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): September 16, 2015 (September 14, 2015)

 

 

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Tennessee   001-37473   47-1608715

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

3401 West End Avenue, Suite 260

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

(Addresses of Principal Executive Offices)

615-269-1900

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

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))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Separation and Distribution Agreement

On September 16, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. (“J. Alexander’s” or the “Company”) entered into a separation and distribution agreement (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”) with Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (“FNF”), pursuant to which FNF agreed to distribute one hundred percent (100%) of its shares of J. Alexander’s common stock, par value $0.001, on a pro rata basis, to the holders of FNFV common stock, FNF’s tracking stock traded on The New York Stock Exchange (“The NYSE”). Holders of FNFV common stock will receive, as a distribution from FNF, approximately 0.17271 shares of J. Alexander’s common stock for every one share of FNFV common stock held at the close of business on September 22, 2015, the record date for the distribution (the “Distribution”). The Distribution will be made on September 28, 2015. As a result of the Distribution, J. Alexander’s will be an independent public company and its common stock will be listed under the symbol “JAX” on The NYSE, expected to be effective September 29, 2015 (collectively, the “Spin-Off Transaction”).

Tax Matters Agreement

On September 16, 2015, in connection with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Company entered into a tax matters agreement (the “Tax Matters Agreement”) with FNF, pursuant to which the Company agreed generally to indemnify FNF for taxes and related losses it suffers as a result of the failure of the Distribution to qualify as a tax-free transaction, if the taxes and related losses are attributable to (i) direct or indirect acquisitions of J. Alexander’s stock or assets (regardless of whether the Company consents to such acquisitions); (ii) negotiations, understandings, agreements or arrangements in respect of such acquisitions; or (iii) the Company’s failure to comply with certain representations and undertakings.

A summary of certain material features of the Separation and Distribution Agreement and Tax Matters Agreement can be found in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with FNF” in the Company’s Information Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 9, 2015 (the “Information Statement”), which is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K. Such section is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01 as if restated in full. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Separation and Distribution Agreement and Tax Matters Agreement, which are included with this report as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

Resignation and Appointment of Directors

As of September 14, 2015, each of Ronald B. Maggard, Sr., Frank R. Martire, Raymond R. Quirk and Douglas K. Ammerman were elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), and Brent B. Bickett, who had been serving as a member of the Board, resigned. Lonnie J. Stout II and Timothy T. Janszen remain on the Board and will continue to serve as directors of the Company following the Distribution. This reorganization of the Board was made in connection with the Spin-Off Transaction and Mr. Bickett’s resignation was not a result of any dispute or disagreement with the Company.

Biographical information on each of the directors elected to the Board, as well as on Lonnie J. Stout II and Timothy T. Janszen, can be found in the Company’s Information Statement under the section entitled “Management – Directors and Executive Officers”, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

As of September 14, 2015:

 

    Mr. Stout was appointed as the Chairman of the Board;

 

    Messrs. Ammerman, Janszen and Martire were appointed to serve as members of the Audit Committee of the Board. Mr. Ammerman was appointed to serve as chairman of the Audit Committee;


    Messrs. Maggard and Ammerman were appointed to serve as members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board. Mr. Maggard was appointed to serve as chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and

 

    Messrs. Martire, Ammerman and Maggard were appointed to serve as members of the Compensation Committee of the Board. Mr. Martire was appointed to serve as chairman of the Compensation Committee.

Adoption of Plans

As of September 14, 2015, the Board adopted the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. A summary of certain material features of these arrangements can be found in the section entitled “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s Information Statement, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02. This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 10.3, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

On September 14, 2015, the Company filed an amended and restated Charter (the “Amended and Restated Charter”) and approved amended and restated Bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”). A description of the material provisions of the Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws can be found in the Company’s Information Statement under the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock”, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03. The description set forth under this Item 5.03 is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are included with this report as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.05 Amendments to the Registrants Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics

On September 14, 2015, the Company adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. A copy of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is included with this report as Exhibit 14.1.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

A copy of materials that will be used in investor presentations delivered by representatives of J. Alexander’s in connection with the Spin-Off Transaction is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.2 (the “Investor Presentation Materials”). The Company expects to use the Investor Presentation Materials, in whole or in part, and possibly with modifications, in connection with presentations to investors, analysts and others commencing as soon as September 17, 2015. A copy of the Investor Presentation Materials, as well as any modifications or supplements to the Investor Presentation Materials, will be made available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at -http://investor.jalexandersholdings.com.

By filing this Current Report on Form 8-K and furnishing the information contained herein, the Company makes no admission as to the materiality of any information in this report that is required to be disclosed solely by reason of Regulation FD. The information contained in the Investor Presentation Materials is summary information that is intended to be considered in the context of the Company’s SEC filings and other public announcements that the Company may make, by press release or otherwise, from time to time. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to publicly update or revise the information contained in this report, although it may do so from time to time as its management believes is warranted. Any such updating may be made through the filing of other reports or documents with the SEC, through press releases or through other public disclosure.

The information presented in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.2 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, unless the Company specifically states that the information is to be considered “filed” under the Exchange Act or incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated Charter of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., dated September 14, 2015
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., dated September 14, 2015
10.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement between Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., dated September 16, 2015
10.2    Tax Matters Agreement between Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., dated September 16, 2015
10.3    J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan
14.1    J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, adopted September 14, 2015
99.1    Information Statement of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., filed with the SEC on September 9, 2015
99.2    Investor Presentation Materials, dated September 16, 2015


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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

    J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.
Date: September 16, 2015     By:   /s/ Lonnie J. Stout II
      Name: Lonnie J. Stout II
      Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated Charter of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., dated September 14, 2015
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., dated September 14, 2015
10.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement between Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., dated September 16, 2015
10.2    Tax Matters Agreement between Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., dated September 16, 2015
10.3    J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan
14.1    J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, adopted September 14, 2015
99.1    Information Statement of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., filed with the SEC on September 9, 2015
99.2    Investor Presentation Materials, dated September 16, 2015

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CHARTER

OF

J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 48-60-106 of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act (the “TCBA”), the undersigned corporation hereby amends and restates the original Charter and any and all prior amendments as follows:

 

  I. The Amended and Restated Charter as set forth below includes certain amendments to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized, establish and authorize shares of preferred stock, set forth corporate powers of the board of directors and provide for other matters of corporate governance as provided in Sections 10 through 19 in Article II below. All such amendments were duly adopted by the shareholders of the corporation in accordance with Section 48-60-103 of the TCBA on September 14, 2015.

 

  II. The text of the Amended and Restated Charter is as follows:

1. Name . The name of the corporation is J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

2. For Profit . The Corporation is for profit.

3. Principal Office . The street address of the Corporation’s principal office is:

3401 West End Avenue, Suite 260

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

County of Davidson

4. Registered Agent and Registered Office .

(a) The name of the Corporation’s initial registered agent is:

CT Corporation System.

(b) The street address of the Corporation’s initial registered office in Tennessee is:

800 S. Gay Street, Suite 2021

Knoxville, Tennessee 37929

County of Knox

5. Incorporator . The name and address of the incorporator is:

Ryan Hoffman

c/o Bass, Berry & Sims PLC

150 3rd Avenue South, Suite 2800

Nashville, TN 37201

6. Purpose . The Corporation is organized to do any and all things and to exercise any and all powers, rights, and privileges that a corporation may now or hereafter be organized to do or to exercise under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (“TBCA”).


7. Stock .

(a) Capitalization . The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 40,000,000, consisting of (a) 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (b) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

(b) Preferred Stock . With respect to shares designated and classified as Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to Section 48-16-102 of the TBCA, are authorized to establish and to determine, in whole or in part, to the full extent permitted by Tennessee law and within the limits set forth in Section 48-16-101 of the TBCA, the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the Preferred Stock or any series of Preferred Stock. Unless and until otherwise specified by the Board of Directors, the shares classified and designated as Preferred Stock will have a par value of $0.001 per share. The Board of Directors may authorize one or more series of Preferred Stock with preferences, limitations and relative rights, including, but not limited to:

(i) special, conditional or limited voting rights, or no right to vote, except to the extent limits or conditions are prohibited by the TBCA;

(ii) characteristics as redeemable or convertible;

(iii) distributions to the shareholders calculated in any manner, including dividends that may be cumulative, noncumulative, or partially cumulative;

(iv) preferences over any class of shares with respect to distributions, including dividends and distributions, upon dissolution of this corporation; or

(v) specification and changes in the specification of par values.

In accordance with Section 48-16-101 of the TBCA, the foregoing list of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights is not exhaustive.

8. No Preemptive Rights . The shareholders of the Corporation shall not have preemptive rights.

9. Directors . All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority, and the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction, of a Board of Directors consisting of not less than three nor more than fifteen (15) directors, the exact number of Directors to be determined from time to time by a majority of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of Directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. Each class of Directors shall be elected for a three-year term. The term of the initial Class I directors shall terminate on the date of the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders; the term of the initial Class II directors shall terminate on the date of the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders and the term of the initial Class III directors shall terminate on the date of the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders. At each annual meeting of shareholders beginning in 2015, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term. If the number of Directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of Directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional Director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of Directors shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

A Director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors, including a vacancy that results from an increase in the number of directors or a vacancy that results from the removal of a director with cause, may be filled only by a majority of the Directors then in office.


A person nominated for election as a Director shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast for the Director nominee in person or by proxy at a meeting for the election of Director at which a quorum is present.

10. Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of any voting group established either in the Corporation’s Bylaws or by any applicable shareholders’ agreement, any director may be removed from office at any time but only for cause and only by (a) the affirmative vote of the holders of 66  2 / 3 percent of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, considered for this purpose as one class, or (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors then in office.

11. Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen in such a manner, shall hold their offices for such terms and shall carry out such duties as are determined solely by the Board of Directors, subject to the right of the Board of Directors to remove any officers at any time with or without cause.

12. Director Liability and Indemnification .

(a) Limitation of Liability . Any person who is or was a director of the Corporation shall have no liability to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director provided that this Article 12 shall not eliminate or limit liability of a director for (i) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its shareholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (iii) unlawful distributions under Section 48-18-302 of the TBCA. If the TBCA or any successor statute is amended or other Tennessee law is enacted after adoption of this provision to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the TBCA, as so amended from time to time, or such successor statute or other Tennessee law. Any repeal or modification of this Article 12 or subsequent amendment of the TBCA or enactment of other applicable Tennessee law shall not affect adversely any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal, modification, amendment or enactment or with respect to events occurring prior to such time.

(b) Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses . The Corporation shall indemnify every person who is or was a party or is or was threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, including without limitation any action, suit or proceeding by or in right of the Corporation, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, manager, agent, or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, including service on a committee formed for any purpose (and, in each case, his or her heirs, executors, and administrators), against all expense, liability, and loss (including counsel fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as in effect on the date hereof and as hereafter amended. Such indemnification shall include advancement of expenses in advance of final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding, subject to the provision of any applicable statute.

(c) Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions of this Article 12 shall not be exclusive of any other right that any person (and his or her heirs, executors, and administrators) may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, this Charter, the Corporation’s Bylaws, resolution adopted by the shareholders, resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, agreement, or insurance, purchased by the Corporation or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity. The Corporation is hereby authorized to provide for indemnification and advancement of expenses through its Bylaws, resolution of shareholders, resolution of the Board of Directors, or agreement, in addition to that provided by this Charter.


13. Control Share Acquisitions . The provisions of Sections 48-103-201 through 48-103-209 of the TBCA, otherwise known as the “Tennessee Control Share Acquisition Act,” as in effect as of the date hereof and any amendment thereto or successor provision thereto, and explicitly including Sections 48-103-308 and 48-103-309, shall apply to and govern, to the fullest extent provided by law, any Control Share Acquisition of this Corporation’s shares, as those terms are defined in the Tennessee Control Share Acquisition Act.

14. Business Combinations .

(a) Application of the Act . The provisions of Sections 48-103-201 through 48-103-209 of the TBCA, otherwise known and cited as the “Tennessee Business Combination Act,” as in effect as of the date hereof and any amendment thereto or successor provision thereto, shall apply to and govern, to the fullest extent provided by law, any Business Combination, as defined in the Tennessee Business Combination Act.

(b) Corporation Not Liable for Resisting Merger, Exchange, Etc . So long as this Corporation has a class of voting stock registered or traded on a national securities exchange or registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, neither the Corporation nor its directors or officers shall be liable at law or equity either for having failed to approve the acquisition of shares by an Interested Shareholder, as defined in the Tennessee Business Combination Act, on or before an Interested Shareholder’s share acquisition date, or for seeking to enforce or implement the Tennessee Business Combination Act or the Tennessee Control Share Acquisition Act, or for failing to adopt or recommend any amendment to or provision of the Corporation’s Charter and Bylaws then in effect with respect to the Tennessee Business Combination Act or the Tennessee Control Share Acquisition Act, as in effect as of the date hereof and any amendment thereto or successor provision thereto, or for opposing any proposed merger, exchange, tender offer or significant disposition of assets of the Corporation or any subsidiary because of a good faith belief that the merger, tender offer, exchange or significant disposition of assets would adversely affect the social, legal, environmental or economic circumstances of the Corporation, its employees, customers or suppliers, or the communities in which the Corporation, or its subsidiaries, operate or are located. In making decisions concerning these matters, this Corporation’s officers and directors may also specifically consider any other relevant factors, including, but not limited to, (i) the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the other party and (ii) the amount and form of the consideration being offered in relation to the then current market price for the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, in relation to the then current value of the Corporation in a freely negotiated transaction and in relation to the Board of Directors’ estimate of the future value of the Corporation (including the unrealized value of its properties and assets) as an independent concern.

15. Action by Shareholders . Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders of the Corporation may be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or by a written resolution in lieu of a meeting signed by shareholders representing the number of affirmative votes required for such action at a meeting; provided that, if at any time the Corporation ceases to be a “controlled company” under the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, then at such time and thereafter any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders of the Corporation may be effected only at a duly called annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, except to the extent that such action may be taken without a meeting in accordance with Section 48-17-104(a) of the TBCA.


16. Special Meetings . Special meetings of shareholders may be called at any time, but only by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or upon a resolution by or affirmative vote of the Board of Directors, and not by the shareholders. Any business transacted at any special meeting of shareholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

17. Exclusive Forum . The Court of Chancery of the State of Tennessee (the “Court of Chancery”) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any shareholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the TBCA or this Charter or the Corporation’s Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine. For the avoidance of doubt, any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of, and consented to the provisions of, this Article 17. If any provision or provisions of this Article 17 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article 17 (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article 17 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

18. Charter and Bylaws Amendments . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, the affirmative vote of holders of 66  2 / 3 percent of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to reduce the maximum number of shares the Corporation may issue under Article 7(a), and to amend or repeal Articles 7(b)–(e), 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of this Charter, or to amend, alter, change or repeal, or to adopt any provisions of this Charter or of the Corporation’s Bylaws in a manner that is inconsistent with the purpose and intent of the aforementioned Articles.

19. Corporate Opportunities . To the maximum extent permitted under the TBCA, the Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to its directors who are not employees of the Corporation or any subsidiary (“Outside Directors”), other than any such opportunity expressly presented to an Outside Director in such Outside Director’s capacity as a director of the Corporation; and no such Outside Director shall be liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for breach of any fiduciary or other duty by reason of the fact that such Outside Director personally or on behalf of any other person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the Corporation or its subsidiaries. For purposes of this Article 19, a director who is the Chairman of the Board of the Corporation shall not be deemed to be an employee of the Corporation solely by reason of holding such position. No amendment or repeal of this Article 19 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Outside Director for or with respect to business opportunities of which such Outside Director becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal. Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article 19.

This Amended and Restated Charter of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. will be effective when filed with the Office of the Tennessee Secretary of State.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Charter to be signed by its duly authorized officer set forth below.

Executed: September 14, 2015

 

J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.
By:   /s/ Lonnie J. Stout II
  Lonnie J. Stout II
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.

(a Tennessee Corporation)

As effective on September 14, 2015

PREAMBLE

These Bylaws are subject to, and governed by, the Tennessee Business Corporation Act (the “TBCA”) and the Amended and Restated Charter of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Corporation”), then in effect (the “Charter”). In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the mandatory provisions of the TBCA or the provisions of the Charter, such provisions of the TBCA or the Charter, as the case may be, will be controlling.

ARTICLE I

Offices

SECTION 1. Registered Office . The registered office of the Corporation shall be fixed in the Charter.

SECTION 2. Other Offices . The Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) may at any time establish other offices at any place or places where the Corporation is qualified to do business or as the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

Meetings of Shareholders

SECTION 1. Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of shareholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held each year at such place, date and time, within or without the State of Tennessee, as the Board of Directors shall determine.

SECTION 2. Special Meetings . Special meetings of shareholders for the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting may be held only upon call by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, and shall be held at such place, date and time, within or without the State of Tennessee, as may be specified by such body or person or persons in such call. Whenever the directors shall fail to fix such place, the meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation.

SECTION 3. Notice of Meetings . Except as otherwise provided by law, at least ten (10) days and not more than two (2) months before each meeting of shareholders, written notice of the time, date and place of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each shareholder. Notice may be delivered personally, by mail or by electronic transmission in accordance with Section 48-11-202 of the TBCA.

SECTION 4. Postponement and Cancellation of Meeting . Any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of the shareholders may be postponed, and any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of the shareholders called by the Board of Directors may be canceled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the time previously scheduled for such meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 5. Record Date . The Board of Directors shall fix as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of a shareholders’ meeting, to vote or to take any other action, a date that is not less than ten (10) nor more than seventy (70) days before the meeting or action requiring a determination of shareholders. A record date fixed for a shareholders’ meeting is effective for any adjournment of such meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, which it must do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than four (4) months after the date fixed for the original meeting.


SECTION 6. Shareholder Lists . After the record date for a meeting has been fixed, the Corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of the names of all shareholders who are entitled to notice of a shareholders’ meeting. Such list will show the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. The shareholders’ list will be available for inspection by any shareholder, beginning two (2) business days after notice of the meeting is given for which the list was prepared and continuing through the meeting, at the Corporation’s principal office or at a place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be held. A shareholder or his or her agent or attorney is entitled on written demand to inspect and, subject to the requirements of the TBCA, to copy the list, during regular business hours and at his or her expense, during the period it is available for inspection.

SECTION 7. Acceptance of Shareholder Documents . If the name signed on a shareholder document (e.g., a vote, consent, waiver, or proxy appointment) corresponds to the name of a shareholder, the Corporation, if acting in good faith, is entitled to accept such shareholder document and give it effect as the act of the shareholder. If the name signed on such shareholder document does not correspond to the name of a shareholder, the Corporation, if acting in good faith, is nevertheless entitled to accept such shareholder document and to give it effect as the act of the shareholder if:

 

  (a) the shareholder is an entity and the name signed purports to be that of an officer or agent of the entity;

 

  (b) the name signed purports to be that of a fiduciary representing the shareholder and, if the Corporation requests, evidence of fiduciary status acceptable to the Corporation has been presented with respect to such shareholder document;

 

  (c) the name signed purports to be that of a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy of the shareholder and, if the Corporation requests, evidence of this status acceptable to the Corporation has been presented with respect to the shareholder document;

 

  (d) the name signed purports to be that of a pledgee, beneficial owner or attorney-in-fact of the shareholder and, if the Corporation requests, evidence acceptable to the Corporation of the signatory’s authority to sign for the shareholder has been presented with respect to such shareholder document; or

 

  (e) two or more persons are the shareholder as co-tenants or fiduciaries and the name signed purports to be the name of at least one (1) of the co-owners, and the person signing appears to be acting on behalf of all the co-owners.

The Corporation is entitled to reject a shareholder document if the Secretary or other officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes, acting in good faith, has a reasonable basis for doubt about the validity of the signature on such shareholder document or about the signatory’s authority to sign for the shareholder.

SECTION 8. Quorum . Except as otherwise provided by law or the Charter, a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of shareholders shall consist of the holders of record of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy. If there be no such quorum, the holders of a majority of such shares so present or represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum shall have been obtained. When a quorum is once present it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholder.

SECTION 9. Organization . Meetings of shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairperson, if any, or if none or in the Chairperson’s absence the Vice Chairperson, if any, or if none or in the Vice Chairperson’s absence the Chief Executive Officer, if any, or if none or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence the President, if any, or if none or in the President’s absence a Vice President, or, if none of the foregoing is present, by a chairperson to be chosen by the shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation, or in the Secretary’s absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the presiding officer of the meeting shall appoint any person present to act as secretary of the meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt before a meeting such rules for the conduct of the meeting, including an agenda and limitations on the number of speakers and the time which any speaker may address the meeting, as the Board of Directors determines to be necessary or appropriate for the orderly and efficient conduct of the meeting. Subject to any rules for the conduct of the meeting adopted by the Board of Directors, the person presiding at the meeting may also adopt, before or at the meeting, rules for the conduct of the meeting.


SECTION 10. Voting; Proxies; Required Votes; Action by Written Consent .

 

  (a) General . At each meeting of shareholders, every shareholder entitled to vote may do so in person or by proxy appointed by instrument in writing, subscribed by such shareholder or by such shareholder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact, and, unless the Charter provides otherwise, shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote registered in the name of such shareholder on the books of the Corporation on the applicable record date fixed pursuant to these Bylaws. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the execution, unless the proxy expressly provides otherwise.

 

  (b) Director Elections . Directors shall be elected as set forth in the Charter.

 

  (c) All Other Matters . Except as otherwise required by law or the Charter, any other action of the shareholders shall be authorized by the vote of the majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter.

 

  (d) Actions by Written Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders of the Corporation may be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or by the shareholders in writing in lieu of such a meeting to the extent permitted by the Charter and these Bylaws.

SECTION 11. Business at Annual and Special Meetings . No business may be transacted at an annual or special meeting of shareholders other than business that is:

 

  (a) specified in a notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof,

 

  (b) otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof, or

 

  (c) otherwise brought before the meeting by a “Noticing Shareholder” who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Article II, Section 12 of these Bylaws.

A “Noticing Shareholder” must be either a “Record Holder” or a “Nominee Holder.” A “Record Holder” is a shareholder that holds of record stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting on the business (including any election of a director) to be appropriately conducted at the meeting. A “Nominee Holder” is a shareholder that holds such stock through a nominee or “street name” holder of record and can demonstrate to the Corporation such indirect ownership of such stock and such Nominee Holder’s entitlement to vote such stock on such business. Clause (c) of Section 9 of this Article II shall be the exclusive means for a Noticing Shareholder to make director nominations or submit other business before a meeting of shareholders (other than proposals brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, which proposals are not governed by these Bylaws). Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a shareholders’ meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 12 of this Article II of these Bylaws and Section 11 of this Article II.

SECTION 12. Notice of Shareholder Business to be Conducted at a Meeting of Shareholders . In order for a Noticing Shareholder to properly bring any item of business before a meeting of shareholders, the Noticing Shareholder must give timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation in compliance with the requirements of this Section 12 of Article II. This Section 12 of Article II shall constitute an “advance notice provision” for annual meetings for purposes of Rule 14a-4(c)(1) under the Exchange Act.

 

  (a) To be timely, a Noticing Shareholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation:

 

  (i)

in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual


  meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation; and

 

  (ii) in the case of a special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not earlier than the close of business on the one-hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the date on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.

In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting, or the announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.

 

  (b) To be in proper form, whether in regard to a nominee for election to the Board of Directors or other business, a Noticing Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must:

 

  (i) Set forth, as to the Noticing Shareholder and, if the Noticing Shareholder holds for the benefit of another, the beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, the following information together with a representation as to the accuracy of the information:

 

  (A) the name and address of the Noticing Shareholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and, if the Noticing Shareholder holds for the benefit of another, the name and address of such beneficial owner (collectively “Holder”),

 

  (B) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and/or of record, and the date such ownership was acquired,

 

  (C) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not the instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative Instrument”) that is directly or indirectly owned beneficially by the Holder and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation,

 

  (D) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which the Holder has a right to vote or has granted a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation,

 

  (E) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of these Bylaws a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if the Holder directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security),

 

  (F) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by the Holder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation,

 

  (G) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership or limited liability company or similar entity in which the Holder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, is the manager, managing member or directly or indirectly beneficially owns an interest in the manager or managing member of a limited liability company or similar entity,


  (H) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that the Holder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any,

 

  (I) any arrangements, rights, or other interests described in Sections 12(b)(i)(C)-(H) held by members of such Holder’s immediate family sharing the same household,

 

  (J) a representation that the Noticing Shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person(s) named or propose the business specified in the notice and whether or not such shareholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding shares required to approve the nomination(s) or the business proposed and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from shareholders in support of the nomination(s) or the business proposed,

 

  (K) a certification regarding whether or not such shareholder and Shareholder Associated Persons have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with such shareholder’s and/or Shareholder Associated Persons’ acquisition of shares or other securities of the Corporation and/or such shareholder’s and/or Shareholder Associated Persons’ acts or omissions as a shareholder of the Corporation,

 

  (L) any other information relating to the Holder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and

 

  (M) any other information as reasonably requested by the Corporation.

Such information shall be provided as of the date of the notice and shall be supplemented by the Holder not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date.

 

  (ii) If the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, the notice must set forth:

 

  (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and any material direct or indirect interest of the Holder or any Shareholder Associated Persons in such business, and

 

  (B) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings, direct and indirect, between the Holder, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by the Holder.

 

  (iii) Set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the Holder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors:

 

  (A) all information relating to the nominee (including, without limitation, the nominee’s name, age, business and residence address and principal occupation or employment and the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the nominee) that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected),


  (B) a description of any agreements, arrangements and understandings between or among such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and any other persons (including any Shareholder Associated Person), on the other hand, in connection with the nomination of such person for election as a director, and

 

  (C) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements, and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among the Holder and respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the Holder making the nomination or on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of Item 404 and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant.

 

  (iv) With respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, the Noticing Shareholder shall include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation, and agreement required by Article II, Section 13 of these Bylaws. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of the nominee.

 

  (c) Notwithstanding anything in Article II, Section 12(a) to the contrary, if the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice required by these Bylaws shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10 th day following the day on which the public announcement naming all nominees or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors is first made by the Corporation.

 

  (d) For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. As used in these Bylaws, the term “Shareholder Associated Person” means, with respect to any shareholder, (i) any person acting in concert with such shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such shareholder (other than a shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any shareholder, or any Shareholder Associated Person identified in clauses (i) or (ii) above. An “affiliate” is any “person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.” “Control” is defined as the “possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.” The term “associate” of a person means: (i) any corporation or organization (other than the registrant or a majority-owned subsidiary of the registrant) of which such person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10 percent or more of any class of equity securities, (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person or who is a director or officer of the registrant or any of its parents or subsidiaries.

 

  (e)

Only those persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors. Only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws, provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the meeting in accordance with


  this Section 12(e) of Article II, nothing in this Section 12(e) of Article II shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any shareholder of such business. If any information submitted pursuant to this Section 12 of Article II by any shareholder proposing a nominee(s) for election as a director at a meeting of shareholders is inaccurate in any material respect, such information shall be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 12 of Article II. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Charter, or these Bylaws, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in compliance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if he should determine that any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such nomination or business not properly brought before the meeting shall be disregarded or not be transacted.

 

  (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Bylaws, a Noticing Shareholder also shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in these Bylaws; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to Section 11 or this Section 12 of Article II.

 

  (g) Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Notice of shareholder proposals that are, or that the Noticing Shareholder intends to be, governed by Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act are not governed by these Bylaws.

SECTION 13. Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement . To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation by a Holder, a person must complete and deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 12 of Article II of these Bylaws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire providing the information requested about the background and qualifications of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made and a written representation and agreement (the questionnaire, representation, and agreement to be in the form provided by the Secretary upon request) that such person:

 

  (a) is not and will not become a party to:

 

  (i) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how the person, if elected as director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, or

 

  (ii) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with the person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with the person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, and

 

  (b) in the person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.

ARTICLE III

Board of Directors

SECTION 1. General Powers . The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Charter required to be exercised or done by the shareholders.

SECTION 2. Qualification; Number; Term; Remuneration .

 

  (a) Each director shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age. A director need not be a shareholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the State of Tennessee. The Board of Directors shall consist of no fewer than three (3) or more than fifteen (15) members. The exact number of directors, within the minimum and maximum range for the size of the Board of Directors, shall be set in accordance with the Charter.


  (b) Directors shall be elected as set forth in the Charter.

 

  (c) Directors may be reimbursed or paid in advance their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

SECTION 3. Vacancies . Vacancies shall be filled as set forth in the Charter.

SECTION 4. Quorum and Manner of Voting . Except as otherwise provided by law or the Charter, a majority of the fixed number of directors if the Corporation has a fixed board size or a majority of the number of directors prescribed, or if no number is prescribed, the number in office immediately before the meeting begins, if the Corporation has a variable range board shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn a meeting from time to time to another time and place without notice, if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are fixed at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, and if the period of adjournment does not exceed one (1) month in any one (1) adjournment. The vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. Places of Meetings . Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place within or without the State of Tennessee, as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors, or as may be specified in the notice of meeting.

SECTION 6. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine. Notice need not be given of regular meetings.

SECTION 7. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or President or by a majority of the directors then in office. Special meetings shall be held upon notice of time, date and place sent by any usual means of communication, including electronic transmission in accordance with Section 48-11-202, not less than one (1) day before the special meeting.

SECTION 8. Organization . At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson, if any, or if none or in the Chairperson’s absence or inability to act, the President, or in the President’s absence or inability to act, any Vice President who is a member of the Board of Directors, or in such Vice President’s absence or inability to act, a chairperson chosen by the directors, shall preside. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors when present, and, in the Secretary’s absence, the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

SECTION 9. Resignation . Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation and such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the President or Secretary, unless otherwise specified in the letter of resignation.

SECTION 10. Attendance by Telephone . Unless otherwise restricted by the Charter, members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone, video conference or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

SECTION 11. Action by Written Consent . Except as otherwise provided in the Charter, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all the directors consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors. If the directors consent to taking such action without a meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors is the act of the Board of Directors.


ARTICLE IV

Committees

SECTION 1. Appointment; Limitations . From time to time the Board of Directors by a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors may appoint any committee or committees for any purpose or purposes, to the extent lawful, which shall have powers as shall be determined and specified by the Board of Directors in the resolution of appointment. No Committee of the Board shall take any action to authorize distributions (except according to a formula or method prescribed by the Board of Directors, fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or any of its committees, adopt amend, or repeal bylaws, authorize or approve reacquisition of shares, except according to a formula or method prescribed by the board of directors, or authorize or approve the issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and limitations of a class or series of shares, except that the Board of Directors may authorize a committee to do so within the limits specifically prescribed by the Board. No Committee of the Board shall take any action which is required in these Bylaws, in the Charter or by statute to be taken by a vote of a specified proportion of the whole Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Procedures, Quorum and Manner of Acting . Each committee shall fix its own rules of procedure, and shall meet where and as provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the presence of a majority of the then appointed members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that committee, and in every case where a quorum is present the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee present shall be the act of the committee. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings, and actions taken by a committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. Action by Written Consent . Except as otherwise provided in the Charter, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of any committee may be taken without a meeting if all the members of such committee consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee. If the members of a committee consent to taking such action without a meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee is the act of the committee.

SECTION 4. Term; Termination . In the event any person shall cease to be a director of the Corporation, such person shall simultaneously therewith cease to be a member of any committee appointed by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V

Officers

SECTION 1. Appointment and Qualifications . The Board of Directors shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, which shall include a Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer and Secretary and may include, by appointment, one or more Vice Presidents (any one or more of whom may be given an additional designation of rank or function) and such Assistant Treasurers, such Assistant Secretaries and such other officers as the Board may from time to time deem proper. Each officer shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by these Bylaws and as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law.

SECTION 2. Term of Office and Remuneration . Each officer shall serve until the earlier of his or her removal, the expiration of the term for which he or she is appointed or until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified. Appointment of an officer shall not itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent. Any vacancy in any office arising from any cause may be filled by the Board of Directors. The remuneration of all officers of the Corporation may be fixed by the Board of Directors or in such manner as the Board of Directors shall provide.


SECTION 3. Resignation; Removal . Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation and such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the President or Secretary, unless otherwise specified in the resignation. Any officer shall be subject to removal, with or without cause, at any time by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, and any officer appointed by an executive officer or by a committee may be removed either with or without cause by the officer or committee who appointed him or her or by the Chairperson, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

SECTION 4. Chairperson of the Board . The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, and shall have such duties as customarily pertain to that office. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general management and supervision of the property, business and affairs of the Corporation and over its other officers; may appoint and remove assistant officers and other agents and employees, other than officers referred to in Section 1 of this Article V; may execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation powers of attorney, contracts, bonds and other obligations and instruments; and shall have such other powers and authority as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 6. President . The President shall have such duties as customarily pertain to that office. The President shall have general management and supervision of the property, business and affairs of the Corporation and over its other officers; may appoint and remove assistant officers and other agents and employees, other than officers referred to in Section 1 of this Article V; may execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation powers of attorney, contracts, bonds and other obligations and instruments; and shall have such other powers and authority as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

SECTION 7. Vice President . A Vice President may execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation contracts and other obligations and instruments pertaining to the regular course of the duties of said office, and shall have such other authority as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

SECTION 8. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall in general have all duties incident to the position of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

SECTION 9. Secretary . The Secretary shall in general have all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the shareholders and shall prepare and record all votes and all minutes of all such meetings in a book to be kept for that purpose. He or she shall also perform like duties for any committee when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors when required, and unless directed otherwise by the Board of Directors, shall keep a stock record containing the names of all persons who are shareholders of the Corporation, showing their place of residence and the number of shares held by each of them. The Secretary shall have the responsibility of authenticating records of the Corporation.

SECTION 10. Assistant Officers . Any assistant officer shall have such powers and duties of the officer such assistant officer assists as such officer or the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.

SECTION 11. Other Officers . The Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors may appoint other officers and agents for any group, division or department into which this Corporation may be divided by the Board of Directors, with titles as the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors may from time to time deem appropriate. All such officers and agents shall receive such compensation, have such tenure and exercise such authority as the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors may specify. All appointments made by the Chief Executive Officer hereunder and all the terms and conditions thereof must be reported to the Board of Directors.


ARTICLE VI

Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Others

SECTION 1. Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses . The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to each director and officer of the Corporation, or any person who may have served at the request of the Corporation’s Board of Directors or its President or Chief Executive Officer as a director or officer of another corporation (and, in either case, such person’s heirs, executors and administrators), to the full extent allowed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, both as now in effect and as hereafter adopted. The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation who is not a director or officer (and such person’s heirs, executors and administrators) to the same extent as to a director or officer, if the Board of Directors determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Corporation.

SECTION 2. Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The indemnification and expense advancement provisions of Section 1 of this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person (and such person’s heirs, executors and administrators) may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter, provision of these Bylaws, resolution adopted by the shareholders, resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, agreement, or insurance (purchased by the Corporation or otherwise), both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity.

SECTION 3. Insurance . The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any individual who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or who, while a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation’s Board of Directors or its Chief Executive Officer as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under this Article or the TBCA.

SECTION 4. Survival.

 

  (a) The rights to indemnification and reimbursement or advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VI shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

  (b) The provisions of this Article VI shall be a contract between the Corporation, on the one hand, and each person who was a director and officer at any time while this Article VI is in effect and any other person indemnified hereunder, on the other hand, pursuant to which the Corporation and each such person intend to be legally bound. Any repeal or modification of the provisions of this Article VI shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification, regardless of whether a claim arising out of such action, omission or state of facts is asserted before or after such repeal or amendment.

SECTION 5. Enforceability of Right to Indemnification . The rights to indemnification and reimbursement or advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VI shall be enforceable by any person entitled to such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses in any court of competent jurisdiction. If a claim under Section 1 of this Article VI is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. The burden of proving that such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is not appropriate shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel and its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is proper in the circumstances nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel and its shareholders) that such person is not entitled to such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses shall constitute a defense to the action or create a presumption that such person is not so entitled. Such a person shall also be indemnified by the Corporation against any expenses reasonably incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part.


SECTION 6. Primacy of Indemnification by the Corporation . The Corporation acknowledges that certain directors and officers may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by the shareholders of the Corporation or one or more affiliates of such shareholders of the Corporation other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries (any of such entities, together with their affiliates (other than the Company and its subsidiaries), the “Other Indemnitors”) as a partner or employee of any of such entities (or their respective payroll companies) or pursuant to separate written agreements, which the Corporation and the Other Indemnitors intend to be secondary to the primary obligation of the Corporation to provide indemnification as provided herein. If any Other Indemnitor pays or causes to be paid, for any reason, any amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder or under any other indemnification agreement or arrangement (whether pursuant to contract, by-laws or charter) to a person indemnifiable hereunder, then (i) the applicable Other Indemnitor shall be fully subrogated to all of such person’s rights with respect to such payment and (ii) the Corporation shall indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless the applicable Other Indemnitor for the payments actually made. The Corporation agrees that the Other Indemnitors are express third party beneficiaries of the terms of this paragraph.

ARTICLE VII

Books and Records

SECTION 1. Location . The books and records of the Corporation may be kept at such place or places within or outside the State of Tennessee as the Board of Directors or the respective officers in charge thereof may from time to time determine.

SECTION 2. Addresses of Shareholders . Notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be delivered personally or mailed to each shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. The record books containing the names and addresses of all shareholders, the number and class of shares of stock held by each and the dates when they respectively became the owners of record thereof shall be kept by the Secretary as prescribed by the Bylaws and by such officer or agent as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII

Certificates Representing Stock

SECTION 1. Certificates: Signatures• Rules and Regulations . There may be issued to each holder of fully paid shares of capital stock of the Corporation a certificate or certificates for such shares; however, the Corporation may issue uncertificated shares of its capital stock. Every holder of capital stock represented by certificates and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or the President or Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any and all signatures on any such certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The name of the holder of record of the shares represented thereby, with the number of such shares and the date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more transfer agents for the Corporation’s capital stock and may make, or authorize such agent or agents to make, all such rules and regulations as are expedient governing the issue, transfer and registration of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation and any certificates representing such shares.

SECTION 2. Transfers of Stock . The capital stock of the Corporation shall be transferred only upon the books of the Corporation either (a) if such shares are certificated, by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the old stock certificate therefor properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, with transfer stamps (if necessary) affixed, or (b) if such shares are uncertificated, upon proper instructions from the holder thereof (or such holder’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing), in each case with such proof of the authenticity of instruction and/or signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of a security (whether certificated or uncertificated), the Corporation shall treat the registered owner of such security as the person exclusively entitled to vote, receive notifications and dividends, and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of such security.


SECTION 3. Fractional Shares . The Corporation may, but shall not be required to, issue certificates for fractions of a share or pay in money the value of fractions, arrange for disposition of fractional shares by the shareholders; and issue scrip in registered or bearer form entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough scrip to equal a full share Corporation or of its agent, but such scrip shall not entitle the holder to any rights of a shareholder except as therein provided.

SECTION 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any certificate, theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may require the owner of any lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify, or otherwise indemnify, the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.

ARTICLE IX

Dividends

Subject always to the provisions of law and the Charter, the Board of Directors shall have full power to determine whether any, and, if any, what part of any, funds legally available for the payment of dividends shall be declared as dividends and paid to eligible shareholders; the division of the whole or any part of such funds of the Corporation shall rest wholly within the lawful discretion of the Board of Directors, and it shall not be required at any time, against such discretion, to divide or pay any part of such funds among or to the shareholders as dividends or otherwise; and before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, thinks proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

ARTICLE X

Ratification

Any transaction, questioned in any lawsuit on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, or the application of improper principles or practices of accounting, may be ratified before or after judgment by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned transaction had been originally duly authorized. Such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned transaction.

ARTICLE XI

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed, and shall be subject to change, by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise fixed by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the Sunday closest to December 31st.


ARTICLE XII

Waiver of Notice

Whenever notice is required to be given by these Bylaws or by the Charter or by law, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when such person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any waiver of notice shall be filed with the minutes of the corporate records.

ARTICLE XIII

Bank Accounts, Drafts, Contracts, Etc.

SECTION 1. Bank Accounts and Drafts . In addition to such bank accounts as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, the primary financial officer or any person designated by said primary financial officer, whether or not an employee of the Corporation, may authorize such bank accounts to be opened or maintained in the name and on behalf of the Corporation as he or she may deem necessary or appropriate, payments from such bank accounts to be made upon and according to the check of the Corporation in accordance with the written instructions of said primary financial officer, or other person so designated by such primary financial officer.

SECTION 2. Contracts . The Board of Directors may authorize any person or persons, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to enter into or execute and deliver any and all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts and other obligations or instruments, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

SECTION 3. Proxies; Powers of Attorney; Other Instruments . The Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, the President or any other person designated by either of them shall have the power and authority to execute and deliver proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments on behalf of the Corporation in connection with the rights and powers incident to the ownership of stock by the Corporation. The Chairperson, the President or any other person authorized by proxy or power of attorney executed and delivered by either of them on behalf of the Corporation may attend and vote at any meeting of shareholders of any company in which the Corporation may hold stock, and may exercise on behalf of the Corporation any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock at any such meeting, or otherwise as specified in the proxy or power of attorney so authorizing any such person. The Board of Directors, from time to time, may confer like powers upon any other person.

SECTION 4. Financial Reports . The Board of Directors may appoint the primary financial officer or other fiscal officer or any other officer to cause to be prepared and furnished to shareholders entitled thereto any special financial notice and/or financial statement, as the case may be, which may be required by any provision of law.

ARTICLE XIV

Amendments

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, subject to any limitations contained elsewhere in the Charter or these Bylaws, these Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, and any Bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2 / 3 percent of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that no provision of the Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed which shall interpret or qualify, or impair or impede the implementation of any provision of the Charter or which is otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of the Charter. Any inconsistency between these Bylaws and the Charter shall be construed in favor of the Charter.


ARTICLE XV

Miscellaneous

When used in these Bylaws and when permitted by applicable law, the terms “written” and “in writing” shall include any “electronic transmission,” as defined in Section 48-11-202 of the TBCA, including without limitation any telegram, cablegram, facsimile transmission and communication by electronic mail, and “address” shall include the recipient’s electronic address for such purposes.

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.

AND

J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.

DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     2   

Section 1.1

   Definitions      2   

Section 1.2

   General Interpretive Principles      9   

ARTICLE II THE PRE-DISTRIBUTION TRANSACTIONS

     9   

Section 2.1

   Restructuring, Recapitalization and other Transactions      9   

Section 2.2

   The Separation and Related Transactions      10   

Section 2.3

   Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Pre-Distribution Transactions      11   

ARTICLE III THE DISTRIBUTION

     12   

Section 3.1

   Actions Prior to the Distribution      12   

Section 3.2

   The Distribution      13   

Section 3.3

   Conditions to Distribution      14   

ARTICLE IV SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION; RELEASE

     15   

Section 4.1

   Survival of Agreements      15   

Section 4.2

   Indemnification by Jax      15   

Section 4.3

   Indemnification by Fnf      16   

Section 4.4

   Insurance      17   

Section 4.5

   Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims      17   

Section 4.6

   Procedures for Indemnification of Non-Third Party Claims      19   

Section 4.7

   Survival of Indemnities      19   

Section 4.8

   Remedies Cumulative      19   

Section 4.9

   Ancillary Agreements      19   

Section 4.10

   Mutual Release      19   

ARTICLE V ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS

     21   

Section 5.1

   Tax Matters Agreement      21   

Section 5.2

   Management Consulting Agreement      21   

Section 5.3

   Restructuring Documents      21   

ARTICLE VI CERTAIN ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

     22   

Section 6.1

   Consents for Business      22   

Section 6.2

   Additional Consents      22   

Section 6.3

   Further Assurances      22   

Section 6.4

   Future Activities      23   

Section 6.5

   Insurance Matters      23   

ARTICLE VII ACCESS TO INFORMATION

     26   

Section 7.1

   Agreement for Exchange of Information      26   

Section 7.2

   Ownership of Information      27   

 

   i    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


Section 7.3

   Compensation for Providing Information      27   

Section 7.4

   Record Retention      27   

Section 7.5

   Limitation of Liability      27   

Section 7.6

   Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information      28   

Section 7.7

   Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation      28   

Section 7.8

   Confidentiality      29   

Section 7.9

   Privileged Information      31   

ARTICLE VIII NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES

     31   

Section 8.1

   No Representations or Warranties      31   

ARTICLE IX TERMINATION

     32   

Section 9.1

   Termination      32   

Section 9.2

   Effect of Termination      32   

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

     32   

Section 10.1

   Complete Agreement; Representations      32   

Section 10.2

   Costs and Expenses      33   

Section 10.3

   Governing Law      33   

Section 10.4

   Notices      33   

Section 10.5

   Amendment, Modification or Waiver      34   

Section 10.6

   No Assignment; Binding Effect; No Third Party Beneficiaries      34   

Section 10.7

   Counterparts      35   

Section 10.8

   Dispute Resolution      35   

Section 10.9

   Specific Performance      35   

Section 10.10

   Forum      35   

Section 10.11

   Waiver of Jury Trial      36   

Section 10.12

   Interpretation      36   

Section 10.13

   Severability      36   

Section 10.14

   No Set-Off      36   

 

EXHIBITS

  

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of JAX

     Exhibit A   

Amended and Restated Bylaws of JAX

     Exhibit B   

Form of Tax Matters Agreement

     Exhibit C   

Form of Management Consulting Agreement

     Exhibit D   

SCHEDULES

  

Surviving FNF Group and JAX Group Agreements

     Schedule 2.3(b)   

Transaction Expenses

     Schedule 10.2   

 

   ii    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 16, 2015, by and between FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ FNF ”), and J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC., a Tennessee corporation (“ JAX ” and, together with FNF, the “ Parties ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of FNF determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of FNF to separate the JAX Business (as defined below) and the FNF Business (as defined below) into two independent companies (the “ Separation ”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (as defined below), to provide greater flexibility for the management, capital requirements and growth of the JAX Business while ensuring that FNF can allocate appropriate time and resources on the development of the FNF Business;

WHEREAS, to effect the Separation, JAX (as defined below) intends to retain ownership and possession of all JAX Assets (as defined below) and FNF intends to retain ownership and possession of all FNF Assets (as defined below);

WHEREAS, to further effect the Separation, JAX intends to remain solely liable for all JAX Liabilities (as defined below) and FNF intends to remain solely liable for all FNF Liabilities (as defined below);

WHEREAS, to further effect the Separation, and as an integral part thereof, FNF intends to cause the Restructuring (as defined below) to occur before the Separation;

WHEREAS, following the Restructuring and the Separation, FNF intends to distribute on a pro rata basis to holders of issued and outstanding shares of FNFV Group common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“ FNFV Common Stock ”), other than shares of FNFV Common Stock held in the treasury of FNF, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of JAX, par value $.001 per share (the “ JAX Common Stock ”) owned by FNF, by means of a dividend of the JAX Common Stock to FNF’s stockholders (the “ Distribution ”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Parties that, for United States federal income tax purposes, that the Restructuring and Distribution are together intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganizations off pursuant to Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of FNF (i) determined that the Restructuring, the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (as defined below) are in furtherance of and consistent with its business strategy and are in the best interests of FNF and (ii) approved this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements;

 

   1    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


WHEREAS, the Restructuring, the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be consummated in the order and in the manner agreed by the Parties; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate and desirable to set forth in this Agreement the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Separation and the Distribution and certain other agreements that will govern certain matters relating to these transactions and the relationship of FNF and JAX and their respective Subsidiaries (as defined below) following the Distribution.

