# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001455863
**File Stem:** 0001193125-25-142099
**Filing Date:** 2025-6
**Character Count:** 24200
**Document Hash:** 2cfd4efddc331f3553c621ca4386b2e1
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-25-142099.hdr.sgml**: 20250617

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-25-142099

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-8

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 15

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250617

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250617

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20250617

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** AMERICOLD REALTY TRUST
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001455863
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 05 Real Estate & Construction
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MD
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-8
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-288111
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251053751

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 10 Glenlake Pkwy., Suite 800 S. Tower
- **CITY:** Atlanta
- **STATE:** GA
- **ZIP:** 30328
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 678-441-1400

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 10 Glenlake Pkwy., Suite 800 S. Tower
- **CITY:** Atlanta
- **STATE:** GA
- **ZIP:** 30328

**As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2025** 

**Registration No. 333-** 

**UNITED STATES** 

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION** 

**Washington, D.C. 20549** 

**FORM S-8** 

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT** 

***UNDER***

***THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933***

## AMERICOLD REALTY TRUST, INC.
**(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)** 

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Maryland** | **93-0295215** |
| **(State or Other Jurisdiction of**<br> **Incorporation or Organization)** | **(I.R.S. Employer**<br> **Identification Number)** |

---

**10 Glenlake Parkway** 

**South Tower, Suite 600** 

**Atlanta, Georgia 30328** 

**(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)** 

**Amended and Restated Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan** 

**(Full Title of the Plan)**

**Nathan H. Harwell** 

**Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary** 

**10 Glenlake Parkway South Tower, Suite 600** 

**Atlanta, Georgia 30328** 

**(678) 441-1400** 

**(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)** 

***Copies to:***

**Christian O. Nagler, P.C.** 

**Christina M. Thomas** 

**Kirkland & Ellis LLP** 

**601 Lexington Avenue** 

**New York, NY 10022** 

**(212) 446-4800** 

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 the Securities Act. ☐

------

**EXPLANATORY NOTE** 

On May 20, 2025, the shareholders of Americold Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Registrant") approved the Amended and Restated Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") in order to: (i) increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the plan by 7.7 million shares of the Registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), (ii) increase the number of shares that may be covered by options that are designated as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code by 7.7 million shares of Common Stock, (iii) incorporate a one-year vesting requirement for all awards (provided, that up to five percent of the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance may be issued pursuant to awards that do not comply with such minimum vesting period) and (iv) extend the scheduled expiration date of the Plan to May 20, 2035.

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") is being filed for the purposes of registering an additional 7.7 million shares of Common Stock of the Registrant under the Plan, which have been authorized and reserved for issuance under the Plan and includes Common Stock that may again become available for delivery with respect to awards under the Plan pursuant to share counting and other terms and conditions of the Plan.

In accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8, the registration statements on Form S-8 relating to the Plan and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on January 19, 2018 (File [No. 333-222637](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1455863/000119312518014896/d508282ds8.htm)), as subsequently amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the Commission on March 21, 2023, are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.

**PART II** 

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT** 

**Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.** 

The following documents that the Registrant previously filed with the Commission are incorporated by reference herein:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the Registrant's Annual Report on [Form 10-K](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001455863/000162828025008770/art-20241231.htm) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (our "Annual Report"), which contains the audited financial statements for the Registrant's last completed fiscal year filed with the
Commission on February 
27, 2025, which incorporates by reference certain parts of the Registrant's [Proxy Statement](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001455863/000162828025016937/art-20250407.htm) for the
Registrant's 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the Commission on April 7, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended [March 31, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001455863/000162828025023760/art-20250331.htm) filed with the Commission on May 8, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on [January 7, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001455863/000145586325000002/art-20250107.htm) , [March 27, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001455863/000119312525065505/d900676d8k.htm) , [April 3, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001455863/000119312525072352/d940922d8k.htm) , [May 21, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001455863/000162828025027055/art-20250520.htm) ; and [June 2, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1455863/000119312525133337/d947557d8k.htm) (with respect to Item 5.02 only) and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the Registrant's Description of Common Stock contained in [Exhibit 4.1](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1455863/000162828023005236/exhibit41-descriptionofcap.htm) to our Annual Report, and all subsequently filed amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents filed by the Registrant subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all such securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

------

Any statement contained in this Registration Statement or in the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be modified, superseded or replaced, for purposes of this Registration Statement, to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement modifies, supersedes or replaces such statement contained in this Registration Statement. Any such statement so modified, superseded or replaced shall not be deemed, except as so modified, superseded or replaced, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

No document or information deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with rules of the Commission shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference unless such document or information expressly provides to the contrary.

