Form 8-K

8-K — HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC

Accession: 0000799233-26-000033

Filed: 2026-05-19

Period: 2026-05-14

CIK: 0000799233

SIC: 4213 (TRUCKING (NO LOCAL))

Item: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

--------------------------------------------------------------

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

May 14, 2026

----------------------------------------------------------------

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada 000-15087 93-0926999

(State of other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer

of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)

901 HEARTLAND WAY, NORTH LIBERTY, IA 52317

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(319) 645-7060

Registrant's Telephone Number (including area code):

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value HTLD NASDAQ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). 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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On May 14, 2026, the Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") of the Board of Directors of Heartland Express, Inc. (the "Company") approved the following compensation increase to three of the Company's named executive officers. The increases were effective immediately.

Named Executive Officer Previous Annualized Salary New Annualized Salary Increase

Christopher A. Strain, Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer $364,000 $375,024 $11,024

Kent D. Rigdon, Chief Operating Officer $327,600 $338,000 $10,400

Joshua S. Helmich, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary $286,000 $295,100 $9,100

Effective May 15, 2026, the Compensation Committee granted the following equity awards under the Company’s 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan to three of the Company’s named executive officers.

Named Executive Officer # of Shares Granted

Christopher A. Strain, Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer

500 (1)

Kent D. Rigdon, Chief Operating Officer

500 (1)

Joshua S. Helmich, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary

500 (1)

(1) This award vested immediately.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

Date: May 18, 2026 By:/s/Christopher A. Strain

Christopher A. Strain

Vice President of Finance,

Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer

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