AGREEMENTS

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined) set forth below:

Action ” means any claim, demand, action, cause of action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, litigation, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal or authority.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person; provided , however , that for purposes of this Agreement, no member of either Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the other Group. As used herein, “ control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such entity, whether through ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement ” means this Separation and Distribution Agreement, as the same may be modified, amended, restated or otherwise supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

Ancillary Agreements ” means the Management Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Restructuring Documents and any other instruments, assignments, documents and agreements executed in connection with the implementation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Asset ” means any right, property, claim or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, of any kind, nature and description, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and wherever situated and whether or not carried or reflected, or required to be carried or reflected, on the books of any Person.

 

   2    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


Balance Sheet ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “JAX Assets.”

Business ” means the JAX Business and/or the FNF Business, as the context requires.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Consents ” means any consents, waivers, notices, reports or other filings to be made, or any registrations, licenses, permits, authorizations to be obtained from, or approvals from, or notification requirements to, any third parties, including any Governmental Authority.

Dispute Escalation Notice ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.8 .

Distribution ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

Distribution Agent ” means Computershare Limited.

Distribution Agent Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(b) .

Distribution Date ” means the date on which the Distribution shall be effected, such date to be determined by, or under the authority of, the Board of Directors of FNF in its sole and absolute discretion.

Effective Time ” means the time at which the Distribution occurs on the Distribution Date.

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

FNF ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

FNF Business ” means all businesses and operations of the FNF Group, other than the JAX Business.

FNF Assets ” means all Assets of the FNF Group other than the JAX Assets.

FNFV Common Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

FNF Group ” means FNF and each Person that will be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of FNF immediately after the Distribution and each Person that is or becomes a member of the FNF Group after the Distribution, including any Person that is or was merged into FNF or any such direct or indirect Subsidiary.

FNF Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.2 .

 

   3    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


FNF Liabilities ” means all Liabilities of FNF, other than the JAX Liabilities.

FNF Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.10(b) .

FNF Releasors ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.10(a) .

FNFV ” means Fidelity National Financial Ventures, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and wholly-owned subsidiary of FNF.

Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, local, foreign or international court, government, department, commission, board, bureau or agency, or any other regulatory, self-regulatory, administrative or governmental organization or authority, including the NYSE.

Group ” means the FNF Group and/or the JAX Group, as the context requires.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.3 .

Indemnifying Party ” means JAX, for any indemnification obligation arising under Section 4.2 , and FNF, for any indemnification obligation arising under Section 4.3 .

Information ” means all information of either the FNF Group or the JAX Group, as the context requires, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including non-public financial information, studies, reports, records, books, accountants’ work papers, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other Software (as defined in the definition of “ Intellectual Property ”), marketing plans, customer data, communications by or to attorneys, memos and other materials prepared by attorneys and accountants or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, legal, employee or business information or data.

Information Statement ” means the information statement and any related documentation distributed to holders of FNFV Common Stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

Intellectual Property ” means all intellectual property and other similar proprietary rights in any jurisdiction, whether owned or held for use under license, whether registered or unregistered, including any and all such rights in and to: (i) trademarks, trade dress, service marks, certification marks, logos, and trade names, and the goodwill associated with the foregoing (collectively, “ Trademarks ”); (ii) patents and patent applications, and any and all divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, continuing patent applications, reexaminations, and extensions thereof, any counterparts claiming priority therefrom, utility models, patents of importation/confirmation, certificates of invention, certificates of registration, design registrations or patents and like rights (collectively, “ Patents ”); inventions, invention disclosures, discoveries and improvements, whether or not patentable; (iii) copyrights, writings and other works of authorship (“ Copyrights ”); (iv) trade secrets (including, those trade secrets

 

   4    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


defined in the Uniform Trade Secrets Act and under corresponding foreign statutory Law and common law), Information, business, technical and know-how information, business processes, non-public information, proprietary information and confidential information and rights to limit the use or disclosure thereof by any Person (collectively, “ Trade Secrets ”); (v) software, including data files, source code, object code, application programming interfaces, databases and other software-related specifications and documentation (collectively, “ Software ”); (vi) domain names and uniform resource locators; (vii) moral rights; (viii) privacy and publicity rights; (ix) any and all technical information, Software, specifications, drawings, records, documentation, works of authorship or other creative works, ideas, knowledge, invention disclosures or other data, not including works subject to Copyright, Patent or Trademark protection; (x) advertising and promotional materials, whether or not copyrightable; and (xi) claims, causes of action and defenses relating to the enforcement of any of the foregoing; in each case, including any registrations of, applications to register, and renewals and extensions of, any of the foregoing with or by any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction.

Inter-Group Indebtedness ” means any intercompany receivables, payables, accounts, advances, loans, guarantees, commitments and indebtedness for borrowed funds between a member of the FNF Group and a member of the JAX Group; provided, that “Inter-Group Indebtedness” shall not include any contingent Liabilities and accounts payable arising pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements, any agreements with respect to continuing transactions between a member of the FNF Group and a member of the JAX Group and any other agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business.

JAX Assets ” means, without duplication:

(i) all of the outstanding shares of all classes of capital stock of (or other equity interests in) JAX Subsidiaries and joint ventures owned (either of record or beneficially) by JAX or a JAX Subsidiary, as of the Effective Time;

(ii) all of the Assets included on the unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of JAX, including the notes thereto, as of June 28, 2015, that is included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement (the “ Balance Sheet ”) to the extent such Assets would have been included as Assets on a consolidated balance sheet of JAX, and the notes thereto, as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet and notes to be prepared) on a basis consistent with the determination of Assets included on the Balance Sheet;

(iii) all other Assets that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Assets being included as Assets on a consolidated balance sheet of JAX, and the notes thereto, as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet and notes to be prepared) on a basis consistent with the determination of Assets included on the Balance Sheet;

(iv) all Assets, if any, expressly contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered to any member of the JAX Group pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements;

(v) the contract rights, licenses, Trade Secrets (as defined in the definition of “ Intellectual Property ”), know-how, and any other rights and Intellectual Property, and any other rights, claims or properties (including any and all rights as an insured party under any FNF insurance policy), in each case of any member of the JAX Group and as of the Effective Time; and

 

   5    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


(vi) all other Assets that are held by any member of the JAX Group as of the Effective Time and that relate primarily to, are used primarily in or held primarily for use in, or otherwise arise primarily from the operation of the JAX Business.

JAX Business ” means the business and operations conducted by the JAX Group from time to time, whether before, at or after the Effective Time, including, without limitation, the business and operations conducted by the JAX Group, as more fully described in the Information Statement.

JAX Bylaws ” means the Bylaws of JAX substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, with such changes as may be agreed to by the Parties.

JAX Certificate of Incorporation ” means the Certificate of Incorporation of JAX substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, with such changes as may be agreed to by the Parties.

JAX Claims ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.10(b) .

JAX Common Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

JAX Group ” means JAX and each Person that will be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of JAX immediately before the Distribution (but after giving effect to the Restructuring) and each Person that is or becomes a member of the JAX Group after the Distribution, including any Person that is or was merged into JAX or any such direct or indirect Subsidiary.

JAX Holdings ” means J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which, following the Restructuring, will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of JAX.

JAX Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.3 .

JAX Liabilities ” means, without duplication:

(i) all outstanding Liabilities included on the Balance Sheet, to the extent such Liabilities would have been included on a consolidated balance sheet of JAX, and the notes thereto, as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet and notes to be prepared) on a basis consistent with the determination of Liabilities included on the Balance Sheet;

(ii) all other Liabilities that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Liabilities being included as Liabilities on a consolidated balance sheet of JAX, and the notes thereto, as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet and notes to be prepared) on a basis consistent with the determination of Liabilities included on the Balance Sheet;

 

   6    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


(iii) all Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from any terminated, divested or discontinued business or operations of the JAX Business;

(iv) all Liabilities expressly assumed by any member of the JAX Group pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements; and

(v) all Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing before, at or after the Effective Time, in each case to the extent such Liabilities relate to, arise out of or result from (w) any JAX Asset, (x) the JAX Business, (y) any service or function used by the JAX Group at shared locations or (z) any service or function performed by any member of the FNF Group for (but not exclusively for) the JAX Business.

JAX Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.10(a) .

JAX Releasors ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.10(b) .

Law ” means any applicable foreign, federal, national, state, provincial or local law (including common law), statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, code or other requirement enacted, promulgated, issued or entered into, or act taken, by a Governmental Authority.

Liabilities ” means all debts, liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, response actions, Losses, damages (whether compensatory, punitive, consequential, treble or other), fines, penalties and sanctions, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, on- or off-balance sheet, joint, several or individual, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising, including those arising under or in connection with any Law, or other pronouncements of Governmental Authorities constituting an Action, order or consent decree of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any contract, guarantee, commitment or undertaking, whether sought to be imposed by a Governmental Authority, private party, or a Party, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, or otherwise, and including any costs, expenses, interest, attorneys’ fees, disbursements and expense of counsel, expert and consulting fees, fees of third party administrators, and costs related thereto or to the investigation or defense thereof.

Loss ” means any claim, demand, complaint, damage, loss, obligation, liability, cost or expense arising out of, relating to or in connection with any Action, including reasonable attorney’s, accountant’s, consultant’s and expert’s fees and expenses.

Management Agreement ” means the Management Consulting Agreement to be entered into between Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC and JAX Holdings, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, with such changes as may be agreed to by the Parties.

Management Co. ” means Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC, a Deleware limited liability company.

 

   7    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


NewCo ” means initially, a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of FNFV organized solely for the purpose of holding a 1% membership interest in JAX Holdings in connection with the Restructuring, which following the Restructuring will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of JAX.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company or partnership, joint stock company, joint venture, association, trust, bank, trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, and any Governmental Authority.

Pre-Distribution Transactions ” means, collectively, the Restructuring and the Separation.

Privileged Information ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.9(a) .

Recapitalization ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1(b) .

Record Date ” means the date to be determined by the Board of Directors of FNF in its sole and absolute discretion as the record date for determining the holders of FNFV Common Stock entitled to receive shares of JAX Common Stock pursuant to the Distribution.

Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form 10 of JAX relating to the registration under the Exchange Act of the JAX Common Stock, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

Related Claims ” means a claim or claims against an FNF insurance policy made by each of FNF and/or its insured parties, on the one hand, or JAX and/or its insured parties, on the other hand, filed in connection with Losses suffered by each of FNF and JAX arising out of the same underlying transaction, transactions, event or events.

Restructuring ” means, collectively, (i) the transfer by FNFV to NewCo of a 1% membership interest in JAX Holdings, (ii) the transfer by FNFV to JAX of its entire interest in NewCo, (iii) the contribution by all member of JAX Holdings, other than NewCo, of their membership interests in JAX Holdings to JAX, in exchange for shares of JAX Common Stock, and (iv) the distribution by FNFV to FNF of all of FNFV’s shares of JAX Common Stock.

Restructuring Documents ” means, collectively, the contracts, agreements, arrangements, certificates, instruments, Consents and other documents to be entered into, approved, authorized, confirmed and/or ratified, by the respective parties thereto, to implement or effect the Restructuring in the manner contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise relating to, arising out of or resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Restructuring, in each case in such form or forms and with such changes as may be agreed to by the Parties.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

   8    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


Separation ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which such first Person (either alone or through or together with any other Subsidiary of such first Person) owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the stock or other equity interests the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of such other Person.

Tax Matters Agreement ” means the Tax Matters Agreement to be entered into between FNF and JAX, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C , with such changes as may be agreed to by the Parties.

Third Party Claim ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.5(a) .

Transaction Expenses ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.2 .

Section 1.2 General Interpretive Principles . (a) Words in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and words of one gender shall include the other gender, in each case, as the context requires, (b) the words “ hereof ,” “ herein ,” “ hereunder ,” and “ herewith ” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and references to Article, Section, paragraph, Exhibit and Schedule are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (c) the word “ including ” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified and (d) any reference to any federal, state, local or non-U.S. statute or Law shall be deemed to also refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in each case as amended from time to time, unless the context otherwise requires.

ARTICLE II

THE PRE-DISTRIBUTION TRANSACTIONS

Section 2.1 Restructuring, Recapitalization and other Transactions . On or before the Distribution Date (but in all events, before the Distribution), and subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 2.3 :

(a) the Parties shall effect the Restructuring;

(b) following the Restructuring, the JAX Common Stock shall be recapitalized (the “ Recapitalization ”) such that the number of shares of JAX Common Stock issued and outstanding and owned by FNF immediately before the Effective Time shall be in an amount calculated on the basis of the following: approximately 0.17271 shares of JAX Common Stock for each share of FNFV Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately before the Distribution (excluding shares held in the treasury of FNF).

 

   9    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


Section 2.2 The Separation and Related Transactions .

(a) (i) The Parties acknowledge that the Separation, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and of the Ancillary Agreements, will result in (A) JAX directly or indirectly operating the JAX Group and the JAX Business, owning all of the JAX Assets and being liable for all of the JAX Liabilities and (B) FNF directly or indirectly operating the FNF Group and the FNF Business, owning all of the FNF Assets and being liable for all of the FNF Liabilities. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 2.2(a)(i) shall not apply to any Assets or Liabilities contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, licensed, delivered and/or assumed under any Ancillary Agreement, which shall be governed by the terms thereof.

(ii) Subject to any Ancillary Agreement and to the extent that before the Effective Time, (A) any member of the FNF Group owns or is in possession of any JAX Asset or any member of the JAX Group owns or is in possession of any FNF Asset or (B) any member of the FNF Group is liable to any third party for any JAX Liability or any member of the JAX Group is liable to any third party for any FNF Liability, FNF and JAX shall, and shall cause the respective members of their Groups to, cooperate and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the necessary Consents to, and shall, contribute, assign, transfer, convey and/or deliver any FNF Asset or JAX Asset, as the case may be, and/or assume any FNF Liability or JAX Liability, as the case may be, such that, on or before the Effective Time, JAX or a member of the JAX Group owns and is in possession of the JAX Assets and is solely liable for the JAX Liabilities and FNF or a member of the FNF Group owns and is in possession of the FNF Assets and is solely liable for the FNF Liabilities.

(b) Termination of Certain Agreements . All contracts, licenses, agreements, commitments or other arrangements, formal or informal, between any member of the FNF Group, on the one hand, (i) and any member of the JAX Group, on the other hand, or (ii) guarantying any obligation of any member of the JAX Group, on the other hand, in each case in existence on or before the Distribution Date, shall be automatically settled, cancelled, assigned, assumed or terminated by the Parties at the Effective Time, except (A) for (x) such agreements specifically set forth on Schedule 2.3(b) attached hereto, (y) this Agreement and (z) each Ancillary Agreement (including each other agreement or instrument expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to be entered into by any of the Parties, any of the members of their respective Groups or any other Person), (B) for any contracts, licenses, agreements, commitments or other arrangements to which any Person is a party in addition to either Party or any member of either Group, or (C) as otherwise agreed to in good faith by the Parties in writing on or after the date hereof. From and after the Distribution Date, no member of either Group shall have any rights or obligations under any such settled, cancelled, assigned, assumed or terminated contract, license, agreement, commitment or arrangement with any member of the other Group.

(c) Settlement of Inter-Group Indebtedness . Except with respect to the agreements specifically set forth on Schedule 2.3(b) , the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to settle all amounts payable in connection with any Inter-Group Indebtedness (if any) on or before the Distribution Date.

 

   10    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


(d) Guaranteed Obligations .

(i) FNF and JAX shall cooperate, and shall cause their respective Groups to cooperate, to terminate, or to cause a member of the JAX Group to be substituted in all respects for any member of the FNF Group in respect of, all obligations of such member of the FNF Group under any JAX Liability for which such member of the FNF Group may be liable, as guarantor, original tenant, primary obligor or otherwise. If such termination or substitution is not effected by the Distribution Date, (A) JAX shall indemnify and hold harmless the relevant FNF Indemnified Party for any Liability arising from or relating thereto, and (B) without the prior written consent of FNF, from and after the Distribution Date, JAX shall not, and shall not permit any member of the JAX Group to, amend, renew or extend the term of, increase its obligations under, or transfer to a third Person, any loan, lease, contract or other obligation for which any member of the FNF Group is or may be liable, unless all obligations of the FNF Group with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to FNF.

(ii) FNF and JAX shall cooperate, and shall cause their respective Groups to cooperate, to terminate, or to cause a member of the FNF Group to be substituted in all respects for any member of the JAX Group in respect of, all obligations of such member of the JAX Group under any FNF Liability for which such member of the JAX Group may be liable, as guarantor, original tenant, primary obligor or otherwise. If such termination or substitution is not effected by the Distribution Date, (A) FNF shall indemnify and hold harmless the relevant JAX Indemnified Party for any Liability arising from or relating thereto and (B) without the prior written consent of JAX, from and after the Distribution Date, FNF shall not, and shall not permit any member of the FNF Group to, amend, renew or extend the term of, increase its obligations under, or transfer to a third Person, any loan, lease, contract or other obligation for which any member of the JAX Group is or may be liable, unless all obligations of the JAX Group with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to JAX.

Section 2.3 Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Pre-Distribution Transactions . The obligations of the Parties to consummate each of the Pre-Distribution Transactions is subject to the prior or simultaneous satisfaction, or waiver by FNF in its sole and absolute discretion, of each of the following conditions:

(a) final approval of each of the Pre-Distribution Transactions shall have been given by the Board of Directors of FNF in its sole and absolute discretion; and

(b) each of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the Distribution set forth in Section 3.3 hereof (other than Section 3.3(j) ) shall have been satisfied or waived by FNF in its sole and absolute discretion.

Each of the foregoing conditions is for the benefit of FNF and FNF may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to waive any such condition. Any determination made by FNF before any of the Pre-Distribution Transactions concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in this Section 2.3 shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties.

 

   11    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


ARTICLE III

THE DISTRIBUTION

Section 3.1 Actions Prior to the Distribution . Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3 , the actions set forth in this Section 3.1 shall be taken before the Distribution Date.

(a) The Board of Directors of FNF shall establish the Distribution Date and any appropriate procedures in connection with the Distribution. FNF and JAX shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cooperate with each other with respect to the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Information Statement, (ii) cause the Registration Statement to become effective under the Exchange Act and to keep the Registration Statement effective until the Effective Time, and (iii) mail, promptly after effectiveness of the Registration Statement and on or promptly after the Record Date, and in any event before the Distribution Date, to the holders of FNFV Common Stock as of the Record Date, the Information Statement or a notice of the internet availability thereof.

(b) FNF shall enter into a distribution agent agreement with the Distribution Agent (the “ Distribution Agent Agreement ”) providing for, among other things the Distribution to the holders of FNFV Common Stock in accordance with this Article III.

(c) FNF and JAX shall deliver to the Distribution Agent (i) book-entry transfer authorizations for all of the outstanding shares of JAX Common Stock to be distributed in connection with the payment of the Distribution and (ii) all information required to complete the Distribution on the basis set forth herein and under the Distribution Agent Agreement. Following the Distribution Date, upon the request of the Distribution Agent, JAX shall provide to the Distribution Agent all book-entry transfer authorizations of JAX Common Stock that the Distribution Agent shall require to further effect the Distribution.

(d) Each of FNF and JAX shall execute and deliver to the other Party, or cause the appropriate members of its Group to execute and deliver to the other Party, each of the Ancillary Agreements and any other document necessary to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(e) FNF will establish the Record Date and give the NYSE the required notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.

(f) Each Party shall cooperate with the other Party to accomplish the Distribution and shall take any and all actions necessary or desirable to effect the Distribution.

(g) The Parties will take all actions and make all filings as FNF, in consultation with JAX but ultimately in its sole and absolute discretion, determines are necessary or appropriate, to cause the transfer or issuance of all material Consents in order for FNF and JAX to operate their respective Businesses independently of each other in the manner contemplated hereunder and under the Ancillary Agreements. JAX will prepare, file and use commercially reasonable efforts to make effective an application for listing of the JAX Common Stock on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.

 

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(h) FNF shall, in its sole discretion, determine (i) whether to proceed with all or part of the Distribution, (ii) the Distribution Date, (iii) the timing and conditions to the Distribution and (iv) the terms thereof. FNF may, at any time and from time to time before the Effective Time, change the terms of the Distribution, including by delaying or accelerating the timing of the Distribution. FNF shall use good faith efforts to provide notice to JAX of any such change. FNF may select, for itself and for JAX, outside financial advisors, outside counsel, agents and the financial printer employed in connection with the transactions hereunder in its sole and absolute discretion.

(i) FNF and JAX shall take all actions necessary so that the JAX Certificate of Incorporation and the JAX Bylaws shall be in effect at or before the Effective Time.

(j) FNF and JAX shall take all such actions as FNF, in consultation with JAX but ultimately in its sole and absolute discretion, determines are necessary or appropriate under applicable federal or state securities or blue sky laws of the United States (and any comparable Laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection with the Distribution.

Section 3.2 The Distribution . Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3 , the actions set forth in this Section 3.2 shall be taken on the Distribution Date.

(a) FNF shall effect the Distribution by causing all of the issued and outstanding shares of JAX Common Stock beneficially owned by FNF to be distributed to record holders of shares of FNFV Common Stock as of the Record Date, other than with respect to shares of FNFV Common Stock held in the treasury of FNF, by means of a pro rata dividend of such JAX Common Stock to such record holders of shares of FNFV Common Stock, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

(b) Each record holder of FNFV Common Stock on the Record Date (or such holder’s designated transferee or transferees), other than in respect of shares of FNFV Common Stock held in the treasury of FNF, will be entitled to receive in the Distribution, approximately 0.17271 shares of JAX Common Stock for each share of FNFV Common Stock held by such record holder on the Record Date. FNF shall direct the Distribution Agent to distribute on the Distribution Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter the appropriate number of shares of JAX Common Stock to each such record holder or designated transferee(s) of such holder of record.

(c) FNF shall direct the Distribution Agent to determine, as soon as is practicable after the Distribution Date, the number of fractional shares, if any, of JAX Common Stock allocable to each holder of record of FNFV Common Stock entitled to receive JAX Common Stock in the Distribution and to promptly thereafter aggregate all such fractional shares and sell the whole shares obtained thereby, in open market transactions or otherwise at the then-prevailing trading prices, and to cause to be distributed to each such holder, in lieu of any fractional share, such holder’s ratable share of the proceeds of such sale, after making appropriate deductions of the amounts required to be withheld for federal income tax purposes and after deducting an amount equal to all brokerage charges, commissions and transfer taxes attributed to such sale.

 

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(d) Any JAX Common Stock or cash in lieu of fractional shares with respect to JAX Common Stock that remains unclaimed by any holder of record 180 days after the Distribution Date shall be delivered to JAX at its request. JAX shall hold such JAX Common Stock and/or cash for the account of such holder of record and any such holder of record shall look only to JAX for such JAX Common Stock and/or cash, if any, in lieu of fractional share interests, subject in each case to applicable escheat or other abandoned property Laws.

Section 3.3 Conditions to Distribution . The obligation of FNF to consummate the Distribution is subject to the prior or simultaneous satisfaction, or waiver by FNF, in its sole and absolute discretion, of each of the following conditions:

(a) final approval of the Distribution shall have been given by the Board of Directors of FNF, and the Board of Directors of FNF shall have declared the dividend of JAX Common Stock, each such action in its sole and absolute discretion;

(b) the Registration Statement shall have been filed with, and declared effective by, the SEC, and there shall be no stop-order in effect with respect thereto and the Information Statement or a notice of the internet availability thereof shall have been mailed to FNF stockholders;

(c) the actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable federal and state securities Laws of the United States (and any comparable Laws under any foreign jurisdictions) in connection with the Distribution (including, if applicable, any actions and filings relating to the Registration Statement) and any other necessary and applicable Consents from any Governmental Authority shall have been taken, obtained and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted, each as the case may be;

(d) the JAX Common Stock to be delivered in the Distribution shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;

(e) no order, injunction or decree issued by any Governmental Authority or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Pre-Distribution Transactions or the Distribution or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall have been threatened or be in effect;

(f) FNF shall have received a tax opinion from KPMG LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to FNF, to the effect that the Distribution will qualify as a tax-free spin-off under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code;

(g) FNF shall have established the Record Date and shall have given the NYSE not less than ten (10) days’ advance notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act;

 

   14    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


(h) the Distribution will not violate or result in a breach of Law or any material agreement;

(i) all material Consents required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (that are not referred to in Section 3.3(c) ) shall have been received and be in full force and effect;

(j) each of the Pre-Distribution Transactions shall have been consummated in accordance with this Agreement;

(k) the Ancillary Agreements shall have been duly executed and delivered and such agreements shall be in full force and effect and the parties thereto shall have performed or complied with all of their respective covenants, obligations and agreements contained herein and therein and as required to be performed or complied with before the Effective Time; and

(l) the Board of Directors of FNF shall have not determined (in its sole and absolute discretion) that any event or development shall have occurred or exists, or might occur or exist, that makes it inadvisable to effect the Distribution.

Each of the foregoing conditions is for the sole benefit of FNF and FNF may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to waive any such condition. Any determination made by FNF, in its sole and absolute discretion, before the Distribution concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in this Section 3.3 shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties. Each Party will use good faith efforts to keep the other Party apprised of its efforts with respect to, and the status of, each of the foregoing conditions.

ARTICLE IV

SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION; RELEASE

Section 4.1 Survival of Agreements . All covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time.

Section 4.2 Indemnification by Jax . JAX shall indemnify, defend, release and hold harmless FNF, each member of the FNF Group and each of their respective directors, officers and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ FNF Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any and all Losses or Liabilities of the FNF Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following items regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud, misrepresentation or otherwise (without duplication):

(a) the failure of JAX or any other member of the JAX Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any JAX Liability or any contract, agreement or arrangement included in the JAX Assets in accordance with their respective terms, whether arising before, on or after the Distribution Date;

 

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(b) any JAX Liability, any JAX Asset or the JAX Business, whether arising before, on or after the Distribution Date;

(c) any breach by JAX or any member of the JAX Group of this Agreement;

(d) except to the extent set forth in Section 4.3(d) , any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, contained in the Registration Statement or the Information Statement or in any registration statement filed by JAX (or related prospectus) in connection with the Distribution, or in any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, JAX in connection with the marketing of the Distribution; and

(e) the failure by JAX to substitute a member of the JAX Group for any member of the FNF Group as guarantor or primary obligor for any JAX Agreement or JAX Liability according to the terms and conditions of Section 2.2(d)(i) .

Section 4.3 Indemnification by Fnf . FNF shall indemnify, defend, release and hold harmless JAX, each member of the JAX Group and each of their respective directors, officers and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ JAX Indemnified Parties ,” and, together with FNF Indemnified Parties, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any and all Losses or Liabilities of the JAX Indemnified Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following items regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud, misrepresentation or otherwise (without duplication):

(a) the failure of FNF or any other member of the FNF Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any FNF Liability or any contract, agreement or arrangement included in the FNF Assets in accordance with their respective terms, whether arising before, on or after the Distribution Date;

(b) any FNF Liability, FNF Asset or the FNF Business, whether arising before, on or after the Distribution Date;

(c) any breach by FNF or any member of the FNF Group of this Agreement;

(d) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with respect to the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Information Statement, in each case, only to the extent provided in writing by FNF and solely concerning the FNF Group; and

(e) the failure by FNF to substitute a member of the FNF Group for any member of the JAX Group as guarantor or primary obligor for any FNF agreement or FNF Liability according to the terms and conditions of Section 2.2(d)(ii) .

 

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Section 4.4 Insurance .

(a) Each of FNF and JAX shall use its respective commercially reasonable efforts to collect any proceeds under its respective available and applicable third party insurance policies to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled before seeking indemnification under this Agreement, where allowed; provided, however, that any such actions by an Indemnified Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement, including the Indemnifying Party’s obligation to pay directly or reimburse the Indemnified Party for costs and expenses actually incurred by the Indemnified Party.

(b) The amount of any Loss subject to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement will be reduced by any amounts actually recovered (including insurance proceeds or other amounts actually recovered under insurance policies, net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof), whether retroactively or prospectively, by the Indemnified Party from any third Person with respect to such Loss. If any Indemnified Party recovers an amount from a third Person in respect of any Loss for which indemnification is provided in this Agreement after the full amount of such indemnifiable Loss has been paid by an Indemnifying Party or after an Indemnifying Party has made a payment of such indemnifiable Loss and the amount received from the third Person exceeds the remaining unpaid balance of such indemnifiable Loss, then the Indemnified Party will promptly remit to the Indemnifying Party the excess (if any) of (i) the sum of the amount previously paid by such Indemnifying Party in respect of such indemnifiable Loss plus the amount received by such Indemnified Party from such third Person in respect of such indemnifiable Loss (after deducting any costs and expenses that have not yet been paid or reimbursed by the Indemnifying Party), minus (ii) the full amount of such indemnifiable Loss. An insurer or other third Person who would otherwise be obligated to pay any Loss shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto by virtue of the indemnification provisions hereof or, solely by virtue of the indemnification provisions hereof, have any subrogation rights with respect thereto, it being understood and agreed that no insurer or any third Person shall be entitled to a “windfall” (i.e., a benefit it would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the indemnification provisions) by virtue of the indemnification provisions hereof.

Section 4.5 Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims .

(a) If an Indemnified Party shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by any Person who is not a member of the FNF Group or the JAX Group of any claim, or of the commencement by any such Person of any Action, with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 , or any other Section of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than the Tax Matters Agreement) (collectively, a “ Third Party Claim ”), such Indemnified Party shall give such Indemnifying Party prompt written notice thereof and, in any event, within ten (10) days after such Indemnified Party received notice of such Third Party Claim. Any such notice shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail, including, if known, the amount of the Liability for which indemnification may be available. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of any Indemnified Party or other Person to give notice as provided in this Section 4.5(a) shall not relieve the related Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article IV, except to the extent that such Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice.

 

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(b) An Indemnifying Party may elect (but is not required) to assume the defense of and defend, at such Indemnifying Party’s own expense and by such Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, any Third Party Claim. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of notice from an Indemnified Party in accordance with Section 4.5(a) (or sooner, if the nature of such Third Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnified Party of its election whether the Indemnifying Party will assume control of the defense of such Third Party Claim, which election shall specify any reservations or exceptions. If, in such notice, the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be the expense solely of such Indemnified Party.

(c) If, in such notice, an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending a Third Party Claim, or fails to notify an Indemnified Party of its election as provided in Section 4.5(b) , such Indemnified Party may defend such Third Party Claim at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party (subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement).

(d) The Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to compromise or settle a Third Party Claim the defense of which it shall have assumed pursuant to Section 4.5(b) except with the consent of the Indemnified Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). Any such settlement or compromise made or caused to be made of a Third Party Claim in accordance with this Article IV shall be binding on the Indemnified Party in the same manner as if a final judgment or decree had been entered by a court of competent jurisdiction in the amount of such settlement or compromise. For the avoidance of doubt, the Indemnified Party’s failure to consent to any such settlement or compromise shall be deemed unreasonable if such settlement or compromise (1) provides for an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from Liability with respect to such Third Party Claim and (2) does not require the Indemnified Party to make any payment that is not fully indemnified under this Agreement or to be subject to any non-monetary remedy. If the Indemnified Party unreasonably withholds a consent required by this Section 4.5(d) to the terms of a compromise or settlement of a Third Party Claim proposed to the Indemnified Party by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party’s obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Party for such Third Party Claim (if applicable) shall not exceed the total amount that had been proposed in such compromise or settlement offer plus the amount of all expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party with respect to such Third Party Claim through the date on which such consent was requested.

(e) In the event of payment by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnified Party in connection with any Third Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnified Party as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnified Party may have any right, defense or claim relating to such Third Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third Party Claim or against any other Person. Such Indemnified Party shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right, defense or claim.

 

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(f) The provisions of Section 4.2 through Section 4.6 shall not apply to matters that are governed by the Tax Matters Agreement.

Section 4.6 Procedures for Indemnification of Non-Third Party Claims . Any claim with respect to a Liability that does not result from a Third Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of thirty (30) days after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond in writing within such 30-day period, such Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have agreed to accept responsibility to make payment. If such Indemnifying Party (a) does not respond within such 30-day period or (b) rejects such claim in whole or in part and does not deliver a Dispute Escalation Notice pursuant to Section 10.8 within such 30-day period, then, in either case, such Indemnified Party shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such Party as contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.7 Survival of Indemnities . The rights and obligations of each of FNF and JAX and their respective Indemnified Parties under this Article IV shall survive the sale or other transfer by any Party of any of its Assets or Businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities.

Section 4.8 Remedies Cumulative . The remedies provided in this Article IV shall be cumulative and shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnified Party of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party; provided, that the procedures set forth in this Article IV shall be the exclusive procedures governing any indemnity action brought under this Agreement.

Section 4.9 Ancillary Agreements . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any Ancillary Agreement contains any indemnification obligation relating to any FNF Liability, FNF Asset, JAX Liability or JAX Asset contributed, assumed, retained, transferred, delivered or conveyed pursuant to such Ancillary Agreement, the indemnification obligations contained herein shall not apply to such FNF Liability, FNF Asset, JAX Liability or JAX Asset and instead the indemnification obligations set forth in such Ancillary Agreement shall govern with regard to such FNF Asset, FNF Liability, JAX Asset or JAX Liability.

Section 4.10 Mutual Release .

(a) Except as provided in Section 4.10(c) , effective as of the Effective Time, FNF does hereby, on behalf of itself and each other member of the FNF Group, their respective Affiliates (other than any member of the JAX Group), successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time before the Effective Time have been stockholders (other than any member of the JAX Group), directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the FNF Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such) (the “ FNF Releasors ”), unconditionally and irrevocably release and discharge each of JAX, the other members of the JAX Group, their respective Affiliates (other than any member of the FNF Group), successors and assigns, and all

 

   19    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


Persons who at any time before the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the JAX Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns (the “ JAX Parties ”), from any and all Liabilities existing or arising in connection with the implementation of the Separation (the “ FNF Claims ”); and the FNF Releasors hereby, unconditionally and irrevocably agree not to initiate proceedings with respect to, or institute, assert or threaten to assert, any FNF Claim.

(b) Except as provided in Section 4.10(c) , effective as of the Effective Time, JAX does hereby, on behalf of itself and each other member of the JAX Group, their respective Affiliates (other than any member of the FNF Group), successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time before the Effective Time have been stockholders (other than any member of the FNF Group), directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the JAX Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such) (the “ JAX Releasors ”), unconditionally and irrevocably release and discharge each of FNF, the other members of the FNF Group, their respective Affiliates (other than any member of the JAX Group), successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time before the Effective Time have been stockholders (other than any member of the JAX Group), directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the FNF Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns (the “ FNF Parties ”), from any and all Liabilities existing or arising in connection with the implementation of the Separation (the “ JAX Claims ”); and the JAX Releasors hereby unequivocally, unconditionally and irrevocably agree not to initiate proceedings with respect to, or institute, assert or threaten to assert, any JAX Claim.

(c) Nothing contained in Section 4.10(a) or Section 4.10(b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, nor shall anything contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement be interpreted as terminating as of the Effective Time any rights under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. For purposes of clarification, nothing contained in Section 4.10(a) or Section 4.10(b) shall release any Person from:

(i) any Liability provided in or resulting from this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements (including for greater certainty, any Liability resulting or flowing from any breaches of such agreements that arose before the Effective Time);

(ii) with respect to FNF, any FNF Liability and, with respect to JAX, any JAX Liability;

(iii) any Liability that the Parties may have under Article IV with respect to Third Party Claims;

(iv) any Liability for unpaid Inter-Group Indebtedness (if any); or

(v) any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than a Person released pursuant to this Section 4.10 .

 

   20    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


In addition, nothing contained in this Section 4.10 shall release FNF from honoring its existing obligations to indemnify any director, officer or employee of JAX who was a director, officer or employee of FNF or any other member of the FNF Group on or before the Effective Time, to the extent that such director, officer or employee becomes a named defendant in any litigation involving FNF or any other member of the FNF Group and was entitled to such indemnification pursuant to the then existing obligations of a member of the FNF Group.

(d) FNF shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the FNF Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against JAX or any other member of the JAX Group or any other Person released pursuant to Section 4.10(a) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 4.10(a) . JAX shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the JAX Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against FNF or any other member of the FNF Group or any other Person released pursuant to Section 4.10(b) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 4.10(b) .

ARTICLE V

ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS

Section 5.1 Tax Matters Agreement . All matters relating to taxes shall be governed exclusively by the Tax Matters Agreement, except as may be expressly stated herein or therein. In the event of any inconsistency with respect to such matters between the Tax Matters Agreement and this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement shall govern to the extent of the inconsistency.

Section 5.2 Management Consulting Agreement . All matters relating to the provision of support and other services by the Management Company to the JAX Group after the Effective Time, covered by the Management Agreement, shall be governed exclusively by the Management Agreement, except as may be expressly stated herein or therein. In the event of any inconsistency with respect to such matters between the Management Agreement and this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, the Management Agreement shall govern to the extent of the inconsistency.

Section 5.3 Restructuring Documents . All matters relating to the Restructuring shall be governed exclusively by the applicable Restructuring Documents, except as may be expressly stated herein or therein. In the event of any inconsistency with respect to such matters between the applicable Restructuring Documents and this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, the applicable Restructuring Document shall govern to the extent of the inconsistency.

 

   21    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


ARTICLE VI

CERTAIN ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

Section 6.1 Consents for Business . After the Effective Time, each Party shall cause the appropriate members of its respective Group to prepare and file with the appropriate Governmental Authorities applications for the transfer or issuance, as each of the Parties determines is necessary or advisable, to its Group of all material Consents required for the members of its Group to operate its Business. The members of the JAX Group and the members of the FNF Group shall cooperate and use all reasonable efforts to secure the transfer or issuance of such Consents.

Section 6.2 Additional Consents . In addition to the actions described in Section 6.1, the members of the FNF Group and the members of the JAX Group shall cooperate to make all other filings and to give notice to and obtain any Consent required or advisable to consummate the transactions that are contemplated to occur from and after the Effective Time by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

Section 6.3 Further Assurances .

(a) Each of the Parties shall use its commercially reasonable efforts, on and after the Distribution Date, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, on and after the Distribution Date, each Party shall cooperate with the other Party, and without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting Party, cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, and make all filings with, and to obtain all Consents, under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument, and take all such other actions as either Party may request to be taken by any other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and, to the extent necessary, (i) the transfer of any JAX Asset from any member of the FNF Group to any member of the JAX Group and the assignment and assumption of any JAX Liability by any member of the JAX Group and (ii) the transfer of any FNF Asset from any member of the JAX Group to any member of the FNF Group and the assignment and assumption of any FNF Liability by any member of the FNF Group, and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; provided that neither Party shall be obligated to make any payment, incur any obligation or grant any concession, other than the payment of ordinary and customary fees to Governmental Authorities.

(c) FNF and JAX, in their respective capacities as direct and indirect stockholders of their respective Subsidiaries, shall each properly ratify or cause to be taken any actions that are reasonably necessary or desirable to be taken by FNF and JAX, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement.

 

   22    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


(d) Each of the Parties shall, and shall cause each of the members of their respective Groups, at the request of the other, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained, any Consent, substitution or amendment required to novate or assign all obligations under agreements, leases, licenses and other obligations or Liabilities of any nature whatsoever that constitute JAX Liabilities or FNF Liabilities, as the case may be, or to obtain in writing the unconditional release of all parties to such arrangements other than any member of either the JAX Group or the FNF Group, as the case may be, so that, in any such case, such Group will be solely responsible for all such Liabilities.

(e) In the event that at any time and from time to time after the Effective Time any member of the FNF Group shall receive or otherwise possess any JAX Asset, FNF shall or shall cause such member of the FNF Group to promptly transfer such JAX Asset to JAX or its Affiliate or designee.

(f) In the event that at any time and from time to time after the Effective Time any member of the JAX Group shall receive or otherwise possess any FNF Asset, JAX shall or shall cause such member of the JAX Group to promptly transfer such FNF Asset to FNF or its Affiliate or designee.

Section 6.4 Future Activities . Following the Effective Time and except as set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, no member of either Group shall have any duty to refrain from (a) engaging in the same or similar activities or lines of business as any member of the other Group, (b) conducting its business with any potential or actual supplier or customer of any member of the other Group or (c) engaging in, or refraining from, any other activities whatsoever relating to any of the potential or actual suppliers or customers of any member of the Group. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, JAX hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the FNF Group, through certain of its Subsidiaries, is currently engaged in the restaurant business, which is or may be directly competitive with the business of the JAX Group, and (ii) the FNF Group shall continue to be permitted to engage in such business following the Effective Time.

Section 6.5 Insurance Matters .

(a) Except as expressly provided herein, JAX acknowledges and agrees, on its own behalf and on behalf of each other member of the JAX Group, that, from and after the Effective Time, neither JAX nor any member of the JAX Group shall have any rights to or under any of FNF’s or its Subsidiaries’ insurance policies, other than any insurance policies acquired before the Effective Time directly by and in the name of a member of the JAX Group or as expressly provided in this Section 6.5 ; provided, however, that JAX shall be entitled to any loss recoveries paid to any member of the FNF Group subsequent to the Effective Time in respect of any insurance claims to the extent related to the JAX Business that were open before the Effective Time less the amount of (i) any liabilities (other than FNF Liabilities) that FNF or its Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any member of the JAX Group) incurred and paid in connection therewith before the Effective Time and (ii) any liabilities incurred by any member of the FNF Group in connection with obtaining such insurance recoveries.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.5(a) , from and after the Effective Time, with respect to losses, damages, wrongful acts or liability incurred before the Effective Time, JAX may access FNF’s insurance policies as follows:

(i) to file claims against FNF’s occurrence policies in effect at or before the Effective Time for losses based on covered injuries occurring at or before the Effective Time; and

(ii) to file claims against FNF’s claims made policies in force at the time the claim is made if the act giving rise to the claim occurred before the Effective Time;

provided, however, that, in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii), such access to, and the right to make claims under such insurance policies, shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable insurance policies, including any limits on coverage or scope, any deductible and other fees and expenses, and shall be subject to:

(A) For so long as JAX may access FNF’s policies, JAX shall report as promptly as practicable claims under all accessed FNF insurance policies directly to the applicable insurance company in accordance with FNF’s claim reporting procedures in effect immediately before the Effective Time and provide copies of such reported claims to FNF’s Treasurer and Corporate Secretary;

(B) JAX shall indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse FNF and its Subsidiaries for any deductibles and self-insured retention incurred by FNF or its Subsidiaries to the extent resulting from any access to, or any claims made by JAX or any of its Subsidiaries under, any insurance policies provided pursuant to Section 6.5(b)(i) and Section 6.5(b)(ii) including any indemnity payments, settlements, judgments, legal fees and allocated claims expenses and claim handling fees, whether such claims are made by JAX, its employees or third Persons;

(C) JAX shall exclusively bear (and FNF shall have no obligation to repay or reimburse JAX or its Subsidiaries for) and shall be liable for all uninsured, uncovered, unavailable or uncollectible amounts of all such claims made by JAX or any of its Subsidiaries under the policies as provided for in this Section 6.5(b) ; and

(D) JAX shall be responsible for, and shall directly pay the applicable third Person, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the filing and prosecution of any claim and the collection of any insurance proceeds related thereto.

(c) Any payments, costs and adjustments required pursuant to Section 6.5(b) and which are incurred and/or paid by FNF shall be billed by FNF to JAX on a monthly basis and payable within 30 days from receipt of invoice. If payment is not made within 60 days of invoice, the outstanding amount will accrue interest from and including the 60th day following the date of the invoice to (but excluding) the date of payment at a rate per annum equal to 10%. If FNF incurs costs to enforce JAX’s obligations herein, JAX agrees to indemnify FNF for such enforcement costs, including attorneys’ fees.

 

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(d) Except as set forth in the proviso to Section 6.5(a) , JAX acknowledges and agrees on its own behalf, and on behalf of each other member of the JAX Group, that neither JAX nor any member of the JAX Group shall have any right or claim against FNF or any of its Subsidiaries for reimbursement, payment or any other obligation arising from any insurance policy covering JAX or any member of the JAX Group, and hereby irrevocably releases, as of the Effective Time, FNF and its Subsidiaries from all of the duties, obligations, responsibilities and liabilities, known or unknown, reported or not reported, imposed upon FNF or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent resulting from, relating to or arising out of any such insurance policy, without recourse to FNF or any of its Subsidiaries.

(e) FNF shall retain the exclusive right to control its insurance policies and programs, including the right to exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy-back or otherwise resolve disputes with respect to any of its insurance policies and programs and to amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs, notwithstanding whether any such policies or programs apply to any JAX Liabilities and/or claims JAX has made or could make in the future, and no member of the JAX Group shall, without the prior written consent of FNF, erode, exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy-back or otherwise resolve disputes with FNF’s insurers with respect to any of FNF’s insurance policies and programs, or amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs. JAX shall cooperate with FNF and share such information as is reasonably necessary to permit FNF to manage and conduct its insurance matters as it deems appropriate.

(f) At the Effective Time, JAX shall have in effect all insurance programs required to comply with law or JAX’s contractual obligations and such other insurance policies as reasonably necessary or customary for companies operating a business similar to JAX’s.

(g) FNF and its Subsidiaries shall have no obligation to secure extended reporting for any claims under any of FNF’s or its Subsidiaries’ claims-made or occurrence-reported liability policies for any acts or omissions by any member of the JAX Group incurred before the Effective Time.

(h) This Agreement shall not be considered as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any member of the FNF Group in respect of any of the FNF insurance policies and programs or any other contract or policy of insurance.

 

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ARTICLE VII

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Section 7.1 Agreement for Exchange of Information .

(a) Each of FNF and JAX, on behalf of its respective Group, agrees to provide, or cause to be provided, to the other Party and its auditors, at any time after the Distribution Date, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor from such other Party, any Information in the possession or under the control of such respective Group (including access to such Group’s accountants, personnel and facilities) that the requesting Party reasonably needs (i) to comply with reporting, disclosure, filing or other requirements imposed on the requesting Party (including under applicable securities Laws) by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the requesting Party (including pursuant to Section 7.1(d) ), (ii) for use in any other judicial, regulatory, administrative or other proceeding or to satisfy audit, accounting, claims, regulatory, litigation or other similar requirements, or (iii) to comply with its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (other than with respect to matters governed by the Tax Matters Agreement, which shall remain subject solely to the terms and conditions set forth therein); provided, however, that in the event that any Party reasonably determines that any such provision of Information could be commercially detrimental to such Party or any member of its Group, violate any Law or agreement to which such Party or member of its Group is a party, or waive any attorney-client privilege applicable to such Party or member of its Group, the Parties shall take reasonable measures to permit the compliance with the obligations pursuant to this Section 7.1(a) in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence. FNF and JAX intend that any transfer of Information that would otherwise be within the attorney-client privilege shall not operate as a waiver of any potentially applicable privilege.

(b) Following the Distribution Date, each Party shall make its employees available during normal business hours and on reasonable prior notice to provide an explanation of any Information provided hereunder.

(c) Until the end of the first full FNF fiscal year occurring after the Distribution Date (and for a reasonable period of time afterwards as required for each Party to prepare consolidated financial statements or complete a financial statement audit for the fiscal year during which the Distribution Date occurs), each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with past practice, to enable the other Party to meet its timetable for dissemination of its financial statements and enable such other Party’s auditors to timely complete their annual audit and quarterly financial statements.

