (ii) an Opinion of Counsel, satisfactory to the Company, has been received, which opinion sets forth the basis and availability
of any exemption for resale or transfer from federal or state securities registration requirements.


 


This
Grant of Option relates to options granted on ____________________, 2021.


 


	 	AMERGENT
    HOSPITALIT Y GROUP INC. 
	 	 
	 	NOT
FOR EXECUTION 
	 	
	 	By:	                   






 





	OPTIONEE:
    	 
	 	 
	NOT
    FOR EXECUTION 	 
	    	 


 




    	 	 	10



     


    

 


GRANT
OF OPTION PURSUANT TO THE AMERGENT


HOSPITALITY GROUP INC.


STOCK
PLAN


 


 OPTIONEE:




OPTIONS
GRANTED:


PURCHASE
PRICE: $______ per Share DATE OF GRANT:


EXERCISE
PERIOD: __________________ to __________________


 


VESTING
SCHEDULE:


 


	OPTION
    ON 	 	DATE
    	 
	 	 	 	 
	#SHARES
    	 	VESTED	(ASSUMING
    CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, ETC.)
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 


 


EXERCISED
TO DATE: ________________, INCLUDING THIS EXERCISE


 


BALANCE
TO BE EXERCISED: _______________


 


NOTICE
OF EXERCISE


(TO
BE SIGNED ONLY UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTION)


 


TO:
Amergent Hospitality Group Inc. (“Optionor”)


 


The
undersigned, the holder of the Option described above, hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the purchase rights represented by such
Option for, and to purchase thereunder, _____________ shares of the Common Stock of Amergent Hospitality Group Inc., and herewith makes
payment of _________________ therefor. Optionee requests that the certificates for such shares be issued in the name of Optionee and
be delivered to Optionee at the address of _______________________, and if such shares shall not be all of the shares purchasable hereunder,
represents that a new Notice of Exercise of like tenor for the appropriate balance of the shares, or a portion thereof, purchasable under
the Grant of Option pursuant to the Stock Plan, be delivered to Optionor when and as appropriate.


 


	 	 	 	OPTIONEE:	
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	NOT
FOR EXECUTION	
	Dated:
    	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 


 




    	 	 	11