**Item 8. Exhibits.** 

The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit**<br> **Number** | **Description** |
| 5.1\* | [Opinion of Venable LLP](d41862dex51.htm) |
| 10.1 | [Amended and Restated 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant's Notice and Proxy Statement dated April 7, 2025 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 20, 2025)](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001455863/000162828025016937/art-20250407.htm#i35b1d04c20044809af217bbc94f82ed7_2199023256438) |
| 23.1\* | [Consent of Ernst & Young LLP](d41862dex231.htm) |
| 23.4 | [Consent of Venable LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1)](d41862dex51.htm) |
| 24.1 | [Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)](#sig) |
| 107\* | [Calculation of Filing Fee Tables](d41862dexfilingfees.htm) |

---

\* Filed herewith

------

**SIGNATURES** 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on June 17, 2025.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **AMERICOLD REALTY TRUST, INC.** | **AMERICOLD REALTY TRUST, INC.** |
| By: | /s/ E. Jay Wells |
|  | Name: E. Jay Wells |
|  | Title: Chief Financial Officer and<br> Executive Vice President |

---

Each of the undersigned officers and directors of Americold Realty Trust, Inc. hereby constitutes and appoints George F. Chappelle, Jr. and E. Jay Wells, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement of Americold Realty Trust, Inc. on Form S-8, and any other registration statement relating to the same offering (including any and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments)), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities set forth opposite their names and on the date indicated above.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Signature** | **Title** |
| /s/ George F. Chappelle, Jr. | Chief Executive Officer, Director |
| George F. Chappelle, Jr. | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| /s/ E. Jay Wells | Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President |
| E. Jay Wells | (Principal Financial Officer) |
| /s/ Robert E. Harris, Jr. | Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President |
| Robert E. Harris, Jr. | (Principal Accounting Officer) |
| /s/ Mark R. Patterson | Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| Mark R. Patterson |  |
| /s/ George J. Alburger, Jr. | Director |
| George J. Alburger, Jr. |  |
| /s/ Kelly H. Barrett | Director |
| Kelly H. Barrett |  |
| /s/ Robert L. Bass | Director |
| Robert L. Bass |  |
| /s/ Antonio F. Fernandez | Director |
| Antonio F. Fernandez |  |

---

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| /s/ Pamela K. Kohn | Director |
| Pamela K. Kohn |  |
| /s/ David J. Neithercut | Director |
| David J. Neithercut |  |
| /s/ Andrew P. Power | Director |
| Andrew P. Power |  |

---

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1** 

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  ![LOGO](g41862venable_llp.jpg)  | 750 E. PRATT STREET SUITE 900 BALTIMORE, MD 21202<br> **T** 410.244.7400 **F** 410.244.7742 www.Venable.com |

---

June 17, 2025

Americold Realty Trust, Inc.

10 Glenlake Parkway

South Tower, Suite 600

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

Re: <u>Registration Statement on Form S-8</u>

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as Maryland counsel to Americold Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of an additional 7,700,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company (the "Shares") that may be issued from time to time pursuant to the Amended and Restated Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Shares are covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (the "Registration Statement"), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act").

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (herein collectively referred to as the "Documents"):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. The Registration Statement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. The charter of the Company (the "Charter"), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the "SDAT");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof relating to, among other matters, the approval of the Plan and the registration and issuance of the Shares (the "Resolutions"), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

------

![LOGO](g41862venable_llp.jpg)

Americold Realty Trust, Inc.

June 17, 2025

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. The Plan;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party's obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. The Shares will not be issued or transferred in violation of any restriction or limitation on transfer and ownership of shares of stock of the Company contained in Article VII of the Charter or in violation of any restriction or limitation in the Plan.

------

![LOGO](g41862venable_llp.jpg)

Americold Realty Trust, Inc.

June 17, 2025

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. Upon the issuance of any of the Shares, the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. Each option, restricted share unit, right or other security exercisable or exchangeable for a Share pursuant to the Plan (each, an "Award") will be duly authorized and validly granted in accordance with the Plan and exercised or exchanged in accordance with the terms of the Plan, including any stock option agreement, restricted stock agreement or other form of award agreement entered into in connection therewith, at the time of any exercise or exchange of such Award.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. The issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when and to the extent issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Resolutions, the Plan and any stock option agreement, restricted stock agreement or other form of award agreement utilized under the Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

------

![LOGO](g41862venable_llp.jpg)

Americold Realty Trust, Inc.

June 17, 2025

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

---

| |
|:---|
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Venable LLP |

---

## Exhibit 23.1

**Exhibit 23.1** 

**Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Amended and Restated Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan of our reports dated February 27, 2025, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Americold Realty Trust, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Americold Realty Trust, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

---

| |
|:---|
| /s/ Ernst & Young LLP |
| Atlanta, Georgia |
| June 17, 2025 |

---

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? EX-FILING FEES

---

| |
|:---|
| **Calculation of Filing Fee Tables**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**S-8**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**AMERICOLD REALTY TRUST**  |

---

---

| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Security Type**  | **Security Class Title**  | **Fee Calculation Rule**  | **Amount Registered**  | **Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit**  | **Maximum Aggregate Offering Price**  | **Fee Rate**  | **Amount of Registration Fee**  |
| 1 | Equity | Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share | Other | 7700000 | $17.13 | $131901000.00 | 0.0001531 | $20194.04 |
| Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: |  | $131901000.00  |  | $20194.04  |
| Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  |  |  |  | $0.00  |
| Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  |  |  |  | $20194.04  |

---

 **Offering Note** <br>

<sup>1</sup> (1) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) and Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), based on the average of the high $17.52 and low $16.74 prices of the common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock") of Americold Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Registrant") as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 13, 2025. (2) This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") covers 7,700,000 additional shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance of shares that may be covered by options that are designated as incentive stock options and available for delivery with respect to awards under the Registrant's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan". (3) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Common Stock that become issuable under the Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration that increases the number of the Registrant's outstanding Common Stock.