(d) In order to enable the principal executive officer or officers, principal financial officer or officers and controller or controllers of the other Party to make the certifications required of them by Rule 13a-14 under the Exchange Act, within thirty (30) days following the end of any fiscal quarter during which JAX was a Subsidiary of any member of the FNF Group, each Party shall cause its officers or employees to provide the other Party with the certification statements of such officers and employees with respect to such quarter or portion thereof, in substantially the same form and manner as such officers or employees provided such certification statements before the Distribution Date, or as otherwise agreed upon between the Parties. Such certification statements shall also reflect any changes in certification statements necessitated by the Separation, Distribution and any other transactions related thereto.

 

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Section 7.2 Ownership of Information . Any Information owned by one Group that is provided to a requesting Party pursuant to Section 7.1 shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Party. Unless specifically set forth herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such Information.

Section 7.3 Compensation for Providing Information . The Party requesting such Information agrees to reimburse the other Party for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs, if any, of creating, gathering and copying such Information or for providing explanations of Information provided, to the extent that such costs are incurred for the benefit of the requesting Party by or on behalf of such other Party’s Group. Except as may be specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Ancillary Agreement, such costs shall be computed in accordance with the providing Party’s reasonable standard methodology and procedures.

Section 7.4 Record Retention . Except as otherwise required or agreed in writing, or as otherwise provided in the Tax Matters Agreement, each Party shall use its good faith efforts to retain, in accordance with such Party’s record retention practices as in effect from time to time, all significant Information in such Party’s possession or under its control relating to the Business, Assets or Liabilities of the other Party, and, for a period of two (2) years following the Distribution Date, before destroying or disposing of any such Information, (a) the Party proposing to dispose of or destroy any such Information shall use its good faith efforts to provide reasonable prior written notice to the other Party, specifying the Information proposed to be destroyed or disposed of and (b) if, before the scheduled date for such destruction or disposal, the other Party requests in writing that any of the Information proposed to be destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such other Party, the Party proposing to dispose of or destroy such Information shall promptly arrange for the delivery of the requested Information to a location specified by, and at the expense of, the requesting Party; provided, however, that in the event that any Party reasonably determines that any such provision of Information could be commercially detrimental to such Party or any member of its Group, violate any Law or agreement to which such Party or member of its Group is a party, or waive any attorney-client privilege applicable to such Party or member of its Group, the Parties shall take reasonable measures to permit the compliance with the obligations pursuant to this Section 7.4 in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence. FNF and JAX intend that any transfer of Information that would otherwise be within the attorney-client privilege shall not operate as a waiver of any potentially applicable privilege.

Section 7.5 Limitation of Liability . Notwithstanding Article IV, no Party shall have any Liability to the other Party in the event that any Information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement (and not otherwise constituting part of this Agreement, its Exhibits or Schedules), or otherwise in connection with the Separation and the other transactions contemplated hereby, is found to be inaccurate, whether such Information is exchanged or provided before or after the Effective Time, in the absence of willful misconduct by the providing Party. No Party shall have any Liability to the other Party if any Information is disposed of or destroyed after using good faith efforts to comply with its obligations under Section 7.4 with respect to the retention of such Information.

 

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Section 7.6 Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information . The rights and obligations granted under this Article VII are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange or confidential treatment of Information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement. The provisions of Section 7.1 through Section 7.7 shall not apply to matters governed by the Tax Matters Agreement.

Section 7.7 Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation .

(a) Except in the case of an Action by one Party against another Party (which shall be governed by such discovery rules as may be applicable thereto), each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such Person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any Action in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such Action is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder. The requesting Party shall bear all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith.

(b) If an Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or to seek to compromise or settle any Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the Indemnifying Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such Person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with such defense, settlement or compromise, and shall otherwise cooperate in such defense, settlement or compromise.

(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties shall cooperate and consult, and shall cause each member of its respective Group to cooperate and consult, to the extent reasonably necessary with respect to any Actions and any Related Claims with respect thereto.

(d) Without limiting any provision of this Section 7.7 , each of the Parties agrees to cooperate, and to cause each member of its respective Group to cooperate, at the other Party’s sole cost and expense, with the other Party and each member of its respective Group in the defense of any claim that the Business of the other Party or its Group members infringes upon or misappropriates third Person Intellectual Property and shall not acknowledge or concede, or permit any member of its respective Group to acknowledge or concede (i) that the Business of the other Party or its Group members infringes upon such third Person Intellectual Property (ii) or that such third Person Intellectual Property is valid or enforceable, in a manner that would hamper or undermine the defense of such infringement or misappropriation claim.

 

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(e) In connection with any matter contemplated by this Section 7.7 , the Parties will enter into a mutually acceptable joint defense agreement so as to maintain to the extent practicable any applicable attorney-client privilege or work product immunity of any member of any Group.

(f) With respect to any Third Party Claim that implicates both Parties in any material respect due to the allocation of Liabilities or otherwise, or the responsibilities for management of defense and related indemnities pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, the Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate fully and maintain a joint defense (in a manner that will preserve for all Parties any privilege with respect thereto). The Party that is not responsible for managing the defense of any such Third Party Claim shall, upon reasonable request, be consulted with respect to significant matters relating thereto and may, if necessary or helpful, retain counsel to assist in the defense of such claims. Each of FNF and JAX agrees that at all times from and after the Effective Time, if an Action is commenced by a third party naming two (2) or more Parties (or any member of such Parties’ respective Groups) as defendants and with respect to which one or more named Parties (or any member of such Party’s respective Group) is a nominal defendant and/or such Action is otherwise not a Liability allocated to such named Party under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then the other Party or Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such nominal defendant to be removed from such Action, as soon as reasonably practicable.

Section 7.8 Confidentiality .

(a) General . Each Party acknowledges (i) that such Party has in its possession and, in connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements such Party will receive, Information of the other Party that is not available to the general public, and (ii) that such Information may constitute, contain or include material non-public Information of the other Party. Subject to Section 7.8(c) , as of the Distribution Date, FNF, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates, and JAX, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates, agrees to hold, and to cause its and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, third party contractors, vendors, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that such Party applies to its own confidential and proprietary Information pursuant to its applicable policies and procedures in effect as of the Distribution Date, all Information (including Information received and/or obtained pursuant to Section 7.1 ) concerning the other Party (or its Business) and such other Party’s Affiliates (or their respective Business) that is either in its possession (including Information in its possession before the Distribution Date) or furnished by the other Party or the other Party’s Affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, third party contractors, vendors, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, and will not use such Information other than for such purposes as may be expressly permitted hereunder, except, in each case, to the extent that such Information: (i) is or becomes available to the general public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or its Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, third party contractors, vendors, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives in breach of this Agreement; (ii) was available to such Party or its Affiliates or becomes available to such Party or its Affiliates, on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the other Party hereto,

 

   29    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


provided , that, the source of such Information was not bound by a confidentiality obligation with respect to such Information, or otherwise prohibited from transmitting the Information to such Party or its Affiliates by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation; or (iii) is independently generated by such Party without use of or reference to any proprietary or confidential Information of the other Party.

(b) No Disclosure, Compliance with Law, Return or Destruction . Following the Effective Time, each Party agrees not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any Information with respect to the other Party to any other Person, except its directors, officers, employees, agents, third party contractors, vendors, accountants, counsel, lenders, investors and other advisors and representatives who need to know such Information in connection with this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or for valid business reasons relating thereto, and except in compliance with Section 7.8(c) . Each Party shall advise its directors, officers, employees, agents, third party contractors, vendors, accountants, counsel, lenders, investors and other advisors and representatives who have been provided with such Information of such Party’s confidentiality obligations hereunder and that such Information may constitute, contain or include material non-public Information of the other Party. Following the Effective Time, each Party shall, and shall cause, its directors, officers, employees, agents, third party contractors, vendors, accountants, counsel, lenders, investors and other advisors and representatives who have been provided with such Information to, use such Information only in accordance with (i) the terms of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements and (ii) applicable Law (including federal and state securities Laws). Following the Effective Time, each Party shall promptly, after receiving a written request of the other Party, return to the other Party all such Information in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or certify to the other Party that it has destroyed such Information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon), as directed by the other Party; provided , however , that in no event shall either Party be required to destroy any hardware that includes Information if such Information is only accessible to highly skilled computer experts and cannot otherwise be deleted or destroyed without undue cost or effort (provided that such Information will remain subject to the confidentiality protection provisions herein).

(c) Protective Arrangements . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that, following the Effective Time, either Party or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, third party contractors, vendors, accountants, counsel, lenders, investors or other advisors or representatives either determines on the advice of its counsel that it is required to disclose any Information pursuant to applicable Law or the rules or regulations of a Governmental Authority or receives any demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide Information of the other Party that is subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof, such Party shall, if possible, notify the other Party before disclosing or providing such Information and shall cooperate at the expense of the other Party in seeking any reasonable protective arrangements requested by such other Party. In the event that a protective arrangement is not obtained, the Person that received such request (i) may thereafter disclose or provide such Information to the extent required by such Law (as so advised by counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority, without liability therefor and (ii) shall exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to have confidential treatment accorded any such Information so furnished.

 

   30    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


Section 7.9 Privileged Information . In furtherance of the rights and obligations of the Parties set forth in this Article VII:

(a) Each of JAX (on behalf of itself and the other members of the JAX Group) and FNF (on behalf of itself and the other members of the FNF Group) acknowledges that: (i) each member of the JAX Group and the FNF Group has or may obtain Information that is or may be protected from disclosure pursuant to the attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine, the common interest and joint defense doctrines or other applicable privileges (“ Privileged Information ”); (ii) actual, threatened or future Actions have been or may be asserted by or against, or otherwise affect, some or all members of the JAX Group or the FNF Group; (iii) members of the JAX Group and the FNF Group have or may in the future have a common legal interest in such Actions, in the Privileged Information and in the preservation of the protected status of the Privileged Information; and (iv) each of JAX and FNF (on behalf of itself and the other members of its Group) intends that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and any transfer of Privileged Information in connection herewith or therewith shall not operate as a waiver of any applicable privilege or protection afforded Privileged Information.

(b) Each of JAX and FNF agrees, on behalf of itself and each member of the Group of which it is a member, not to intentionally disclose or otherwise intentionally waive any privilege or protection attaching to any Privileged Information relating to a member of the other Group, without consulting with the other.

ARTICLE VIII

NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES

Section 8.1 No Representations or Warranties . EACH PARTY, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND ALL MEMBERS OF ITS GROUP, UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY OTHER ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, (A) NO MEMBER OF THE FNF GROUP, THE JAX GROUP OR ANY OTHER PERSON IS, IN THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT, MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, TO ANY PARTY OR ANY MEMBER OF ANY GROUP IN ANY WAY WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE BUSINESS, ASSETS, CONDITION OR PROSPECTS (FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE) OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER INVOLVING, ANY FNF ASSETS, ANY FNF LIABILITIES, THE FNF BUSINESS, ANY JAX ASSETS, ANY JAX LIABILITIES OR THE JAX BUSINESS, (B) EACH PARTY AND EACH MEMBER OF EACH GROUP SHALL TAKE ALL OF THE ASSETS, THE BUSINESS AND LIABILITIES TRANSFERRED TO OR ASSUMED BY IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF

 

   31    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED, AND (C) EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY APPLICABLE ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, NONE OF FNF, JAX OR ANY MEMBERS OF THE FNF GROUP OR JAX GROUP OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE PRE-DISTRIBUTION TRANSACTIONS OR THE DISTRIBUTION OR THE ENTERING INTO OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY AND EACH MEMBER OF EACH GROUP SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISK THAT ANY CONVEYANCES OF ASSETS SHALL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT OR THAT THE TITLE OF ANY MEMBER OF ANY GROUP TO ANY ASSETS SHALL BE OTHER THAN GOOD AND MARKETABLE AND FREE FROM ENCUMBRANCES.

ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION

Section 9.1 Termination . This Agreement may be terminated by FNF in its sole discretion at any time before the consummation of the Distribution.

Section 9.2 Effect of Termination . In the event of any termination of this Agreement before consummation of the Distribution, neither Party (nor any of its directors or officers) shall have any Liability or further obligation to the other Party; provided , however , that in the event this Agreement is terminated after the consummation of any Pre-Distribution Transaction but before the consummation of the Distribution, JAX shall cooperate in taking any and all such actions requested in good faith by FNF, to unwind such Pre-Distribution Transaction.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1 Complete Agreement; Representations .

(a) This Agreement, together with the Exhibits and Schedules hereto and the other Ancillary Agreements, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.

(b) FNF represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the FNF Group and JAX represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the JAX Group as follows:

(i) each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary to execute, deliver and perform each of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated by such agreements; and

 

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(ii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Person (if such Person is a Party) and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof (assuming the due execution and delivery thereof by the other Party), and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which it is or will be a party is or will be duly executed and delivered by it and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof (assuming the due execution and delivery thereof by the other party or parties to such Ancillary Agreements), except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other Laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

Section 10.2 Costs and Expenses . Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and except with respect to the Transaction Expenses (defined below) set forth on Schedule 10.2 to be borne by JAX, the FNF Group shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (the “ Transaction Expenses ”) to the extent such costs and expenses are incurred on or before the Distribution Date. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or Schedule 10.2 , each Party shall bear its respective Transaction Expenses to the extent incurred after the Distribution Date.

Section 10.3 Governing Law . This Agreement and any dispute arising out of, in connection with or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

Section 10.4 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given only if delivered personally or by facsimile transmission or mailed (first class postage prepaid) to the Parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers:

If to FNF or any member of the FNF Group, to:

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

601 Riverside Avenue

Jacksonville, Florida 32204

Attn: General Counsel

If to JAX or any member of the JAX Group, to:

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

3401 West End Avenue, Suite 260

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Attn: General Counsel

 

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All such notices, requests and other communications will (i) if delivered personally to the address as provided in this section, be deemed given upon delivery, (ii) if delivered by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number as provided in this section, be deemed given upon receipt and (iii) if delivered by mail in the manner described above to the address as provided in this section, be deemed given upon receipt. Any party from time to time may change its address, facsimile number or other information for the purpose of notices to that party by giving notice specifying such change to the other party.

Section 10.5 Amendment, Modification or Waiver .

(a) Prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, supplemented or superseded, in whole or in part, by FNF in its sole discretion by execution of a written amendment delivered to JAX. Subsequent to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or superseded only by an instrument signed by duly authorized signatories of both Parties.

(b) Following the Effective Time, any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the Party that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving such term or condition. No waiver by any Party of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed or construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or condition of this Agreement on any future occasion. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by Law or otherwise afforded, will be cumulative and not alternative.

Section 10.6 No Assignment; Binding Effect; No Third Party Beneficiaries .

(a) Neither this Agreement nor any right, interest or obligation hereunder may be assigned by either Party hereto without the prior written consent of the other Party hereto and any attempt to do so will be void, except that following the Effective Time each Party hereto may assign any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to an Affiliate; provided that any such Affiliate agrees in writing to be bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions contained herein; provided, further, that any such assignment shall not relieve the assigning party of its obligations or liabilities hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign this Agreement without consent in connection with (a) a merger transaction in which such Party is not the surviving entity and the surviving entity acquires or assumes all or substantially all of such Party’s assets, or (b) the sale of all or substantially all of such Party’s assets; provided, however, that the assignee expressly assumes in writing all of the obligations of the assigning Party under this Agreement, and the assigning Party provides written notice and evidence of such assignment and assumption to the non-assigning Party. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement is binding upon, inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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(b) Except for the provisions of Article IV relating to indemnification, the terms and provisions of this Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of each Party hereto and their respective Affiliates, successors or permitted assigns, and it is not the intention of the Parties to confer third party beneficiary rights upon any other Person.

Section 10.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 10.8 Dispute Resolution . In the event that any dispute arises between the Parties that cannot be resolved, either Party shall have the right to refer the dispute for resolution to the chief financial officers of the Parties by delivering to the other Party a written notice of such referral (a “ Dispute Escalation Notice ”). Following receipt of a Dispute Escalation Notice, the chief financial officers of the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such dispute. In the event that the chief financial officers of the Parties are unable to resolve such dispute within fifteen (15) business days after receipt of the Dispute Escalation Notice, either Party shall have the right to refer the dispute to the chief executive officers of the Parties, who shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such dispute. In the event that the chief executive officers of the Parties are unable to resolve such dispute within thirty (30) business days after the date of the Dispute Escalation Notice, either Party shall have the right to commence litigation in accordance with Section 10.10 . The Parties agree that all discussions, negotiations and other Information exchanged between the Parties during the foregoing escalation proceedings shall be without prejudice to the legal position of a Party in any subsequent Action.

Section 10.9 Specific Performance . From and after the Distribution, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Parties agree that the Party or Parties to this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its or their rights under this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that, from and after the Distribution, the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss, that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived, and that any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.

Section 10.10 Forum . Subject to the prior exhaustion of the procedures set forth in Section 10.8 , each of the Parties agrees that, notwithstanding anything herein, all Actions arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (except to the extent any such Ancillary Agreement provides otherwise), or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment arising out of or in connection with the foregoing agreements, shall be tried and determined exclusively in the state or federal courts in the State of Florida, County of Duval, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably submits with regard to any such Action for itself and in respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. Each of the Parties hereby expressly waives any right it may have to assert, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any such Action: (a) any claim that it is not subject to personal jurisdiction in the aforesaid courts for any

 

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reason; (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts; and (c) any claim that (i) any of the aforesaid courts is an inconvenient or inappropriate forum for such Action, (ii) venue is not proper in any of the aforesaid courts and (iii) this Agreement or any such Ancillary Agreement, or the subject matter hereof or thereof, may not be enforced in or by any of the aforesaid courts. Each of the Parties agrees that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such Action in the manner provided in Section 10.4 or any other manner as may be permitted by Law shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.

Section 10.11 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE WAIVER IN THIS SECTION, (B) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVER, (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES SUCH WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS, AGREEMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS HEREIN.

Section 10.12 Interpretation . The Article and Section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement of the Parties and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 10.13 Severability . If any provision or any portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portion of such provision and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. If the application of any provision or any portion of any provision of this Agreement to any Person or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the application of such provision or portion of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby.

Section 10.14 No Set-Off . Each Party’s obligation to pay fees or make any other required payments under this Agreement shall not be subject to any right of offset, set-off, deduction or counterclaim, however arising, including, without limitation, pursuant to any claims under any of the Ancillary Agreements.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

   36    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

 

FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.
By:  

/s/ Raymond R. Quirk

  Name: Raymond R. Quirk
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Lonnie J. Stout II

  Name: Lonnie J. Stout II
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page – Separation and Distribution Agreement]

 

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Schedule 2.3(b)

Surviving FNF Group and JAX Group Agreements

None

 

   38    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement


Schedule 10.2

Transaction Expenses

 

   39    FNF: JAX: Separation and Distribution Agreement

Exhibit 10.2

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.

AND

J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.

DATED SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

 


TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

THIS TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of September 16, 2015, is by and between FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ FNF ”), and J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC. , a Tennessee corporation (“ JAX ”). Each of FNF and JAX is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Party ” and, collectively, as the “ Parties .” Defined terms herein shall have the meanings set forth in Article I hereof.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the board of directors of FNF has determined that it is in the best interests of FNF, its shareholders and JAX for JAX to be a separate publicly-traded company that will operate the JAX Business;

WHEREAS, FNF and JAX entered into the Separation and Distribution Agreement pursuant to which FNF, by and through Fidelity National Financial Ventures LLC (“ FNFV ”), caused FNFV to contribute (i) 1% of the Class A membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC (“ JAX Holdings ”) to the capital of NewCo in exchange for all of NewCo’s shares of its only class of stock (the “ 1% Contribution ”), (ii) 86.44% of the Class A membership interests in JAX Holdings to the capital of JAX in exchange for shares of JAX Common Stock (the “ 86.44% Contribution ”), and (iii) all of the issued and outstanding shares in NewCo to the capital of JAX in exchange for shares of JAX Common Stock (the “ NewCo Contribution ”) (the 1% Contribution, the 86.44% Contribution, and the NewCo Contribution collectively as the “ Pre-Closing Contributions ”);

WHEREAS, Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and all other holders of Class A membership interests in JAX Holdings (other than FNFV, NewCo, and JAX) contributed, contemporaneously with the 86.44% Contribution and NewCo Contribution, their membership interests in JAX Holdings to JAX, in exchange for shares of JAX Common Stock (the “ Minority Contribution ”);

WHEREAS, FNFV distributed to FNF all of FNFV’s JAX Common Stock (the “ FNFV Distribution ”);

WHEREAS, FNF and JAX agreed, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, to cause the distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of issued and outstanding shares of FNFV Group common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“ FNFV Common Stock ”), other than shares of FNFV Common Stock held in the treasury of FNF, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of JAX, par value $.001 per share (the “ JAX Common Stock ”) owned by FNF, by means of a dividend of the JAX Common Stock to the holders of FNFV common stock (the “ Distribution ”);

WHEREAS, JAX has not engaged in activities except those incidental to its formation and in preparation for the Distribution;

 

2


WHEREAS, prior to consummation of the Distribution, FNF has been the common parent corporation of an affiliated group of corporations, within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code, of which JAX is a member;

WHEREAS, the Parties intend that, for federal income Tax purposes, the Pre-Closing Contributions and Minority Contribution will each qualify for nonrecognition treatment under Section 351(a) of the Code, and that the Distribution will qualify as a distribution to which Section 355 of the Code applies; and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to (a) provide for the payment of Tax liabilities and entitlement to refunds thereof, allocate responsibility for, and cooperation in, the filing of Tax Returns, and provide for certain other matters relating to Taxes, and (b) set forth certain covenants and indemnities relating to the preservation of the intended Tax treatment of the Pre-Closing Contributions and the Distribution.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms, conditions, covenants and provisions of this Agreement, each of the Parties mutually covenants and agrees as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.01 General . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1% Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

86.44% Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Affiliated Group ” means an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code, or any other group filing consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Returns under state, local or foreign Law.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Distribution occurs.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Disqualifying Action ” means (i) any breach by JAX or any member of the JAX Group of any representation, warranty or covenant made by them in this Agreement or (ii) any event (or series of events) involving the capital stock of JAX that, in either case, would negate the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions; provided , however , the term “ Disqualifying Action ” shall not include any action required or expressly permitted under any Transaction Document or that is undertaken pursuant to the Pre-Closing Contribution or the Distribution.

 

3


Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Extraordinary Transaction ” shall mean any action that is not in the ordinary course of business, but shall not include any action that is undertaken pursuant to the Pre-Closing Contribution or the Distribution.

Effective Time ” means the time at which the Distribution occurs on the Closing Date.

Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest ” has the meaning ascribed to such term for purposes of Sections 355(d) and (e) of the Code.

Final Determination ” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax for any taxable period, by or as a result of (i) a final decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of competent jurisdiction that can no longer be appealed; (ii) a final settlement with the IRS or other Tax Authority, a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Section 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the Laws of other jurisdictions, that resolves the entire Tax liability for any taxable period; or (iii) any other final resolution, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or the execution of a pre-filing agreement with the IRS or other Taxing Authority.

FNF ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

FNF Group ” means FNF and each Person that will be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of FNF immediately after the Distribution and each Person that is or becomes a member of the FNF Group after the Distribution, including any Person that is or was merged into FNF or any such direct or indirect Subsidiary. The term “FNF Group” does not include any former, current or future holder of JAX Common Stock.

FNFV Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, local, foreign or international court, government, department, commission, board, bureau or agency, or any other regulatory, self-regulatory, administrative or governmental organization or authority, including the NYSE.

Indemnifying Party ” means the Party from which the other Party is entitled to seek indemnification pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.01 .

Indemnified Party ” means the Party that is entitled to seek indemnification from the other Party pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.01 .

Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01 .

Information Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01 .

 

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Information Statement ” means the information statement and any related documentation distributed to holders of FNFV Common Stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service or any successor thereto, including its agents, representatives and attorneys.

JAX ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

JAX Business ” means the business and operations conducted by the JAX Group from time to time, whether before, at or after the Effective Time, including, without limitation, the business and operations conducted by the JAX Group, as more fully described in the Information Statement.

JAX Common Stock ” means all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of JAX, par value $.001 per share.

JAX Group ” means JAX and each Person that will be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of JAX immediately before the Distribution (but after giving effect to the Restructuring) and each Person that is or becomes a member of the JAX Group after the Distribution, including any Person that is or was merged into JAX or any such direct or indirect Subsidiary. The term “JAX Group” does not include any former, current or future holder of JAX Common Stock.

JAX Holdings ” means J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, all of the capital interest in which will be owned, directly and indirectly by JAX after the Restructuring.

KPMG ” means KPMG LLP.

Minority Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

NewCo ” means initially, a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of FNFV organized solely for the purpose of holding a 1% Class A membership interest in JAX Holdings in connection with the Restructuring, which following the Restructuring will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of JAX.

NewCo Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Opinion ” means the opinion of KPMG with respect to certain Tax aspects of the Pre-Closing Contributions and the Distribution.

Ordinary Course of Business ” means an action taken by a Person only if such action is taken in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day operations of such Person.

Party ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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Person ” means any natural person, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company or partnership, joint stock company, joint venture, association, trust, bank, trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, and any Governmental Authority.

Pre-Closing Contributions ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Proposed Acquisition Transaction ” means a transaction or series of transactions (or any agreement, understanding or arrangement, within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7, or any other regulations promulgated thereunder, to enter into a transaction or series of transactions), whether such transaction is supported by JAX management or shareholders, is a hostile acquisition, or otherwise, as a result of which JAX would merge or consolidate with any other Person or as a result of which one or more Persons would (directly or indirectly) acquire, or have the right to acquire, from JAX and/or one or more holders of outstanding shares of JAX capital stock, as the case may be, a number of shares of JAX capital stock that would, when combined with any other changes in ownership of JAX capital stock pertinent for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code, comprise 40% or more of (A) the value of all outstanding shares of stock of JAX as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series, or (B) the total combined voting power of all outstanding shares of voting stock of JAX as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Proposed Acquisition Transaction shall not include (A) the adoption by JAX of a shareholder rights plan or (B) issuances by JAX that satisfy Safe Harbor VIII (relating to acquisitions in connection with a person’s performance of services) or Safe Harbor IX (relating to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7(d). For purposes of determining whether a transaction constitutes an indirect acquisition, any recapitalization resulting in a shift of voting power or any redemption of shares of stock shall be treated as an indirect acquisition of shares of stock by the non-exchanging shareholders. This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and shall be interpreted accordingly. Any clarification of, or change in, the statute or regulations promulgated under Section 355(e) of the Code shall be incorporated in this definition and its interpretation.

Restructuring ” means the Pre-Closing Contributions, the Minority Contribution, and the FNFV Distribution, collectively.

SAG ” has the meaning ascribed to the term “separate affiliated group” in Section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code.

Separation and Distribution Agreement ” means the Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between the Parties dated September 16, 2015.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which such first Person (either alone or through or together with any other Subsidiary of such first Person) owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the stock or other equity interests the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of such other Person.

 

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Tax ” means (i) all taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, or other similar assessments, imposed by any federal, state or local or foreign governmental authority, including income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise, payroll, withholding, social security, value added, real property transfer, intangible, recordation, registration, documentary, stamp and other taxes of any kind whatsoever and (ii) any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto.

Tax Detriment ” shall mean an increase in the Tax liability (or reduction in refund or credit or item of deduction or expense, including any carryforward) of a taxpayer (or of the Affiliated Group of which it is a member) for any taxable period.

Tax-Free Status of the Transactions ” means the qualification of the Pre-Closing Contributions and the Distribution as a transaction in which no gain or loss is recognized within the meaning of Section 351(a) of the Code and a distribution to which Section 355(a) of the Code applies and in which the JAX Common Stock distributed is “qualified property” under Section 355(c) of the Code.

Taxing Authority ” means any governmental authority or any subdivision, agency, commission or entity thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including the IRS).

Tax Item ” shall mean any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, expense or credit, or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing or decreasing any Tax.

Tax Materials ” means (i) the Opinion, (ii) the representation letter from FNF addressed to KPMG supporting the Opinion, (iii) the representation letter from JAX addressed to KPMG supporting the Opinion and (iv) any other materials delivered or deliverable by FNF or JAX in connection with the rendering by KPMG of the Opinion.

Tax Matter ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01 .

Tax Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04 .

Tax Return ” means any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement or document (including any related or supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any information return, or declaration of estimated Tax) supplied or required to be supplied to, or filed with, a Taxing Authority in connection with the payment, determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws relating to any Tax and any amended Tax return or claim for refund.

Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

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Transaction Taxes ” shall mean any Tax Detriment incurred by FNF, JAX or their Affiliates as a result of the Pre-Closing Contributions or the Distribution failing to qualify under Section 351(a) of the Code and a distribution to which Section 355 of the Code applies or corresponding provisions of other applicable Laws with respect to Taxes.

Transfer Taxes ” means all sales, use, transfer, real property transfer, intangible, recordation, registration, documentary, stamp or similar Taxes imposed on the Pre-Closing Contributions or the Distribution. The term “Transfer Taxes” does not include any income tax or any tax in the nature of an income tax (e.g. a tax imposed on net or gross income).

Treasury Regulations ” means the final and temporary (but not proposed) federal income Tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Unqualified Tax Opinion ” means a “will” opinion, without substantive qualifications, of a nationally recognized law firm to the effect that a transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

1.02 Additional Definitions . Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE II

ALLOCATION, PAYMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION

2.01 Responsibility for Taxes; Indemnification .

(a) FNF shall be responsible for and shall pay, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the members of the JAX Group for, all Tax liabilities (and any loss, cost, damage or expense, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, incurred in connection therewith) attributable to (i) any Taxes of the members of the FNF Group paid or filed on a separate company basis or on an Affiliated Group basis; (ii) any Transaction Taxes; and (iii) all Transfer Taxes; except, in each case, for Taxes that arise from or are attributable to a Disqualifying Action.

(b) JAX shall be responsible for and shall pay, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the members of the FNF Group for, all Tax liabilities (and any loss, cost, damage or expense, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, incurred in connection therewith) attributable to (i) any Taxes of the members of the JAX Group not described in Section (a) ; and (ii) any Taxes that arise from or are attributable to a Disqualifying Action.

(c) (If the Indemnifying Party is required to indemnify the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 2.01 , the Indemnified Party (i.e., the Party seeking indemnification) shall submit its calculations of the amount required to be paid pursuant to this Section 2.01 , showing such calculations in sufficient detail so as to permit the Indemnifying Party to understand the calculations. Subject to the following sentence, the Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party, no later than 20 days after the Indemnifying Party receives the Indemnified Party’s calculations, the amount that the Indemnifying Party is required to pay the Indemnified Party under this Section 2.01 . If the Indemnifying Party disagrees with such calculations, it must notify the Indemnified Party of its disagreement in writing within 15 days of receiving such calculations.

 

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(d) For all Tax purposes, the FNF Group and the JAX Group agree to treat (i) any payment required by this Agreement (other than payments with respect to interest accruing after the Effective Time) as either a contribution by FNF to JAX or a distribution by JAX to FNF, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) any payment of interest or non-federal Taxes by or to a Taxing Authority as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise mandated by applicable Law.

(e) The amount of any indemnification payment pursuant to this Section 2.01 shall be reduced by the amount of any reduction in Taxes actually realized by the Indemnified Party by the end of the taxable year in which the indemnity payment is made, and shall be increased if and to the extent necessary to ensure that, after all required Taxes on the indemnity payment are paid (including Taxes applicable to any increases in the indemnity payment under this Section (e) ), the Indemnified Party receives on a net after-tax basis, the amount it would have received if the indemnity payment was not taxable.

2.02 Preparation of Tax Returns.

(a) (FNF shall prepare and timely file (taking into account applicable extensions) all Tax Returns with respect to which it is responsible for any Taxes shown thereon under Section 2.01(a)(i) . FNF shall be entitled to all refunds shown to be due and payable on such Tax Returns.

(b) Unless otherwise required by a Taxing Authority, the Parties agree to prepare and file all Tax Returns, and to take all other actions, in a manner consistent with this Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for all Tax purposes, the parties shall report any Extraordinary Transactions that are caused or permitted to occur as a result of action by JAX or any of its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date after the completion of the Distribution as occurring on the day after the Closing Date pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-76(b)(1)(ii)(B) or any similar or analogous provision of state, local or foreign Law. FNF shall not make a ratable allocation election pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii)(D) or any similar or analogous provision of state, local or foreign Law.

2.03 Payment of Sales, Use or Similar Taxes . All Transfer Taxes, shall be borne solely by FNF. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.03 to the contrary, the Party required by applicable law shall remit payment for any Transfer Taxes and duly and timely file any related Tax Returns, subject to any indemnification rights it may have against the other Party, which shall be paid in accordance with Section 2.01(c). JAX, FNF and their respective Affiliates shall cooperate in (i) determining the amount of such Taxes, (ii) providing all available exemption certificates and (iii) preparing and timely filing any and all required Tax Returns for or with respect to such Taxes with any and all appropriate Taxing Authorities.

 

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2.04 Audits and Proceedings.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if after the Closing Date, an Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates receives any notice, letter, correspondence, claim or decree from any Taxing Authority (a “ Tax Notice ”) and, upon receipt of such Tax Notice, believes it has suffered or potentially could suffer any Tax liability for which it is indemnified pursuant to Section 2.01 , the Indemnified Party shall deliver such Tax Notice to the Indemnifying Party within 10 days of the receipt of such Tax Notice; provided , however , that the failure of the Indemnified Party to provide the Tax Notice to the Indemnifying Party in a timely manner shall not affect the indemnification rights of the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 2.01 , except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by the Indemnified Party’s failure to deliver such Tax Notice in a timely manner. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to handle, defend, conduct and control, at its own expense, any Tax audit or other proceeding that relates to such Tax Notice; provided that, in all events, FNF shall have the right to control any Tax audit or proceeding relating to Transaction Taxes or the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions. The Indemnifying Party shall also have the right to compromise or settle any such Tax audit or other proceeding that it has the authority to control pursuant to the preceding sentence subject, in the case of a compromise or settlement that could adversely affect the Indemnified Party, to the Indemnified Party’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the Indemnifying Party fails within a reasonable time after notice to defend any such Tax Notice or the resulting audit or proceeding as provided herein, the Indemnifying Party shall be bound by the results obtained by the Indemnified Party in connection therewith. The Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party the amount of any Tax liability within 15 days after a Final Determination of such Tax liability.

(b) If after the Closing Date, FNF, JAX or any of their respective Affiliates receive a Tax Notice that could have an impact on a member of the other Group, FNF or JAX, as applicable, shall deliver such Tax Notice to the other Party within 10 days of the receipt of such Tax Notice.

2.05 Amended Returns; Carrybacks. (a) Except as required by law, without the prior written consent of JAX or one of its Affiliates, FNF may not amend any FNF Consolidated Return with respect to any Pre-Closing Period to the extent such amendment materially adversely affects the Tax liability of JAX or any of its Affiliates.

(a) To the extent permitted by applicable Law, neither JAX nor any of its Affiliates shall carry back any federal income Tax Item to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date.

2.06 Refunds. Any refund of federal income Tax received from a Taxing Authority by any member of the FNF Group or the JAX Group with respect to a FNF Consolidated Return shall be the property of the FNF Group, regardless of whether all or any portion of such refund is attributable to any credit or deduction of any member of the JAX Group. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is intended to create a debtor-creditor relationship between the parties, and that no member of the FNF Group shall be treated as receiving any such refund of federal income Tax as an agent or trustee of any member of the JAX Group.

 

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2.07 Earnings and Profits Allocation. FNF will advise JAX in writing of the decrease in FNF earnings and profits attributable to the Distribution under Section 312(h) of the Code on or before the first anniversary of the Distribution.

ARTICLE III

TAX-FREE STATUS OF THE DISTRIBUTION

3.01 Representations and Warranties.

(a) JAX. JAX hereby represents and warrants or covenants and agrees, as appropriate, that the facts presented and the representations made in the representation letter from JAX addressed to KPMG supporting the Opinion are, or will be from the time presented or made through and including the Effective Time and thereafter, true, correct and complete in all respects.

(b) FNF. FNF hereby represents and warrants or covenants and agrees, as appropriate, that the facts presented and the representations made in the representation letter from FNF addressed to KPMG supporting the Opinion any other materials delivered or deliverable by FNF in connection with the rendering by KPMG of the Opinion are, or will be from the time presented or made through and including the Effective Time and thereafter, true, correct and complete in all respects.

(c) No Contrary Knowledge. Each of FNF and JAX represents and warrants that it knows of no fact that may cause the Tax treatment of the Pre-Closing Contributions or the Distribution to be other than the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

(d) No Contrary Plan. Each of FNF and JAX represents and warrants that neither it, nor any of its Affiliates, has any plan or intent to take any action that is inconsistent with any statements or representations made in the Tax Materials.

3.02 Restrictions Relating to the Distribution.

(a) General. Neither FNF nor JAX shall take or fail to take, nor shall FNF or JAX permit any member of their respective Group to take or fail to take, as applicable, any action within its control that would negate the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

(b) Restrictions. Prior to the first day following the second anniversary of the Distribution (the “ Restriction Period ”), JAX:

(i) shall continue and cause to be continued the active conduct of the JAX Business, in each case taking into account Section 355(b)(3) of the Code, in all cases as conducted immediately prior to the Distribution;

(ii) (shall not voluntarily dissolve or liquidate (including any action that is a liquidation for federal income tax purposes);

 

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(iii) shall not (A) enter into any Proposed Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent JAX has the right to prohibit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, permit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction to occur, (B) redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through an Affiliate) any stock, or rights to acquire stock, except to the extent such repurchases satisfy Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30 (as in effect prior to the amendment of such Revenue Procedure by Revenue Procedure 2003-48), (C) amend its certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), or take any other action, whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise, affecting the relative voting rights of its capital stock (including through the conversion of any capital stock into another class of capital stock), (D) merge or consolidate with any other Person or (E) take any other action or actions (including any action or transaction that would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with any representation made in the Tax Materials) that in the aggregate (and taking into account any other transactions described in this Section 3.02(b)(iii) ) would be reasonably likely to have the effect of causing or permitting one or more Persons (whether or not acting in concert) to acquire directly or indirectly stock representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in JAX or otherwise jeopardize the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions; and

(iv) shall not, and shall not permit any member of its SAG to, sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or agree to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose (including in any transaction treated for federal income tax purposes as a sale, transfer or disposition) of assets (including any shares of capital stock of a Subsidiary) that, in the aggregate, constitute more than 30% of the gross assets of JAX or more than 30% of the consolidated gross assets of JAX and members of its SAG. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) sales, transfers, or dispositions of assets in the Ordinary Course of Business, (B) any cash paid to acquire assets from an unrelated Person in an arm’s-length transaction, (C) any assets transferred to a Person that is disregarded as an entity separate from the transferor for federal income tax purposes or (D) any mandatory or optional repayment (or pre-payment) of any indebtedness of JAX (or any member of its SAG). The percentages of gross assets or consolidated gross assets of JAX or its SAG, as the case may be, sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of, shall be based on the fair market value of the gross assets of JAX and the members of its SAG as of the Closing Date. For purposes of this Section 3.02(b)(iv) , a merger of JAX (or a member of its SAG) with and into any Person shall constitute a disposition of all of the assets of JAX or such member.

(c) Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by Section 3.02(b) , during the Restriction Period, JAX may proceed with any of the actions or transactions described therein, if (i) JAX shall first have requested FNF to obtain a private letter ruling from the IRS or an Unqualified Tax Opinion in accordance with Section 3.03(a) to the effect that such action or transaction will not adversely affect the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions and FNF shall have received such a private letter ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it or (ii) FNF shall have waived in writing the requirement to obtain such private letter ruling or opinion. In determining whether such a ruling or opinion is satisfactory, FNF shall exercise its discretion, in good faith, solely to preserve the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions and may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying assumptions or representations used as a basis for the ruling or opinion and the views on the substantive merits.

 

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(d) Certain Issuances of Capital Stock. If JAX proposes to enter into any transaction described under Section 3.02(b) , or, to the extent JAX has the right to prohibit any such transaction, proposes to permit any such transaction to occur, in each case, during the Restriction Period, JAX shall provide FNF, no later than ten (10) days following the signing of any written agreement or other material documentation, including, but not limited to, a letter of intent, with respect to any such transaction, with a written description of such transaction (including the type and amount of JAX capital stock, if any, to be issued in such transaction).

(e) Tax Reporting. Each of FNF and JAX covenants and agrees that it will not take, and will cause its respective Affiliates to refrain from taking, any position on any Tax Return that is inconsistent with the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions.

3.03 Procedures Regarding Opinions and Rulings.

(a) If JAX notifies FNF that it desires to take one of the actions described in Section 3.02(b) (a “ Notified Action ”), FNF shall cooperate with JAX and use commercially reasonable efforts to seek to obtain, as expeditiously as possible, a private letter ruling from the IRS or an Unqualified Tax Opinion for the purpose of permitting JAX to take the Notified Action, unless FNF shall have waived the requirement to obtain such private letter ruling or opinion. JAX shall reimburse FNF for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the FNF Group in obtaining a private letter ruling from the IRS or Unqualified Tax Opinion, as requested by JAX within ten (10) days after receiving an invoice from FNF therefor. If a private letter ruling from the IRS is to be sought, FNF shall apply for such ruling and FNF and JAX shall jointly control the process of obtaining such ruling. In no event shall FNF be required to file any private letter ruling request under this Section 3.03(a) unless JAX represents that (i) it has read such ruling request, and (ii) all information and representations, if any, relating to any member of the JAX Group contained in such ruling request documents are (subject to any qualifications therein) true, correct and complete.

(b) FNF shall have the right to obtain a private letter ruling from the IRS or an Unqualified Tax Opinion deemed by it to be relevant to the Tax-Free Status of the Transactions, at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion. If FNF determines to obtain such ruling or opinion, JAX shall (and shall cause each JAX Affiliate to) cooperate with FNF and take any and all actions reasonably requested by FNF in connection with obtaining such ruling or opinion (including by making any representation or reasonable covenant or providing any materials requested by the IRS or the tax advisor issuing such opinion); provided that JAX shall not be required to make (or cause a JAX Affiliate to make) any representation or covenant that is inconsistent with historical facts or as to future matters or events over which it has no control. In connection with obtaining such ruling, FNF shall apply for such ruling and shall have sole and exclusive control over the process of obtaining such ruling. FNF and JAX shall each bear its own costs and expenses in obtaining a ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion requested by FNF under this Section 3.03(b) .

(c) Except as provided in Sections 3.03(a) and (b) , neither JAX nor any JAX Affiliate shall seek any guidance from the IRS or any other Taxing Authority (whether written, verbal or otherwise) at any time concerning the Restructuring or Distribution (including the impact of any transaction on the Restructuring or Distribution).

 

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ARTICLE IV

COOPERATION

4.01 General Cooperation . The Parties shall each cooperate fully (and each shall cause its respective Subsidiaries to cooperate fully) with all reasonable requests in writing (“Information Request”) from the other Party, or from an agent, representative or advisor to such Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, claims for Tax refunds, Tax proceedings, and calculations of amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, related or attributable to or arising in connection with Taxes of any of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries covered by this Agreement and the establishment of any reserve required in connection with any financial reporting (a “Tax Matter”). Such cooperation shall include the provision of any information reasonably necessary or helpful in connection with a Tax Matter (“Information”) and shall include, at each Party’s own cost:

(a) the provision of any Tax Returns of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, books, records (including information regarding ownership and Tax basis of property), documentation and other information relating to such Tax Returns, including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents relating to rulings or other determinations by Taxing Authorities;

(b) the execution of any document (including any power of attorney) in connection with any Tax proceedings of any of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries, or the filing of a Tax Return or a Tax refund claim of the Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries;

(c) the use of the Party’s commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any documentation in connection with a Tax Matter; and

(d) the use of the Party’s commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any Tax Returns (including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents), documents, books, records or other information in connection with the filing of any Tax Returns of any of the Parties or their Subsidiaries.

Each Party shall make its employees, advisors, and facilities available, without charge, on a reasonable and mutually convenient basis in connection with the foregoing matters.

4.02 Retention of Records . FNF and JAX shall retain or cause to be retained all Tax Returns, schedules and work papers, and all material records or other documents relating thereto in their possession, until 60 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including any waivers or extensions thereof) of the taxable periods to which such Tax Returns and other documents relate or until the expiration of any additional period that any Party reasonably requests, in writing, with respect to specific material records or documents. A Party intending to destroy any material records or documents shall provide the other Party with reasonable advance notice and the opportunity to copy or take possession of such records and documents. The Parties hereto will notify each other in writing of any waivers or extensions of the applicable statute of limitations that may affect the period for which the foregoing records or other documents must be retained.

 

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ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.01 Tax Sharing Agreements . All Tax sharing, indemnification and similar agreements, written or unwritten, as between any member of the FNF Group, on the one hand, and any member of the JAX Group, on the other (other than this Agreement and any other Transaction Document), shall be or shall have been terminated no later than the Effective Time and, after the Effective Time, no member of the FNF Group or JAX Group shall have any further rights or obligations under any such Tax sharing, indemnification or similar agreement.

5.02 Interest on Late Payments . With respect to any payment between the Parties pursuant to this Agreement not made by the due date set forth in this Agreement for such payment, the outstanding amount will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate in effect for underpayments under Section 6621 of the Code from such due date to and including the payment date.

5.03 Survival of Covenants . Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms; provided, however, that the representations and warranties and all indemnification for Taxes shall survive until 60 days following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (taking into account all extensions thereof), if any, of the Tax that gave rise to the indemnification; provided, further, that, in the event that notice for indemnification has been given within the applicable survival period, such indemnification shall survive until such time as such claim is finally resolved.

5.04 Termination . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated and the Distribution abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and in the sole discretion of FNF without the prior approval of any Person, including JAX. In the event of such termination, this Agreement shall become void and no party, or any of its officers and directors, shall have any liability to any Person by reason of this Agreement. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties to this Agreement.

5.05 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced under any Law or as a matter of public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties to this Agreement shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

5.06 Entire Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between or on behalf of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

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5.07 Effective Date . This Agreement shall become effective only upon the occurrence of the Distribution.

5.08 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement does not and is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties.

5.09 Dispute Resolution. The Parties shall appoint a nationally-recognized independent public accounting firm (the “ Accounting Firm ”) to resolve any dispute as to matters covered by this Agreement. In this regard, the Accounting Firm shall make determinations with respect to the disputed items based solely on representations made by FNF and JAX and their respective representatives, and not by independent review, and shall function only as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall be required to make a determination in favor of one Party only. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than thirty (30) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm, but in no event later than the Due Date for the payment of Taxes or the filing of the applicable Tax Return, if applicable, and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties. The Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement and, to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, in a manner consistent with the past practices of FNF and its Subsidiaries, except as otherwise required by applicable law. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to render all determinations in writing and to set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such determination. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be paid by the non-prevailing Party.

5.10 Other . Sections 10.3 (Governing Law), 10.4 (Notices), 10.5 (Amendment, Modification or Waiver), 10.6 (No Assignment; Binding Effect; No Third Party Beneficiaries), 10.7 (Counterparts), 10.9 (Specific Performance), and 10.12 (Interpretation) of the Separation and Distribution Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

16


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above by their respective duly authorized officers.

