Smolyansky Trust Amends Lifeway Foods Stake

TL;DR

Smolyansky Trust updated their Lifeway Foods (LWAY) filing, watch for potential moves.

AI Summary

Edward Smolyansky, through the Edward Smolyansky Trust, filed an amendment to Schedule 13D on July 22, 2024, regarding Lifeway Foods, Inc. The filing indicates a change in beneficial ownership as of July 18, 2024. Ludmila Smolyansky is also listed as a filer.

Why It Matters

This filing signals a potential shift in control or strategy for Lifeway Foods, Inc., as a significant stakeholder updates their ownership disclosure.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: medium — Amendments to Schedule 13D often precede significant corporate actions or changes in control, which can introduce volatility.

Key Players & Entities

• Edward Smolyansky (person) — Filer and beneficiary of the trust
• Edward Smolyansky Trust (company) — Filing entity
• Lifeway Foods, Inc. (company) — Subject company
• Ludmila Smolyansky (person) — Co-filer

FAQ

Filing Documents

• lifeway_sc13da.htm (SC 13D/A) — 58KB
• lifeway_ex9901.htm (EX-99.1) — 16KB
• 0001683168-24-004972.txt ( ) — 76KB

is hereby amended and supplemented by the

Item 4 is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following: On July 18, 2024, the Filing Persons issued a press release demanding (i) the resignation of Julie Smolyansky, the chief executive officer and chairperson of Lifeway Foods, Inc. (the “Company”), (ii) the resignation of certain of the Company’s directors, including Jason Scher, Pol Sikar, Jody Levy, Dorri McWhorter and Perfecto Sanchez, (iii) the termination of Jason Burdeen, the Company’s chief of staff, (iv) the adoption of an anti-nepotism policy and (v) an operational and strategic review of the Company. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

is hereby amended and supplemented by the

Item 5 is hereby amended and supplemented by the addition of the following: (a) As of July 19, 2024, for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (i) Ludmila Smolyansky may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 1,242,096 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 8.4% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) Edward Smolyansky may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 3,179,975 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 21.6% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iii) the Edward Smolyansky Trust may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 1,233,333 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 8.4% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and (iv) the Filing Persons together may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of an aggregate of 4,347,071 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 29.6% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. The foregoing percentage calculations were based on 14,707,392 shares outstanding as of May 6, 2024, as reported by the Company on its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC. (b) Ludmila Smolyansky has sole power to vote or direct the vote of, and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of, 1,167,096 shares of Common Stock, and shared power to vote or direct the vote of, and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of, 75,000 shares of Common Stock held by the Ludmila and Edward Smolyansky Family Foundation, of which Ludmila Smolyansky is a director. Edward Smolyansky has sole power to vote or direct the vote of, and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of, 3,104,975 shares of Common Stock, which includes the 1,233,333 shares beneficially owned by the Edward Smolyansky Trust and 100,000 shares held by his son, and shared power to vote or direct the vote of, and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of, 500,000 shares of

SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Date: July 22, 2024 /s/ Ludmila Smolyansky Ludmila Smolyansky Date: July 22, 2024 /s/ Edward Smolyansky Edward Smolyansky THE EDWARD SMOLYANSKY TRUST 2/2/16 Date: July 22, 2024 By: /s/ Edward Smolyansky Name: Edward Smolyansky Title: Trustee 6

View Full Filing

View this SC 13D/A filing on SEC EDGAR