 

FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By  

/s/ Raymond R. Quirk

Name:   Raymond R. Quirk
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By  

/s/ Lonnie J. Stout II

Name:   Lonnie J. Stout II
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

(Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement)

 

17

Exhibit 10.3

J. ALEXANDER’s HOLDINGS, INC.

2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Section 1. Purpose.

This plan shall be known as the “J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan” (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”), its Subsidiaries and its shareholders by (i) attracting and retaining key officers, employees, and directors of, and consultants to, the Company, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates; (ii) motivating such individuals by means of performance-related incentives to achieve long-range performance goals; (iii) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company; (iv) encouraging ownership of stock in the Company by such individuals; and (v) linking such individuals’ compensation to the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Section 2. Definitions.

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) “Affiliate” means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary; (b) any corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its Affiliates; (c) any trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which directly or indirectly controls 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; and (d) any other entity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity interest, and, in the case of (b), (c) and (d), which is designated as an “Affiliate” by resolution of the Committee.

(b) “Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Share Award, Restricted Share Unit, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or any other right, interest or option relating to Shares or other property (including cash) granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

(c) “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award, which shall have been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company, but which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a Participant. For avoidance of doubt, Award Agreements include any employment agreement or change in control agreement between the Company and any Participant that refers to Awards and any letter or electronic mail notifying a Participant that he or she has received an Award.

(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) “Change in Control” means, unless otherwise defined in the applicable Award Agreement, any of the following events:

(i) an event or series of events (other than an offering of Shares to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) by which any person, entity or “group,” within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) under the Exchange Act, other than the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any employee benefit plan thereof, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company;

(ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the


directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the Directors of the Company or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board) shall be, for purposes of this Agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board;

(iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or other business combination of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination; or

(iv) the consummation of a sale, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), other than a sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are “beneficially owned” by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale;

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement, with respect to Awards constituting a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, a Change in Control shall be limited to a “change in the ownership of the Company,” a “change in the effective control of the Company,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company” as such terms are defined in Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations, and (ii) no Award Agreement shall define a Change in Control in such a manner that a Change in Control would be deemed to occur prior to the actual consummation of the event or transaction that results in a change of control of the Company (e.g., upon the announcement, commencement, or shareholder approval of any event or transaction that, if completed, would result in a change in control of the Company).

(f) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

(g) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, or such other committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan. To the extent that compensation realized in respect of Awards is intended to be “performance based” under Section 162(m) and the Committee is not comprised solely of individuals who are “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m), the Committee may from time to time delegate some or all of its functions under the Plan to a committee or subcommittee composed of members that meet the relevant requirements.

(h) “Consultant” means any consultant or advisor who is a natural person and who provides services to the Company or its Affiliates, so long as such person (i) renders bona fide services that are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction and (ii) does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

(i) “Covered Employee” means any Employee who is, or could be, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(j) “Director” means a member of the Board.


(k) “Employee” means a current or prospective officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

(l) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

(m) “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to Shares as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows: (i) if the Shares are listed on any (x) established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (y) national market system or (z) automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; (ii) if the Shares are not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Shares are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or (iii) in the event the Shares are neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Committee in good faith.

(n) “Grant Price” means the price established at the time of grant of an SAR pursuant to Section 6 used to determine whether there is any payment due upon exercise of the SAR.

(o) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is granted under Section 6 of the Plan and that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

(p) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is granted under Sections 6 or 10 of the Plan and is not an Incentive Stock Option, including any Option that was intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and fails to so qualify for any reason.

(q) “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

(r) “Option” means any right granted to a Participant under the Plan allowing such Participant to purchase Shares at an Option Price and during such period or periods as the Committee shall determine.

(s) “Option Price” means the purchase price payable to purchase one Share upon the exercise of an Option.

(t) “Other Stock-Based Award” means any Award granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(u) “Participant” means any Employee, Director, or Consultant who receives an Award under the Plan.

(v) “Performance Award” means any Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.

(w) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political subdivision thereof or other entity.


(x) “Restricted Share” means any Share granted under Sections 7 or 10 of the Plan with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee, in its discretion, may impose.

(y) “Restricted Share Unit” means an Award granted under Sections 7 or 10 of the Plan that is valued by reference to a Share, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of cash, Shares or such other property, as the Committee shall determine, upon the lapse of restrictions as the Committee, in its discretion, may impose.

(z) “Section 16” means Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder and any successor provision thereto as in effect from time to time.

(aa) “Section 162(m)” means Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor provision thereto as in effect from time to time.

(bb) “Shares” means shares of the Class A common stock, $.0001 par value, of the Company.

(cc) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted under Sections 6 or 10 of the Plan that entitles the holder to receive, with respect to each Share encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the amount determined by the Committee and specified in an Award Agreement. In the absence of such a determination, the holder shall be entitled to receive, with respect to each Share encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Share on the date of exercise over the Grant Price applicable to such SAR.

(dd) “Subsidiary” means any Person (other than the Company) of which a majority of its voting power or its equity securities or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

(ee) “Substitute Awards” means Awards granted solely in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.

(ff) “Termination of Service” means:

(i) As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Participant as a Consultant to the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.

(ii) As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Participant who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.

(iii) As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Participant and the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.


The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service; provided , however , that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Committee otherwise provides in the terms of the Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise required by applicable law, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section. For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relations shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Affiliate employing or contracting with such Participant ceases to remain an Affiliate following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).

Section 3. Administration.

3.1 Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board; provided, however, with respect to Awards to Non-Employee Directors, all references in the Plan to the Committee shall be deemed to be references to the Board. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority in its discretion to:

(i) designate Participants;

(ii) determine eligibility for participation in the Plan and decide all questions concerning eligibility for and the amount of Awards under the Plan;

(iii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant and whether such Awards are to be granted singly, in combination, or in tandem;

(iv) determine the number of Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with Awards;

(v) determine the timing, terms, and conditions of any Award, including any restrictions or vesting requirements;

(vi) accelerate the time at which all or any part of an Award may be settled or exercised;

(vii) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances, Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended;

(viii) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property, and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee;

(ix) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any Award shall be canceled, suspended or subjected to additional restrictions, including in connection with any Share ownership guidelines or insider trading policies of the Company;


(x) grant Awards as an alternative to, or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or payable under, other bonus or compensation plans, arrangements or policies of the Company or any Affiliate;

(xi) grant Substitute Awards on such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe, subject to compliance with the Incentive Stock Option rules under Section 422 of the Code and the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code, where applicable;

(xii) make all determinations under the Plan concerning any Participant’s Termination of Service with the Company or an Affiliate, including whether such termination occurs by reason of cause, disability, retirement (each, as may be defined by the Committee from time to time or set forth in an Award Agreement), or in connection with a Change in Control and whether a leave constitutes a Termination of Service;

(xiii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan;

(xiv) to the extent permitted by Section 14.2 and not prohibited by Section 6.2 , amend or modify the terms of any Award at or after grant;

(xv) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent that the Committee shall deem desirable to carry it into effect;

(xvi) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and

(xvii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan, subject to the exclusive authority of the Board under Section 14 hereunder to amend or terminate the Plan.

3.2 Committee Discretion Binding. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company and any Affiliate, any Participant and any holder or beneficiary of any Award. A Participant or other holder of an Award may contest a decision or action by the Committee with respect to such Person or Award only on the grounds that such decision or action was arbitrary or capricious or was unlawful, and any review of such decision or action shall be limited to determining whether the Committee’s decision or action was arbitrary or capricious or was unlawful.

3.3 Delegation. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee’s charter and applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers or managers of the Company or of any Affiliate, or to a Committee of such officers or managers, the authority, subject to such terms and limitations as the Committee shall determine, to grant Awards to or to cancel, modify or waive rights with respect to, or to alter, discontinue, suspend or terminate Awards held by Participants who are not officers or directors of the Company for purposes of Section 16 or who are otherwise not subject to Section 16.


Section 4. Shares Available For Awards.

4.1 Shares Available .

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof, a total of 1,500,000 Shares shall be authorized for grant under the Plan.

(b) If any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited or expire or an Award is settled in cash (in whole or in part), the Shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for Awards under the Plan. In the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from an Award other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right are satisfied by the tendering of Shares (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, the Shares so tendered or withheld shall be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under paragraph (a) of this Section: (i) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the Option Price or to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Option or SAR, and (ii) Shares subject to a SAR that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR on exercise thereof, and (iii) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options. The payment of dividend equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 4.2 , the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 1,000,000 and the maximum aggregate amount that may be paid in cash to any one person during any calendar year with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be $5,000,000; provided , however , that the foregoing limitations shall not apply until the earliest of: (a) the first material modification of the Plan (including any increase in the shares authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 ); (b) the issuance of all of the Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; (c) the expiration of the Plan; (d) the first meeting of shareholders at which members of the Board are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which occurred the first registration of an equity security of the Company under Section 12 of the Exchange Act; and (e) such other date required by Section 162(m). To the extent required by Section 162(m), Shares subject to Awards which are canceled shall continue to be counted against the limits set forth in this Section 4.1(c).

(d) Adjustments . In the event that any dividend (other than a normal, recurring dividend) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares, then the Committee shall in an equitable and proportionate manner as deemed appropriate by the Committee (and, as applicable, in such manner as is consistent with Sections 162(m), 422 and 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder) either: (i) adjust any or all of (1) the aggregate number and class of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan; (2) the number and class of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other property) subject to outstanding Awards, provided that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number; (3) the grant or exercise price per Share with respect to any Award under the Plan; (4) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (5) the limits on the number of Shares or Awards that may be granted to Participants under the Plan in any calendar year; (ii) provide for an equivalent award in respect of securities of the surviving entity of any merger, consolidation or other transaction or event having a similar effect; or (iii) make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award.


(e) Substitute Awards; Future Pre-Existing Plans . Any Shares issued by the Company as Substitute Awards in connection with the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants from any acquired corporation shall not reduce the Shares available for Awards under the Plan or count against any limits set forth in the Plan.

(f) Sources of Shares Deliverable Under Awards . Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury shares or issued Shares which have been reacquired by the Company.

Section 5. Eligibility.

Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be designated a Participant; provided, however, that Non-Employee Directors shall only be eligible to receive Awards granted consistent with Section 10 ; provided further, that any award to an Employee who is a prospective employee or officer shall be conditioned upon such individual becoming an employee or officer of the Company or its Affiliate. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

Section 6. Stock Options; Stock Appreciation Rights.

6.1 Grant . Subject to the provisions of the Plan and other applicable legal requirements, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants to whom Options and SARs shall be granted, the number of Shares subject to each Award, the exercise price and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and SAR. An Option may be granted with or without a related SAR. A SAR may be granted with or without a related Option. The grant of an Option or SAR shall take place when the Committee by resolution, written consent or other appropriate action determines to grant such Option or SAR for a particular number of Shares to a particular Participant at a particular Option Price or Grant Price. The Committee shall have the authority to grant Incentive Stock Options and to grant Non-Qualified Stock Options. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be subject to and comply with Section 422 of the Code, as from time to time amended, and any regulations implementing such statute.

6.2 Price. The Committee in its sole discretion shall establish the Option Price at the time each Option is granted and the Grant Price at the time each SAR is granted. Except in the case of Substitute Awards, the Option Price of an Option, and the Grant Price of an SAR, may not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option or SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as permitted by the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof, the Committee shall not have the power to (i) amend the terms of previously granted Options or SARs to reduce the Option Price of such Options or the Grant Price of such SARs, (ii) cancel previously granted Options or SARs and grant substitute Options or SARs with a lower Option Price or Grant Price than the cancelled Options or SARs, or (iii) cancel previously granted Options or SARs in exchange for a cash payment when the Option Price or Grant Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares (other than in connection with a Change in Control), in each case without the approval of the Company’s shareholders.

6.3 Term. Subject to the Committee’s authority under Section 3.1 and the provisions of Section 6.6 , each Option and SAR and all rights and obligations thereunder shall expire on the date determined by the Committee and specified in the Award Agreement. The Committee shall be under no duty to provide terms of like duration for Options or SARs granted under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to the last sentence of Section 6.4(a) , no Option or SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date such Option or SAR was granted.


6.4 Exercise .

(a) Each Option and SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter. The Committee shall have full and complete authority to determine whether an Option or SAR will be exercisable in full at any time or from time to time during the term of the Option or SAR, or to provide for the exercise thereof in such installments, upon the occurrence of such events and at such times during the term of the Option or SAR as the Committee may determine. An Award Agreement may provide that the period of time over which an Option or SAR, other than an Incentive Stock Option, may be exercised shall be automatically extended if on the scheduled expiration of such Award, the Participant’s exercise of such Award would violate applicable securities law; provided, however, that during the extended exercise period the Option or SAR may only be exercised to the extent the Option or SAR was exercisable in accordance with its terms immediately prior to such scheduled expiration date; provided further, however, that such extended exercise period shall end not later than thirty (30) days after the exercise of such Option or SAR first would no longer violate such laws.

(b) The period during which the right to exercise, in whole or in part, an Option or SAR vests in the Participant shall be set by the Committee and the Committee may determine that an Option or SAR may not be exercised in whole or in part for a specified period after it is granted. Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, any performance criteria, or any other criteria selected by the Committee, and, except as limited by the Plan, at any time after the grant of an Option or SAR, the Committee, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, may accelerate the period during which an Option or SAR vests.

(c) An Option or SAR may be exercised in whole or in part at any time, with respect to whole Shares only, within the period permitted thereunder for the exercise thereof, and shall be exercised by (i) written or electronic notice of intent to exercise the Option or SAR, in such form as the Committee may prescribe, delivered to the Company at its principal office or such other office as the Committee may from time to time direct, (ii) the delivery of such representations and documents as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with applicable law, and (iii) payment in full to the Company at the direction of the Committee of the amount of the Option Price for the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is then being exercised.

(d) Payment of the Option Price shall be made (i) in cash or cash equivalents, (ii) at the discretion of the Committee, by transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the Company of unencumbered Shares previously acquired by the Participant, valued at the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the date of exercise (or next succeeding trading date, if the date of exercise is not a trading date), together with any applicable withholding taxes, such transfer to be upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee, (iii) at the discretion of the Committee, by a cashless (broker-assisted) exercise that complies with applicable laws, (iv) at the discretion of the Committee, by withholding Shares (net-exercise) otherwise deliverable to the Participant pursuant to the Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price or (v) any combination of (i) through (iv). Until the optionee has been issued the Shares subject to such exercise, he or she shall possess no rights as a shareholder with respect to such Shares.

(e) At the Committee’s discretion, the amount payable to the Participant as a result of the exercise of a SAR may be settled in cash, Shares or other property, or any combination thereof. A fractional Share shall not be deliverable upon the exercise of a SAR but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.

(f) An Award Agreement may provide, or be amended to provide, that if on the last day of the term of an Option or SAR, the Fair Market Value of one Share exceeds the Option Price or Grant Price of such Award, the Participant has not exercised the Option or SAR and the Option or SAR has not expired, the Option or SAR shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such day with payment made by withholding Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option or SAR. In such event, the Company shall deliver to the Participant the number of Shares for which the Award was deemed exercised, less the number of Shares required to be withheld for the payment of the total purchase price (in the case of an Option) and required withholding taxes.


6.5 Termination of Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service, the outstanding Options and SARs held by such Participant shall terminate on the date of such Termination of Service and be forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.5 to the contrary, the Committee may determine in its discretion that an Option or SAR may be exercised following any such Termination of Service, whether or not exercisable at the time of such Termination of Service; provided, however, that in no event may an Option or SAR be exercised after the expiration date of such Option or SAR specified in the applicable Award Agreement, except as provided in the last sentence of Section 6.4(a) .

6.6 Ten Percent Stock Rule. Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan, if at the time an Option is otherwise to be granted pursuant to the Plan, the optionee or rights holder owns directly or indirectly (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) Shares of the Company possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or Subsidiary corporations (within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code), then any Incentive Stock Option to be granted to such optionee or rights holder pursuant to the Plan shall satisfy the requirement of Section 422(c)(5) of the Code, and the Option Price shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares of the Company, and such Option by its terms shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date such Option is granted.

6.7 Substitution of SARs . The Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option, at or after grant, that the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to substitute a Stock Appreciation Right for such Option at any time prior to or upon exercise of such Option; provided that such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable with respect to the same number of Shares for which such substituted Option would have been exercisable, shall have the same exercise price and vesting schedule as the substituted Option, and shall have a Stock Appreciation Right term equal in length to the remaining Option term of the substituted Option.

Section 7. Restricted Shares And Restricted Share Units.

7.1 Grant .

(a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and other applicable legal requirements, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants to whom Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units shall be granted, the number of Restricted Shares and/or the number of Restricted Share Units to be granted to each Participant, the duration of the period during which, and the conditions under which, the Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units may be forfeited to the Company, and the other terms and conditions of such Awards. The Restricted Share and Restricted Share Unit Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve, which agreements shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions provided hereunder and any additional terms and conditions established by the Committee that are consistent with the terms of the Plan.

(b) Each Restricted Share and Restricted Share Unit Award made under the Plan shall be for such number of Shares as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement containing the terms of such Restricted Share or Restricted Share Unit Award. Such agreement shall set forth a period of time during which the grantee must remain in the continuous employment of the Company in order for the forfeiture and transfer restrictions to lapse. If the Committee so determines, the restrictions may lapse during such restricted period in installments with respect to specified portions of the Shares covered by the Restricted Share or Restricted Share Unit Award. The Award Agreement may also, in the discretion of the Committee, set forth performance or other conditions that will subject the Shares to forfeiture and transfer restrictions. The Committee may, at its discretion, waive all or any part of the restrictions applicable to any or all outstanding Restricted Share and Restricted Share Unit Awards.


7.2 Dividends and Other Distributions .

(a) Prior to the lapse of any applicable transfer restrictions, Participants holding Restricted Shares shall be credited with any dividends payable in cash, Shares or other property paid with respect to such Restricted Shares while they are so held, unless determined otherwise by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may apply any restrictions to such dividends that the Committee deems appropriate. Except as set forth in the Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event (a) of any adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 , or (b) any cash, Shares or other property is paid by the Company as a dividend on Restricted Shares, such cash, Shares or other property payable to a Participant on such Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, including any transfer restrictions, as relate to the original Restricted Shares and shall be paid to the Participant when and if the applicable Restricted Shares vest.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, Participants holding Restricted Share Units shall not be credited with any dividends paid with respect to the underlying Shares of such Restricted Share Units. If the applicable Award Agreement specifies that a Participant will be entitled to receive dividend equivalent rights, (i) the amount of any such dividend equivalent right shall equal the amount that would be payable to the Participant as a shareholder in respect of a number of Shares equal to the number of Restricted Share Units then credited to the Participant, (ii) any such dividend equivalent right shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s payment practices as may be established from time to time and as of the date on which such dividend would have been payable in respect of outstanding Shares, and (iii) unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, dividend equivalents will not be paid in respect of Restricted Share Units that are not yet vested unless and until such Restricted Share Units vest.

7.3 Transfer Restrictions on Restricted Shares. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Share Award, a certificate representing the number of Shares awarded thereunder may be registered in the name of the grantee. Such certificate shall be held by the Company or any custodian appointed by the Company for the account of the grantee subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and shall bear such a legend setting forth the restrictions imposed thereon as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine. Alternatively, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that a Participant’s ownership of Restricted Shares prior to the lapse of any transfer restrictions or any other applicable restrictions shall, in lieu of such certificates, be evidenced by a “book entry” ( i.e ., a computerized or manual entry) in the records of the Company or its designated agent in the name of the Participant who has received such Award, and confirmation and account statements sent to the Participant with respect to such book-entry Shares may bear the restrictive legend referenced in the preceding sentence. Such records of the Company or such agent shall, absent manifest error, be binding on all Participants who receive Restricted Share Awards evidenced in such manner. The holding of Restricted Shares by the Company or such an escrow holder, or the use of book entries to evidence the ownership of Restricted Shares, in accordance with this Section 7.3 , shall not affect the rights of Participants as owners of the Restricted Shares awarded to them, nor affect the restrictions applicable to such shares under the Award Agreement or the Plan, including the transfer restrictions.

7.4 Other Rights of Restricted Shareholders . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the grantee shall have all other rights of a shareholder with respect to Restricted Shares, including the right to vote such Shares, subject to the following restrictions: (i) the grantee shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate until the expiration of the restricted period and the fulfillment of any other restrictive conditions set forth in the Award Agreement with respect to such Shares; (ii) none of the Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during such restricted period or until after the fulfillment of any such other restrictive conditions; and (iii) except as otherwise determined by the Committee at or after grant, all of the Shares (including any dividends accrued and held thereon) shall be forfeited and all rights of the


grantee to such Shares shall terminate, without further obligation on the part of the Company, unless the grantee remains in the continuous employment of the Company for the entire restricted period in relation to which such Shares were granted and unless any other restrictive conditions relating to the Restricted Share Award are met.

7.5 Termination of Restrictions on Restricted Shares. At the end of the restricted period and provided that any other restrictive conditions of the Restricted Share Award are met, or at such earlier time as otherwise determined by the Committee, all restrictions set forth in the Award Agreement relating to the Restricted Share Award or in the Plan shall lapse as to the restricted Shares subject thereto, and a stock certificate for the appropriate number of Shares, free of the restrictions and restricted stock legend, shall be delivered to the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be (or, in the case of book-entry Shares, such restrictions and restricted stock legend shall be removed from the confirmation and account statements delivered to the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be, in book-entry form) and any dividends or dividend equivalents accrued thereon shall be paid.

7.6 Payment of Restricted Share Units. Each Restricted Share Unit shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share. Restricted Share Units shall be paid in cash, Shares, other securities or other property, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable thereto, or otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at or after grant, Restricted Share Units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of, and all Restricted Share Units (and any dividend equivalents associated therewith) and all rights of the grantee thereto shall terminate, without further obligation on the part of the Company, unless the grantee remains in continuous employment of the Company for the entire restricted period in relation to which such Restricted Share Units were granted and unless any other restrictive conditions relating to the Restricted Share Unit Award are met. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no rights of a shareholder with respect to Restricted Share Units.

7.7 Termination of Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Shares and unvested Restricted Share Units (and any accrued dividends or dividend equivalent rights associated therewith) then subject to restrictive conditions shall lapse, and such Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units shall be forfeited and surrendered to the Company without consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.7 to the contrary, the Committee may provide in its discretion that a Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units shall not lapse in the event of certain Terminations of Service, such as termination by the Company without cause, by a Participant voluntarily, or by reason or death, disability or retirement (each, as may be defined by the Committee from time to time or set forth in an Award Agreement).

Section 8. Performance Awards.

8.1 Grant . The Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Participants who shall receive a Performance Award, which shall consist of a right that is (i) denominated in cash, Shares or other property, (ii) valued, as determined by the Committee, in accordance with the achievement of such performance goals during such performance periods as the Committee shall establish, and (iii) payable at such time and in such form as the Committee shall determine.

8.2 Terms and Conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the performance goals to be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award and the amount and kind of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award, and, subject to Section 11 of the Plan, may amend specific provisions of the Performance Award; provided, however, that such amendment may not adversely affect existing Performance Awards made within a performance period commencing prior to implementation of the amendment.


8.3 Dividends and Other Distributions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, dividends or dividend equivalents on Performance Awards denominated in Shares may not be paid to a Participant (but they may be accumulated for eventual payment) until such time as the Committee determines that the performance criteria underlying such Performance Awards have been satisfied.

8.4 Payment of Performance Awards. An Award Agreement may provide that Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the performance period or, in accordance with the procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and to the extent permissible under Section 162(m) (if applicable), the Committee may in its discretion, waive any performance goals and/or other terms and conditions relating to a Performance Award. A Participant’s rights to any Performance Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of in any manner, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and/or except as the Committee may determine at or after grant.

8.5 Termination of Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service prior to the close of the applicable performance period, the Participant’s rights in unvested Performance Awards then subject to restrictive conditions shall lapse, and such Performance Awards shall be forfeited and surrendered to the Company without consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.5 to the contrary, the Committee may provide in its discretion that a Participant’s rights in unvested Performance Awards shall not lapse in the event of certain Terminations of Service, such as termination by the Company without cause, by a Participant voluntarily, or by reason of death, disability or retirement (each, as may be defined by the Committee from time to time or set forth in an Award Agreement).

Section 9. Other Stock-Based Awards.

The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Participants who shall receive an Other Stock-Based Award, which shall consist of any right that is (i) not an Award described in Sections 6 , 7 , or 8 above and (ii) an Award of Shares or an Award denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares or other property (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Stock-Based Award.

Section 10. Non-Employee Director Awards.

10.1 Non-Employee Director Awards . The Board may provide that all or a portion of a Non-Employee Director’s annual retainer, meeting fees and/or other awards or compensation as determined by the Board, be payable (either automatically or at the election of a Non-Employee Director) in the form of Non-Qualified Stock Options, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units and/or Other Stock-Based Awards under the Plan, including unrestricted Shares. The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Awards, including the terms and conditions which shall apply upon a termination of the Non-Employee Director’s service as a member of the Board, and shall have full power and authority in its discretion to administer such Awards, subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law. Subject to applicable legal requirements, the Board may also grant Awards to Non-Employee Directors pursuant to the terms of the Plan, including any Award described in Sections 6 , 7 or 9 above.


10.2 Non-Employee Director Limits . Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the maximum number of Shares subject to Awards granted during a calendar year to any Non-Employee Director shall not exceed $500,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes and excluding, for this purpose, the value of any dividends or dividend equivalents paid) (the “ Non-Employee Director Limit ”). The Board may not, without the approval of the shareholders, increase the Non-Employee Director Limit.

Section 11. Provisions Applicable To Covered Employees And Performance Awards.

11.1 Covered Employees . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, unless the Committee determines that a Performance Award to be granted to a Covered Employee should not qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m), Performance Awards granted to Covered Employees shall be subject to the terms and provisions of this Section 11 ; provided , however , that this Section 11 need not apply to Awards granted (or if required by Section 162(m), paid) prior to the earliest of: (a) the first material modification of the Plan (including any increase in the shares authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 ); (b) the issuance of all of the Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; (c) the expiration of the Plan; (d) the first meeting of shareholders at which members of the Board are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which occurred the first registration of an equity security of the Company under Section 12 of the Exchange Act; and (e) such other date required by Section 162(m). Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement relating to such an Award does not comply or is inconsistent with Section 162(m), such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements, and no provision shall be deemed to confer upon the Committee discretion to increase the amount of compensation otherwise payable to a Covered Employee in connection with any such Award upon the attainment of the performance criteria established by the Committee.

11.2 Performance Goals. The Committee may grant Performance Awards to Covered Employees based solely upon the attainment of performance targets related to one or more performance goals selected by the Committee from among the goals specified below. For the purposes of this Section 11 , performance goals shall be limited to one or more of the following Company, Subsidiary, operating unit, restaurant concept or division financial performance measures:

 

  (a) total sales or revenues;

 

  (b) sales or revenue per restaurant or other unit;

 

  (c) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization;

 

  (d) operating income or profit (before or after taxes);

 

  (e) operating margins, gross margins or cash margin;

 

  (f) operating efficiencies;

 

  (g) return on equity, assets (or net assets), capital, capital employed or investment;

 

  (h) net income (before or after taxes);

 

  (i) pre- or after-tax income (before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonuses);

 

  (j) earnings (gross, net, pre-tax, after-tax or per share), which may, but need not, exclude interest, depreciation, amortization, taxes and other items;


  (k) utilization;

 

  (l) improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels, including cash, inventory and accounts receivable;

 

  (m) gross or net profit margins;

 

  (n) stock price or total shareholder return;

 

  (o) cash flow or cash flow per Share (before or after dividends);

 

  (p) appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of Shares or other publicly-traded securities of the Company;

 

  (q) debt reduction;

 

  (r) year-end cash;

 

  (s) financial ratios, including those measuring activity, leverage, liquidity or profitability, cost of capital or asset levels;

 

  (t) financing and other capital-raising transactions;

 

  (u) division revenue;

 

  (v) strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified cost targets, business expansion goals or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; or

 

  (w) any combination thereof.

Each goal may be expressed on an absolute and/or relative basis, may be based on or otherwise employ comparisons based on internal targets, the past performance of the Company or any Subsidiary, operating unit, restaurant concept or division of the Company and/or the past or current performance of other companies, and in the case of earnings-based measures, may use or employ comparisons relating to capital, stockholders’ equity and/or Shares outstanding, or to assets or net assets. The Committee may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under criteria set forth in this Section 11.2 to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance period: (i) asset write-downs, (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management, (vi) pre-opening costs, and (vi) any extraordinary non-recurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report (or quarterly report on Form 10-Q) to shareholders for the applicable year; provided, that the Committee must commit to make any such adjustments, and shall specify such adjustments, within the time for prescribing performance targets generally as described in Section 11.4 .

11.3 Negative Discretion Allowed . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than Section 13 ), with respect to any Restricted Share Award, Restricted Share Unit Award, Performance Award or Other Share-Based Award that is subject to this Section 11 , the Committee may adjust downwards, but not upwards, the amount payable pursuant to such Award to a Covered Employee, and the Committee may not waive the achievement of the applicable performance goals, except in the case of the death or disability of the Participant.


11.4 Section 162(m) Administration . To the extent necessary to comply with Section 162(m), with respect to grants of Performance Awards to a Covered Employee, no later than 90 days following the commencement of each performance period (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (1) select the performance goal or goals applicable to the performance period, (2) establish the various targets and bonus amounts which may be earned for such performance period, and (3) specify the relationship between performance goals and targets and the amounts to be earned by each Covered Employee for such performance period. Following the completion of each performance period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether the applicable performance targets have been achieved and the amounts, if any, payable to Covered Employees for such performance period. In determining the amount earned by a Covered Employee for a given performance period, subject to any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall have the right to reduce (but not increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant in its sole discretion to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the performance period.

Section 12. Termination of Service.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Committee shall have the full power and authority to determine the terms and conditions that shall apply to any Award upon a Termination of Service with the Company or its Affiliates, including a termination by the Company with or without cause, by a Participant voluntarily, or by reason of death, disability or retirement (each, as may be defined by the Committee from time to time or set forth in an Award Agreement), and may provide such terms and conditions in the Award Agreement or in such rules and regulations as it may prescribe.

Section 13. Change In Control.

13.1 Impact on Certain Awards . Unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award Agreement or by the Committee at any time, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control may be cancelled and terminated without payment if the Fair Market Value of one Share as of the date of the Change in Control is less than the per Share Exercise Price of such Award. In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may provide, in an Award Agreement or otherwise, that all Performance Awards shall be considered to be earned and payable (in full or pro rata based on the target value of the Award and the portion of Performance Period completed as of the date of the Change in Control) and any limitations or other restrictions shall lapse and such Performance Awards shall be immediately settled or distributed or that such Performance Awards shall continue or be cancelled.

13.2 Assumption or Substitution of Certain Awards .

(a) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or by the Committee at any time, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company in which the successor company assumes or substitutes for an Award (or in which the Company is the ultimate parent corporation and continues the Award), if the surviving or successor corporation terminates a Participant’s employment or service without “cause” (as such term is defined in the sole discretion of the Committee, or as set forth in the Award Agreement relating to such Award) within 12 months following such Change in Control: (i) such Participant’s Options and SARs outstanding as of the date of such termination will immediately vest, become fully exercisable, and may thereafter be exercised for 12 months, (ii) restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to such Participant’s Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units outstanding as of the date of such termination shall lapse and the Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested, and (iii) the restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to such Participant’s Other Stock-Based Awards or any other Awards (including the settlement at target level of any Performance Awards) shall lapse, and such Awards shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant. For the purposes of this Section 13.2 , an Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Change in Control the Award confers the right to


purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor company, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company, provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of an Award, for each Share subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company substantially equal in fair market value to the per Share consideration received by holders of Shares in the transaction constituting a Change in Control. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Committee in its discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or by the Committee at any time, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company to the extent the successor company does not assume or substitute for an Award (or in which the Company is the ultimate parent corporation and does not continue the Award): (i) those Options and SARs outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control that are not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall immediately vest and become fully exercisable, (ii) restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units that are not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall lapse and the Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested, and (iii) the restrictions, other limitations and other conditions applicable to any Other Stock-Based Awards or any other Awards (including the settlement at target level of Performance Awards) that are not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall lapse, and such Other Stock-Based Awards or such other Awards shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant.

(c) The Committee, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, each Option and SAR outstanding shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the Participant, and/or that each Participant shall receive, with respect to each Share subject to such Option or SAR, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Share immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control over the Option Price or Grant Price of such Option and/or SAR; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or property (including the stock or property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.]

13.3 No Implied Rights; Other Limitations . No Participant shall have any right to prevent the consummation of any Change in Control or any of the acts described in Section 4.2 affecting the number of Shares available to, or other entitlement of, such Participant under the Plan or such Participant’s Award. Any actions or determinations of the Committee under this Section 13 need not be uniform as to all outstanding Awards, nor treat all Participants identically.


Section 14. Amendment and Termination.

14.1 Amendments to the Plan . Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, the Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement for which or with which the Board deems it necessary or desirable to comply, including the rules and regulations of the principal securities exchange on which Shares are traded.

14.2 Amendments to Awards. Subject to the restrictions and shareholder approval requirements set forth in Section 6.2 and Section 14.1 , the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.

14.3 Adjustments of Awards upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. Subject to Section 11.4 , the Committee is hereby authorized to make equitable and proportionate adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (and shall make such adjustments for events described in Section 4.2 hereof) affecting the Company or any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles.

Section 15. General Provisions.

15.1 Limited Transferability of Awards . Subject to this Section 15.1 , each Award shall be exercisable only by a Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company and its Affiliates; provided that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards other than Incentive Stock Options to be transferred by a Participant, without consideration, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award Agreement to preserve the purposes of the Plan, to:

 

  (i) any person who is a “family member” of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 (collectively, the “ Immediate Family Members ”);

 

  (ii) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members;

 

  (iii) a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or shareholders are persons described in (i) or (ii) above; or

 

  (iv) any other transferee as may be approved by the Committee in its sole discretion or as provided in the applicable Award agreement;

(each transferee described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Transferee ”); provided that the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer is permissible and would comply with the requirements of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement.


(b) The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with the immediately preceding Section shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and any reference in the Plan, or in any applicable Award Agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that (i) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to exercise any transferred Option unless there shall be in effect a registration statement on an appropriate form covering the Shares to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option if the Committee determines, consistent with any applicable Award Agreement, that such a registration statement is necessary or appropriate, (iii) the Committee or the Company shall not be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under the Plan or otherwise, and (iv) the consequences of a Termination of Service by the Participant under the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant, including, without limitation, that an Option shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

15.2 Dividend Equivalents. Subject to any limitations set forth in the Plan, in the sole and complete discretion of the Committee, an Award may provide the Participant with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, other securities or other property on a current or deferred basis. All dividend or dividend equivalents which are not paid currently may, at the Committee’s discretion, accrue interest, be reinvested into additional Shares, or, in the case of dividends or dividend equivalents credited in connection with Performance Awards, be credited as additional Performance Awards and paid to the Participant if and when, and to the extent that, payment is made pursuant to such Award.

15.3 No Rights to Awards. No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

15.4 Share Certificates. All certificates for Shares or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate (or, if any such Shares or securities are in book-entry form, such book-entry balances and confirmation and account statements with respect thereto) delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations and other requirements of any regulatory authority, any stock exchange or other market upon which such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable Federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates (or confirmation and account statements for book-entry Shares) to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

15.5 Tax Withholding . A Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan, or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding or other tax-related obligations in respect of an Award, its exercise or any other transaction involving an Award, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may in its discretion permit a Participant to satisfy or arrange to satisfy, in whole or in part, the tax obligations incident to an Award by: (a) electing to have the Company withhold Shares or other property otherwise deliverable to such Participant pursuant to his or her Award (provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy required federal, state local and foreign withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to


supplemental taxable income) and/or (b) tendering to the Company Shares owned by such Participant (or by such Participant and his or her spouse jointly) and purchased or held for the requisite period of time as may be required to avoid the Company’s or the Affiliates’ incurring an adverse accounting charge, based, in each case, on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the payment date as determined by the Committee. All such elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

15.6 Forfeiture and Clawback Provisions . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Committee shall have the right to provide, in an Award Agreement, or to require a Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that all Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) of such Participant shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company at any time, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of applicable law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.

15.7 Award Agreements. Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall be delivered to the Participant and may specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall prevail. The Committee shall, subject to applicable law, determine the date an Award is deemed to be granted. The Committee or, except to the extent prohibited under applicable law, its delegate(s) may establish the terms of agreements or other documents evidencing Awards under this Plan and may, but need not, require as a condition to any such agreement’s or document’s effectiveness that such agreement or document be executed by the Participant, including by electronic signature or other electronic indication of acceptance, and that such Participant agree to such further terms and conditions as specified in such agreement or document. The grant of an Award under this Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in this Plan as being applicable to such type of Award (or to all Awards) or as are expressly set forth in the agreement or other document evidencing such Award.

15.8 No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of Options, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or other types of Awards provided for hereunder.

15.9 No Right to Employment; Claims to Awards. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or service, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement. No Employee, Director or Consultant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees, Directors or Consultants under the Plan.

15.10 No Rights as Shareholder. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, no Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under the Plan until such person has become a holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with each grant of Restricted Shares hereunder, the applicable Award Agreement shall specify if and to what extent the Participant shall not be entitled to the rights of a shareholder in respect of such Restricted Shares.


15.11 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreements thereunder, it is intended that the provisions of the Plan and such Award Agreements comply with Section 409A of the Code, and that no Award shall be granted, deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out or modified under this Plan, or any Award Agreement interpreted, in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant. Any provision of this Plan that would cause the grant of an Award or the payment, settlement or deferral thereof to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code on a timely basis, which may be made on a retroactive basis, in accordance with regulations and other guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code. In the event that it is reasonably determined by the Board or Committee that, as a result of Section 409A of the Code, payments in respect of any Award under the Plan may not be made at the time contemplated by the terms of the Plan or the relevant Award agreement, as the case may be, without causing the Participant holding such Award to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the Company will make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code; which, if the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A, shall be the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of Participant’s Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or other document governing the issuance of such Award, payment of any Performance Award intended to qualify as a “short term deferral” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)(i) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations shall be made between the first day following the close of the applicable Performance Period and the last day of the “applicable 2 1 / 2 month period” as defined therein. Although the Company intends to administer the Plan so that Awards will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Company does not warrant that any Award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A of the Code or any other provision of federal, state, local or foreign law. The Company shall not be liable to any Participant for any tax, interest, or penalties that Participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise, or payment of any Award under the Plan.

15.12 Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

15.13 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is, or becomes, or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

15.14 Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation (including applicable non-U.S. laws or regulations) or entitle the Company to recover the same under Exchange Act Section 16(b), and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.

15.15 No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.


15.16 No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.

15.17 Headings. Headings are given to the sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

Section 16. Term Of The Plan.

16.1 Effective Date . The Plan shall be effective as of the date adopted by the Board (the “ Effective Date ”), provided that no Incentive Stock Options shall be granted hereunder unless the Plan is approved by the Company’s shareholders prior to such grant or within twelve months following any such grant.

16.2 Expiration Date. No new Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted hereunder may, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award shall, continue after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.

Date Adopted by the Board:             , 2015

Exhibit 14.1

J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS


J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

               Page  
I.    INTRODUCTION      1   
II.    COMPLIANCE OFFICER      1   
III.    CONFLICTS OF INTEREST      2   
   A.    Introduction      2   
   B.    General Policy      2   
   C.    Serving as a Director, Officer or Employee of Another Business      3   
   D.    Financial Interests in Other Businesses      3   
   E.    Acceptance of Gifts and Other Favors      4   
   F.    Offering Gifts or Entertainment      5   
   G.    Potential Conflicts by Family and Friends      5   
   H.    Political Activities      5   
   I.    Bribery      5   
   J.    Related Party Transactions      6   
IV.    PROHIBITION ON TAKING CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES      6   
V.    BUSINESS CONDUCT AND FAIR DEALING      7   
   A.    General Policy      7   
   B.    Dealings with Competitors      7   
   C.    Dealings with Consultants, Contractors, Suppliers, Distributors and Other Parties Doing Business with the Company      7   
VI.    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND PRESERVATION OF RECORDS; MISAPPROPRIATION OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION      8   
   A.    Confidential Information and Preservation of Records      8   
   B.    Misappropriation of Proprietary Information      8   
VII.    PROTECTION AND USE OF COMPANY PROPERTY      9   
   A.    Company Property      9   
   B.    Use of Electronic Systems      9   
VIII.    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS      10   
   A.    General      10   
   B.    Company Business Records      10   
   C.    Specific Policies Governing CEO and Senior Financial Officers      11   
   D.    Insider Information and Securities Trading      11   
   E.    Health and Safety      11   
   F.    Fair Employment Practices      12   
   G.    Safety and Quality of Food      12   
   H.    Environmental Compliance      12   
   I.    Purchasing      12   
   J.    Company Communications      13   
IX.    COMPLIANCE WITH AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS      13   
   A.    General      13   
   B.    Questions Regarding Code      14   
   C.    Determination of Violations      14   
   D.    Request for Waivers      15   
   E.    Good Faith Reporting of Wrongdoing      15   
X.   

DISCLAIMER OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

     16   
XI.    RESERVATION OF RIGHTS      16   
XII.    CERTIFICATION      16   

 

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J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, INC.

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

I. INTRODUCTION

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) is committed to achieving high standards of business and personal ethical conduct for itself, the members of its Board of Directors (“Directors”) and all Company personnel. Through performance in accordance with these standards, the Company, its Directors and all of its employees will earn and enjoy the respect of one another, the business community, our consultants, contractors, suppliers, distributors and the public.

It is the personal responsibility of all Directors and employees to be familiar with all legal and policy standards and restrictions applicable to their duties and responsibilities, and to conduct themselves accordingly. In addition to the strictly legal aspects involved, all Directors and employees are expected to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the discharge of their duties. This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (this “Code”) is designed to help ensure these things occur. This Code is not meant to cover all situations. Any doubts as to a particular situation, whether or not described in this Code, should be submitted either to your immediate supervisor or the Compliance Officer whose role is discussed below.

This Code applies to all Directors and employees of the Company in all places. “Employees” means an officer or employee of the Company or its controlled affiliates, and it includes Executive Officers, unless otherwise stated. Certain parts of this Code may apply specifically to “Executive Officers,” and are so indicated. “Executive Officer” means a member of the Company’s management so designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. All employees and Directors are required to read and understand this Code, and compliance with the policies set forth herein is required of all personnel.

This Code is intended to comply with the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Directors and employees are encouraged to report violations, or suspected violations, of laws, regulations, or this Code using the processes described in Article IX of this Code or as otherwise provided for by the Board of Directors. The Company will not permit retaliation against Directors or employees for reports made in good faith.

 

II. COMPLIANCE OFFICER

In order to help ensure compliance with this Code, the Company has appointed a Compliance Officer who is the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Mark A. Parkey. The Compliance Officer will have the following duties:

 

  1. Coordinate periodic reviews and update this Code as necessary;

 

  2. Ensure that each new employee is given a copy of this Code immediately after employment;

 

  3. Maintain records related to this Code; and

 

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  4. Perform such other activities as may be reasonably related to the foregoing or are required to ensure a successful application of the program contemplated by this Code.

The Compliance Officer shall make periodic reports to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors concerning compliance with these requirements.

 

III. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

  A. Introduction

For purposes of our Code, a “conflict of interest” occurs when an individual’s private interests interfere in any way, or appear from the perspective of a reasonable person to interfere in any way, with the interests of the Company as a whole. A conflict situation can arise when an employee or Director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her responsibilities objectively and effectively. Ordinarily, a conflict exists when an outside interest could actually or potentially influence the judgment or actions of an individual in the conduct of the Company’s business. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an employee or Director, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position at the Company.

 

  B. General Policy

The Company must have the confidence of its consultants, contractors, suppliers, distributors and the public. Directors and employees must avoid conflicts or the appearance of conflicts, as discussed above. Specifically, employees should avoid any outside financial interests that might conflict with the Company’s interests. Such outside interests could include, among other things:

 

  1. Personal or family financial interests in, or indebtedness to, enterprises that have business relations with the Company, such as relatives who are employed by or own an interest in consultants or suppliers.

 

  2. Acquiring any interest in outside entities, properties, etc., in which the Company has an interest or potential interest.

 

  3. Conduct of any business not on behalf of the Company with any consultant, contractor, supplier, or distributor doing business with the Company or any of their officers or employees, including service as a director or officer of, or employment or retention as a consultant by, such persons.

 

  4. Serving on the board of directors of an outside entity whose business competes with the business of the Company.

Employees should report any material transaction or relationship that could result in a conflict of interest to the Company’s Compliance Officer, or through such other processes as may be established by the Board of Directors.

 

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In addition to other conflicts of interest transactions set forth in this Code, it is also the Company’s policy that the Company will not make any personal loans to, or guarantee the personal obligations of, Directors or executive officers of the Company or their family members.

 

  C. Serving as a Director, Officer or Employee of Another Business

The Company expects its employees to devote their full energies to their work. Therefore, an employee’s outside activities must not give rise to a real or apparent conflict of interest with the employee’s duties with the Company. Employees must be alert to potential conflicts of interests and be aware that they may be asked to discontinue any outside activity should such a conflict arise.

Company employees at the level of corporate officer, corporate director or senior thereto must have written approval from the Compliance Officer (and in the case of any Executive Officer, approval of the Audit Committee) in advance of accepting an appointment or position to serve as a director, partner, owner, officer or employee of any non-Company business. Such persons should submit in writing any requests for approval to the Compliance Officer stating the name and address of the proposed employer or entity, the nature of the position and the expected hours of employment or extent of involvement. If the service is permitted, then any such person acting in this dual capacity must inform the Compliance Officer of any matter affecting this dual responsibility at any time. Under no circumstances shall any such person engage in any activity which competes with the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, volunteering in civic and charitable organizations is encouraged for Company employees. To serve as a director or officer of a charitable or civic organization which will require a material commitment of the employee’s time, an employee at the level of corporate officer, corporate director or senior thereto must obtain written approval from the Compliance Officer in advance of accepting the appointment. Participation in such activities shall not be deemed to be within an individual’s scope of employment or authority as an employee, and the Company assumes no liability therefor.

Directors are not considered employees of the Company and are not limited as to their outside employment by the provisions of this Article III, Section C. Directors who accept nominations to serve as directors of other public companies shall, in cases where such nominations have not previously been disclosed, notify in writing the Board of Directors.

 

  D. Financial Interests in Other Businesses

Employees and directors should avoid having an ownership interest in any other enterprise if that interest compromises or appears to compromise his or her loyalty to the Company. For example, an employee may not own an interest in a company that competes with the Company or that does business with the Company (such as a supplier or service provider) unless he or she obtains the written approval of the Compliance Officer (or, with respect to the Compliance Officer, approval of the Chief Executive Officer) before making any such investment. However, it is not typically considered a conflict of interest (and therefore prior written approval is not required) to make an investment in a competitor, supplier or service provider that is a publicly-traded entity if such ownership represents less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding equity securities of that entity and the amount of the investment is not so significant that it would affect the owner’s business judgment on behalf of the Company.

 

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  E. Acceptance of Gifts and Other Favors

The general purpose of gifts and favors in a business context is to create goodwill. If they do more than that, and appear to have the potential to unduly influence judgment or create a feeling of obligation, employees and Directors should not accept them. Employees and Directors may not solicit any kind of gift or personal benefit from present or potential consultants, contractors, suppliers or distributors. Employees and Directors are prohibited from accepting gifts of money (or monetary equivalents) or other gifts or entertainment that would be viewed as expensive or extraordinary by a reasonable person, whether solicited or unsolicited, from consultants, contractors, suppliers or distributors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following transactions are permitted and shall be considered an exception to the general prohibition against accepting things of value:

 

  1. Acceptance of gifts, gratuities, amenities or favors based on obvious family or personal relationships (such as those with parents, children or spouse) when the circumstances make it clear that it is those relationships, rather than the business of the Company, that are the motivating factors;

 

  2. Acceptance of meals, refreshments, travel arrangements or accommodations, or entertainment, all of reasonable value, in the course of a meeting or other occasion, the purpose of which is to hold bona fide business discussions or to foster better business relations, provided that the expense would be paid for by the Company as a reasonable business expense if not paid for by another party;

 

  3. Acceptance of advertising or promotional material of reasonable value such as pens, pencils, note pads, key chains, calendars and similar items;

 

  4. Acceptance of gifts of reasonable value related to commonly recognized events or occasions, such as a promotion, new job, wedding, retirement, birthday or holiday; or

 

  5. Acceptance of civic, charitable, education, or religious organizational awards for recognition of service and accomplishment.

If there is any doubt regarding acceptability, the item should be refused or returned. In the case of a perishable gift, it may be contributed to a charitable organization in the donor’s name. Also, the donor should receive written notification of the return or disposal of the gift and a reminder of the Company’s policies, and the Company’s Compliance Officer should be copied on such correspondence. If you encounter situations in which you are not sure of your obligations, you should consult the Company’s Compliance Officer.

Conversely, the Company will not tolerate any employee or Director giving any gift, bribe, kickback, favor or any other item to anyone doing business with, or anyone who may do business with, the Company with the intent of influencing that party in a transaction or potential transaction with the Company.

It is inevitable and desirable that you may have individual business and personal relationships with consultants, contractors, suppliers, distributors and others who do business with the Company even though such individual business and personal relationship is not connected with the business of the Company. This policy is not intended to discourage such relationships. Any such business relationship should be on customary terms and for proper and usual purposes.

 

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  F. Offering Gifts or Entertainment

When the Company is providing a gift, entertainment or other accommodation in connection with Company business, it must do so in a manner that is in good taste and without excessive expense and in full compliance with any applicable laws or regulations. Employees and Directors may not furnish or offer to furnish any gift that goes beyond the common courtesies associated with accepted business practices or that are excessive in value. The above guidelines for receiving gifts should be followed in determining when it is appropriate to give gifts. Companies with which the Company does business likely have gift and entertainment policies of their own. Employees and directors must be careful never to provide a gift or entertainment that violates the other company’s gift and entertainment policy.

 

  G. Potential Conflicts by Family and Friends

There may be situations where the actions of family members and close personal friends may cause an employee a conflict of interest. For example, gifts or other benefits offered to an employee’s or Director’s family member by contractors or suppliers or potential contractors or suppliers are considered business gifts and are treated the same as if they were given to the employee or Director. If an employee’s or Director’s spouse or relative is directly involved in a business that would like to provide products or services to the Company, the employee or Director cannot use his or her position at the Company to influence the bidding process or negotiation in any way. If an employee’s or Director’s spouse or relative is a competitor of the Company, or is employed by one, you must disclose the situation to the Compliance Officer so the Company may assess the nature and extent of any conflict and how it can be resolved.

 

  H. Political Activities

It is the Company’s policy to comply with all laws relating to elections, voting and the political process. No employee or Director of the Company, acting on the Company’s behalf, may contribute or loan money or items of value to any foreign, federal, state or local political candidates or parties. Employees and Directors may, however, participate in and/or contribute to the political process as concerned individuals, through means which would include voting and the contribution of their own time and money, and participate in or make contributions to political action committees.

 

  I. Bribery

Federal law and the laws of most states prohibit bribery, which is the act of giving anything of value to public officials with the corrupt intent of influencing an official act. These laws also prohibit unlawful gratuities, which is the act of giving or promising something of value to a public official because of an official act, either before or after the act has been done. Employees should clearly avoid even the appearance of such “quid pro quo” arrangements. Employees also shall observe all applicable U.S. and foreign laws, including the Anti-Kickback Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. No gifts or business entertainment of any kind may be given to any government employee, whether or not there is an intent to influence, without the prior approval of the Compliance Officer. Giving or receiving any payment or gift in the nature of a bribe or kickback is absolutely prohibited.

 

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  J. Related Party Transactions

The Board of Directors recognizes that certain transactions present a heightened risk of conflicts of interest or the perception thereof. The Board has determined that the Audit Committee is best suited to review and approve or ratify any transaction that may involve a conflict of interest involving any Related Party (as defined below), including any transaction required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by SEC (“Item 404(a)”).

For purposes of this Article III, Section J:

 

    a “Related Party” is any person who is or at any time since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year was (1) an executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (2) a greater than five percent (5%) beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s common stock or other equity securities, (3) an immediate family member of any of the foregoing individuals or entities identified in (1) or (2) of this paragraph or (4) any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a ten percent (10%) or greater beneficial ownership interest; and

 

    an “immediate family member” includes a person’s child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law and anyone residing in such person’s home (other than a tenant or employee).

Prior to the entry into any potential Related Party transaction, arrangement or relationship, such transaction, arrangement or relationship, together with a summary of all material information concerning such transaction, arrangement or relationship, shall be reported to the Company’s Compliance Officer by any employee or Director who has knowledge of such transaction, arrangement or relationship. The Compliance Officer shall be responsible for gathering all relevant information relating to the Related Party transaction, arrangement or relationship and presenting such information to the Audit Committee for its review, approval or ratification.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction otherwise subject to approval of the Audit Committee shall not require the approval of the Audit Committee if the aggregate amount involved would not reasonably be expected to exceed $120,000 in any fiscal year or such transaction relates solely to the employment or compensation of a Related Party and such transaction would not be required to be reported pursuant to Item 404(a).

 

IV. PROHIBITION ON TAKING CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

Directors and employees of the Company owe a fiduciary duty to the Company and must advance its legitimate interests when possible. It is a breach of this duty for any such person to take advantage of a business or investment opportunity for his or her own or another person’s personal profit or benefit when the opportunity is within the corporate powers of the Company

 

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and when the opportunity is of present or potential practical advantage to the Company. If such a person so appropriates a corporate opportunity of the Company, the Company may claim the benefit of the transaction or business and such person exposes himself or herself to liability. It is the Company’s policy that no Director or employee take a corporate opportunity of the Company without the consent of the Board of Directors.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article IV shall not prohibit the activities of any outside Director of the Company or any equity holder of the Company or J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, to the extent such activities are expressly permitted in the Company’s Amended and Restated Charter or the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

 

V. BUSINESS CONDUCT AND FAIR DEALING

 

  A. General Policy

The Company expects that all Directors and employees will perform their duties in a professional manner, in good faith using prudent judgment and in the best interests of the Company. Each Company employee and Director must endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s consultants, contractors, suppliers, distributors, competitors and other employees. No employee or Director shall take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged or confidential information, misrepresentation of a material fact or any other unfair-dealing practice. Each Company employee must comply with the letter and spirit of the law.

 

  B. Dealings with Competitors

The Company is committed to fair competition. The Company seeks competitive advantages through superior performance, never through illegal business practices. The most important laws governing competitive practices in the United States are the federal antitrust laws, which are designed to protect economic freedoms and promote competition. It is the Company’s policy to fully comply with the antitrust laws.

 

  C. Dealings with Consultants, Contractors, Suppliers, Distributors and Other Parties Doing Business with the Company

Transactions with consultants, contractors, suppliers and distributors shall always be conducted at “arm’s length”. No employee shall misrepresent, circumvent, or conceal the nature of any material aspect of any transaction when dealing with a party doing business with the Company. If a relationship between an employee and a party doing business with the Company or a party that might do business with the Company exists which potentially creates a conflict of interest, that employee shall remove himself/herself from all dealings with that party.

 

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VI. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND PRESERVATION OF RECORDS; MISAPPROPRIATION OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

 

  A. Confidential Information and Preservation of Records

Much of the information developed by the Company, especially in research, is original, and its protection is essential to the continued success of the Company. Employees frequently have access to confidential information concerning the Company’s business and the business of those entities who do business with the Company. Confidential information includes all non-public information, including trade secrets and other proprietary information, that might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its affiliates if disclosed. Safeguarding confidential information is essential to the conduct of the business of the Company. Caution and discretion must be exercised in the use of such information, which should be shared only with those who have a clear and legitimate need and right to know. Employees should be careful to guard against accidental disclosure of confidential information through conversations which may be overheard in public places such as restaurants, airplanes and elevators.

Employees shall maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s business information, proprietary information and information relating to the Company’s consultants, contractors, suppliers and distributors. Employees shall not use such information except for uses that are appropriate for the Company’s business. Information regarding a consultant, contractor, supplier or distributor may not be released to third parties or government or other organizations, without the written consent of the consultant, contractor, supplier or distributor, unless required or permitted by law.

It is the Company’s policy to cooperate with all reasonable requests from government authorities. Whenever an employee becomes aware of an investigation which affects the Company or an entity doing business with the Company, or receives a request for information from a government authority, other than routine items requested in the ordinary course of business, he or she shall immediately notify the Company’s Compliance Officer. Notwithstanding any Company records retention guidelines, under no circumstances shall any records known to be the subject of or germane to any anticipated, threatened or pending lawsuit or governmental or regulatory investigation or case filed in bankruptcy be removed, concealed, altered or destroyed. For purposes of this section, “records” means any hard copy, paper documents and electronic records, including, but not limited to, e-mail, voicemail and the contents of hard drives.

Furthermore, all audit and audit review work papers shall be retained as required, in accordance with the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  B. Misappropriation of Proprietary Information

Certain copyrights and trademarks owned by the Company are valuable assets. Each employee must carefully consider any action that could dilute or affect in any way the Company’s copyright and trademark interests. No employee may enter into any agreement to transfer, assign or license the Company’s copyrights or trademarks outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Compliance Officer.

In addition to protecting the Company’s intellectual property rights, the Company respects the valid intellectual property rights of others. It is the policy of the Company to comply fully with all laws of the United States and each state where the Company conducts business concerning intellectual property matters. No employee shall copy, cause to have copies made or otherwise use any video tapes, audio tapes, other sound recordings, written works, musical works, computer software or any other “work of authorship” protected by copyright in violation of such copyright without the written consent of the copyright holder. Such written consent shall

 

8


be obtained whether or not the “work of authorship” bears evidence of copyright. Software programs which are licensed to the Company for use by its employees are subject to specific use requirements as authorized in the licensing agreement. No employee may copy any software programs owned or used by the Company until the employee has contacted the Compliance Officer to determine whether such copying is permitted.

Any question whether a proposed action would infringe upon the rights of another company or individual should be referred directly to the Compliance Officer. Such matters include copying or distributing written work prepared by others, using signs or symbols that may be trademarks or service marks, or doing Company business under any name other than the Company’s or any subsidiary’s name.

In addition, employees shall not use confidential business information obtained from competitors, including customer lists, price lists, contracts, or other information in violation of a covenant not to compete, prior employment agreements or in any other manner likely to provide an unfair or illegal competitive advantage to the Company.

 

VII. PROTECTION AND USE OF COMPANY PROPERTY

 

  A. Company Property

Employees and Directors have a duty to protect and conserve Company property and to insure its continued and efficient use for proper purposes. All Company assets shall be used for legitimate business purposes and not for personal gain. Employees of the Company are to take care and responsibility to safeguard the property of the Company within reason. Company property includes, but is not limited to: (i) all physical property of the Company whether leased or owned by the Company and includes all fixtures; (ii) all books and records in possession of the Company; (iii) all marketing studies, advertising or promotional materials, logs, reports or any other forms or surveys that are in the Company’s possession; and (iv) all proprietary software and technology.

 

  B. Use of Electronic Systems

Electronic mail and e-mail systems (including electronic bulletin boards) are property of the Company and must be used primarily for business purposes. The use of e-mail must conform to the policies and values of the Company. Among other things, messages which violate any of the Company’s policies or invite participation in illegal activities, such as gambling or the use and sale of controlled substances, are prohibited. Statements or images which, if made in any other forum, would violate any of the Company’s policies, including, without limitation, policies against harassment or discrimination and the misuse of confidential information, are prohibited to the same extent in an e-mail message. E-mail systems may be used to transmit confidential or proprietary information only when such information is adequately protected in a commercially reasonable manner. Subject to applicable laws and regulations, the Company reserves the right to monitor and review e-mail and voicemail as it deems appropriate.

The Internet is an efficient and valuable business tool and is to be used primarily for business purposes. The Company reserves the right to access all information on Company computers, including but not limited to e-mail and history of internet usage, even where personal passwords have been assigned. If you have questions about the use of your computer, the Internet, e-mail or voice mail, please see the Compliance Officer.

 

9


VIII. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

  A. General

Directors and employees must comply fully with applicable laws, rules and regulations at all times. In particular, Directors and employees should take note of laws, rules and regulations regarding the integrity of the Company’s records, financial reporting, insider trading, health care laws and regulations and fair employment practices.

 

  B. Company Business Records

Accuracy, reliability and timeliness in the preparation of all business records, financial statements, reports to regulatory and other government agencies and other public communications is of critical importance to the corporate decision-making process and to the proper discharge of the Company’s financial, legal and reporting obligations. All Company business transactions shall be carried out in accordance with management’s general or specific directives and with the highest standard of care. To this end, the Company shall:

 

    comply with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles at all times;

 

    maintain a system of internal accounting controls that will provide reasonable assurances to management that all transactions are properly recorded;

 

    maintain books and records that accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s transactions, assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses;

 

    prohibit the establishment of any undisclosed or unrecorded funds or assets; and

 

    maintain a system of internal controls that will provide reasonable assurances to management that material information about the Company is made known to management on a timely basis, particularly during the periods in which the Company’s periodic reports are being prepared.

Employees and Directors must ensure that all business records, expense accounts, vouchers, bills and payroll records and other reports are prepared timely and with care and honesty. False or misleading entries are prohibited. For example, no payment shall be requested, approved or made with the intention or understanding that it will be used for any purpose other than that described in the documentation supporting the payment. Compliance with accounting procedures and internal control procedures is required at all times. It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that corporate accounting and internal control procedures are strictly adhered to at all times. If you suspect that any records or financial information are not being properly kept or are being falsified, immediately contact Compliance Officer.

Only authorized officials of the Company are allowed to respond to inquiries for Company information from the media, investors, the financial community and others, and employees are to promptly refer all such inquiries to the authorized officials.

 

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In accordance with the rules promulgated by the SEC under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, it shall be unlawful and a violation of this Code for any officer or Director of the Company or any other person acting under the direction thereof, to take any action to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate, or mislead any independent or certified accountant engaged in the performance of an audit of the Company’s financial statements for the purposes of rendering such financial statements materially misleading.

 

  C. Specific Policies Governing CEO and Senior Financial Officers

The CEO and all senior financial officers are responsible for full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the periodic reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of the CEO and each senior financial officer promptly to bring to the attention of the CEO and the Chief Financial Officer any material information of which he or she may become aware that affects the disclosures made by the Company in its public filings or otherwise assist the CEO and the Chief Financial Officer in fulfilling their responsibilities as required by rules promulgated by the SEC.

The CEO and each senior financial officer shall promptly bring to the attention of the Audit Committee any information he or she may have concerning (a) significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures or internal controls.

 

  D. Insider Information and Securities Trading

Stock transactions involving the Company’s equity securities are governed by the rules and regulations of the SEC and other applicable state and federal securities laws, including laws that restrict or prohibit trading in our securities by Company employees or other agents. Severe civil and criminal penalties can be imposed on individuals and corporations convicted of violations of these laws. The Company has adopted an Insider Trading Policy applicable to officers, directors, employees, consultants and contractors of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as immediate family members and household members of such persons. The Insider Trading Policy is incorporated by reference into this Code. The Company expects officers, directors, employees, consultants and contractors to comply strictly with applicable insider trading laws and the Insider Trading Policy.

 

  E. Health and Safety

The Company is committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment for its employees. The Company has a safety program which meets all applicable laws and regulations. Each employee is expected to acquaint himself or herself with and abide by all health and safety laws and procedures applicable to the employee’s duties. Employees should immediately report accidents, injuries and unsafe practices or conditions.

The use of alcohol or drugs by an employee endangers not only the user, but also the entire workforce. It is the Company’s policy to provide a safe workplace. All employees must perform their work free from the influence of any substance that may affect the safe and efficient performance of their duties.

 

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  F. Fair Employment Practices

Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Age, Covered Veteran Status and Disability. Employees at the Company are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability with respect to the position filled. As a business comprised of talented and diverse team members, the Company is committed to the fair and effective utilization of all employees without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, covered veteran status, disability or any other category protected by federal, state or local laws. Employees must remember that equal employment opportunity is critical in every aspect of the employment relationship. The relationship covers origin, training, working conditions, benefits, compensation practices, employment functions (including promotion, demotion, discipline, transfer, termination and reduction in force) and Company sponsored educational, social and recreational programs. The Company expects all of its employees to treat each other, regardless of title or position, with the fairness and respect necessary to maintain a place of employment that encourages each person to contribute to her or his fullest potential.

Harassment . Every person conducting Company business, whether or not employed by the Company, must refrain from engaging in any verbal or physical conduct that could be construed as harassment. Such conduct may consist of making unwelcome sexual advances, or engaging in coercive behavior that is sexual in nature when the rejection of or submission to such conduct affects, either implicitly or explicitly, an employee’s status of employment (e.g., pay, promotion, assignment, termination, etc.) or the business relationship of a consultant, contractor, supplier or distributor. In addition to offending—if not injuring—the victim of such conduct, sexual harassment is counterproductive to sound business policy.

 

  G. Safety and Quality of Food

The safety and quality of the Company’s food products are critical to maintaining the trust of customers and the Company’s reputation. It is a goal of the Company to provide safe products that meet high quality standards. It is the policy of the Company to comply with all food and product safety laws applicable to the Company and its operations. Each employee is expected to acquaint himself or herself with all food safety and other laws and procedures applicable to the employee’s assigned duties and comply with all such laws and procedures.

 

  H. Environmental Compliance

It is the policy of the Company to comply with all environmental laws and regulations as they relate to our operations. We will act to preserve our natural resources to the fullest extent reasonably possible. We will comply with all environmental laws and operate each of our facilities with the necessary permits, approvals and controls. Each employee shall diligently employ proper procedures with respect to the handling of hazardous materials and immediately alert his or her supervisor to any discharge of hazardous material or any situations which may be potentially damaging to the environment.

 

  I. Purchasing

Employees purchasing products on behalf of the Company must do so based on the best interests of the Company without regard to outside influences. Employees making purchasing decisions on behalf of the Company should, where appropriate, and consistent with the Company’s policies, obtain bids for products and services, evaluate the quality of goods and services provided and verify product liability coverage by the supplier.

 

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  J. Company Communications

Only members of the Company’s senior corporate management or any other person specifically authorized by senior management, are authorized to speak publicly on behalf of the Company; provided that all communications must be authorized by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or the Compliance Officer, or otherwise specifically reviewed by the Company’s legal counsel. All media requests should be referred to one of these persons except that all requests from financial analysts should be directed to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. Employees, other than those listed above, should never make public statements for the Company. In addition, press releases or other similar communications on behalf of the Company must be reviewed by the Compliance Officer prior to the release thereof.

Any director, officer, employee or independent contractor of the Company who becomes aware of an inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of material, non-public information about the Company shall immediately contact the Company’s Compliance Officer, Mark A. Parkey, by phone at (615) 269-1923 or by email at mparkey@jalexanders.com. Upon being contacted under such circumstances, the Compliance Officer shall consult with the Chief Executive Officer and other persons as necessary to determine appropriate Company actions in response to the disclosure of such information in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange and the SEC.

 

IX. COMPLIANCE WITH AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

  A. General

All employees are required to read, understand and refer to this Code. Compliance with the conduct policies set forth in this Code is required of all personnel. Enforcement is the direct responsibility of every supervisor. Supervisors may be sanctioned for failure to instruct their subordinates adequately or for failing to detect non-compliance, where reasonable diligence on the part of the supervisor would have led to the discovery of any problems or violations and given the Company the opportunity to correct them earlier.

Employees should immediately disassociate themselves from taking part in any discussions, activities or other situations that they recognize to be potentially illegal or unethical. No supervisor may direct a subordinate to violate this Code. If an employee becomes aware of any illegal or unethical conduct or behavior in violation of this Code by anyone working for or on behalf of the Company, that employee should report it promptly, fully and objectively to the Compliance Officer or such other point of contact established by the Board of Directors. The Company will attempt to treat such reports confidentially and to protect the identity of the employee who has made the request to the maximum extent and as may be permitted under applicable law. All reports will be investigated. Upon receipt of credible reports of suspected violations or irregularities, the investigative party shall see that corrective action takes place appropriately.

 

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THIS CODE SETS FORTH GENERAL GUIDELINES ONLY AND MAY NOT INCLUDE ALL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WOULD FALL WITHIN THE INTENT OF THE CODE AND BE CONSIDERED A VIOLATION THAT SHOULD BE REPORTED. EMPLOYEES SHOULD REPORT ALL SUSPECTED DISHONEST OR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED IN THE CODE.

 

  B. Questions Regarding Code

General questions regarding this Code or the application of this Code to particular situations may be directed to the Company’s Compliance Officer. Questions from Directors and Executive Officers may also be discussed with the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

  C. Determination of Violations

Determinations regarding whether a violation of this Code has occurred shall be made as follows:

(a) If the alleged violation under consideration concerns an Executive Officer or Director, the determination of the existence of any violation shall be made by the Audit Committee in consultation with such external legal counsel as the Audit Committee deems appropriate.

(b) If the situation under consideration concerns any other employee, the determination of the existence of a violation shall be made by the person to whom the employee ultimately reports, in consultation with the Compliance Officer.

(c) Whoever makes the decision as to whether a violation has occurred shall document the decision and forward the documentation to the Compliance Officer, or such other point of contact established by the Board of Directors, for filing and retention. These files shall be available to the Human Resources Department.

(d) In determining whether a violation of this Code has occurred, the committee or person making such determination may take into account to what extent the violations were intentional; the qualitative and quantitative materiality of such violation from the perspective of either the detriment to the Company or the benefit to the Director, Executive Officer or employee, the policy behind the provision violated and such other facts and circumstances as they shall deem advisable under all the facts and circumstances.

Acts or omissions determined to be violations of this Code, or determined not to be violations, by other than the Audit Committee under the process set forth above, and the factors on which the determination was based, shall be promptly reported by the Compliance Officer to the Audit Committee and by the Audit Committee to the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall determine, or designate appropriate persons to determine, appropriate actions to be taken if this Code has been violated. Such actions shall be reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote accountability for adherence to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and shall include written notices to the individual involved that the

 

14


Board of Directors has determined that there has been a violation, censure by the Board of Directors, demotion or re-assignment of the individual involved, suspension with or without pay or benefits (as determined by the Board of Directors) and/or termination of the individual’s employment.

 

  D. Request for Waivers

A waiver of a provision of this Code shall be requested whenever there is a reasonable likelihood that a contemplated action will violate the Code. Waivers shall not be granted except under extraordinary circumstances.

1. Process:

(a) If the request under consideration relates to an Executive Officer or Director, the determination with respect to the waiver shall be made by the Audit Committee, in consultation with such external legal counsel as the Audit Committee deems appropriate and submitted to the Board of Directors for ratification.

(b) If the request under consideration relates to any other employee, the determination shall be made by the person to whom the employee ultimately reports, in consultation with the Compliance Officer unless such request is quantitatively or qualitatively material or outside the ordinary course of business, in which case such determination shall be made by the Audit Committee.

(c) The decision with respect to the waiver requested shall be documented and forwarded to the Compliance Officer for filing and retention. These files shall be available to the Human Resources Department.

2. All waivers of this Code (other than those approved by the Audit Committee) shall be promptly reported by the Compliance Officer to the Audit Committee and by the Audit Committee to the Board of Directors.

3. To the extent determined to be required or appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors in consultation with such external legal counsel as the Audit Committee deems appropriate, waivers shall be publicly disclosed on a timely basis.

 

  E. Good Faith Reporting of Wrongdoing

1. Company Employees are protected, to the extent provided by law, against retaliation by the Company when they provide information or assist in an investigation by federal regulators, law enforcement, Congress, or the Company itself, regarding conduct which the employee reasonably believes constitutes wrongdoing.

2. An employee or Director shall report such concerns to the Compliance Officer or the CEO and to the Audit Committee. The Compliance Officer or CEO may then arrange a meeting with the employee or Director to allow the employee or Director to present a personal and complete description of the situation. Alternatively, good faith reports of wrongdoing may be reported to such other point of contact as may from time to time be established by the Board of Directors.

(a) “Good faith report” shall mean a report of conduct defined as wrongdoing, which the person making the report has reasonable cause to believe is true and which is made without malice or consideration of personal benefit.

 

15


(b) “Wrongdoing” shall mean a violation which is not of a merely technical or minimal nature of a federal or state statute or regulation or of this Code designed to protect the interest of the public or the Company.

(c) All good faith reports and resulting investigations will be kept confidential to the extent required by law.

3. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that the Company’s Audit Committee establish procedures for confidential, anonymous submission of employee concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. Employee complaints and reports of this nature shall be handled under the procedures established by the Audit Committee. Information regarding these procedures will be made available on the Company’s internal website.

Any employee who violates a provision of this Code is subject to applicable disciplinary action up to and including termination, and, where appropriate, the filing of a civil or criminal complaint. Directors who violate a provision of this Code are subject to such sanctions as the Board of Directors shall impose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company also preserves and reserves its other rights and remedies against any individual who violates any provision of this Code, both at law and in equity.

 

X. DISCLAIMER OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

This Code is neither an employment contract nor any guaranty of continued employment. The employment relationship between the Company and its employees is “at will.” The Company’s policies, guidelines and related procedures are subject to unilateral change by the Company at any time. A more complete discussion of these matters appears in the Company’s Employee Handbook.

 

XI. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

The Company reserves the right to amend this Code, in whole or in part, at any time and solely at its discretion. Any amendments, to the extent determined to be required or appropriate by the Board of Directors in consultation with such external legal counsel as the Board of Directors deems appropriate, shall be publicly disclosed on a timely basis.

 

XII. CERTIFICATION

Each Director and each Executive Officer will be required to read or review this Code each year and certify, in writing, that he or she understands his or her responsibilities to comply with the guidelines and provisions set forth herein.

* * *

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Dear Stockholder:

I am pleased to inform you that the board of directors of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (“FNF”) has approved the spin-off of our subsidiary, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. owns and operates three complementary upscale dining restaurant concepts. Each holder of FNFV Group common stock (“FNFV common stock”) will receive 0.17229 shares of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock for every one share of FNFV common stock held on September 22, 2015, the record date for this transaction.

The spin-off transaction will separate FNF and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. into two distinct businesses with separate ownership and management. We believe this transaction will better enable both companies to capitalize on significant opportunities for growth. FNF will continue to focus on its title insurance, mortgage servicing technology, and other businesses. J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. will emerge as an independent, publicly-owned company and pursue its growth strategies and prioritize investment spending as it sees fit, without having to compete for capital or senior management resources with other FNF businesses. This transaction will provide holders of FNFV common stock with separate and distinct ownership interests in both FNF and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., each with management teams focused on the unique needs and opportunities of their respective businesses. Certain executives of FNF will continue to provide consulting services to J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. pursuant to a Management Consulting Agreement described in the attached information statement.

The spin-off transaction will be in the form of a pro rata dividend to holders of FNFV common stock. The dividend will represent 100% of the common stock of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. owned by FNF. FNF currently owns 87.44% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

Holders of FNFV common stock are not required to vote on or take any other action in connection with the spin-off transaction. Accordingly, you do not need to take any action to receive the shares of common stock of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. to which you will be entitled as a holder of FNFV common stock. You do not need to pay any consideration or surrender or exchange your shares of FNFV common stock in connection with the spin-off transaction.

We expect that the spin-off transaction will be tax-free to stockholders and intend to complete the spin-off transaction only if we receive a favorable opinion of our tax advisor confirming the spin-off transaction’s tax-free status. The spin-off is also subject to other conditions, including the approval of the listing of the common stock of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. on The New York Stock Exchange.

We encourage you to read the attached information statement, which is being provided to all holders of FNFV common stock. It describes the spin-off transaction in detail and contains important business and financial information about J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

We believe the spin-off transaction is a positive event for our businesses and our stockholders. We look forward to your continued support as a stockholder of FNF and remain committed to working on your behalf to build long-term stockholder value.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Raymond R. Quirk

Chief Executive Officer

September 8, 2015




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LOGO

Dear Future J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. Stockholder,

On behalf of the entire team at J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., I want to welcome you as a future stockholder. Our business consists of three complementary upscale dining restaurant concepts: J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill. For more than 20 years, the J. Alexander’s team has provided its guests a quality dining experience with a contemporary American menu and high levels of customer service in restaurants with an attractive ambiance. As of the date hereof, we operate 41 locations across 14 states. During recent years, we have increased the number of restaurants we operate, increased same store sales and expanded our geographic reach.

As an independent, publicly-owned company, we believe we can more effectively execute on our strategic plans and deliver long-term value to you as a stockholder.

I encourage you to learn more about J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. and the strategies we are pursuing by reading the attached information statement. We look forward to our future as an independent, public company and your continued support as a J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. stockholder.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Lonnie J. Stout II

President and Chief Executive Officer

September 8, 2015




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INFORMATION STATEMENT

Distribution of Common Stock of

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

 

 

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (“FNF”) is furnishing this information statement to the holders of FNFV Group common stock (“FNFV common stock”) in connection with the distribution by FNF to the holders of FNFV common stock of all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. held by FNF.

In this distribution, FNF will distribute the shares of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock on a pro rata basis to the holders of FNFV common stock. As a holder of FNFV common stock, you will receive 0.17229 shares of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock for every one share of FNFV common stock that you hold at the close of business on September 22, 2015, the record date for the distribution. You will receive cash in lieu of any fractional share of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock that you would otherwise have received. As discussed more fully in the “Distribution” section of this information statement, if you sell shares of FNFV common stock in the “regular way” market between September 18, 2015 and September 28, 2015, the distribution date, you will also be selling your right to receive shares of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock in the distribution. Immediately after the distribution is completed, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. will be an independent, public company.

No stockholder action is necessary for you to receive the shares of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock to which you are entitled in the distribution. This means that you do not need to pay any consideration to FNF or to us for the shares of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock to be distributed to you and you do not need to surrender or exchange any shares of FNFV common stock to receive your shares of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock.

There is currently no trading market for J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock. On September 18, 2015, shares of our common stock are expected to begin trading on a “when-issued” basis. We expect that “when-issued” trading will begin on or shortly before the record date and continue up to and including the distribution date, after which time all shares of our common stock will be traded on a regular settlement basis, or “regular-way” trading, on The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “JAX.” We cannot predict the trading prices for J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock before, on or after the distribution date.

As you review this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 27.

 

 

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This information statement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy any securities.

 

 

The date of this information statement is September 8, 2015.

 




Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

SUMMARY

     1   

DISTRIBUTION

     17   

RISK FACTORS

     27   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     59   

OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE

     61   

THE DISTRIBUTION

     66   

DIVIDEND POLICY

     74   

CAPITALIZATION

     75   

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     76   

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     82   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     84   

INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

     120   

BUSINESS

     121   

MANAGEMENT

     137   

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     144   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     154   

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     162   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     165   

DELIVERY OF INFORMATION STATEMENT

     172   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     173   

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

 



 

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INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

This information statement contains industry and market data, forecasts and projections that are based on internal data and estimates, independent industry publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. In particular, we have obtained information regarding the restaurant industry from the National Restaurant Association (“NRA”) and Technomic, Inc. (“Technomic”). NRA is the largest foodservice trade association in the world, supporting nearly 500,000 restaurant businesses. Technomic is a national consulting market research firm. Other industry and market data included in this information statement are from internal analyses based upon data available from known sources or other proprietary research and analysis.

We believe the data used in this information statement to be reliable as of the date of this information statement, but there can be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. We have not independently verified the market and industry data obtained from these third-party sources. Our internal data and estimates are based upon information obtained from trade and business organizations, other contacts in the markets in which we operate and our management’s understanding of industry conditions. Though we believe this information to be true and accurate, such information has not been verified by any independent sources. You should carefully consider the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with the market and other industry data contained in this information statement, including those discussed under the heading “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 27 of this information statement.

TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES

We own the trademarks, service marks and trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including our corporate names, logos and website names. This information statement may also contain trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, our trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights referred to in this information statement are listed without the TM, SM, © and ® symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors, if any, to these trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31, and each quarter typically consists of 13 weeks. The period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012 included 39 weeks of operations, and the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012 included 13 weeks of operations. Fiscal years 2013 and 2014 included 52 weeks of operations. Each of the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 included 26 weeks of operations. All financial information herein relating to periods prior to the completion of the reorganization transactions described herein is that of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries. Financial information through and including September 30, 2012, the date Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (“FNF”) acquired J. Alexander’s Corporation (“JAC”) for accounting purposes, is referred to as “Predecessor” company information, which has been prepared using the previous basis of accounting. The financial information for periods beginning on or after October 1, 2012 is referred to as “Successor” company information and reflects the financial statement effects of recording fair value adjustments and the capital structure resulting from FNF’s acquisition of JAC.

Financial and operating information for all periods presented has been adjusted to reflect the impact of discontinued operations for comparative purposes.

 



 

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References to our same store restaurants and same store sales or average weekly same store sales in this information statement refer to sales from our restaurants in operation at the end of the period which have been open for longer than 18 consecutive months prior to the end of a specified period.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise expressly indicated in this information statement or the context otherwise requires:

 

   

references to “J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.” and the “issuer” refer to J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, and not to any of its subsidiaries;

 

 

   

references to “J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC,” refer to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the sole owner of J. Alexander’s, LLC;

 

 

   

references to “J. Alexander’s, LLC” refer to J. Alexander’s, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and, together with its subsidiaries (which we refer to as our “Operating Subsidiaries”), conducts all of our business operations; J. Alexander’s, LLC is the successor upon conversion of J. Alexander’s Corporation, which we refer to as “JAC”);

 

 

   

references to the “company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and J. Alexander’s, LLC, and the Operating Subsidiaries, giving effect to the reorganization transactions described below;

 

 

   

references to “FNF” refer to Fidelity National Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation, our parent company;

 

 

   

references to “FNFV” refer to Fidelity National Financial Ventures, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of FNF, and its predecessor, Fidelity National Special Opportunities, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which converted into FNFV in May 2014;

 

 

   

references to the “Management Consultant” refer to Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is owned by certain directors and executive officers of FNFV and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., and which provides business consulting services to us;

 

 

   

references to the “Management Consulting Agreement” refer to the Management Consulting Agreement between us and the Management Consultant .

 

 

   

references to “Newport” refer to Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP, a Delaware limited partnership, whose investment manager is Newport Global Advisors LP; and

 

 

   

references to “FNH” refer to Fidelity Newport Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a joint venture owned by FNFV, Newport and certain individuals.

 

 



 

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In this information statement, we use the following financial measures that are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”):

“Adjusted EBITDA,” defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax (expense) benefit, depreciation and amortization, and adding asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs, loss on disposals of fixed assets, transaction and integration costs, non-cash compensation, loss from discontinued operations, gain on debt extinguishment, pre-opening costs and certain unusual items, is a non-GAAP financial measure that we believe is useful to investors because it provides information regarding certain financial and business trends relating to our operating results. Adjusted EBITDA does not fully consider the impact of investing or financing transactions as it specifically excludes depreciation and interest charges, which should also be considered in the overall evaluation of our results of operations.

“Restaurant Operating Profit,” defined as net sales less restaurant operating costs, which are cost of sales, restaurant labor and related costs, depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment, and other operating expenses, is a non-GAAP financial measure that we believe is useful to investors because it provides a measure of profitability for evaluation that does not reflect corporate overhead and other non-operating or unusual costs. “Restaurant Operating Profit Margin” is the ratio of Restaurant Operating Profit to net sales.

Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant Operating Profit to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies. We caution investors that amounts presented in this information statement in accordance with the above definitions of Adjusted EBITDA or Restaurant Operating Profit may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies calculate these non-GAAP financial measures in the same manner. Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant Operating Profit should not be assessed in isolation from, or construed as a substitute for, net income or net cash provided by operating, investing or financing activities, each as presented in accordance with GAAP.

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the closest GAAP measure is included in this information statement under the heading “Information Statement Summary—Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Data.”

 



 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information from this information statement relating to our company. For a more complete understanding of our business, the separation and the distribution, you should carefully read this entire information statement, including the “Risk Factors” and “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations” sections and our combined historical and pro forma financial statements and notes to those statements appearing elsewhere in this information statement.

Unless otherwise indicated, the information included in this information statement assumes the completion of the separation of our company from FNF (the “separation”) and the distribution of our common stock to holders of FNFV common stock (the “distribution”).

Our Company

We own and operate three complementary upscale dining restaurant concepts: J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill (“Stoney River”). For more than 20 years, J. Alexander’s guests have enjoyed a contemporary American menu, polished service and an attractive ambiance. In February 2013, our team brought our quality and professionalism to the steakhouse category with the addition of the Stoney River concept. Stoney River provides “white tablecloth” service and food quality in a casual atmosphere at a competitive price point. Our newest concept, Redlands Grill, offers guests a different version of our contemporary American menu and a distinct architectural design and feel.

Our business plan has evolved over time to include a collection of restaurant concepts dedicated to providing guests with what we believe to be the highest quality food, high levels of professional service and a comfortable ambiance. By offering multiple restaurant concepts and utilizing unique non-standardized architecture and specialized menus, we believe we are positioned to continue to scale and grow our overall restaurant business in an efficient manner in urban and affluent suburban areas. We want each of our restaurants to be perceived by our guests as a locally- managed, stand-alone dining experience. This multiple concept strategy permits us to successfully operate each of our concepts in the same geographic market and avoid being perceived as a “chain,” which we believe is less than ideal in the upscale segment of the restaurant industry. If this strategy continues to prove successful, we may expand beyond our current three concepts in the future.

While each concept operates under a unique trade name, each of our restaurants is identified as a “J. Alexander’s Holdings” restaurant. As of June 28, 2015, we operated a total of 41 locations across 14 states. To further expand our multiple concept strategy, we are currently planning to transition between 12 and 15 of our J. Alexander’s restaurants to Redlands Grill restaurants. Other restaurant locations may be added or converted in the future as we determine how best to position our multiple concepts in a given geographic market.

We believe our concepts deliver on our customers’ desire for freshly-prepared, high quality food and high quality service in a restaurant that feels “unchained” with architecture and design that varies from location to location. As a result, we have delivered strong growth in same store sales, average weekly sales, net sales and Adjusted EBITDA. Through our combination with Stoney River, we have grown from 33 restaurants across 13 states in 2008 to 41 restaurants across 14 states as of June 28, 2015. Our growth in same store sales since 2008 has allowed us to invest significant amounts of capital to drive growth through the continuous improvement of existing locations, the development of plans to open new restaurants, and the hiring of personnel to support our growth plans.

Our J. Alexander’s restaurants have generated 22 consecutive fiscal quarters of positive same store sales growth, which we believe demonstrates the strength of that concept. We have grown the

 



 

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average weekly sales at our J. Alexander’s concept from approximately $88,400 in 2008 to approximately $107,000 in 2014, representing an increase of 21.0% over that time period. We have also grown the average weekly sales at the Stoney River locations since February 2013, even while implementing significant operational and remodeling improvements. From 2008 to 2014, our annual net sales (not including restaurants categorized as discontinued operations) increased from $137,622,000 to $202,233,000 and Adjusted EBITDA increased from $10,494,000 to $22,358,000. We generated net income of $105,000 in 2008 and $8,515,000 in 2014. For the six-month period ended June 28, 2015, our net sales were $109,275,000 and our net income was $5,514,000. For a definition and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income, see “—Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Data.”

 

 

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(1)

Adjusted EBITDA presented for the 2012 period, as adjusted. See - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations - Year Ended December 29, 2013 Compared to Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information for the Year Ended December 30, 2012 for a discussion of the adjustments included.

 

(2)

Stoney River is reflected in the 2014 and YTD through June 28, 2015 periods only.

Our Concepts

J. Alexander’s

J. Alexander’s was founded in 1991 in Nashville, Tennessee and for more than 20 years has offered a quality upscale dining experience with a contemporary American menu in an environment with an attractive ambiance. At J. Alexander’s, we pride ourselves on our attentive, highly professional service. The J. Alexander’s menu focuses on made-from-scratch menu items created with high quality, fresh ingredients. It features prime rib of beef, hardwood-grilled steaks, seafood and chicken, pasta, salads, soups, and assorted sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. The menu is complemented by a broad wine list with several exclusive offerings and signature cocktails. Each restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and had an average check per guest of $29.69 in 2014. As of June 28, 2015, we operated 21 J. Alexander’s locations. We plan to transition a total of 12 to 15 of the original J. Alexander’s locations to the Redlands Grill concept by the end of fiscal 2015.

 



 

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Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill

Stoney River was founded in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia and is a steakhouse concept that seeks to provide the quality and service of a fine dining steakhouse at a more reasonable price point. Stoney River has a high quality steakhouse menu, but unlike many steakhouse competitors, the menu is not “a la carte” and every steak comes with a side item. The menu is broader than many steakhouses, and includes house specialties ranging from pasta and chicken to shrimp, salmon and baby back ribs, complemented by an extensive wine list and signature cocktails. Each restaurant is open seven days a week for dinner and had an average check per guest of $45.31 in 2014. Stoney River has been a part of the J. Alexander’s organization since February 2013 and, as of June 28, 2015, we operated ten Stoney River locations.

Redlands Grill

We have been working on the development of the Redlands Grill for over twelve months, and began the rollout in the first quarter of 2015. Redlands Grill offers a broad contemporary American cuisine featuring expanded menu offerings on a seasonal or rotational basis, including made-from-scratch flatbreads, sushi, and a strong emphasis on farm-to-table seasonal vegetables. Each restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Menu items are priced similarly to those at J. Alexander’s restaurants. As of June 28, 2015, we operated 10 Redlands Grills and plan to transition a total of 12 to 15 former J. Alexander’s locations to this concept by the end of fiscal 2015.

Competitive Landscape

The full-service restaurant business is highly competitive and highly fragmented, and the number, size and strength of competitors vary widely by region. We believe restaurant competition is based on quality of food products, customer service, reputation, restaurant décor, location, reputation and price. Each of our restaurant concepts compete with a number of other restaurants within each market location, including both locally-owned restaurants and restaurants that are part of regional or national chains. J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill also compete with regional and national restaurant chains that market to the upscale restaurant customer, such as Del Frisco’s Grill, Kona Grill and Seasons 52. The principal competitors for our Stoney River concept include locally-owned upscale steakhouses. Stoney River also competes with the national “white tablecloth” steakhouse chains that market to the upscale steakhouse customer, such as The Capital Grille, Smith & Wollensky, The Palm, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Del Frisco’s and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Our concepts also compete with additional restaurants in the broader upscale and polished casual dining segments.

Our Strengths

Over our more than 20-year operating history, we have developed and refined the following strengths:

Three Distinct Yet Complementary Concepts

J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River are concepts with more than 40 years of combined history, strong brand value and exceptional customer loyalty in their core markets. All three restaurant concepts blend what we believe are the best attributes of fine and casual dining: a focus on high quality food made with fresh ingredients in a scratch kitchen, exceptional service, diverse menus and individualized interior and exterior design unique to each community. Each concept has a distinct identity, and the differentiation in menu and restaurant design is substantial enough that they can successfully operate in the same markets or retail locations.

 



 

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Over time, we anticipate that we will continue to grow with our multi-branding strategy. Each restaurant concept will have 15 to 20 restaurants competing in the upscale casual dining segment of the restaurant industry. All of our restaurants will take advantage of our professional service system, made-from-scratch high-quality menu items, and unique architectural designs supported by upscale ambiance. We believe that this strategy will increase our national footprint and overall competitive advantage.

Delivering a Superior Dining Experience with the Highest Quality Service at a Reasonable Price Point

Our concepts seek to provide a high quality dining experience that appeals to a wide range of consumer tastes at reasonable price points, which we believe helps us to cultivate long-term, loyal guests who place a premium on the price-value relationships that our concepts offer.

Premium, Freshly Made Cuisine

Each of our concepts is committed to preparing high quality food from innovative menus. We are selective in the grade and freshness of our ingredients and in our menu offerings. Substantially all the protein and vegetables we use are delivered fresh to our restaurants and are not frozen in transport or in storage prior to being served, and are predominately preservative and additive-free. Virtually all of our made-to-order menu items are prepared from scratch. Stocks, sauces and desserts are made in-house daily. Our food menus are complemented by comprehensive wine lists that offer both familiar varietals as well as wines exclusive to our restaurants. While each menu has its own distinctive profile, we strive to continuously innovate with new ingredients and local “farm-to-table” produce to provide limited-time featured items to keep the experience new and interesting for our guests. Quality control is a key part of our mission and we have developed a taste plate process at all of our restaurants whereby all of our menu items are taste-tested daily by restaurant managers to ensure they meet our presentation and taste standards.

Outstanding Service

Prompt, courteous and efficient service delivered by a knowledgeable staff is an integral part of each of our concepts. Our goal is to have all staff working together to achieve the highest guest satisfaction, and we believe that our low table-to-server ratio, when coupled with team serving by a dedicated staff, ensures that our guests receive exceptional service.

Sophisticated Experience

Our concepts use a variety of architectural designs and building finishes to create beautiful, upscale décor with contemporary and timeless finishes. We are aggressive with our repair and maintenance program in all locations, ensuring that no restaurant ever looks “highly trafficked” or dated. This results in a reduced need for periodic major remodels to reimage a given location to acceptable standards.

Attractive Unit Economics and Consistent Execution

We believe that we have a long standing track record of consistently producing high average unit sales volumes and have proven the viability of our concepts in multiple markets and regions. We have successfully increased our average unit volumes at a compound annual growth rate of 3.2% from approximately $4,600,000 in 2008 to approximately $5,600,000 in 2014 for the J. Alexander’s concept. Our highest volume J. Alexander’s restaurant generated approximately $8,400,000 in net sales in

 



 

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2014. From 2008 to 2014, we have increased our Restaurant Operating Profit Margin (as defined herein) at J. Alexander’s by 5.9% to 15.7%. Since we began operating Stoney River, we have been able to increase the average weekly sales and Restaurant Operating Profit Margin at our Stoney River restaurants even while implementing significant operational improvements and remodeling several locations. We believe that additional remodels of locations in each of our concepts will contribute to increases in same store sales. Once operational for 36 months, we are targeting average unit volumes and Restaurant Operating Profit Margins for new locations to exceed system-wide fiscal year 2014 levels for all of our concepts.

Strong Cultural Focus on Continuous Training

We believe that our stringent hiring standards, coupled with our extensive and continuous training programs for all employees, provide our guests with outstanding service at each of our concepts. We prefer to hire general managers and regional management from within the organization; currently approximately 55% of those roles are filled by individuals promoted from within. We also seek to hire general manager prospects from top U.S. culinary and hospitality programs and train them in our systems and processes, which can be a three to five-year process. We believe that our hiring and training, and our focus on internal promotion help to ensure that our culture of excellent service is thoroughly disseminated throughout our organization.

Sophisticated and Scalable Back Office and Operations

Our back office and operations have developed over the last 20 years to provide us with advantages in our purchasing and shared services model. Most of our protein purchases are negotiated directly with our suppliers. Direct relationships with vendors provide us with cost and flexibility advantages that may not be available from third party distributors. We also have a shared service model for our back office that has centralized certain functions for all of our concepts at our corporate headquarters. Services shared between our concepts include staff training and recruiting, real estate development, purchasing, human resources, information technology, finance and accounting. From our vendor team to our shared services model, we believe that we have developed a scalable platform with the bench strength to support our planned growth with limited additions.

Experienced Management Team

We are led by a management team with significant experience in all aspects of restaurant operations. Our team of industry veterans at the executive level has an average of 30 years of restaurant experience. Our 41 general managers have an average tenure of approximately 9.8 years at J. Alexander’s, 10.6 years at Redlands Grill, and 6.1 years at Stoney River as of July 2015. Despite a challenging economic environment, this management team has achieved 22 consecutive fiscal quarters of same store sales growth at the J. Alexander’s concept, improved restaurant-level performance, integrated Stoney River operations and established new restaurant development efforts.

In addition, pursuant to the Management Consulting Agreement, we will continue to be able to leverage key management resources of FNF which have contributed significantly to our growth and financial performance since we were acquired by FNF in 2012.

 



 

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Our Growth Strategies

We believe that there are significant opportunities to grow our business, strengthen our competitive position and enhance our concepts through the implementation of the following strategies:

Deliver Consistent Same Store Sales Growth Through Continuing to Provide High Quality Food and Service

We believe we will be able to continue to generate same store sales growth by consistently providing an attractive price/value proposition for our guests through excellent service in an upscale environment. We remain focused on delivering freshly prepared, contemporary American cuisine, with exceptional quality and service for the price, while continuing to explore ways to increase the flexibility of dining options for our guests. We will continue to adapt to changing consumer tastes and incorporate local offerings to reinforce our boutique restaurant feel through limited-time featured food and drink offerings and potential menu additions. We also have a program of continuous investment in all of our locations to maintain our store images at the highest level to ensure a consistent guest experience across all concepts. We believe that our level of repair and maintenance expense, coupled with our planned remodeling schedule, will also contribute to improvements in same store sales.

Pursue Disciplined New Restaurant Growth in Target Markets

We believe that upscale casual dining has significant growth potential and we are in the early stages of our growth story. We have built a scalable infrastructure, successfully grown J. Alexander’s, commenced the conversion of certain J. Alexander’s to Redlands Grill, and completed the integration of the Stoney River locations. Historically, we have focused on organic growth, but in 2013, we began to establish a new restaurant development pipeline. The first of our new restaurant openings occurred in Columbus, Ohio in the fourth quarter of 2014, and we have two additional new sites under lease as of July 2015. We believe that there are significant opportunities to grow our concepts in both existing and new markets nationwide where we believe we can generate attractive unit economics. Developing the Redlands Grill concept is expected to further accelerate our growth as it will allow us to open additional restaurants in growing markets in which we already operate a J. Alexander’s and/or a Stoney River.

We are constantly evaluating potential sites for new restaurant openings and currently have approximately 30 locations in approximately 20 separate markets under various stages of review and development. We believe that having a large number of sites under review at any one time is necessary in order to meet our development goals. In our experience, sites under analysis often will not result in a new restaurant location for any number of reasons, including the delay or cancelation of larger development projects on which a future restaurant may depend, the loss of potential site locations to competitors or our ultimate determination that a site under review is not appropriate for one of our concepts. We believe that the number of available and potential sites under review by us, the anticipated cost of opening a new restaurant location, and the capital resources anticipated to be available to us following completion of the distribution will support four to five new restaurant openings annually starting in 2016. However, our ability to open any particular number of restaurants in any calendar year is dependent upon many factors, risks and uncertainties beyond our control as discussed more fully elsewhere in this information statement under the heading “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business.”

Leverage Our Infrastructure to Enhance Profitability

We believe that we have a scalable infrastructure and can continue to expand our margins as we execute our strategy, particularly as we continue to improve the operations at the Stoney River locations. While each of our restaurant concepts has independent store-level operations, we use our

 



 

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shared services platform to conduct many of the training, quality control and administrative functions for our concepts. We believe that this approach will enhance our profitability as we grow. We believe we have the personnel in place to support our current growth plan without significant additional investments in infrastructure.

Capitalization

After completion of the distribution by FNF of our common stock, which we refer to as the “spin-off” or “distribution”, our outstanding capital stock will consist of approximately 15 million shares of common stock. Stockholders will hold shares of common stock of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., the sole managing member of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. See “Description of Capital Stock.”

History and Corporate Structure

The first J. Alexander’s restaurant opened in 1991 in Nashville, Tennessee. From 1991 to 2012, J. Alexander’s was owned and operated by JAC, the predecessor to J. Alexander’s, LLC, and grew from a single location in 1991 to 33 restaurants located in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Stoney River was founded by a group of entrepreneurs in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996. In 2000, O’Charley’s, Inc. (“O’Charley’s”) acquired Stoney River, which at that time operated two restaurant locations in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. From 2000 until 2012, O’Charley’s owned and operated Stoney River, adding additional locations in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and Tennessee.

In April of 2012, FNFV acquired O’Charley’s and in May of that year transferred its ownership in O’Charley’s to FNH. In September of 2012, FNFV acquired JAC and in February 2013, JAC was transferred to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, then a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of FNFV. In February of 2013, FNH transferred the Stoney River Assets (as defined herein) to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

Redlands Grill is a new restaurant concept that we launched in the first quarter of 2015.

Corporate Structure

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Tennessee on August 15, 2014 for the purpose of conducting an initial public offering of shares of its common stock. For reasons described in this information statement under the heading “The Distribution—Strategic Evaluation and Reasons for the Distribution,” including our long-term revenue growth objectives and desire to maximize value for holders of FNFV common stock, we terminated the offering in the second quarter of 2015. To date, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. has engaged only in activities in contemplation of the terminated offering and the proposed spin-off. Prior to the completion of the spin-off, all of our business operations are being conducted through J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries.

In anticipation of the spin-off and planned public offering, beginning in August 2014 we commenced an internal restructuring that, following the completion of the proposed spin-off, will have resulted in the following:

 

   

the formation of the issuer;

 

 

   

the formation of JAX Investments, Inc. (“JAX Investments”) by the issuer and the transfer to it of 1% of the Class A membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC;

 

 



 

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the issuance of shares of common stock by us to the holders of Class A Units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, including FNFV and Newport but excluding JAX Investments, in exchange for their membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC; and

 

 

   

the restatement of the current limited liability company agreement of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC (referred to herein as the “Restated Operating Agreement”) to provide for the governance and control of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC by us as its sole managing member and to establish the terms upon which the Management Consultant and other holders of “Class B Units” in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC may exchange such “Class B Units” for shares of our common stock or, with regard to Class B Units issued to certain members of management, a cash payment, to be determined at our option.

 

Following the consummation of the reorganization transactions and the spin-off, we will be a holding company and through our sole managing member, will control the business and affairs of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries. Our principal asset will be our direct ownership of 99% of the Class A Units and an indirect ownership through JAX Investments of the remaining 1% of the Class A Units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. In addition, following the consummation of the reorganization transactions and the spin-off, we will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, while J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In this information statement, we refer to the transactions described above as the “reorganization transactions.” For a detailed description of the reorganization transactions, including a summary of the material terms and conditions of the documents and agreements adopted or entered into in connection with the reorganization transactions, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 



 

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The diagram below summarizes our organizational structure immediately after completion of the reorganization transactions and the spin-off.

 

 

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*

Members of management who were previously granted Class B Units

See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” and “Description of Capital Stock” for more information on our corporate structure and the rights associated with our common stock and Class B Units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

About FNF

FNF is a leading provider of title insurance, technology and transaction services to the real estate and mortgage industries. FNF is the nation’s largest title insurance company through its title insurance underwriters—Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, Alamo Title and National Title of New York—that collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States. FNF also provides industry-leading mortgage technology solutions and transaction services, including MSP ® , the leading residential mortgage servicing technology platform in the U.S., through its majority-owned subsidiary, ServiceLink Holdings, LLC. In addition, FNF indirectly owns majority and minority equity investment stakes in a number of entities, including Ceridian HCM, Inc., Digital Insurance, Inc., FNH and us.

Our Principal Shareholders

Newport is a limited partnership private equity investment fund managed by Newport Global Advisors LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Newport Global Advisors”) and its controlled affiliates. Newport Global Advisors is a registered investment advisor, with $525 million in assets under management.

 



 

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Agreements with FNF and its Affiliates

In addition to the documents and agreements described above that comprise the reorganization transactions, in connection with the spin-off, we intend to enter into a Tax Matters Agreement with FNF and a Management Consulting Agreement with Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC, which is owned and controlled by certain key executive officers and directors of FNFV and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. who have provided core advisory services to us since we were originally acquired by FNF. See, “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for a more complete description of the foregoing agreements.

Risk Factors

We face numerous risks and uncertainties in our operations that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Below is a summary of certain risk factors associated with our business that you should consider in evaluating an investment in our common stock. These risks are discussed more fully in the section titled “ Risk Factors ” immediately following this summary. Some of the more significant challenges and risks include the following:

 

   

the impact of, and our ability to react to, general economic conditions and changes in consumer preferences;

 

 

   

our ability to open new restaurants and operate them profitably, including our ability to locate and secure appropriate sites for restaurant locations, obtain favorable lease terms, attract customers to our restaurants or hire and retain personnel;

 

 

   

our ability to successfully develop and improve our Stoney River and Redlands Grill concepts;

 

 

   

our ability to successfully transition certain existing J. Alexander’s locations to Redlands Grill locations;

 

 

   

our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, or at all;

 

 

   

the strain on our infrastructure caused by the implementation of our growth strategy;

 

 

   

the significant competition we face for customers, real estate and employees;

 

 

   

the impact of economic downturns or other disruptions in markets in which we have revenue or geographic concentrations within our restaurant base;

 

 

   

the impact of increases in the price of, and/or reductions in the availability of, commodities, particularly beef; and

 

 

   

the impact of negative publicity or damage to our reputation, which could arise from concerns regarding food safety and food-borne illnesses or other matters.

 

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in Tennessee on August 15, 2014. Our principal executive offices are located at 3401 West End Avenue, Suite 260, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, and our telephone number is (615) 269-1900. Our website address is www.jalexandersholdings.com . Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and is not considered part of, this information statement.

 



 

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Questions and Answers About the Distribution

Q:            Why is FNF separating its premium restaurant business from its other businesses?

A:            The board of directors of FNF believes that the separation will enable: (i) J. Alexander’s to pursue a more focused, industry-specific strategy; (ii) FNF to allocate resources and deploy capital in a manner consistent with its own priorities; (iii) better align management incentives with stockholder interests; and (iv) in the case of our upscale dining concepts, provide greater transparency for investors. Furthermore, the board of directors of FNF believes that the separation of FNF and J. Alexander’s will (i) facilitate stock acquisitions using either company’s stock and (ii) enhance the equity compensation programs of FNF and J. Alexander’s. For more information, see “The Distribution—Reasons for the Distribution.”

In deciding whether to separate its upscale dining concept business, FNF’s senior management and board of directors considered certain potentially negative factors including: (i) the disruption to J. Alexander’s operations due to the substantial time and attention required by its executive management team in connection with the restructuring transactions and agreements with FNF effectuating the separation, (ii) the increased cost associated with building out a corporate infrastructure and retention of the Management Consultant to perform functions which have historically been provided by FNF; (iii) the ongoing compliance and reporting cost of being a publicly traded company; and (iv) risks associated with no longer being part of a diversified holding company including, but not limited to, not having access to capital generated by FNF’s other businesses and becoming more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events.

Q:            Why did FNF decide to separate its upscale dining concepts business now?

A:            In 2014, FNF’s senior management and board of directors undertook a strategic review of FNF’s businesses, including an assessment of the market and growth characteristics of each of its businesses and the role of each business within FNF’s overall business portfolio. FNF originally pursued an initial public offering of J. Alexander’s but, due primarily to J. Alexander’s long-term revenue growth objectives and desire to maximize value for holders of FNFV common stock, terminated the IPO in the second quarter of 2015, and determined to undertake the separation and distribution. For more information, see “The Distribution—Reasons for The Distribution.”

Q:            How will FNF accomplish the separation of (and distribution of shares in) J. Alexander’s?

A:            The separation will be accomplished through a series of transactions resulting in FNF owning 87.44% of our common stock. In the distribution, FNF will then distribute to its holders of FNFV common stock, 100% of the shares of J. Alexander’s it owns. Following the distribution, J. Alexander’s will be an independent, publicly-owned company.

Q:            What will I receive in the distribution, and when will the distribution occur?

A:            FNF will distribute 0.17229 shares of our common stock for every one share of FNFV common stock outstanding at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 22, 2015, the record date for the distribution. You will pay no consideration and will not give up any portion of your FNFV common stock to receive shares in the distribution. FNF will distribute the shares on September 28, 2015, which we refer to as the “distribution date.”

 



 

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Q:            As a holder of FNFV common stock on the record date, what do I need to do to participate in the distribution?

A:            Nothing. You do not need to take any action, but we urge you to read this entire information statement carefully. No stockholder approval of the distribution is required or sought. You are not being asked for a proxy. You are not required to make any payment, surrender or exchange any of your shares of FNFV common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of our common stock.

Q:            How will fractional shares be treated in the distribution?

A:            FNF will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock to holders of FNFV common stock. Fractional shares of our common stock to which FNFV stockholders of record would otherwise be entitled will be aggregated and sold in the public market by the distribution agent. The aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales will be distributed pro rata to each holder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. No interest will be paid on the amount paid in lieu of a fractional share. Proceeds from these sales will generally result in a taxable gain or loss to those stockholders. If you are entitled to receive cash proceeds from fractional shares, you should consult your tax advisor as to your particular circumstances. The tax consequences of the distribution are described in more detail under “The Distribution—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.”

Q:            If I sell my stock, after the record date and on or before the distribution date, shares of FNFV common stock that I held on the record date, am I still entitled to receive shares of J. Alexander’s common stock in the distribution?

A:            Beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, we expect that there will be two markets in FNFV common stock: a “regular way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of FNFV common stock that trade on the regular way market will trade with an entitlement to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. Therefore, if you owned shares of FNFV common stock on the record date and sell those shares on the regular way market before the distribution date, you will also be selling the right to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. Shares that trade on the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution, so that holders who sell shares ex-distribution will remain entitled to receive shares of our common stock even though they have sold their shares of FNFV common stock after the record date. You are encouraged to consult your financial adviser regarding the specific implications of selling your FNFV common stock prior to or on the distribution date.

Q:            Will the distribution affect the number of shares of FNFV common stock that I currently hold?

A:            No. The number of shares of FNFV common stock held by a stockholder will be unchanged as a result of the distribution. The market value of each share of FNFV common stock, however, is expected to decline to reflect the impact of the distribution. See “The Distribution—The Number of Shares You Will Receive.”

Q:            What are the material United States federal income tax consequences of the distribution?

A:            FNF has requested an opinion from KPMG LLP, its tax advisor, to the effect that, based on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings set forth in the request, the distribution

 



 

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will qualify as a transaction that is tax-free under Section 355 and other related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Please see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Separation from FNF,” “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Common Stock” and “The Distribution—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution” for more information regarding the potential tax consequences of the distribution. Holders of FNFV common stock should consult their tax advisors regarding the particular tax consequences of the distribution.

Q:            Will I receive a stock certificate for the shares of J. Alexander’s Holding’s shares distributed to me in the distribution?

A:            No. Registered holders of FNFV common stock (meaning FNFV stockholders who hold FNFV common stock directly through an account with the transfer agent for FNFV common stock, Computershare) who are entitled to participate in the distribution will receive from Computershare, the distribution agent, a book-entry account statement reflecting their ownership of our common stock. For additional information, registered stockholders should contact the distribution agent at (609) 430-7400 or through its website at www.computershare.com.

Q:            What if I hold my shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee?

A:            Holders of FNFV common stock who hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee will have their brokerage accounts credited with our common stock. For additional information, those stockholders should contact their broker, bank or other nominee directly.

Q:            What if I have stock certificates reflecting my shares of FNFV common stock? Should I send them to FNF’s transfer agent or to FNF?

A:            No. You should not send your stock certificates to Computershare or to FNF. You should retain your FNFV stock certificates.

Q:            Can FNF decide to cancel the distribution, even if all of the conditions are met?

A:            Yes. Until the distribution has occurred, the FNF board of directors has the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate the distribution, even if all of the conditions are met. Should the FNF board of directors determine to amend or modify any material terms of the spin-off and related transactions, we will file an amendment to this information statement discussing the reasons for such amendment or modification. Should the FNF board of directors determine to abandon the spin-off and related transactions in their entirety, FNF will file a Current Report on Form 8-K and issue a press release to disclose such abandonment.

Q:            Will J. Alexander’s incur any debt prior to or at the time of separation?

A:            No.

Q:            Does J. Alexander’s intend to pay dividends?

A:            The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors, and subject to regulatory and other constraints. See “Dividend Policy.”

 



 

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Q:            Will my shares of J. Alexander’s common stock trade on a stock market?

A:            Yes. Currently, there is no public market for our common stock, but we intend to list our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “JAX.” We cannot predict the trading prices for our common stock when such trading begins or thereafter.

Q:            Will the distribution affect the market price of my FNFV shares?

A:            Yes. The trading price of FNFV common stock immediately after the distribution is expected to be lower than the trading price immediately before the distribution because the trading price immediately after the distribution will no longer reflect the value of J. Alexander’s business. Furthermore, until the market has fully analyzed the value of FNFV common stock after the distribution, FNFV common stock may experience more stock price volatility than usual. It is possible that the combined trading prices of FNFV common stock and our common stock immediately after the distribution will be less than the trading price of shares of FNFV common stock immediately before the distribution.

Q:            What are the conditions to the distribution?

A:            The Distribution is subject to final approval by the Board of FNF as well as a number of additional conditions, including, among others:

 

   

The receipt of a tax opinion from KPMG LLP;

 

   

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission declaring effective the registration statement on Form 10 of which this information statement forms a part;

 

   

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will not have been terminated;

 

   

Any government approvals and other material consents necessary to consummate the distribution will have been obtained and be in full force and effect;

 

   

The approval by the NYSE of the listing of our shares of common stock; and

 

   

Additional conditions as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Q:            Were the terms and conditions of the separation and related transactions determined on an arm’s-length basis?

A:            The terms and conditions of the separation and related transactions have not been negotiated or determined on an arm’s-length basis, because they have been negotiated and determined while we are still a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF. No independent committee of FNF’s board of directors or other independent body has negotiated the terms of the separation and related transactions on our behalf, and no fairness opinion has been or will be obtained. As a result, the terms and conditions of the separation and related transactions may not reflect terms and conditions that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations between unaffiliated third parties. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Separation from FNF” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with FNF.”

 



 

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Q:            Will J. Alexander’s incur costs in connection with separation and related transactions?

A:            Yes. We estimate that we will incur legal, accounting and other transactional costs equal to approximately $2,000,000, in the aggregate. We also expect to incur additional ongoing costs associated with operating as an independent, publicly traded company.

Q:            What will the relationship be between FNF and J. Alexander’s after the distribution?

A:            Following the distribution, we will be an independent public company, and FNF will not retain any of our common stock. In connection with the separation and distribution, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and a Tax Matters Agreement with FNF for the purpose of both effecting the separation and distribution and governing our relationship with FNF following the separation. We describe these agreements in more detail under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions— Agreements with FNF.”

Q:            Why is J. Alexander’s entering into the consulting agreement with Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC?

A:            Our executive management team has substantial experience in the restaurant industry, particularly the upscale dining segment. The principals of the Management Consultant, most of whom who also serve as executive officers and directors of FNFV, have substantial experience in mergers, acquisitions, accessing public capital markets, managing public reporting and corporate governance, as well as extensive knowledge of our business, strategic plan, and finances. Rather than hiring additional executive management personnel with these skills or outsourcing to another consulting firm, in each case without the experience, background, track record and input on our business, we determined that using the services of the Management Consultant was the most cost effective way to provide us with these services. Factors considered included the cost savings from screening, recruiting and hiring such persons into our Company, reducing the burden on our operational management team to integrate and educate new officers or consultants, and the fact that the majority of the compensation payable to the Management Consultant is based on the performance of the Company. We describe this agreement in more detail under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Management Consulting Agreement.”

Q:            What compensation is payable to Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC as a result of its consulting agreement with J. Alexander’s, and what potential dilution to J. Alexander’s stockholders may result from such compensation?

A:            Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC will receive compensation for the services that it will provide under the consulting agreement. Such compensation will consist of: (i) 3% of the Adjusted EBITDA of the Company for each year during the term of the consulting agreement, and (ii) a grant of Class B Units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, the Company’s operating subsidiary, which vest over a period of three years from the date of grant. The grant of Class B Units will not be dilutive to the stockholders of the Company initially and would potentially become dilutive upon the occurrence of one of the following events: (a) an exercise of Class B Units by Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC in accordance with the three year vesting schedule and the subsequent exchange of such Class B Units for Company common stock, (b) the Company exceeding certain financial thresholds of profitability, after which the holders of Class B Units, including Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC, could benefit from a distribution to them, or (c) a liquidation of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, each of which events are set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. The grant of Class B Units to Black Knight Advisory

 



 

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Services, LLC could be dilutive to public stockholders of the Company by up to 10%. However, on the distribution date, the Class B Units will have no immediate value. We describe the Class B Units in more detail under “Our Corporate Structure – The Management Consultant’s Profit Interests.”

Q:            Are there risks to owning J. Alexander’s common stock?

A:            Yes. These risks are described under “Risk Factors.” We encourage you to read that entire section carefully.

Q:            Will I have appraisal rights in connection with the separation and distribution?

A:            No. Holders of FNFV common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the separation or the distribution.

Q:            Where can I get more information?

A:            If you have any questions relating to the transfer or mechanics of the distribution, you should contact the distribution agent at:

Computershare

250 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02051

(609) 430-7400

For other questions relating to the separation or the distribution, prior to the distribution, or for questions relating to FNFV common stock after the distribution, you should contact FNF’s investor relations department at:

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

601 Riverside Avenue

Jacksonville, FL 32204

(904) 854-8100

For other questions relating to the separation or the distribution, after the distribution, you should contact our investor relations department at:

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

3401 West End Avenue, Suite 260

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

(615) 269-1900

 



 

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DISTRIBUTION

The following is a brief summary of the terms of the distribution. For a full discussion of the distribution, see “Distribution.”

 

Distributing Company:

  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which after the distribution will not own any shares of our common stock.

Distributed Company:

  

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, which is a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF. After the distribution, we will be an independent public company.

Distributed Shares:

  

All of the outstanding shares of our common stock owned by FNF immediately prior to the distribution, constituting 87.44% of all of our issued and outstanding shares, will be distributed to the holders of FNFV common stock in the distribution. The number of shares that FNF will distribute to its holders of FNFV common stock will be reduced to the extent that cash payments are to be made in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of our common stock, as described below.

Distribution Ratio:

  

0.17229 shares of our common stock for every one share of FNFV common stock that you hold at the close of business on the record date for the distribution.

Fractional Shares:

  

FNF will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock to the holders of FNFV common stock. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares and sell them in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the proceeds pro rata to each person who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. You will not be entitled to any interest on the amount of payment made in lieu of a fractional share.

Record Date:

  

September 22, 2015 (5:00 p.m., New York City time).

Distribution Date:

  

September 28, 2015.

Distribution:

  

On or about the distribution date, the distribution agent will distribute the shares of our common stock by crediting such shares to book-entry accounts for persons who were holders of FNFV common stock at the close of business on the record date. You will not be required to make any payment or surrender or exchange your FNFV common stock or take any other

 



 

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action to receive your shares of our common stock. The transfer agent will mail an account statement to each such holder of FNFV common stock stating the number of shares of our common stock credited to such holder’s account. Beneficial stockholders will receive information from their brokerage firms. If you sell shares of FNFV common stock in the “regular way” market between the record date and the distribution date, you will also be selling your right to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution.

 

Under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, FNF may, in its sole and absolute discretion, without liability, decide not to proceed with the proposed distribution or change the terms of the distribution at any time prior to the time that the distribution is effected. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Agreements with FNF—Separation and Distribution Agreement.”

Distribution Agent:

  

Computershare.

Transfer Agent and Registrar for our Shares:

  

Computershare.

Stock Exchange Listing:

  

We have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “JAX.” There is currently no trading market for our common stock. On September 18, 2015, trading of shares of our common stock is expected to begin on a “when-issued” basis. See “Distribution—Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date.”

Current Debt:

  

On September 3, 2013, we entered into a loan agreement with Pinnacle Bank for a credit facility that includes a three-year $1,000,000 revolving line of credit and a seven-year $15,000,000 term loan. We used proceeds from the credit facility to retire our previously outstanding mortgage debt. On December 9, 2014, we executed an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement to provide for a five-year $15,000,000 development line of credit. Additionally, in May 2015, we increased our existing development line of credit to $20,000,000 and obtained a new term loan in the principal amount of $10,000,000, the proceeds of which were used to repay in full a promissory note payable to FNF. For additional information relating to our revolving credit facility and term loan facilities, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

 



 

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Tax Considerations:

  

FNF has requested an opinion from KPMG LLP, its tax advisor, to the effect that, based on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings set forth in the request, the distribution will qualify as a transaction that is tax-free under Section 355 and other provisions of the Code. The distribution is conditioned upon the receipt by FNF of such a favorable opinion of its tax advisor confirming the distribution’s tax-free status. See “Distribution—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.”

 

In connection with the distribution, we will be subject to restrictions on certain post-distribution actions, including significant transfers of our stock or assets, which could affect the qualification of the distribution as a tax-free transaction. We will also generally indemnify FNF if the distribution fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction for specified reasons. For additional information regarding these matters, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement.”

Dividend Policy:

  

The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and subject to regulatory and other constraints. See “Dividend Policy.”

Relationship with FNF:

  

Prior to the distribution, we will enter into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and a Tax Matters Agreement with FNF to effect the separation and distribution and provide a framework for our relationship with FNF after the separation. For a discussion of these arrangements, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions- Agreements with FNF.”

Relationship with Management Consultant:

  

Prior to the distribution, we will enter into a Management Consulting Agreement with Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC, which is owned by certain executive officers and directors of FNFV and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. For a discussion of this arrangement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions - Management Consulting Agreement.”

Risk Factors:

  

The separation, distribution and ownership of our common stock involve various risks. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” section of this information statement.

 



 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following tables present J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.’s summary historical consolidated financial and operating data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. was formed as a Tennessee corporation on August 15, 2014. J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. has not engaged in any business or other activities except in connection with its formation, the reorganization transactions and the distribution. Accordingly, all financial and other information herein relating to periods prior to the completion of the distribution is that of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries. Financial information through and including September 30, 2012 is referred to as “Predecessor” company information, which has been prepared using the previous basis of accounting. The financial information for periods beginning on or after October 1, 2012 is referred to as “Successor” company information and reflects the financial statement effects of recording fair value adjustments and the capital structure resulting from FNFV’s acquisition of JAC. The summary consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended December 30, 2012, December 29, 2013 and December 28, 2014 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. The summary consolidated financial data as of June 28, 2015 and for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 are derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. The results for the six months ended June 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

The summary unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014 present our consolidated results of operations giving pro forma effect to the reorganization transactions and the distribution as if they had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2014. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that are factually supportable and that we believe are reasonable in order to reflect on a pro forma basis, the impact of the reorganization transactions and the distribution on the historical financial information of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. The pro forma results are for informational purposes only and do not reflect the actual results that we would have achieved had we operated as a public company and are not indicative of our future results of operations. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information”.

 



 

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Financial information for all periods presented has been adjusted to reflect discontinued operations for comparative purposes. The following summary consolidated financial data should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements, unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information, and accompanying notes and information under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

    Pro Forma     Pro Forma     Successor     Successor     Successor     Predecessor     Successor  

Dollars in thousands, except Average Weekly Same Store Sales

   

 

 
 

Six months

Ended

June 28,
2015

  

  

  
  

   
 
 
Year Ended
December 28,
2014
  
  
  
   
 
 
Year Ended
December 28,
2014(1)
  
  
  
   
 
 
Year Ended
December 29,
2013(1)
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
October 1,
2012 to
December 30,
2012(1)
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
January 2,
2012 to
September 30,
2012(1)
  
  
  
  
 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

  

               
 
June 28,
2015(1)
  
  
   

 

June 29,        

2014(1)          

  

  

    (unaudited)     (unaudited)                                 (unaudited)     (unaudited)          

Statement of Operations Data:

                   

Net sales

  $ 109,275      $ 202,233        $202,233        $188,223        $40,341        $116,555        $109,275        $102,196           

Cost of sales

    34,596        64,591        64,591        61,432        12,883        36,858        34,596        32,339           

Restaurant labor and related costs

    32,636        61,539        61,539        59,032        12,785        38,050        32,636        30,711           

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

    4,039        7,652        7,652        7,228        1,425        4,117        4,039        3,777           

Other operating expenses

    21,550        40,440        40,440        39,016        7,849        23,175        21,550        20,491           

General and administrative expense

    9,637        17,873        14,450        11,981        2,330        8,109        7,863        6,537           

Pre-opening expense

    2        681        681        -        -        -        2        21           

Transaction and integration expenses

    -        -        785        (217)        183        4,537        2,113        102           

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

    2        5        5        2,094        -        -        2        4           

Total operating expenses

    102,462        192,781        190,143        180,566        37,455        114,846        102,801        93,982           

Operating income

    6,813        9,452        12,090        7,657        2,886        1,709        6,474        8,214           

Interest expense

    402        668        2,908        2,888        187        1,174        776        1,491           

Other, net

    48        104        104        3,055        26        (161)        48        76           

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    6,459        8,888        9,286        7,824        2,725        374        5,746        6,799           

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (2,454     (3,378     (328)        (138)        (1)        79        (21)        (37)           

Loss from discontinued operations, net

    -        -        (443)        (4,785)        (506)        (1,412)        (211)        (224)           

Net income (loss)

  $ -      $ -        $8,515        $2,901        $2,218        $(959)        $5,514        $6,538           
 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interests

    590        578                   

Income from continuing operations attributable to J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

    3,415        4,932                   
 

 

 

                 

Balance Sheet Data

                   

Cash and cash equivalents

    -        -        $13,301        $18,069        $11,127        $6,853        $15,152        $23,938           

Working capital (deficit)(2)

    -        -        (4,102)        1,001        (640)        (1,416)        1,449        8,132           

Total assets

    -        -        150,908        151,101        132,749        83,872        151,344        156,121           

Total debt

    -        -        22,921        34,640        20,654        17,648        22,084        33,781           

Total membership equity

    -        -        96,889        88,455        91,394        42,508        102,612        94,975           

 



 

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     Successor      Successor      Successor      Predecessor      Successor  

  Dollars in thousands, except Average

  Weekly Same Store Sales

    
 
 
Year Ended
December 28,
2014(1)
  
  
  
    
 
 
Year Ended
December 29,
2013(1)
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
October 1,
2012 to
December 30,
2012(1)
  
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
January 2,
2012 to
September 30,
2012(1)
  
  
  
  
  

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

  

                
 
June 28,
2015(1)
  
  
    

 

June 29,        

2014(1)          

  

  

                                     (unaudited)      (unaudited)          

  Other Financial Data:

                   

Net cash provided by operating activities

     $17,955         $15,907         $5,656         $3,036         $7,455         $9,377           

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,693)         (6,126)         (1,159)         (2,608)         (4,599)         (2,630)           

Net cash used in financing activities

     (12,030)         (2,839)         (223)         (7,941)         (1,005)         (878)           

Capital expenditures

     10,536         6,610         1,159         2,535         4,541         2,510           

Restaurant Operating Profit (4)

     28,011         21,515         5,399         14,355         16,454         14,878           

Restaurant Operating Profit Margin(5)

     13.9%         11.4%         13.4%         12.3%         15.1%         14.6%           

Adjusted EBITDA(6)

     22,358         17,739         4,662         11,184         13,318         12,512           

Adjusted EBITDA Margin(7)

     11.1%         9.4%         11.6%         9.6%         12.2%         12.2%           

  Operating Data:

                   

J. Alexander’s/Redlands Grill:

                   

Restaurants (end of period)

     31         30         33         33         31         30           

Total same store restaurants (end of period)(3)

     30         30         31         31         30         30           

Average Weekly Same Store
Sales(3)

   $ 107,000         $102,200         $99,700         $96,400         $114,600         $108,700           

Change in Average Weekly Same Store Sales(3)

     4.7%         5.0%         2.0%         3.8%         5.4%         4.6%           

Stoney River:

                   

Restaurants (end of period)

     10         10         -         -         10         10           

Total same store restaurants (end of period)(3)

     10         10         -         -         10         10           

Average Weekly Same Store
Sales(3)

     $66,200         $64,200         -         -         $71,000         $67,100           

Change in Average Weekly Same Store Sales(3)

     3.1%         -         -         -         5.8%         2.3%           

 

  (1)

We utilize a 52- or 53-week accounting period which ends on the Sunday closest to December 31, and each quarter typically consists of 13 weeks. The period January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012, included 39 weeks of operations, and the period October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012, included 13 weeks of operations. Fiscal years 2014 and 2013 each included 52 weeks of operations. Each of the six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 included 26 weeks of operations.

 

  (2)

Defined as total current assets minus total current liabilities.

 

  (3)

We consider a restaurant to be comparable in the first full accounting period following the eighteenth month of operations. Changes in same store restaurant sales reflect changes in sales for the same store group of restaurants over a specified period of time.

 

  (4)

Restaurant Operating Profit is a metric used by management to measure operating performance at the restaurant level. Restaurant Operating Profit represents net income (loss) before losses from discontinued operations, income tax (expense) benefit, interest expense, gain on extinguishment of debt, stock option expense, general and administrative costs, asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs, transaction and integration expenses, and

 



 

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other, net non-operating income or expense. Management believes this measure is useful to investors because it allows for an assessment of our operating performance without the effect of general and administrative expenses and other non-operating or unusual costs incurred at the corporate level. The following table presents a reconciliation of Restaurant Operating Profit to net income (loss) for all periods presented:

 

    Successor     Predecessor     Successor  
  (Dollars in thousands)    
 
 
Year Ended
December 28,
2014
  
  
  
   
 
 
Year Ended
December 29,
2013
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
October 1,
2012 to
December 30,
2012
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
January 2,
2012 to
September 30,
2012
  
  
  
  
 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

  

           

 

June 28,

2015

 

  

   

 

June 29,      

2014     

  

  

                                (unaudited)     (unaudited)      
 

Net income (loss)

    $8,515              $2,901              $2,218              $(959)              $5,514              $6,538         

Loss from discontinued operations, net

    443              4,785              506              1,412              211              224         

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (328)              (138)              (1)              79              (21)              (37)         

Interest expense

    2,908              2,888              187              1,174              776              1,491         

Gain on extinguishment of debt

    -              (2,938)              -              -              -              -         

Stock option expense

    -              -              -              229              -              -         

Other, net

    (104)              (117)              (26)              (68)              (48)              (76)         

General and administrative expenses

    14,450              11,981              2,330              8,109              7,863              6,537         

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

    5              2,094              -              -              2              4         

Transaction and integration expenses

    785              (217)              183              4,537              2,113              102         

Pre-opening expense

    681              -              -              -              2              21         

Restaurant Operating Profit

    $28,011              $21,515              $5,399              $14,355              $16,454              $14,878         
                                               

 

  (5)

“Restaurant Operating Profit Margin” is the ratio of Restaurant Operating Profit to net sales.

 



 

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  (6)

Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that management uses to evaluate operating performance and the effectiveness of its business strategies. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax (expense) benefit, depreciation and amortization, and adding asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs, loss on disposals of fixed assets, transaction and integration costs, non-cash compensation, loss from discontinued operations, gain on debt extinguishment, pre-opening costs and certain unusual items. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful metric for investors because it provides a comparative assessment of our operating performance relative to our performance based on our results under GAAP, while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance. Specifically, Adjusted EBITDA allows for an assessment of our operating performance without the effect of non-cash depreciation and amortization expenses or our ability to service or incur indebtedness. The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for all periods presented:

 

    Successor     Predecessor     Successor  
(Dollars in thousands)    
 
 
Year Ended
December 28,
2014
  
  
  
   
 
 
Year Ended
December 29,
2013
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
October 1,
2012 to
December 30,
2012
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
January 2, 2012 to
September 30,
2012
  
  
  
 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

  

           
 
June 28,
2015
  
  
   
 
June 29,
2014
  
  
                                (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Net income (loss)

    $8,515        $2,901        $2,218        $(959)        $5,514        $6,538   

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (328)        (138)        (1)        79        (21)        (37)   

Interest expense

    2,908        2,888        187        1,174        776        1,491   

Depreciation and amortization

    7,992        7,483        1,470        4,164        4,219        3,941   

EBITDA

    19,743        13,410        3,876        4,300        10,530        12,007   

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

    5        2,094        -        -        2        4   

Loss on disposals of fixed assets

    179        406        62        218        121        73   

Transaction and integration costs

    785        (217)        183        4,537        2,113        102   

Non-cash compensation

    522        199        35        717        339        81   

Loss from discontinued operations, net

    443        4,785        506        1,412        211        224   

Gain on debt extinguishment

    -        (2,938)        -        -        -        -   

Pre-opening expense

    681        -        -        -        2        21   

Adjusted EBITDA

    $22,358        $17,739        $4,662        $11,184        $13,318        $12,512   
                                               

 

  (7)

“Adjusted EBITDA Margin” is defined as the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to net sales.

 



 

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The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for the predecessor periods indicated below, which are reflected in the Adjusted EBITDA graph included above under “Summary—Our Company” and “Business” elsewhere in this information statement. The financial data for the years ended January 2, 2011 and January 1, 2012 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of our predecessor that are not included in this information statement.

 

                                                                         
     Predecessor         Predecessor   
  (Dollars in thousands)     
 
Year Ended
January 1, 2012
  
  
    

 

Year Ended

January 2, 2011

  

  

Net income (loss)

     $857                 $2,795           

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (290)                 2,352           

Interest expense

     1,664                 1,853           

Depreciation and amortization

     5,619                 5,682           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

     8,430                 7,978           

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

     -                 -           

Loss on disposals of fixed assets

     276                 298           

Transaction and integration costs

     -                 -           

Non-cash compensation

     962                 869           

Loss from discontinued operations, net

     2,081                 2,281           

Gain on debt extinguishment

     -                 -           

Pre-opening expense

     -                 -           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     $11,749                 $11,426           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA, Restaurant Operating Profit, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Restaurant Operating Profit Margin are not measurements of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income, net cash provided by operating, investing or financing activities or any other financial statement data presented as indicators of financial performance or liquidity, each as presented in accordance with GAAP. We caution investors that amounts presented above in accordance with the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA and Restaurant Operating Profit may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies calculate these non-GAAP financial measures in the same manner. Moreover, Adjusted EBITDA as presented throughout this information statement is not the same as similar terms in the applicable covenants of our credit facility or in the calculation of management incentive compensation.

Our management does not consider Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Although Adjusted EBITDA may be used by securities analysts, lenders and others as tools for evaluating performance, the measure has limitations as an analytical tool. The principal limitation of Adjusted EBITDA is that it excludes significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the financial statements. Some additional limitations are:

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business;

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

 



 

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Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt;

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect depreciation and amortization, which are non-cash charges, although the assets being depreciated and amortized will likely have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect non-cash compensation expense, which is and will likely remain a key element of our overall long-term incentive compensation package; and

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA excludes tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us.

 

 



 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other information set forth in this information statement. Based on the information currently known to us, we believe that the following information identifies the material risk factors affecting our company in each of the noted risk categories: (i) Risks Relating to Our Business; (ii) Risks Relating to Our Separation from FNF; (iii) Risks Relating to Our Structure; and (iv) Risks Relating to Our Common Stock. However, additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our business.

If any of the following risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In such a case, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

Risks Relating to Our Business

Changes in general economic conditions, including any economic downturn or continuing economic uncertainty, have adversely impacted our business and results of operations in the past and may do so again.

Purchases at our restaurants are discretionary for consumers, and we are therefore susceptible to economic slowdowns. We believe that consumers generally are more willing to make discretionary purchases, including upscale and high-end restaurant meals, during favorable economic conditions. The most recent economic downturn, uncertainty and disruptions in the overall economy, including high unemployment, reduced access to credit and financial market volatility and unpredictability, and the related reduction in consumer confidence, negatively affected customer traffic and sales throughout our industry, including our category. If the economy experiences a new downturn or there are continued uncertainties regarding U.S. budgetary and fiscal policies, our customers, particularly price-sensitive families and couples and cost-conscious business clientele, may reduce their level of discretionary spending, impacting the frequency with which they choose to dine out or the amount they spend on meals while dining out.

There is also a risk that, if uncertain economic conditions persist for an extended period of time, consumers might make long-lasting changes to their discretionary spending behavior, including dining out less frequently on a more permanent basis. The ability of the U.S. economy to withstand this uncertainty is likely to be affected by many national and international factors that are beyond our control. These factors, including national, regional and local politics and economic conditions, the impact of higher gasoline prices, and reductions in disposable consumer income and consumer confidence, also affect discretionary consumer spending. Uncertainty in or a worsening of the economy, generally or in a number of our markets, and our customers’ reactions to these trends could adversely affect our business and cause us to, among other things, reduce the number and frequency of new restaurant openings, close restaurants and delay our remodeling of existing locations.

Changes in consumer preferences and discretionary spending patterns could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The restaurant business is often affected by changes in consumer preferences, national, regional or local economic conditions, demographic trends, traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing restaurants. Our success depends in part on our ability to anticipate and respond quickly to these changes. Shifts in consumer preferences away from meals at our price point or our beef, seafood and signature cocktails and wine menu offerings, which are significant components of our concepts’ menus and appeal, whether as a result of economic, competitive or other factors, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

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In addition, we place a high priority on maintaining the competitive positioning of our concepts, including the image and condition of our restaurant facilities and the quality of our customer experience. Consequently, we may need to evolve our concepts in order to compete with popular new restaurant formats or concepts that emerge from time to time, which could result in significant capital expenditures in the future for remodeling and updating. In addition, with improving product offerings, including an increased number of health-focused options at fast casual restaurants and quick-service restaurants, combined with the effects of uncertain economic conditions and other factors, consumers may choose less expensive alternatives, which could also negatively affect customer traffic at our restaurants. Any unanticipated slowdown in demand at any of our restaurants due to industry competition may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our future growth depends in part on our ability to open new restaurants and operate them profitably, and if we are unable to successfully execute this strategy, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our financial success depends in part on management’s ability to execute our growth strategy. One key element of our growth strategy is opening new restaurants. However, future developments, including macroeconomic changes, could cause us to re-evaluate this growth strategy. Additionally, in the past, we have experienced delays in opening some restaurants, and that could happen again. Delays or failures in opening new restaurants and operating them profitably could materially and adversely affect our growth strategy and expected results.

Our ability to open new restaurants on a timely basis, or at all, and operate them profitably is dependent upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

 

   

finding quality site locations, competing effectively to obtain quality site locations and reaching acceptable agreements to lease or purchase sites;

 

 

   

complying with applicable zoning, land use and environmental regulations and obtaining, for an acceptable cost and in a timely manner, required permits and approvals, including permits for construction, as well as required business and alcohol licenses;

 

 

   

having adequate capital for construction and opening costs and efficiently managing the time and resources committed to building and opening each new restaurant;

 

 

   

engaging and relying on third-party architects, contractors and their subcontractors responsible for building our restaurants to our specifications, on budget and within anticipated timelines;

 

 

   

timely hiring and training and retaining the skilled management and other employees necessary to meet staffing needs consistent with our superior professional service expectations in each local market;

 

 

   

successfully promoting our new locations and competing in their markets;

 

 

   

acquiring food and other supplies for new restaurants from local suppliers; and

 

 

   

addressing unanticipated problems or risks that may arise during the development or opening of a new restaurant or entering a new market.

 

 

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It has generally been our experience that new restaurants generate operating losses while they build sales levels to maturity, with maturity typically achieved within 18 to 24 months but in certain instances has taken considerably longer. This is due to lower sales generated by new restaurants compared to our restaurants operated in other areas, the costs associated with opening a new restaurant and higher operating costs caused by start-up and other temporary inefficiencies associated with opening new restaurants. For example, there are a number of factors which may impact the amount of time and money we commit to the construction and development of new restaurants, including landlord delays, shortages of skilled labor, labor disputes, shortages of materials, delays in obtaining necessary permits, local government regulations and weather interference. Once the restaurant is open, how quickly it achieves a desired level of profitability is impacted by many factors, including the level of market awareness and acceptance of our concepts when we enter new markets, as well as the availability of experienced, professional staff. Our business and profitability may be adversely affected if it takes longer than expected for our new restaurants to achieve the desired level of profitability.

Our ability to successfully execute new restaurant development depends heavily on successful site selection. If a site does not produce the anticipated results, a restaurant location may never reach our desired level of profitability, if it becomes profitable at all. In those cases, we may be forced to close restaurants and will incur significant costs associated with our exit from those markets, including costs associated with lease terminations or potential losses on the sale of real property that we own. For example, we have recently closed restaurants in Orlando, Scottsdale and Chicago because management determined that these restaurants were not producing acceptable levels of profitability. Additionally, previously successful restaurants may cease to produce acceptable or desired results in the future due to changes within the market in which they operate, such as a geographic shift in commercial development that drives customers away from the area in which we have an existing location. In those cases, if we determine that the market is still desirable, we may choose to relocate our existing restaurant or restaurants within that same market, which could result in increased costs associated with the purchase or lease of new property.

The failure to successfully develop and improve our Stoney River concept to achieve operational and quality standards consistent with those of our J. Alexander’s concept could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In February 2013, FNH transferred the Stoney River Assets to us, which had previously been operated by a separate restaurant company. Since that time, our focus has been on the improvement of restaurant-level operations and the integration of Stoney River into our existing infrastructure. Our growth strategy for Stoney River will continue to require significant capital expenditures and management attention. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in achieving the desired level of profitability at Stoney River while delivering on the quality standards that we expect, and a failure to achieve the desired profitability of our Stoney River concept may adversely affect our business and results of operations. Further, new openings of Stoney River restaurants may take longer to achieve the desired level of profitability than has been our experience with J. Alexander’s restaurants. We may not be able to attract enough customers to meet targeted levels of performance at new restaurants because potential customers may be unfamiliar with Stoney River or the atmosphere or menu might not appeal to them. In addition, although we believe that the differentiation in the menu and restaurant design between our concepts is substantial enough that they can both successfully operate within the same market, opening a new Stoney River in an existing market could reduce the revenue of our existing J. Alexander’s restaurants in that market, and vice versa. If we cannot successfully execute our growth strategies for Stoney River, or if customer traffic generated by Stoney River results in a decline in customer traffic at one of our other restaurants in the same market, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

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Significant capital is required to develop new restaurants and to maintain existing restaurants and to the extent financing is available to us, it may only be available on terms that could impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us.

We believe that the required capital investment in our upscale restaurants is high compared to more casual dining restaurants. Failure of a new restaurant to generate satisfactory net sales and profits in relation to its investment could result in our failure to achieve the desired financial return on the restaurant. Additionally, we may require capital beyond the cash flow provided from operations in order to open new units, which may be difficult to obtain on favorable terms, if at all. The terms of any financing we may obtain could impose restrictions on our operations, development and new financings. Further, after a restaurant is opened, we continue to incur significant capital costs associated with our strategy to reinvest in our restaurants in order to maintain the highly attractive, contemporary and comfortable environment in each of our locations that we believe our customers expect. For example, during 2015, we remodeled one of our J. Alexander’s locations at a cost of approximately $1,700,000. In addition, we expect to complete remodels of two Stoney River locations at an average cost of $600,000 per location and intend to complete reinvestments and improvements at our other remaining locations across all of our concepts at an approximate total cost of $6,800,000. Consequently, our ability to carry out our growth strategy and to execute on development and capital expenditure decisions that we believe to be in our long-term best interest could be limited by the availability of additional financing sources and could involve additional borrowing which would further increase our long-term debt and interest expense.

Our growth, including the development and improvement of our Stoney River and Redlands Grill concepts, may strain our infrastructure and resources, which could delay the opening of new restaurants and adversely affect our ability to manage our existing restaurants.

Following the distribution, we believe there are opportunities to open four to five restaurants annually beginning in 2016. Our targeted growth will increase our operating complexity and place increased demands on our management as well as our human resources, purchasing and site management teams. We also need to develop concept identity and concept awareness of our new Redlands Grill concept. This may require the commitment of a significant amount of human capital and marketing expenditures. While we have committed significant resources to expanding our current restaurant management systems, financial and management controls and information systems in connection with our integration of the Stoney River concept and development of our Redland Grills concept, if this infrastructure is insufficient to support our anticipated expansion, our ability to open new restaurants and to manage our existing restaurants could be adversely affected. If we fail to continue to improve our infrastructure or if our infrastructure fails, we may be unable to implement our growth strategy or maintain current levels of operating performance in our existing restaurants.

If we are unable to successfully transition certain of our J. Alexander’s locations to Redlands Grill locations, we may experience reduced revenue and margins at these locations, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.

A key element of our business model is to pursue a multiple concept strategy consisting of the development of a number of restaurant concepts competing in the upscale casual dining segment of the restaurant industry. This is intended to, among other things, allow us to avoid being identified as a chain restaurant and to operate multiple concepts in the same market. In furtherance of this strategy, over the past twelve months we have developed the Redlands Grill concept and have commenced the conversion of a limited number of J. Alexander’s restaurants into Redlands Grills. These conversions are being undertaken in markets and particular locations where we believe the Redlands Grill concept will be successful. We have initiated the transition of ten J. Alexander’s restaurants to Redlands Grill restaurants, and we may experience a decrease in traffic, revenue or margins related to our strategy.

 

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If consumer preferences change, acceptance of the Redlands Grill concept is not as strong as expected, or the existing customer base patronizing these converted locations diminishes or discontinues, revenue at these restaurants would likely decrease and we could be required to expend additional resources on advertising and promotion which would reduce profit margins at these locations which would likely have a material adverse effect on our overall financial performance.

If our restaurants are not able to compete successfully with other restaurants, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Our industry is highly fragmented and intensely competitive with respect to price, quality of service, restaurant location, ambiance of facilities and type and quality of food. A substantial number of national and regional restaurant chains and independently owned restaurants compete with us for customers, real estate and qualified management and other restaurant staff. The principal competitors for our concepts are local, chef-driven restaurants and regional, high-quality restaurant chains in each of our local markets. However, we also compete with other upscale national chains. Some of our competitors have greater financial and other resources, have been in business longer, have greater name recognition and are better established in the markets where our restaurants are located or where we may expand. Additionally, in recent years many upscale and high-end restaurants have expanded into the smaller and midsize markets in which some of our restaurants are located. Our inability to compete successfully with other restaurants may harm our ability to maintain acceptable levels of revenue growth, limit or otherwise inhibit our ability to grow one or more of our concepts, or force us to close one or more of our restaurants.

As a result of revenue or geographic concentrations within our restaurant base, we may be more exposed to economic downturns or other disruptions in certain locations that could harm our business, financial condition and results of operation.

At June 28, 2015, we operated 41 restaurants in 14 states. Because of our relatively small restaurant base, unsuccessful restaurants could have a more adverse effect in relation to our financial condition and results of operations than would be the case in a restaurant company with a greater number of restaurants. For example, our J. Alexander’s locations in Franklin, Tennessee and Plantation, Florida represented approximately 4.9% and 5.0% of our revenues in 2014, respectively.

We currently have a high concentration of J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill restaurants within the south Florida market (and in broader geographic markets, with respect to the concentration of J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill restaurants in Ohio and the concentration of J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River restaurants in Tennessee) and may in the future have similar concentrations of J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River restaurants within one or more overlapping markets as we execute on our growth strategy. This concentration exposes us to risks that one or more of these markets may be adversely affected by factors that are unique to that particular market, such as negative publicity, changes in consumer preferences, demographic shifts or other adverse economic impacts, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

In addition, any natural disaster, prolonged inclement weather, act of terrorism or national emergency, accident, system failure or other unforeseen event in or around regions in which we operate multiple locations could result in significant and prolonged declines in customer traffic in these geographic regions, or a temporary or permanent closing of those locations, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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If we are unable to increase our sales at existing J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River restaurants or improve our margins at existing Stoney River restaurants, our profitability and overall results of operations may be adversely affected.

Another key aspect of our growth strategy is increasing same store sales across all restaurants and improving the restaurant-level margins at our Stoney River restaurants to the level achieved at our existing J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill restaurants. Improving same store sales and restaurant-level margins depends in part on whether we achieve revenue growth through increases in the average check or traffic counts. Our ability to improve margins at Stoney River is further impacted by the costs that we have incurred, and will continue to incur, as we strive to improve the quality standards at Stoney River to make them consistent with those at our J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill restaurants. We believe that there are opportunities to increase the average check at our restaurants through, for example, selective introduction of new profitable menu items and increases in menu pricing. However, these strategies may prove unsuccessful, especially in times of economic hardship, as customers may not order new or higher priced items. Further, we believe that part of the appeal of our concepts is the opportunity to experience outstanding, professional service and high-quality menu items at reasonable prices. Consequently, any price increases must be balanced with our desire to meet customer expectations with respect to service and quality at a reasonable value. Modest price increases generally have not adversely impacted customer traffic; however, we expect that there is a price level at which point customer traffic would be adversely affected. It is also possible that these changes could cause our sales volume to decrease. If we are not able to increase our sales at existing restaurants for any reason, our profitability and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Increases in the prices of, and/or reductions in the availability of commodities, primarily beef and seafood, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our profitability is dependent in part on our ability to purchase food commodities which meet our specifications and to anticipate and react to changes in food costs and product availability. Ingredients are purchased from suppliers on terms and conditions that management believes are generally consistent with those available to similarly situated restaurant companies. Although alternative distribution sources are believed to be available for most products, increases in overall food prices, failure to perform by suppliers or distributors or limited availability of products at reasonable prices could cause our food costs to fluctuate and/or cause us to make adjustments to our menu offerings.

Beef costs represented approximately 31.7% of our food and beverage costs during 2014. We currently do not purchase beef pursuant to any long-term contractual arrangements with fixed pricing or use futures contracts or other financial risk management strategies to reduce our exposure to potential price fluctuations. The beef market is particularly volatile and is subject to extreme price fluctuations due to seasonal shifts, climate conditions, the price of feed, industry demand, energy demand and other factors. We expect beef prices will continue to increase, perhaps substantially, through the remainder of 2015 compared to prices incurred in 2014.

In addition, our dependence on frequent deliveries of fresh seafood subjects us to the risk of possible shortages or interruptions in supply caused by adverse weather, environmental factors or other conditions that could adversely affect the availability and cost of such items. In the past, certain types of seafood have experienced fluctuations in availability. In addition, some types of seafood have been subject to adverse publicity due to certain levels of contamination at their source or a perceived scarcity in supply, which can adversely affect both supply and market demand. We can make no assurances that in the future either seafood contamination or inadequate supplies of seafood might not have a significant and materially adverse effect on our operating results.

 

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Finally, the prices of other commodities can affect our costs as well, including corn and other grains, which are ingredients we use regularly and are also used as cattle feed and therefore affect the price of beef. Additional factors beyond our control, including adverse weather and market conditions, disease and governmental food safety regulation and enforcement, may also affect food costs and product availability. Energy prices can also affect our bottom line, as increased energy prices may cause increased transportation costs for beef and other supplies, as well as increased costs for the utilities required to run each restaurant. Historically, we have passed increased commodity and other costs on to our customers by increasing the prices of our menu items. While we believe these price increases generally have not affected our customer traffic, there can be no assurance that additional price increases would not affect future customer traffic. Although we believe that our integrated cost systems allows us to anticipate and quickly respond to fluctuations in commodity prices, including beef prices, if prices increase in the future and we are unable to anticipate or react to these increases, or if there are beef shortages, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Negative customer experiences or negative publicity surrounding our restaurants or other restaurants could adversely affect sales in one or more of our restaurants and make our concepts less valuable.

Because we believe that our success depends significantly on our ability to provide exceptional food quality, outstanding service and an excellent overall dining experience, adverse publicity, whether or not accurate, relating to food quality, public health concerns, illness, safety, injury or government or industry findings concerning our restaurants, restaurants operated by other foodservice providers or others across the food industry supply chain could affect us more than it would other restaurants that compete primarily on price or other factors. If customers perceive or experience a reduction in our food quality, service or ambiance or in any way believe we have failed to deliver a consistently positive experience, the value and popularity of one or more of our concepts could suffer. Further, because we rely heavily on “word-of-mouth,” as opposed to more conventional mediums of advertisement, to establish concept recognition, our business may be more adversely affected by negative customer experiences than other upscale dining establishments, including those of our competitors.

Negative publicity relating to the consumption of beef, seafood, chicken, produce and our other menu offerings, including in connection with food-borne illness, could result in reduced consumer demand for our menu offerings, which could reduce sales.

Shifts in consumer preferences away from the kinds of food we offer, particularly beef and seafood, whether because of dietary or other health concerns or otherwise, would make our restaurants less appealing and could reduce customer traffic and/or impose practical limits on pricing. In addition, instances of food-borne illness, such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, which is also known as BSE or mad cow disease, as well as hepatitis A, listeria, salmonella and E. coli, whether or not found in the United States or traced directly to one of our suppliers or our restaurants, could reduce demand for our menu offerings. Any negative publicity relating to these and other health-related matters may affect consumers’ perceptions of our restaurants and the food that we offer, reduce customer visits to our restaurants and negatively impact demand for our menu offerings. Adverse publicity relating to any of these matters, beef in general or other similar concerns could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Governmental regulation may adversely affect our ability to open new restaurants or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to various federal, state and local regulations, including those relating to building and zoning requirements and those relating to the preparation and sale of food. The development and operation of restaurants depends to a significant extent on the selection and acquisition of suitable sites, which are subject to zoning, land use, environmental, traffic and other

 

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regulations and requirements. Our restaurants are also subject to state and local licensing and regulation by health, alcoholic beverage, sanitation, food and occupational safety and other agencies. In addition, stringent and varied requirements of local regulators with respect to zoning, land use and environmental factors could delay or prevent development of new restaurants in particular locations or cause increases in development costs.

We are subject to the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”) and similar state laws that give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the context of employment, public accommodations and other areas, including our restaurants. We may in the future have to modify restaurants by adding access ramps or redesigning certain architectural fixtures, for example, to provide service to or make reasonable accommodations for disabled persons. The expenses associated with these modifications could be material.

Our operations are also subject to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act, which governs worker health and safety, the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs such matters as minimum wages and overtime, and a variety of similar federal, state and local laws that govern these and other employment law matters. We may also be subject to lawsuits from our employees, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or others alleging violations of federal and state laws regarding workplace and employment matters, discrimination and similar matters, and we have been party to such matters in the past. Compliance with these laws can be costly and a failure or perceived failure to comply with these laws could result in negative publicity that could harm our reputation. In addition, federal, state and local proposals related to paid sick leave or similar matters could, if implemented, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The impact of current laws and regulations, the effect of future changes in laws or regulations that impose additional requirements and the consequences of litigation relating to current or future laws and regulations, or our inability to respond effectively to significant regulatory or public policy issues, could increase our compliance and other costs of doing business and, therefore, have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Failure to comply with the laws and regulatory requirements of federal, state and local authorities could result in, among other things, revocation of required licenses, administrative enforcement actions, fines and civil and criminal liability. Compliance with the aforementioned laws and regulations can be costly and can increase our exposure to litigation or governmental investigations or proceedings.

Legislation and regulations requiring the display and provision of nutritional information for our menu offerings and new information or attitudes regarding diet and health could result in changes in consumer consumption habits that could adversely affect our results of operations.

Regulations and consumer eating habits may change as a result of new information or attitudes regarding diet and health or new information regarding the adverse health effects of consuming certain menu offerings. Such changes may include federal, state and local regulations that impact the ingredients and nutritional content of the food and beverages we offer. The growth of our restaurant operations is dependent, in part, upon our ability to effectively respond to changes in any consumer health regulations and our ability to adapt our menu offerings to trends in food consumption. If consumer health regulations or consumer eating habits change significantly, we may choose or be required to modify or retire certain menu items, which may adversely affect the attractiveness of our restaurants to new or returning customers. We may also experience higher costs associated with the implementation of those changes. To the extent that we are unwilling or unable to respond with appropriate changes to our menu offerings, it could materially affect consumer demand and have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Such changes have also resulted in, and may continue to result in, laws and regulations requiring us to disclose the nutritional content of our food offerings, and they have resulted, and may

 

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continue to result in, laws and regulations affecting permissible ingredients and menu offerings. For example, a number of states, counties and cities have enacted menu labeling laws requiring multi-unit restaurant operators to disclose to consumers certain nutritional information, or have enacted legislation restricting the use of certain types of ingredients in restaurants. These requirements may be different or inconsistent with requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (the “PPACA”), which establishes a uniform, federal requirement for certain restaurants to post nutritional information on their menus. Specifically, the PPACA requires chain restaurants with 20 or more locations operating under the same name to publish the total number of calories of standard menu items on menus and menu boards, along with a statement that puts this calorie information in the context of a total daily calorie intake. The PPACA also requires covered restaurants to provide to consumers, upon request, a written summary of detailed nutritional information for each standard menu item, and to provide a statement on menus and menu boards about the availability of this information upon request.

While we do not anticipate that we will have more than 20 locations operating under the same name when this particular component of the PPACA becomes effective on December 1, 2016, compliance with current and future laws and regulations regarding the ingredients and nutritional content of our menu items will likely be costly and time-consuming. The risks and costs associated with nutritional disclosures on our menus could also impact our operations, particularly given differences among applicable legal requirements and practices within the restaurant industry with respect to testing and disclosure, ordinary variations in food preparation among our own restaurants, and the need to rely on the accuracy and completeness of nutritional information obtained from third-party suppliers.

We may not be able to effectively respond to changes in consumer health perceptions or our ability to successfully implement the nutrient content disclosure requirements and to adapt our menu offerings to trends in eating habits. The imposition of menu labeling laws could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our position within the restaurant industry in general.

Compliance with environmental laws may negatively affect our business.

We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning waste disposal, pollution, protection of the environment, and the presence, discharge, storage, handling, release and disposal of, and exposure to, hazardous or toxic substances. These environmental laws provide for significant fines and penalties for noncompliance and liabilities for remediation, sometimes without regard to whether the owner or operator of the property knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of hazardous toxic substances. Third parties may also make claims against owners or operators of properties for personal injuries and property damage associated with releases of, or actual or alleged exposure to, such hazardous or toxic substances at, on or from our restaurants. Environmental conditions relating to releases of hazardous substances at prior, existing or future restaurant sites could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, environmental laws, and the administration, interpretation and enforcement thereof, are subject to change and may become more stringent in the future, each of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The effect of changes to healthcare laws in the United States may increase the number of employees who choose to participate in our healthcare plans, which may significantly increase our healthcare costs and negatively impact our financial results.

In 2010, the PPACA was signed into law in the United States to require healthcare coverage for many uninsured individuals and expand coverage to those already insured. We currently offer and subsidize a portion of comprehensive healthcare coverage, primarily for our salaried employees. Starting in 2015, the PPACA required us to offer healthcare benefits to all full-time employees

 

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(including full-time hourly employees) that meet certain minimum requirements of coverage and affordability, or face penalties. Starting in 2014, the PPACA also required most individuals to obtain coverage or face individual penalties. The amount of the individual penalty will increase significantly in future years. Accordingly, employees who are eligible for but currently elect not to participate in our healthcare plans may find it more advantageous to elect to participate in our healthcare plans. It is also possible that by making changes or failing to make changes in the healthcare plans offered by us we will become less competitive in the market for our labor. Finally, implementing the requirements of the PPACA is likely to impose additional administrative costs. The costs and other effects of these new healthcare requirements are not anticipated to have a significant effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations in fiscal 2015, but they may significantly increase our healthcare coverage costs in future periods and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes to minimum wage laws and potential labor shortages could increase our labor costs substantially, which could slow our growth and adversely impact our ability to operate our restaurants.

Under the minimum wage laws in most jurisdictions, we are permitted to pay certain hourly employees a wage that is less than the base minimum wage for general employees because these employees receive tips as a substantial part of their income. As of June 28, 2015, approximately 40% of our employees earn this lower minimum wage in their respective locations since tips constitute a substantial part of their income. If cities, states or the federal government change their laws to require all employees to be paid the general employee minimum base wage regardless of supplemental tip income, our labor costs would increase substantially. In addition, any increase in the minimum wage, such as the last increase in the minimum wage on July 24, 2009 to $7.25 per hour under the Federal Minimum Wage Act of 2007, would increase our costs. Certain states in which we operate restaurants have adopted or are considering adopting minimum wage statutes that exceed the federal minimum wage as well. Any increases in federal or state minimum wages may cause us to increase the wages paid to our employees who already earn above-minimum wages in order to continue to attract and retain highly skilled personnel. We may be unable or unwilling to increase our prices in order to pass these increased labor costs on to our customers, in which case our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

A failure to recruit, develop and retain effective leaders, the loss or shortage of personnel with key capacities and skills, could jeopardize our ability to meet growth targets.

Our success depends in part upon our ability to attract, motivate and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, including restaurant managers, kitchen staff, hosts and servers, necessary to meet the needs of our existing restaurants and anticipated expansion schedule, and who can meet the high standards necessary to deliver the levels of food quality, service and professionalism on which our concepts are based. Qualified individuals of the caliber and number needed to fill these positions are in short supply in some communities and competition for qualified employees could require us to pay higher wages and provide greater benefits to attract sufficient employees. Any inability to recruit and retain qualified individuals may also delay the planned openings of new restaurants and could adversely impact our existing restaurants. Any such inability to retain or recruit qualified employees, increased costs of attracting qualified employees or delays in restaurant openings could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Further, increases in employee turnover could have an adverse effect on food quality and guest service resulting in an adverse effect on net sales and results of operations.

 

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Restaurant companies, including ours, have been the target of claims and lawsuits. Proceedings of this nature, if successful, could result in our payment of substantial costs and damages.

In recent years, we and other restaurant companies have been subject to claims and lawsuits alleging various matters, including those that follow. Claims and lawsuits may include class action lawsuits, alleging violations of federal and state laws regarding workplace and employment matters, discrimination and similar matters. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in the payment of substantial damages by the defendants. Similar lawsuits have been instituted from time to time alleging violations of various federal and state wage and hour laws regarding, among other things, employee meal deductions, the sharing of tips amongst certain employees, overtime eligibility of assistant managers and failure to pay for all hours worked. Although we maintain what we believe to be adequate levels of insurance, insurance may not be available at all or in sufficient amounts to cover any liabilities with respect to these matters. Accordingly, if we are required to pay substantial damages and expenses as a result of these types or other lawsuits, our business and results of operations would be adversely affected.

Occasionally, our customers file complaints or lawsuits against us alleging that we are responsible for some illness or injury they suffered at or after a visit to one of our restaurants, including actions seeking damages resulting from food-borne illness and relating to notices with respect to chemicals contained in food products required under state law. We are also subject to a variety of other claims from third parties arising in the ordinary course of our business, including personal injury claims, contract claims and claims alleging violations of federal and state laws. In addition, most of our restaurants are subject to state “dram shop” or similar laws which generally allow a person to sue us if that person was injured by a legally intoxicated person who was wrongfully served alcoholic beverages at one of our restaurants. The restaurant industry has also been subject to a growing number of claims that the menus and actions of restaurant chains have led to the obesity of certain of their customers. In addition, we may also be subject to lawsuits from our employees or others alleging violations of federal and state laws regarding workplace and employment matters, discrimination and similar matters. A number of these lawsuits in the restaurant industry have resulted in the payment of substantial damages by the defendants.

Additionally, certain of our tax returns and employment practices are subject to audits by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and various state tax authorities. Such audits could result in disputes regarding tax matters that could lead to litigation that would be costly to defend or could result in the payment of additional taxes, which could affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Regardless of whether any claims against us are valid or whether we are liable, claims may be expensive to defend and may divert resources away from our operations. In addition, they may generate negative publicity, which could reduce customer traffic and sales. Although we maintain what we believe to be adequate levels of insurance, insurance may not be available at all or in sufficient amounts to cover any liabilities with respect to these or other matters. Defense costs, even for unfounded claims, or a judgment or other liability in excess of our insurance coverage for any claims or any adverse publicity resulting from claims could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our insurance policies may not provide adequate levels of coverage against all claims, and fluctuating insurance requirements and costs could negatively impact our profitability.

We currently maintain insurance coverage that we believe is reasonable for businesses of our size and type. However, there are types of losses we may incur that cannot be insured against or that we believe are not commercially reasonable to insure. These losses, if they occur, could have a

 

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material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Additionally, health insurance costs in general have risen significantly over the past few years and are expected to continue to increase. These increases could have a negative impact on our profitability, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully offset the effect of such increases with plan modifications and cost control measures, additional operating efficiencies or the pass-through of such increased costs to our customers or employees.

Health concerns arising from food-related pandemics, outbreaks of flu viruses or other diseases may have an adverse effect on our business.

The United States and other countries have experienced, or may experience in the future, outbreaks of viruses, such as norovirus, avian flu or “SARS”, H1N1 or “swine flu” or other diseases such as bovine spongiform, encephalopathy, commonly known as “mad cow disease.” If a virus or disease is foodborne, or perceived to be foodborne, future outbreaks may adversely affect the price and availably of certain food products and cause our guests to eat less of a product, or could reduce public confidence in food handling and/or public assembly. If we change a restaurant menu in response to such concerns, we may lose guests who do not prefer the new menu, and we may not be able to attract a sufficient new guest base to produce the sales needed to make the restaurant profitable. We also may have different or additional competitors for our intended guests as a result of such a change and may not be able to successfully compete against such competitors. If a virus is transmitted by human contact, our employees or guests could become infected, or could choose, or be advised, to avoid gathering in public places, any of which events could adversely affect our restaurant guest volume, and our ability to adequately staff our restaurants, receive deliveries on a timely basis or perform functions at the corporate level.

We occupy most of our restaurants under long-term, non-cancelable leases for which we may remain obligated to perform under even after a restaurant closes, and we may be unable to renew leases at the end of their terms.

We are a lessee under both ground leases (under which we lease the land and build our own restaurants on such land) and improved leases (where the lessor owns the land and the building) with respect to 23 current locations. Many of our current leases are non-cancelable and typically have terms ranging from approximately 15 to 20 years and provide for rent escalations and for one or more five-year renewal options. We are generally obligated to pay the cost of property taxes, insurance and maintenance under such leases, and certain of our leases provide for contingent rentals based upon a percentage of sales at the leased location. We believe that leases that we enter into in the future will be on substantially similar terms. If we were to close or fail to open a restaurant at a location we lease, we would generally remain committed to perform our obligations under the applicable lease, which could include, among other things, payment of the base rent for the balance of the lease term. Our obligation to continue making rental payments and fulfilling other lease obligations in respect of leases for closed or unopened restaurants could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Alternatively, at the end of the lease term and any renewal period for a restaurant, we may be unable to renew the lease without substantial additional cost, if at all. If we cannot renew such a lease we may be forced to close or relocate a restaurant, which could subject us to construction and other costs and risks. If we are required to make payments under one of our leases after a restaurant closes, or if we are unable to renew our restaurant leases, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The impact of negative economic factors, including the availability of credit, on our landlords and other retail center tenants could negatively affect our financial results.

Negative effects on our existing and potential landlords due to any inaccessibility of credit and other unfavorable economic factors may, in turn, adversely affect our business and results of

 

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operations. If our landlords are unable to obtain financing or remain in good standing under their existing financing arrangements, they may be unable to provide construction contributions or satisfy other lease covenants to us. If any landlord files for bankruptcy protection, the landlord may be able to reject our lease in the bankruptcy proceedings. While we would have the option to retain our rights under the lease, we could not compel the landlord to perform any of its obligations and would be left with damages as our sole recourse. In addition, if our landlords are unable to obtain sufficient credit to continue to properly manage their retail sites, we may experience a drop in the level of quality of such retail centers. Our development of new restaurants may also be adversely affected by the negative financial situations of developers and potential landlords. In recent years, many landlords have delayed or cancelled development projects (as well as renovations of existing projects) due to the instability in the credit markets and declines in consumer spending, which has reduced the number of high-quality locations available that we would consider for our new restaurants. These failures may lead to reduced customer traffic and a general deterioration in the surrounding retail centers in which our restaurants are located or are proposed to be located and may contribute to lower customer traffic at our restaurants. If any of the foregoing affect any of our landlords or their other retail tenants our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Fixed rental payments account for a significant portion of our operating expenses, which increases our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions and could limit our operating and financing flexibility.

Payments under our operating leases account for a significant portion of our operating expenses and we expect the new restaurants we open in the future will similarly be leased by us. Specifically, cash payments under our operating leases accounted for approximately 2.8% of our restaurant operating expenses in 2014. Our substantial operating lease obligations could have significant negative consequences, including:

 

   

requiring a substantial portion of our available cash flow to be applied to our rental obligations, thus reducing cash available for other purposes;

 

 

   

limiting our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business or the industry in which we compete;

 

 

   

increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; and

 

 

   

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing.

 

We depend on cash flow from operations to pay our lease obligations and to fulfill our other cash needs. If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities and sufficient funds are not otherwise available to us from borrowings under our credit facility or other sources, we may not be able to meet our operating lease obligations, grow our business, respond to competitive challenges or fund our other liquidity and capital needs, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our level of indebtedness and any future indebtedness we may incur may limit our operational and financing flexibility and negatively impact our business.

J. Alexander’s, LLC is currently the borrower on a Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement with Pinnacle Bank which consists of the following loans:

 

   

A seven-year $15,000,000 mortgage loan dated September 3, 2013.

 

 

   

A five-year $20,000,000 development line of credit dated May 20, 2015.

 

 

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A five-year $10,000,000 term loan dated May 20, 2015.

 

 

   

A three-year $1,000,000 line of credit dated September 3, 2013.

 

We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Our credit facility, and other debt instruments we may enter into in the future, may have important consequences to you, including the following:

 

   

our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate purposes may be impaired;

 

 

   

we are required to use a significant portion of our cash flows from operations to pay interest on our indebtedness, which will reduce the funds available to us for operations and other purposes;

 

 

   

our level of indebtedness could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that may have proportionately less debt;

 

 

   

our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate may be limited; and

 

 

   

our level of indebtedness may make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business.

 

We expect that we will depend primarily on cash generated by our operations for funds to pay our expenses and any amounts due under our credit facility and any other indebtedness we may incur. Our ability to make these payments depends on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which we cannot control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flows from operations in the future and our currently anticipated growth in revenues and cash flows may not be realized, either or both of which could result in our being unable to repay indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs. If we do not have enough money, we may be required to refinance all or part of our then existing debt, sell assets or borrow more money, in each case on terms that are not acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements, including our existing credit facility, may restrict us from adopting some or any of these alternatives. Our inability to recapitalize and incur additional debt in the future could also delay or prevent a change in control of our Company, make some transactions more difficult and impose additional financial or other covenants on us. In addition, any significant levels of indebtedness in the future could make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business. Our current indebtedness and any inability to pay our debt obligations as they come due or inability to incur additional debt could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The terms of our credit facility impose operating and financial restrictions on us.

Our credit facility contains certain restrictions and covenants that generally limit our ability to, among other things:

 

   

pay dividends or purchase stock or make other restricted payments to our equity holders;

 

 

   

incur additional indebtedness;

 

 

   

use assets as security in other transactions;

 

 

   

sell assets or merge with or into other companies; and

 

 

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sell equity or other ownership interests in our subsidiaries.

 

Our credit facility may limit our ability to engage in these types of transactions even if we believed that a specific transaction would contribute to our future growth or improve our operating results. Our credit facility also requires us to achieve specified financial and operating results and maintain compliance with specified financial ratios. Specifically, these covenants require that we have a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1 and maintain a leverage ratio (adjusted debt to EBITDAR (as defined in the credit facility)) that may not exceed 4.0:1, in each case, as of the end of any fiscal quarter. As of June 28, 2015, we were in compliance with each of these tests. Specifically, as of June 28, 2015, the fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.86:1 and our leverage ratio was 1.85:1. Our ability to comply with these provisions may be affected by events beyond our control. A breach of any of these debt covenants or our inability to comply with required financial ratios in our credit facility could result in a default under the credit facility in which case the lenders would have the right to declare all borrowings, which includes any principal amount outstanding, together with all accrued, unpaid interest and other amounts owing in respect thereof, to be immediately due and payable. If we are unable to repay all borrowings when due, whether at maturity or if declared due and payable following a default, the lenders would have the right to proceed against the collateral granted to secure the indebtedness. If we breach these covenants or fail to comply with the terms of the credit facility and the lenders accelerate the amounts outstanding under the credit facility our business and results of operations would be adversely affected.

Our credit facility carries floating interest rates, thereby exposing us to market risk related to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates. Assuming a 100 basis point increase on our base interest rate on our credit facility and a full drawdown on both of the revolving lines of credit, our interest expense would increase by approximately $435,000 over the course of 12 months. As of June 28, 2015, the balance outstanding under the $15,000,000 term loan was $12,084,000, and we had no borrowings outstanding under the $1,000,000 revolving credit facility or the $20,000,000 development line of credit. At June 28, 2015, we also had $10,000,000 outstanding under the $10,000,000 term loan dated May 20, 2015, which was used to refinance the remaining outstanding balance under the FNF Note.

We depend on the services of key executives and management-level employees, and our business and growth strategy could be materially harmed if we were to lose these individuals and were unable to replace them with executives of equal experience and capabilities.

Our success is materially dependent upon the contributions of our senior executives and management-level employees because their experience in the restaurant industry and tenure with us allow for their invaluable contributions in setting our strategic direction, day-to-day operations, and recruiting and training key personnel. The loss of the services of such key employees could adversely affect our business until a suitable replacement of equal experience and capabilities could be identified. We believe that they could not quickly be replaced with executives of equal experience and capabilities and their successors may not be as effective. See “Management.”

The failure to enforce and maintain our intellectual property rights could enable others to use names confusingly similar to the names and marks used by our restaurants, which could adversely affect the value of our concepts.

We have registered the names J. Alexander’s Restaurant, Redlands Grill, Stoney River Legendary Steaks and certain other names and logos used by our restaurants as trade names, trademarks or service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”). The success

 

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of our business depends in part on our continued ability to utilize our existing trade names, trademarks and service marks as currently used in order to increase our restaurant concept awareness. In that regard, we believe that our trade names, trademarks and service marks are valuable assets that are critical to our success. The unauthorized use or other misappropriation of our trade names, trademarks or service marks could diminish the value of our restaurant concepts and may cause a decline in our revenues and force us to incur costs related to enforcing our rights. In addition, the use of trade names, trademarks or service marks similar to ours in some markets may keep us from entering those markets. While we may take protective actions with respect to our intellectual property, these actions may not be sufficient to prevent, and we may not be aware of all incidents of, unauthorized usage or imitation by others. Any such unauthorized usage or imitation of our intellectual property, including the costs related to enforcing our rights, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Information technology system failures or breaches of our network security, including with respect to confidential information, could interrupt our operations and adversely affect our business.

We rely on our computer systems and network infrastructure across our operations, including point-of-sale processing at our restaurants and integrated cost systems that are instrumental in our procurement processes and in managing our food costs. Our operations depend upon our ability to protect our computer equipment and systems against damage from physical theft, fire, power loss, telecommunications failure or other catastrophic events, as well as from internal and external security breaches, viruses, worms and other disruptive problems. Any damage or failure of our computer systems or network infrastructure that causes an interruption in our operations could limit our ability to anticipate and react quickly to changing food costs and could subject us to litigation or actions by regulatory authorities. In addition, the majority of our restaurant sales are by credit or debit cards. Other restaurants and retailers have experienced security breaches in which credit and debit card information of their customers has been stolen or compromised. If this or another type of breach occurs at one of our restaurants, we may become subject to lawsuits or other proceedings for purportedly fraudulent transactions arising out of the actual or alleged theft of our customers’ credit or debit card information. Although we have made significant efforts to secure our computer network and to update and maintain our systems and procedures to meet the payment card industry data security standards, our computer network could be compromised and confidential information, such as guest credit card information, could be misappropriated. Any such claim, proceeding or action by a regulatory authority, or any adverse publicity resulting from such breaches and disruptions (or allegations of such breaches and disruptions), could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

If we are unable to effectively grow revenue and profitability at certain of our locations, we may be required to record impairment charges to our restaurant assets, the carrying value of our goodwill or other intangible assets, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We assess the potential impairment of our long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors considered include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner in which an asset is being used, an expectation that an asset will be disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life and significant negative industry or economic trends. We regularly review and compare the carrying value of our assets and properties, including goodwill, to the fair value of our assets and properties. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any recorded impairment to our assets. Should the value of goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired, there could be an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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From time to time we may evaluate acquisitions, joint ventures or other initiatives that could distract management from our business or have an adverse effect on our financial performance.

We may be presented with opportunities to buy or acquire rights to other companies, businesses, restaurant concepts or assets that might be complementary or adjacent to our current strategic direction at the time and may provide growth opportunities. Any involvement in any such acquisition, merger, joint venture, alliance or divestiture may create inherent risks, including without limitation:

 

   

inaccurate assessment of value, growth potential, weaknesses, liabilities, contingent or otherwise, and expected profitability of potential acquisitions or joint ventures;

 

 

   

inability to achieve any anticipated operating synergies or economies of scale;

 

 

   

potential loss of key personnel of any acquired business;

 

 

   

challenges in successfully integrating, operating and managing acquired businesses and workforce and instilling our Company’s culture into new management and staff;

 

 

   

difficulties in aligning enterprise management systems and policies and procedures;

 

 

   

unforeseen changes in the market and economic condition affecting the acquired business or joint venture;

 

 

   

possibility of impairment charges if an acquired business does not meet the performance expectations upon which the acquisition price was based; and

 

 

   

diversion of management’s attention and focus from existing operations to the integration of the acquired or merged business and its personnel.

 

Our business will suffer if we fail to successfully integrate acquired companies, businesses and restaurant concepts.

In the future, we may acquire companies, businesses, restaurant concepts and other assets. The successful integration of any companies, businesses, restaurant concepts and assets we acquire into our operations, on a cost-effective basis, can be critical to our future performance. The amount and timing of the expected benefits of any acquisition, including potential synergies, are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The integration of acquisitions with our operations could be expensive, require significant attention from management, may impose substantial demands on our operations or other projects and may impose challenges on the combined business including, without limitation, consistencies in business standards, procedures, policies and business cultures.

We cannot guarantee that any acquired companies, businesses, restaurant concepts or assets will be successfully integrated with our operations in a timely or cost-effective manner, or at all. Failure to successfully integrate acquired businesses or to achieve anticipated operating synergies, revenue enhancements or cost savings could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We depend upon frequent deliveries of food and other supplies, in most cases from a limited number of suppliers, which subjects us to the possible risks of shortages, interruptions and price fluctuations.

Our ability to maintain consistent quality throughout our restaurants depends in part upon our ability to acquire fresh products, including beef, fresh seafood, quality produce and related items from reliable sources in accordance with our specifications. In addition, we rely on one or a limited number of suppliers for certain ingredients. This dependence on one or a limited number of suppliers, as well as the limited number of alternative suppliers of beef and quality seafood, subjects us to the possible risks of shortages, interruptions and price fluctuations in beef and seafood. If any of our suppliers is unable to obtain financing necessary to operate its business or its business is otherwise adversely affected, does not perform adequately or otherwise fails to distribute products or supplies to our restaurants, or terminates or refuses to renew any contract with us, particularly with respect to one of the suppliers on which we rely heavily for specific ingredients, we may be unable to find an alternative supplier in a short period of time or if we can, it may not be on acceptable terms. While we do not rely on any single-source supplier that we believe could not be replaced with one or more alternative suppliers without undue disruption, any delay in our ability to replace a supplier in a short period of time on acceptable terms could increase our costs or cause shortages at our restaurants that may cause us to remove certain items from a menu or increase the price of certain offerings, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our business is subject to seasonal and other periodic fluctuations and past results are not indicative of future results.

Our net sales and net income have historically been subject to seasonal fluctuations. Net sales and operating income typically reach their highest levels during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to holiday business and the first quarter of the fiscal year due in part to the redemption of gift cards sold during the holiday season. In addition, certain of our restaurants, particularly those located in south Florida, typically experience an increase in customer traffic during the period between Thanksgiving and Easter due to an increase in population in these markets during that portion of the year.

Our quarterly results have been and will continue to be affected by the timing of new restaurant openings and their associated pre-opening costs, as well as any restaurant closures and exit-related costs and any impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and property, fixtures and equipment. As a result of these and other factors, our financial results for any quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.

Hurricanes and other weather-related disturbances could negatively affect our net sales and results of operations.

Certain of our restaurants are located in regions of the country which are commonly affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. Restaurant closures resulting from evacuations, damage or power or water outages caused by hurricanes, tropical storms, other natural disasters and winter weather could adversely affect our net sales and profitability. To the extent we maintain insurance policies or programs to mitigate the impact of these risks, our cash flows may be adversely impacted by delay in the receipt of proceeds under those policies or the proceeds may not fully offset any such losses.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Separation from FNF

We may not realize any potential benefits that we expect to achieve as an independent, publicly traded company, and we may not enjoy certain benefits we enjoyed as part of the FNF after the separation.

We may not realize any of the potential benefits we expect from our separation from FNF. As an independent, publicly traded company, we believe that our businesses will benefit from, among other things, sharpened focus on the financial and operational resources of our specific business, allowing our management to design and implement a capital structure, corporate strategies and policies that are based primarily on the business characteristics and strategic opportunities of our businesses. We anticipate this will allow us to respond more effectively to industry dynamics and to allow us to create effective incentives for our management and employees that are more closely tied to our business performance. However, we may not be able to achieve some or all of the expected benefits. See “Distribution—Reasons for the Distribution.”

We will also incur significant costs in connection with the separation, which may exceed our estimates, and we will experience some negative effects from the separation, including loss of access to some of the financial, managerial and professional resources from which we have benefited in the past. We expect this risk will be somewhat mitigated by the Management Consulting Agreement pursuant to which certain executive officers of FNFV will continue to provide consulting services to us. In addition, completion of the distribution will require a significant amount of our management’s time and effort, which may divert attention from operating and growing our business. By separating from FNF, there is also a risk that we may become more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than while we were a part of FNF. As part of FNF, we were able to enjoy certain benefits from FNF’s operating diversity and access to capital for investments, benefits that will no longer be available to us following the separation.

If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect from the separation on a timely basis or at all, our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer a material adverse effect.

There can be no assurance that we will have access to the capital markets on terms acceptable to us.

From time to time we may need to access the long-term and short-term capital markets to obtain financing. Although we believe that the sources of capital in place that the time of the distribution will permit us to finance our operations for the foreseeable future on acceptable terms and conditions, our access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms and conditions in the future or at all will be impacted by many factors, including, but not limited to:

 

   

our financial performance;

 

 

   

our credit ratings or absence of a credit rating;

 

 

   

the liquidity of the overall capital markets; and

 

 

   

the state of the economy.

 

There can be no assurance, particularly as a new company, that currently has no credit rating, that we will have access to the capital markets on terms acceptable to us.

 

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Our combined historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as a stand-alone company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

Our combined historical and pro forma financial information included in this information statement does not reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows we would have achieved as a stand-alone company during the periods presented or that we may achieve in the future. This is primarily a result of the following factors:

 

   

our combined historical and pro forma financial results may not fully reflect the costs associated with being a stand-alone public company, including significant changes that will occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of our separation from FNF; and

 

 

   

our combined historical and pro forma financial results reflect certain allocations of corporate expenses from FNF which allocations may be different than the comparable expenses that we would have actually incurred as a stand-alone company.

 

We have made adjustments based upon available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable to reflect these factors, among others, in our combined historical and pro forma financial information. However, our assumptions may prove not to be accurate, and accordingly, the financial information presented in this information statement should not be assumed to be indicative of what our financial condition or results of operations actually would have been as a stand-alone company nor to be a reliable indicator of what our financial condition or results of operations actually may be in the future.

For a description of the components of our historical combined financial information and adjustments reflected in our pro forma financial information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Business Overview” and our combined historical and pro forma financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.

Until the distribution occurs, FNF has sole discretion to change the terms of the distribution in ways that may be unfavorable to us.

Until the distribution occurs, we are a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF. Accordingly, and in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, FNF has the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the distribution, including the establishment of the record date, and the distribution date. These changes could be unfavorable to us. In addition, FNF may decide at any time not to proceed with the separation or the distribution, in its sole discretion.

We will experience increased costs after the separation or as a result of the separation.

We will need to replicate certain facilities, systems, infrastructure and personnel to which we will no longer have access after our separation from FNF. We will also need to make investments to operate without access to FNF’s existing operational and administrative infrastructure. Although the Management Consulting Agreement is intended to mitigate this risk, we will likely need to retain additional personnel and infrastructure in order to operate as an independent company. These initiatives will be costly to implement. Due to the scope and complexity of the underlying projects, the amount of total costs cannot be accurately estimated at this time.

 

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Our accounting and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared to meet the financial reporting and other requirements to which we will be subject following the separation and the distribution.

Our financial results previously were included within the consolidated results of FNF, and our reporting and control systems were appropriate for those of subsidiaries of a public company. Prior to the distribution, we are not directly subject to reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. After the distribution, we will be subject to such reporting and other requirements, which will require, among other things, annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm addressing these assessments. These and other obligations will place significant demands on our management, administrative and operational resources, including accounting and IT resources.

To comply with these requirements, we will need to implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures and hire additional staff. We will incur additional annual expenses related to these steps, including with respect to, among other things, director and officer liability insurance, director fees, expenses associated with our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reporting obligations, transfer agent fees, increased auditing and legal fees and similar expenses, which expenses may be significant. If we are unable to upgrade our financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to reporting companies could be impaired. Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We also expect that being a public company subject to additional laws, rules and regulations will require the investment of additional resources to ensure ongoing compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.

The distribution could result in significant tax liability to FNF, and we could be required to indemnify FNF for such liability.

FNF has requested an opinion from KPMG LLP, its tax advisor, to the effect that, based on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings set forth in the opinion, the distribution will qualify as a transaction that is tax-free under Section 355 and/or other relevant provisions of the Code, and the distribution is conditioned upon the receipt by FNF of such favorable opinion confirming the distribution’s tax-free status. A United States holder (as defined in “The Distribution—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution”) of FNFV common stock generally will recognize capital gain or loss with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock.

The opinion will be based upon various factual representations and assumptions, as well as certain undertakings made by FNF and J. Alexander’s. If any of those factual representations or assumptions are untrue or incomplete in any material respect, any undertaking is not complied with, or the facts upon which the opinion will be based are materially different from the facts at the time of the distribution, the distribution may not qualify for tax-free treatment. Opinions of tax advisors are not binding on the IRS or the courts. As a result, the conclusions expressed in an opinion could be challenged by the IRS, and if the IRS prevails in such challenge, the tax consequences to you could be materially less favorable.

If the distribution were determined not to qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 355 of the Code, each United States holder generally would be treated as receiving a distribution taxable as a dividend in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares of our common stock received by

 

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the holder with the consequences described in “The Distribution — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.” In addition, FNF generally would, or could be required to, recognize gain with respect to the distribution and certain related transactions, and we could be required to indemnify FNF for any resulting taxes and related expenses, which could be material.

The distribution and certain related transactions could be taxable to FNF if J. Alexander’s or its stockholders were to engage in certain transactions after the distribution. In such cases, FNF and/or its stockholders could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities, and we could be required to indemnify FNF for any resulting taxes and related expenses, which could be material.

We are agreeing to certain restrictions to preserve the treatment of the distribution as tax-free to FNF and holders of FNFV common stock, which will reduce our strategic and operating flexibility.

If the distribution fails to qualify for tax-free treatment as discussed above, it will be treated as a taxable dividend to holders of FNFV common stock in an amount equal to the fair market value of our stock issued to holders of FNFV common stock. In addition, in that event, FNF would be required to recognize a gain equal to the excess of the sum of the fair market value of our stock on the distribution date over FNF’s tax basis in our stock.

In addition, current tax law generally creates a presumption that the distribution would be taxable to FNF but not to holders of FNFV common stock, if we or our stockholders were to engage in a transaction that would result in a 50% or greater change by vote or by value in our stock ownership during the two-year period beginning on the distribution date, unless it is established that the distribution and the transaction are not part of a plan or series of related transactions to effect such a change in ownership. In the case of such a 50% or greater change in our stock ownership, tax imposed on FNF in respect of the distribution would be based on the fair market value of our stock on the distribution date over FNF’s tax basis in our stock.

Under the Tax Matters Agreement that we will enter into with FNF, we will generally be prohibited, except in specified circumstances, for specified periods of up to 24 months following the distribution, from:

 

   

issuing, redeeming or being involved in other significant acquisitions of our equity securities;

 

 

   

voluntarily dissolving or liquidating;

 

 

   

transferring significant amounts of our assets;

 

 

   

amending our certificate of incorporation or by-laws;

 

 

   

failing to engage in the active conduct of a trade or business; or

 

 

   

engaging in certain other actions or transactions that could jeopardize the tax-free status of the distribution.

 

See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Agreements with FNF—Tax Matters Agreement.”

 

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In connection with our separation from FNF, we and FNF will undertake potentially significant indemnity obligations. If we are required to perform under these indemnities to FNF, we may need to divert cash to meet those obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In the case of FNF’s indemnity, there can be no assurance that the indemnity will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of any relevant liabilities or that FNF will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future.

Under the Tax Matters Agreement that we will enter into with FNF, we will agree generally to indemnify FNF for taxes and related losses it suffers as a result of the distribution failing to qualify as a tax-free transaction, if the taxes and related losses are attributable to:

 

   

direct or indirect acquisitions of our stock or assets (regardless of whether we consent to such acquisitions);

 

 

   

negotiations, understandings, agreements or arrangements in respect of such acquisitions; or

 

 

   

our failure to comply with certain representations and undertakings from us, including the restrictions described in the preceding risk factor.

 

See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions —Agreements with FNF — Tax Matters Agreement.” Our indemnity will cover both corporate level taxes and related losses imposed on FNF in the event of a 50% or greater change in our stock ownership described in the preceding risk factor, as well as taxes and related losses imposed on FNF if, due to our representations or undertakings being incorrect or violated, the distribution is determined to be taxable for other reasons.

Indemnities that we may be required to provide FNF may be significant and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, particularly indemnities relating to certain actions that could impact the tax-free nature of the distribution. Despite the Tax Matters Agreement providing to the contrary, third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that FNF has agreed to retain. Further, there can be no assurance that the indemnity from FNF will be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that FNF will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from FNF any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. Each of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The continued ownership of FNF common stock and FNFV common stock by some of our directors may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest.

Because of their current or former positions with FNF, certain of our officers and non-employee directors own FNF common stock and FNFV common stock. These holdings in FNF common stock and FNFV common stock may be significant for some of these persons compared to that person’s total assets. Even though our board of directors will include directors who are independent from both FNF and our company, ownership of FNF common stock and FNFV common stock by our directors and officers after the separation may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for FNF than they do for us.

 

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We could have potentially received better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms we receive in our agreements with FNF and its affiliates.

The agreements we will enter into with FNF or its affiliates in connection with the separation consist of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, and the Management Consulting Agreement, each of which were negotiated in the context of the separation while we were still a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF. Accordingly, during the period in which the terms of those agreements were negotiated, we did not have an independent board of directors or a management team independent of FNF. As a result, the terms of those agreements may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations between unaffiliated third parties. The terms of the agreements negotiated in the context of the separation relate to, among other things, the consideration to be paid to Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC for management services under the Management Consulting Agreement. Arm’s-length negotiations between FNF and an unaffiliated third party in another form of transaction, such as a buyer in a sale of a business transaction, may have resulted in more favorable terms to us. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Agreements with FNF.”

Risks Related to Our Structure

We will be a holding company and our only material asset after completion of the reorganization transactions and the distribution will be our interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and, accordingly, we are dependent upon distributions from J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC to pay taxes and other expenses.

We will be a holding company and will have no material assets other than our ownership of Units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. We will have no independent means of generating revenue. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, will not itself be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, its net taxable income will generally be allocated to its members, including us, according to the membership interests each member owns. Accordingly, we will incur income taxes on our proportionate share of any net taxable income of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and also will incur expenses related to our operations. We intend to cause J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC to distribute cash to its members, including us, in an amount at least equal to the amount necessary to cover their respective tax liabilities, if any, with respect to their allocable share of the net income of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and to cover dividends, if any, declared by us. To the extent that we need funds to pay our tax or other liabilities or to fund our operations, and J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is restricted from making distributions to us under applicable agreements, laws or regulations or does not have sufficient cash to make these distributions, we may have to borrow funds to meet these obligations and operate our business, and our liquidity and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Under our Management Consulting Agreement with Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC, we have agreed to pay cash compensation equal to 3% of our annual Adjusted EBITDA which could result in significant increases in management fees and our expenses.

Under our Management Consulting Agreement with the Management Consultant, we will pay 3% of our annual Adjusted EBITDA to the Management Consultant in consideration for management consulting services. In entering into this agreement, we determined that given the level of services to be provided the terms were fair and reasonable to us. As we continue to execute our business plan and grow our concepts, we expect to generate increased Adjusted EBITDA which would result in automatic increases in the amounts payable to the Management Consultant under the Management Consulting Agreement. We have also agreed to issue Class B Units to the Management Consultant reflecting a 10% profits interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Although these arrangements are

 

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designed to align the interests of the Management Consultant with our public shareholders, the compensation payable to the Management Consultant could be substantial as we generate increased levels of Adjusted EBITDA. In such circumstances, the amount of profits allocable to our shareholders and the amount of cash flow otherwise available to us for other corporate purposes, including dividends or other distributions to our shareholders, would be reduced.

The issuance of common stock upon exchange of Class B Units may dilute your ownership of common stock.

The Class B Units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC held by members of our management are exchangeable for, at our option, either shares of our common stock or a cash payment from J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, and the Class B Units held by the Management Consultant are exchangeable only for shares of common stock, as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions – Management Consulting Agreement” and “Our Corporate Structure – J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC Profits Interest Incentive Plan”. If we elect to issue common stock in respect of these exchanges, your ownership of common stock will be diluted.

If we elect to have J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC make cash payments for future exchanges of Class B Units, in lieu of issuing shares of common stock, such payments may reduce the amount of overall cash flow that would otherwise be available to us.

If we elect to have J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC make cash payments in lieu of issuing shares of common stock upon exchanges of Class B Units made by members of our management, such payments may require the payment of significant amounts of cash and may reduce the amount of overall cash flow that would otherwise be available for distribution to us from J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. In such event, our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy may be negatively affected.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

Once our common stock begins trading, substantial sales of common stock may occur, which could cause our stock price to decline.

There is currently no public market for our common stock. On September 18, 2015, in connection with the declaration by the board of directors of FNF of the distribution, our common stock is expected to begin trading publicly on a “when-issued” basis. We have not set an initial price for our common stock. The price for our common stock will be established by the public markets. The shares of our common stock that FNF distributes to its stockholders generally may be sold immediately in the public market. Because holders of FNFV common stock did not invest directly in our stock, our business profile may not fit their investment objectives and they may sell our shares following the distribution period.

There is no existing market for our common stock, and we do not know if one will develop. Even if a market does develop, the market price of our shares cannot be predicted.

There is currently no public market for our common stock. We intend to apply to list our common stock on the NYSE, but we cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade after the distribution. The combined market prices of our common stock and FNFV common stock after the distribution may not equal or exceed the market value of FNFV common stock immediately before the distribution. In addition, we cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our Company will lead to the development of an active trading market on the NYSE, or how liquid that market may become. An active public market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained after the distribution. If an active trading market does not develop or is not sustained, you may have difficulty selling any shares of our common stock.

 

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Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly and could fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors due to seasonality and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, resulting in a decline in our stock price. Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly because of several factors, including:

 

   

the timing of new restaurant openings and related expenses;

 

 

   

restaurant operating expenses for our newly-opened restaurants, which are often materially greater during the first several quarters of operation than thereafter;

 

 

   

labor availability and costs for hourly and management personnel;

 

 

   

profitability of our restaurants, especially in new markets;

 

 

   

changes in interest rates;

 

 

   

increases and decreases in same store sales;

 

 

   

impairment of long-lived assets and any loss on restaurant closures;

 

 

   

macroeconomic conditions, both nationally and locally;

 

 

   

negative publicity relating to the consumption of beef, poultry, seafood or other products we serve;

 

 

   

changes in consumer preferences and competitive conditions;

 

 

   

expansion to new markets;

 

 

   

increases in infrastructure costs; and

 

 

   

fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31 and generally contains 52 weeks. As a result of this format, we will periodically have a fiscal year which contains 53 weeks of operation, including a 14-week fourth quarter. Fiscal year 2015 represents such a year.

Seasonal factors and the timing of holidays also cause our revenue to fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Net sales and operating income typically reach their highest levels during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to holiday business and the first quarter of the fiscal year due in part to the redemption of gift cards sold during the holiday season. As a result of these factors, our quarterly and annual operating results and same store sales may fluctuate significantly. Accordingly, results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter or for any year, and same store sales for any particular future period may decrease. In the future, operating results may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In that event, the price of our common stock would likely decrease.

 

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The market price of our common stock may be volatile and you may not be able to sell your shares at an acceptable price.

The market price of our stock could fluctuate significantly, and you may not be able to resell your shares at an acceptable price. Those fluctuations could be based on various factors in addition to those otherwise described in this information statement, including those described under “—Risks Related to Our Business” and the following:

 

   

our operating performance and the performance of our competitors or restaurant companies in general and fluctuations in our operating results;

 

 

   

the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

 

 

   

the failure of security analysts to cover our common stock after this offering or changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who follow us or other companies in our industry;

 

 

   

global, national or local economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance;

 

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of new locations or menu items, capacity changes, strategic investments or acquisitions;

 

 

   

actual or anticipated variations in our or our competitors’ operating results, and our and our competitors’ growth rates;

 

 

   

failure by us or our competitors to meet analysts’ projections or guidance that we or our competitors may give the market;

 

 

   

changes in laws or regulations, or new interpretations or applications of laws and regulations, that are applicable to our business;

 

 

   

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

 

   

the arrival or departure of key personnel;

 

 

   

the number of shares to be publicly traded after the distribution;

 

 

   

future sales or issuances of our common stock, including sales or issuances by us, our officers or directors and our significant shareholders, including Newport; and

 

 

   

other developments affecting us, our industry or our competitors.

 

In addition, in recent years the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and restaurant industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions such as recessions or interest rate changes, may cause declines in the market price of our common stock. If the market price of our common stock after the distribution does not exceed the initial trading price, you may not realize any return on your investment in us and may lose some or all of your investment.

 

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As we operate in a single industry, we are especially vulnerable to these factors to the extent that they affect our industry or our products. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been initiated against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, and could also require us to make substantial payments to satisfy judgments or to settle litigation.

The market price of our common stock could decline due to the number of shares of common stock eligible for future sale upon the exchange of Class B Units.

The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of issuances of additional shares of our common stock eligible for future sale upon the exchange of Class B Units, or the perception that such issuances could occur. These issuances, or the possibility that these issuances may occur, may also make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital by selling equity securities in the future, at a time and price that we deem appropriate. After completion of the spin-off, approximately 14.7% of the ownership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will be Class B Units held by certain members of our management and the Management Consultant. Based on the value of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC (determined primarily by reference to the trading price of our common stock) above a specified hurdle amount and time-based vesting provisions, vested Class B Units may be immediately exchanged for our common stock or, for those held by members of our management, for cash, at our option.

Our charter and bylaws and provisions of Tennessee law may discourage or prevent strategic transactions, including a takeover of our Company, even if such a transaction would be beneficial to our shareholders.

Provisions contained in our charter and bylaws and provisions of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act could delay or prevent a third party from entering into a strategic transaction with us, as applicable, even if such a transaction would benefit our shareholders. For example, our charter and bylaws:

 

   

divide our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms, which may delay or prevent a change of our management or a change in control;

 

 

   

authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by us upon approval of our board of directors to increase the number of outstanding shares of capital stock, making a takeover more difficult and expensive;

 

 

   

do not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors, which could otherwise make it easier for a smaller minority of shareholders to elect director candidates;

 

 

   

do not permit shareholders to take action upon less than unanimous written consent;

 

 

   

provide that special meetings of the shareholders may be called only by or at the direction of the board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors or the chief executive officer;

 

 

   

require advance notice to be given by shareholders for any shareholder proposals or director nominees;

 

 

   

require a super-majority vote of the shareholders to amend certain provisions of our charter; and

 

 

   

allow our board of directors to make, amend or repeal our bylaws but only allow shareholders to amend or repeal our bylaws upon the approval of 66 2/3 % or more of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote.

 

 

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In addition, we are subject to certain provisions of Tennessee law that limit, in some cases, our ability to engage in certain business combinations with significant shareholders. See “Description of Capital Stock.”

These restrictions and provisions could keep us from pursuing relationships with strategic partners and from raising additional capital, which could impede our ability to expand our business and strengthen our competitive position. These restrictions could also limit shareholder value by impeding a sale of us or J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

Under the Tax Matters Agreement that we will enter into with FNF, we will generally be prohibited, except in specified circumstances, for specified periods of up to 24 months following the distribution from consenting to certain acquisitions of significant amounts of our stock.

As discussed above, an acquisition or further issuance of our equity securities could trigger a tax to FNF, requiring us under the Tax Matters Agreement to indemnify FNF for such tax. This indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that you may consider favorable.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If no or few securities or industry analysts commence coverage of us, the trading price for our common stock would be negatively impacted. If we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage and if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrades our common stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which could cause our stock prices and trading volume to decline.

We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

We may retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and have no current plans to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare and pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. In addition, our current credit facility restricts our ability to pay dividends. Our ability to pay dividends may also be limited by covenants of any future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur. As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment in our common stock unless you sell our common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it. See “Dividend Policy.”

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company.

As a public, exchange listed company, we expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, particularly after we are no longer an emerging growth company as defined under the JOBS Act. In addition, new and changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated thereunder, as well as under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the JOBS Act, have created uncertainty for public companies and increased costs and time that boards of directors and

 

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management must devote to complying with these rules and regulations. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules of the SEC and the NYSE regulate corporate governance practices of public companies. We expect compliance with these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and lead to a diversion of management time and attention from revenue generating activities. For example, we will be required to adopt new internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, we will incur additional expenses associated with our SEC reporting requirements. We currently estimate that the additional costs we will incur as a result of being a public company will range from $750,000 to $1,000,000 annually.

Our reported financial results may be adversely affected by changes in accounting principles applicable to us.

Generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the SEC and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results, and could affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement of a change. In addition, the SEC has announced a multi-year plan that could ultimately lead to the use of International Financial Reporting Standards by U.S. issuers in their SEC filings. Any such change could have a significant effect on our reported financial results.

We are an emerging growth company and, as a result of the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, our common stock may be less attractive to investors.

We are an emerging growth company, as defined under the JOBS Act, and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies, but not to emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure about executive compensation arrangements pursuant to the rules applicable to smaller reporting companies and no requirement to seek non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements. We have elected to adopt these reduced disclosure requirements. We may take advantage of these provisions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (2) the last day our first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.0 billion, (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period and (4) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our prior second fiscal quarter.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. An emerging growth company can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we are choosing to “opt out” of such extended transition period and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

 

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We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of our taking advantage of these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of our choices, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

If we are unable to implement and maintain the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to provide an unqualified report on our internal controls, which could adversely affect our stock price.

Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules adopted by the SEC and the PCAOB, starting with the second annual report that we file with the SEC after the consummation of the distribution, our management will be required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, once we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act and lose the ability to rely on the exemptions related thereto discussed above, our independent registered public accounting firm will also need to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404. We may encounter problems or delays in completing the implementation of any changes necessary to our internal control over financial reporting to conclude such controls are effective. If we conclude and, once we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm concludes, that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, investor confidence and our stock price could decline.

Matters impacting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC or violations of NYSE rules, and result in a breach of the covenants under our financing arrangements. There also could be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements also could suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm were to report a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect us and lead to a decline in the price of our common stock.

Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.

Our charter and bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Tennessee law. In addition, we have entered and expect to continue to enter into agreements to indemnify our directors, executive officers and other employees as determined by our board of directors. We will enter into indemnification agreements with our director nominees and amended indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. Under the terms of such indemnification agreements, we are required to indemnify each of our directors and officers, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Tennessee, if the basis of the indemnitee’s involvement was by reason of the fact that the indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the issuer or any of its subsidiaries or was serving at the issuer’s request in an official capacity for another entity. We must indemnify our officers and directors against all reasonable fees, expenses, charges and other costs of any type or nature whatsoever, including any and all expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in any completed, actual, pending or threatened action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under the indemnification agreement. The indemnification agreements also require us, if so requested, to advance within 30 days

 

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of such request all reasonable fees, expenses, charges and other costs that such director or officer incurred, provided that such person will return any such advance if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification by us. Any claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.

Future offerings of debt securities, which would rank senior to our common stock upon our bankruptcy or liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities that may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making offerings of debt securities or additional offerings of equity securities. Upon bankruptcy or liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both, and may result in future limitations under the tax code that could reduce the rate at which we utilize any net operating loss carryforwards to reduce our taxable income. Preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments or both that could limit our ability to make a dividend distribution to the holders of our common stock. Our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control and may have the effect of reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their ownership interest in our Company.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We caution that certain information contained in this information statement is forward-looking information that involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this information statement, including our unaudited pro forma financial data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “can,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “estimate,” “pro forma,” “continue,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “outlook,” “forecast,” the negatives thereof and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places throughout this information statement and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including among other things, the following risks and uncertainties:

 

   

the impact of, and our ability to adjust to, general economic conditions and changes in consumer preferences;

 

 

   

our ability to open new restaurants and operate them profitably, including our ability to locate and secure appropriate sites for restaurant locations, obtain favorable lease terms, attract customers to our restaurants or hire and retain personnel;

 

 

   

our ability to successfully develop and improve our Stoney River concept;

 

 

   

our ability to successfully transition certain of our existing J. Alexander’s locations to Redlands Grill locations;

 

 

   

our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, or at all;

 

 

   

the strain on our infrastructure caused by the implementation of our growth strategy;

 

 

   

the significant competition we face for customers, real estate and employees;

 

 

   

the impact of economic downturns or other disruptions in markets in which we have revenue or geographic concentrations within our restaurant base;

 

 

   

our ability to increase sales at existing J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River restaurants and improve our margins at existing Stoney River restaurants;

 

 

   

the impact of increases in the price of, and/or reductions in the availability of, commodities, particularly beef;

 

 

   

the impact of negative publicity or damage to our reputation, which could arise from concerns regarding food safety and food-borne illnesses or other matters;

 

 

   

the impact of proposed and future government regulation and changes in healthcare, labor and other laws;

 

 

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our expectations regarding litigation or other legal proceedings;

 

 

   

our inability to cancel and/or renew leases and the availability of credit to our landlords and other retail center tenants;

 

 

   

operating and financial restrictions imposed by our credit facility, our level of indebtedness and any future indebtedness;

 

 

   

the impact of the loss of key executives and management-level employees;

 

 

   

our ability to enforce our intellectual property rights;

 

 

   

the impact of information technology system failures or breaches of our network security;

 

 

   

the impact of any future impairment of our long-lived assets, including goodwill;

 

 

   

the impact of any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other initiatives;

 

 

   

the impact of shortages, interruptions and price fluctuations on our ability to obtain ingredients from our limited number of suppliers;

 

 

   

our expectations regarding the seasonality of our business;

 

 

   

the impact of hurricanes and other weather-related disturbances; and

 

 

   

the other matters described under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business.”

 

These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read with the other cautionary statements in this information statement. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, or cautionary statements, are disclosed under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business” and elsewhere in this information statement. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this information statement in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

 

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OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Acquisition of Stoney River

Prior to April 2012, Stoney River was a steakhouse concept owned and operated by O’Charley’s, Inc., a multi-concept restaurant company that, as of December 25, 2011, operated and franchised over 340 restaurants under three concepts: O’Charley’s, Ninety Nine Restaurant, and Stoney River Legendary Steaks (the previous name of Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill).

In April 2012, FNF acquired O’Charley’s, Inc., which at that time was a publicly-traded company with shares of common stock listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. O’Charley’s, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of FNFV. Upon completion of the foregoing transactions, the outstanding shares of common stock of O’Charley’s were delisted, and O’Charley’s, Inc. was subsequently converted into O’Charley’s, LLC. In May 2012, FNFV transferred its ownership in O’Charley’s, LLC to FNH, a joint venture controlled by FNFV and Newport.

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Acquisition of J. Alexander’s Corporation

In September 2012, FNF acquired JAC, which is the predecessor to J. Alexander’s, LLC and at that time was a publicly-traded company with shares of common stock listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market. JAC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of FNFV. The outstanding shares of common stock of JAC were delisted upon consummation of the acquisition, and JAC was subsequently converted to J. Alexander’s, LLC.

Structure Prior to the Reorganization Transactions

In February 2013, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC was formed as a Delaware limited liability company by FNFV. On February 25, 2013, FNFV contributed 100% of the membership interests of J. Alexander’s, LLC to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC in exchange for a 72.1% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and FNH contributed 100% of the membership interests of Stoney River Management Company, LLC and its subsidiaries and related assets (the “Stoney River Assets”) to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC in exchange for a 27.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC then contributed the Stoney River Assets to J. Alexander’s, LLC. Additionally, in February 2013, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC assumed from FNFV a promissory note payable to FNF in the principal amount of $20,000,000 (the “FNF Note”). The FNF Note accrued interest at 12.5%, with the interest and principal due and payable in full on January 31, 2016. In May 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC repaid the FNF Note in full.

Restatement of Operating Agreement; Issuance of Class B Units

On January 1, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC issued profits interests, designated as Class B Units, to members of our management, including our named executive officers. In connection therewith, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC entered into an Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement with its members and adopted the 2015 Management Incentive Plan described below.

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC Profits Interest Plan

On January 1, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC adopted its 2015 Management Incentive Plan and granted equity incentive awards to our management team and other key employees in the form of Class B Units. The Class B Units are profits interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Each Class B Unit represents a non-voting equity interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC that entitles the holder to a percentage of the profits and appreciation in the equity value of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC arising after the date of grant.

 

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Holders of Class B Units will participate in allocations and distributions by J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC following such time as a specified hurdle amount has been previously distributed to holders of Units. The hurdle amount for the Class B Units issued to our management in January 2015 was set at $180 million, which at such time was a reasonable premium to the estimated liquidation value of the equity of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. The Class B Units issued to our management vest with respect to 50% of the Grant Units on the second anniversary of the date of grant and with respect to the remaining 50% on the third anniversary of the date of grant.

Vested Class B Units may be exchanged for, at our option, either (i) cash in an amount equal to the amount that would be distributed to the holder of those Class B Units by J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC upon a liquidation of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC assuming the aggregate amount to be distributed to all members of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC were equal to our market capitalization on the date of exchange, (net of any assets and liabilities of J. Alexander’s Holdings Inc. that are not assets or liabilities of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC) or (ii) shares of our common stock with a fair market value equal to the cash payment under (i) above.

The Class B Units issued to our management have been be classified as equity awards, and compensation expense based on the grant date fair-value is being recognized over the applicable vesting period of the grant in our consolidated financial statements.

In connection with the Reorganization Transactions, we issued additional Class B Units to the Management Consultant. For a description of the terms of these Class B Units, see “Our Corporate Structure — The Management Consultant’s Profits Interests”.

Distribution of Interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC

On August 18, 2014, FNH distributed its 27.9% interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC to FNFV, Newport and certain individual equity holders in FNH. As a result of this distribution, FNH no longer holds an ownership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

Indebtedness

On September 3, 2013, we entered into a loan agreement with Pinnacle Bank for a credit facility that includes a three-year $1,000,000 revolving line of credit and a seven-year $15,000,000 mortgage loan (the “Mortgage Loan”). The Mortgage Loan presently bears interest at LIBOR plus 250 basis points, with a minimum interest rate of 3.25% per annum and a maximum interest rate of 6.25% per annum and will mature on October 3, 2020. The revolving line of credit note bears interest at LIBOR plus 250 basis points, with a minimum interest rate of 3.25% per annum. The revolving line of credit note will mature on September 3, 2016. We used proceeds from the Mortgage Loan to retire our previously outstanding mortgage debt.

On December 9, 2014, we executed an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement which encompasses the two existing credit facilities discussed above and also included a five-year, $15,000,000 development line of credit. On May 20, 2015, we executed a Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, which increased the development line of credit to $20,000,000 over a five-year term and also included a five-year, $10,000,000 term loan (the “Term Loan”), the proceeds of which were used to repay in full the $10,000,000 due under a note to FNF which was scheduled to mature January 31, 2016. Both the development line of credit and the Term Loan bear interest at LIBOR plus 220 basis points. The Term Loan is structured on an interest only basis for the first 24 months of the term, followed by a 36 month amortization period. The indebtedness outstanding under these facilities with Pinnacle Bank is secured by liens on certain personal property of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries, subsidiary guarantees and a mortgage lien on certain real property.

 

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The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure prior to the reorganization transactions.

 

 

LOGO

The Reorganization Transactions

In anticipation of an initial public offering of our shares, beginning in August 2014 we commenced an internal restructuring that will result in the organizational and ownership structure described below immediately prior to the distribution. We refer to these transactions as the “reorganization transactions.”

Formation of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

The issuer was incorporated in the State of Tennessee on August 15, 2014 for the initial purpose of engaging in an initial public offering and has engaged only in activities in contemplation of such offering and the distribution. Upon its formation, 1,000 shares of common stock were issued to FNFV in exchange for a nominal cash purchase price equal to the par value of such shares.

Contributions of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC to J. Alexander’s Holdings and J. Alexander’s Holdings to FNF

In June 2015, FNFV formed JAX Investments and transferred to it 1% of the Class A membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Prior to the distribution, FNFV, Newport, and all holders of membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, other than JAX Investments and the holders of Class B Units, will exchange their membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC for shares of our common stock. These transactions will result in (i) us holding directly and indirectly 100% of the Class A membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC; and (ii) FNF owning 87.44% of our common stock immediately prior to the distribution.

 

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The Management Consultant

In connection with the distribution, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will enter into a management consulting agreement (the “Management Consulting Agreement”) with Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC (the “Management Consultant”), a newly formed limited liability company owned by certain officers and directors of FNFV and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. The Management Consultant will provide corporate and strategic advisory services to us. Under the Management Consulting Agreement, we will (i) issue Class B units to the Management Consultant, as described below, and (ii) pay the Management Consultant an annual base fee equal to 3% of our Adjusted EBITDA for each fiscal year during the term of the Management Consulting Agreement. We will also reimburse the Management Consultant for its direct out-of-pocket costs incurred for management services provided to us. The Management Consulting Agreement will continue in effect for an initial term of seven years and will be renewed for successive one-year periods thereafter unless earlier terminated (i) by us upon at least six months’ prior notice or (ii) by the Management Consultant upon 30 days’ prior notice. In the event that we terminate or either we or the Management Consultant fail to renew the Management Consulting Agreement prior to the tenth anniversary thereof, we will be obligated to pay to the Management Consultant an early termination payment equal to the product of (i) the annual base fee for the most recent fiscal year and (ii) the difference between ten and the number of years that have elapsed under the Management Consulting Agreement, provided that in the event of such a termination following a change of control event with respect to us, the multiple of the annual base fee to be paid to the Management Consultant shall not exceed three. In addition, all unvested Class B Units will become immediately vested.

The principals of the Management Consultant and our executive management team have complementary skills. Specifically, our executive management team has substantial experience in the restaurant industry, particularly the upscale dining segment, and the principals of the Management Consultant have substantial experience in mergers, acquisitions, accessing public capital markets, and corporate governance, as well as extensive knowledge of and input on our business, strategic plan, and finances. Rather than hiring additional executive management personnel with these skills or outsourcing to another consulting firm without the experience, background and insight on our business, we determined that using the services of the Management Consultant was the most cost effective way to provide us with these services. Factors considered included the cost savings from screening, recruiting and hiring such persons into our Company, reducing the burden on our operational management team to integrate and educate new officers or consultants, and the fact that the compensation payable to the Management Consultant is based on the performance of the Company.

The Management Consultant’s Profits Interest

Immediately prior to the distribution, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will amend and restate its operating agreement to, among other things, (i) reflect the new members of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and (ii) provide for the issuance to the Management Consultant of non-voting Class B Units, in an amount equal to 10% of the outstanding units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Each Class B Unit represents an equity interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC that entitles the holder to a percentage of the profits and appreciation in the equity value of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC arising after the date of grant. The Class B Units issued to the Management Consultant will vest in equal installments over a three year period. The Class B Units issued to the Management Consultant will vest in full upon a change in control of us, our termination of the Management Consulting Agreement without cause, failure to renew the Management Consulting Agreement any time prior to the ten year anniversary thereof, or the termination of the Management Consulting Agreement by the Management Consultant as a result of our breach of the Management Consulting Agreement. Distributions with respect to the Class B Units will only be made in the event that certain specified hurdle amounts have been achieved. At the request of the holder, vested Class B Units may be exchanged for shares of our common stock.

 

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Following the termination of the Management Consulting Agreement for any reason, the Management Consultant will have 90 days to exchange its vested Class B Units. After the expiration of this 90-day period, any Class B Units then held by the Management Consultant will be forfeited. For more information regarding the Class B Units, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions – Management Consulting Agreement.”

The diagram below shows our organizational structure immediately following the completion of the reorganization transactions described herein and the distribution.

 

 

LOGO

See “Certain Relationships” and Related Party Transactions.

 

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THE DISTRIBUTION

General

On February 18, 2015, FNF announced its intention to pursue the disposition of our Company through the distribution of our common stock to holders of FNFV common stock.

In September 2015, FNF intends to issue a dividend on FNFV common stock consisting of all of the shares of our common stock that FNF will own on the date of the distribution. These shares will represent 87.44% of our outstanding shares of common stock immediately prior to the distribution. The dividend will be paid on September 28, 2015, the distribution date, in the amount of 0.17229 shares of our common stock for every one outstanding share of FNFV common stock as described below to each stockholder on September 22, 2015, the record date.

Please note that you will not be required to pay any cash or other consideration for the shares of our common stock distributed to you or to surrender or exchange your shares of FNFV common stock to receive the dividend of our common stock.

The Distribution as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. We cannot provide any assurances that the Distribution will be completed. Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Agreements with FNF” for additional information.

FNF

Currently, FNF is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in multiple business segments in the United States and around the world as follows:

FNF Core Operations

 

   

Title. This segment consists of the operations of FNF’s title insurance underwriters and related businesses. This segment provides core title insurance and escrow and other title related services including collection and trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances, and home warranty insurance. This segment also includes the transaction services business consisting of other title related services used in production and management of mortgage loans, including mortgage loans that go into default.

 

 

   

BKFS. This segment provides core technology and data and analytics services through leading software systems and information solutions that facilitate and automate many of the business processes across the life cycle of a mortgage.

 

 

   

FNF Core Corporate and Other. This segment consists of the operations of FNF’s holding company, certain other unallocated corporate overhead expenses, and other smaller real estate and insurance related operations.

 

FNFV

 

   

Restaurant Group . This segment consists of our operations and the operations of ABRH, in which FNF has a 55% ownership interest. ABRH is the owner and operator of the O’Charley’s, Ninety Nine Restaurants, Max & Erma’s, Village Inn and Bakers Square concepts.

 

 

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FNFV Corporate and Other. This segment primarily consists of FNF’s share in the operations of certain of its equity investments, including Ceridian, Digital Insurance in which FNF owns 96%, and other smaller operations which are not title related.

 

Strategic Evaluation and Reasons for the Distribution

In 2014, and continuing into 2015, FNF’s senior management and board of directors undertook a strategic review of FNF’s businesses, including an assessment of the market and growth characteristics of each of its businesses and the role of each business within FNF’s overall business portfolio. Factors considered by FNF’s management and board of directors as part of the strategic review included:

 

   

portfolio clarification and enhanced management focus — holders of FNFV common stock will benefit from portfolio clarity as separating our upscale dining concepts business from FNF’s other business will allow each management team greater flexibility to pursue growth strategies and allocate capital appropriately within their respective market opportunities;

 

 

   

favorable market characteristics — upscale dining is a large and fast growing market with different valuation methodologies, capital requirements and marketing efforts, and we are well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity;

 

 

   

favorable market conditions and competitive position for the upscale dining concepts business — the upscale dining industry has rebounded substantially since 2009, and FNF concluded that we are uniquely positioned to execute against opportunities throughout the United States;

 

 

   

FNF cash deployment—given FNF’s positive cash balance and strong cash flows, FNF’s management and board of directors weighed alternatives available to return excess cash to holders of FNFV common stock;

 

 

   

potential benefits and detriments of separating the upscale dining concepts business- FNF’s management and board of directors considered the potential benefits and detriments that could result from a spin-off, including: (i) potential market reaction to the increased autonomy and flexibility afforded to J. Alexander’s to pursue its growth strategies; (ii) potential market perception of J. Alexander’s no longer being part of FNF; (iii) potential perception of employees of J. Alexander’s if separated from FNF; and (iv) the significant management time and effort required to effect the spin-off.

 

Upon evaluating the foregoing factors, FNF’s management and board of directors considered various possible alternatives for structuring FNF’s business, specifically including a sale of the J. Alexander’s business and an initial public offering, and the implications that those alternatives would have on the holders of FNFV common stock and on the prospects for growth of our business. The most strongly considered alternative was an initial public offering of the common stock of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. and a restructuring where J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. would have become the managing member of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. After filing a registration statement with the SEC to effect an underwritten public offering of our common stock, FNF’s board of directors determined that, due to the Company’s minimal leverage, substantial public offering costs and proceeds effectively at a 10-15% discount to the fully distributed value of the Company’s common stock, the public offering was not in the best interests of the holders of FNFV common stock, or the business. Furthermore, the current structure which contemplates a distribution of the Company’s common stock to holders of FNFV common stock will avoid the dilution to their existing holdings, which

 

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would have resulted from the public offering. The FNF board of directors ultimately concluded, using its reasonable business judgment, that the transaction, as currently structured, maximizes the value of the Company for the benefit of the holders of FNFV stock.

As a result of its strategic review, FNF’s management and board of directors believe it is in the best interests of holders of FNFV common stock to separate the upscale dining concepts business from FNF’s other businesses. FNF’s management and board of directors believe that the separation will allow the creation of an independent public company focused on the upscale dining concepts which would be better positioned in management’s view to meet our long-term revenue growth objectives and generate stockholder value. FNF’s management and board of directors both believe that the upscale dining concepts business will have the opportunity to benefit from the increased fit and focus of a separation including:

 

   

Enhanced Stock Value. Because the FNFV common stock represents the economic performance of a portfolio of equity securities, it trades primarily with reference to the FNFV business segment’s net asset value. This value may be less than the full, undiscounted value of the assets underlying the FNFV business segments. The discount in value is attributable to a variety of factors, including FNF’s holding company status (the “Holding Company Discount”), the complexity of the tracking stock structure (the “Tracking Stock Discount”), and multiple layers of financial reporting. Following the distribution, we will own the upscale dining concepts business and holders of FNFV common stock will also hold our common stock. Thus, the restructuring will eliminate the holding company and tracking stock arrangement with respect to the upscale dining concepts business which is intended to reduce the Holding Company Discount and Tracking Stock Discount now applied to the FNFV common stock. Accordingly, as discussed in more detail below, FNF believes that our ability to use stock to grow the Company by making acquisitions and compensate employees will be enhanced and our higher market capitalization will increase the liquidity of our common stock.

 

 

   

Growth through Acquisitions . We intend to continue to grow our business, both organically and through acquisitions, and may, at times, issue equity as consideration for such future acquisition. Reducing the Holding Company Discount and Tracking Stock Discount is intended to enable us to issue equity at a higher valuation multiple following the distribution thereby enhancing our ability to make such acquisitions.

 

 

   

Improve Management and Executive Compensation. FNF now seeks, and following the distribution both we and FNF will continue to seek, to attract and retain highly qualified management and employees through incentive programs that include equity-based compensation. Under FNF’s Omnibus Plan, key employees can receive restricted stock, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units or other stock-based awards referencing shares of FNFV common stock. Following the distribution, we will implement a similar equity-based compensation plan. Any aggregate increase in value to the FNFV common stock and J. Alexander’s common stock that may result from the distribution may enhance equity rights that officers and employees already have in FNFV common stock. Accordingly, the distribution may provide both us and FNF with a more effective tool to motivate and reward employees and management. Further, FNF management believes that more directly aligning the interests of the employees of the upscale dining concepts business with the interests of the upscale dining concepts business will allow us to better attract prospective employees with appropriate skill sets, motivate key employees, and retain key employees for the long term.

 

 

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Optimization of Debt and Equity Structures. Following the distribution, our debt will not be consolidated on the FNF balance sheet. This is expected to benefit us by permitting us to (i) more easily raise debt capital to support future acquisitions and (ii) optimize our capital structure.

 

 

   

Management Independence from FNF Combined with Continuity of Key Advisors . We will have increased autonomy to pursue our strategic initiatives, acquisitions and other growth opportunities that may not be appropriate under the current combined structure and to deploy our capital as our management team sees fit and FNF would be insulated from any risks inherent in those pursuits. Also, retaining certain members of FNF’s senior management permits us the continued benefit of the knowledge and expertise of FNF’s management, which is familiar with our business and has enabled us to grow. The FNF management team brings a wide range of skills that complement our executive management and we believe that the synergistic gains to be derived from our collective managerial attributes would be challenging and costly to replicate. We believe there are limited options to engage a consulting firm that provides the experience in mergers and acquisitions, access to strategic financing sources, capacity to structure beneficial financing arrangements and demonstrated track record of delivering positive results. Moreover, it would otherwise be difficult to obtain the services of a firm of this high caliber in exchange for compensation contingent upon the performance of the company and enhanced value to its stockholders. We expect FNF’s senior management to positively impact our long term growth by developing acquisition strategies, developing and implementing corporate strategy, including, without limitation, business planning and improving the operating and financial performance of the company, and advising on debt and equity financings, as further described in the Management Consulting Agreement. We and FNF ultimately concluded that leveraging these existing management resources and working relationships was more cost effective than hiring new personnel or retaining a new consulting firm.

 

 

   

Strategic Focus . FNF management will have a sharpened focus on its title, information mortgage services and other businesses.

 

 

   

Investor Transparency . A separation will provide greater transparency for investors in J. Alexander’s.

 

 

   

Investor Alignment . Separate, publicly traded equity securities will provide greater alignment of management incentives with stockholder interests.

 

FNF’s management and board of directors believe that given our experienced management team, position in the marketplace, and strong cash flows, we will be able to advance our business goals and strategic growth initiatives.

The Number of Shares You Will Receive

It is expected that for every one share of FNFV common stock that you own at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on September 22, 2015, the record date, you will receive 0.17229 shares of our common stock on the distribution date.

It is important to note that if you sell your shares of FNFV common stock between the record date and the distribution date in the “regular way” market, you will also be selling your right to receive the share dividend in the distribution. Please see “—Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date” for more information.

 

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Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date

Beginning on September 18, 2015 and continuing up to and including September 28, 2015, the distribution date, there are expected to be two markets in FNFV common stock: a “regular way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of FNFV common stock that trade on the regular way market will trade with an entitlement to shares of our common stock to be distributed in the distribution. Shares that trade on the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to shares of our common stock to be distributed in the distribution. Therefore, if you own shares of FNFV common stock at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the record date and sell those shares on the regular way market on or prior to the distribution date, you will also be selling the shares of our common stock that would have been distributed to you in the distribution. However, if you sell those shares of FNFV common stock on the ex-distribution market on or prior to the distribution date, you will still receive the shares of our common stock that were to be distributed to you in the distribution based on your ownership of the shares of FNFV common stock.

Furthermore, beginning on September 18 , 2015 and continuing up to and including the distribution date, there is expected to be a “when-issued trading” market in our common stock. When-issued trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The when-issued trading market will be a market for shares of our common stock that will be distributed to holders of FNFV common stock on the distribution date. If you owned shares of FNFV common stock at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the record date, then you are entitled to shares of our common stock to be distributed in the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to shares of our common stock, without the shares of FNFV common stock that you own, on the when-issued trading market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, when-issued trading with respect to our common stock will end and regular way trading will begin.

When and How You Will Receive the Dividend

FNF will pay the dividend on September 28, 2015 by releasing its shares of our common stock to be distributed in the distribution to Computershare, the distribution agent. As part of the distribution, we will adopt a book-entry share transfer and registration system for our common stock. This means that instead of receiving physical share certificates, registered holders of FNFV common stock entitled to the distribution will have their shares of our common stock distributed on the date of the distribution credited to book-entry accounts established for them by our transfer agent. The transfer agent will mail an account statement to each such registered holder stating the number of shares of our common stock credited to the holder’s account.

For those holders of FNFV common stock who hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, our transfer agent will credit the shares of our common stock to the accounts of those nominees who are registered holders, who, in turn, will credit their customers’ accounts with our common stock. We and FNF anticipate that brokers, banks and other nominees will generally credit their customers’ accounts with our common stock on the same day that their accounts are credited, which is expected to be the distribution date.

The distribution agent will not deliver any fractional shares of our common stock in connection with the distribution. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate all fractional shares and sell them on behalf of those holders who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fractional share. We anticipate that these sales will occur between the record date and the distribution date. Such holders will then receive a cash payment in an amount equal to their pro rata share of the total net proceeds of those sales. Such cash payments will be made to the holders in the same accounts in which the underlying shares are held. If you physically hold FNFV stock certificates, your check for any cash that you may be entitled to receive instead of fractional shares of our common stock will be included together with the account statement in the mailing that our transfer agent expects to send out on the distribution date.

 

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None of FNF, our company, the distribution agent or our or FNF’s transfer agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of our common stock. Neither our company nor FNF will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution

The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution for a U.S. holder of FNFV common stock (international holders of FNFV common stock should consult their own tax advisors) that holds such common stock as a capital asset for tax purposes. The discussion is of a general nature and does not purport to deal with persons in special tax situations, including, for example, financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings, tax exempt entities, persons holding FNFV common stock in a tax-deferred or tax-advantaged account or persons holding FNFV common stock as a hedge against currency risk, as a position in a “straddle,” or as part of a “hedging” or “conversion” transaction for tax purposes.

This summary applies only to U.S. holders. A “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of FNFV common stock that is (i) an individual U.S. citizen or resident, (ii) a U.S. domestic corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation or (iii) otherwise subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of such common stock.

This summary does not address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a holder of FNFV common stock. For example, we do not address:

 

   

the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to a stockholder that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

 

   

the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to stockholders in, or partners, members or beneficiaries of, an entity that holds FNFV common stock;

 

 

   

the U.S. federal estate, gift or alternative minimum tax consequences of the distribution;

 

 

   

the tax considerations relevant to U.S. holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or

 

 

   

the tax considerations relevant to holders of FNFV employee stock options, restricted stock or other compensatory awards.

 

This summary is based on laws, regulations, rulings, interpretations and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. It is not intended to be tax advice.

You should consult your own tax advisor as to all of the tax consequences of the distribution to you in light of your own particular circumstances, including the consequences arising under state, local and foreign tax laws, as well as possible changes in tax laws that may affect the tax consequences described herein.

General

FNF has requested an opinion from KPMG LLP, its tax advisor, to the effect that, based on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings set forth in the opinion, the distribution

 

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will qualify as a transaction that is tax-free under Section 355 and other provisions of the Code, and the distribution is conditioned upon the receipt by FNF of such favorable opinion confirming the distribution’s tax-free status.

Subject to the discussion below relating to the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares, if the distribution qualifies fully as tax-free, then, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

no gain or loss will be recognized by, and no amount will be includible in the income of, FNF as a result of the distribution, other than taxes arising out of foreign and other internal restructurings undertaken in connection with the separation and with respect to any “excess loss account” or “intercompany transaction” required to be taken into account under Treasury regulations relating to consolidated returns;

 

 

   

no gain or loss will be recognized by, and no amount will be includible in the income of, a U.S. holder of FNFV common stock solely as a result of the receipt of our common stock in the distribution;

 

 

   

the holding period for our common stock received in the distribution will include the period during which the FNFV common stock was held; and

 

 

   

the tax basis of the FNFV common stock immediately prior to the distribution will be apportioned between such FNFV common stock and the shares of our common stock received, including any fractional share of our common stock deemed received in the distribution, based upon relative fair market values at the time of the distribution.

 

An opinion of our advisors represents their best professional judgment but is not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinion will be based upon various factual representations and assumptions, as well as certain undertakings made by FNF and J. Alexander’s Holdings. If any of those factual representations or assumptions are untrue or incomplete in any material respect, any undertaking is not complied with, or the facts upon which the opinion will be based are materially different from the facts at the time of the distribution, the distribution may not qualify for tax-free treatment. If, on audit, the IRS were successful in asserting the position that the distribution is taxable, the above consequences would not apply and both FNF and holders of FNFV common stock could be subject to tax.

If the distribution were taxable to FNF and the holders of FNFV common stock, then in general:

 

   

FNF would recognize a gain equal to the excess of the sum of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the distribution over FNF’s tax basis in our common stock;

 

 

   

Each U.S. holder of FNFV common stock that receives shares of our common stock in the distribution would be treated as if the U.S. holder received a taxable distribution equal to the full value of the shares of our common stock received, which would be taxed (i) as a dividend to the extent of the U.S. holder’s pro rata share of FNFV’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (including the gain to FNFV described in the preceding bullet point), then (ii) as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in its FNFV common stock, and finally (iii) as capital gain with respect to the remaining value;

 

 

   

an individual U.S. holder would generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at favorable rates with respect to the portion of the distribution that was treated as a dividend or capital gain, subject to exceptions for certain short-term and hedged

 

 

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positions (including positions held for one year or less, in the case of a capital gain), which could give rise to tax at ordinary income rates; and

 

 

   

a U.S. holder would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to the portion of the distribution that was treated as a return of capital, although its tax basis in its FNFV common stock would thereby be reduced.

 

If the IRS were successful in asserting the position that the distribution is taxable, we could be required to indemnify FNF (including in respect of claims asserted by its stockholders) for the taxes described above and related losses. In addition, current tax law generally creates a presumption that the distribution would be taxable to FNF, but not to the holders of FNFV common stock, if we or our stockholders were to engage in a transaction that would result in a 50% or greater change by vote or by value in our stock ownership during the two-year period beginning on the distribution date, unless it is established that the distribution and the transaction are not part of a plan or series of related transactions to effect such a change in ownership. If the distribution were taxable to FNF due to such a 50% or greater change in our stock ownership, FNF would recognize a gain equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the distribution over FNF’s tax basis therein and we could be required to indemnify FNF for the tax on such gain and related losses. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Agreements with FNF—Tax Matters Agreement.”

Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares

No fractional shares of our common stock will be issued in the distribution. All fractional shares resulting from the distribution will be aggregated and sold by the distribution agent, and the proceeds will be distributed to the owners of such fractional shares. A holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock as a part of the distribution will generally recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for such fractional share and the holder’s tax basis in the fractional share determined as described under The Distribution—General” above. An individual U.S. holder would generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at favorable rates with respect to such a capital gain, assuming that the U.S. holder had held all of its FNFV common stock for more than one year.

Payments of cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock made in connection with the distribution may, under certain circumstances, be subject to “backup withholding” and information reporting, unless a holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise complies with the requirements of the backup withholding rules. Corporations and non-U.S. holders will generally be exempt from backup withholding, but may be required to provide a certification to establish their entitlement to the exemption. Backup withholding does not constitute an additional tax, but is merely an advance payment that may be refunded or credited against a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if the required information is supplied to the IRS.

Information Reporting

U.S. Treasury regulations require certain U.S. holders that receive our common stock pursuant to the distribution to attach to their U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which the distribution occurs a statement setting forth certain information relating to the distribution. Within a reasonable period after the distribution, FNF will provide holders of FNFV common stock who receive our common stock in the distribution with the information necessary to comply with such requirement. In addition, all U.S. holders are required to retain permanent records relating to the amount, basis, and fair market value of our common stock received in the distribution and to make those records available to the IRS upon request.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business and to repay indebtedness, and therefore we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Additionally, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock will be limited by restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries and us to pay dividends or make distributions under the terms of current and any future agreements governing our indebtedness. Any future determination to declare and pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.

In addition, since we are a holding company, substantially all of the assets shown on our consolidated balance sheet are held by our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our earnings, cash flow and ability to pay dividends are largely dependent upon the earnings and cash flows of our subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of such earnings to us in the form of dividends. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends is currently restricted by the terms of our credit facility and may be further restricted by any future indebtedness we or they incur. Accordingly, you may need to sell your shares of our common stock to realize a return on your investment. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock—We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 28, 2015 on (i) an actual basis and (ii) a pro forma basis, assuming the separation, the distribution and the other transactions described in this information statement had occurred on June 28, 2015.

This table should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this information statement. We are providing the capitalization table below for information purposes only, and it may not reflect the capitalization or financial condition that would have resulted had we been operating as a separate, independent entity on June 28, 2015 and is not necessarily indicative of our future capitalization or financial condition.

 

     As of June 28, 2015   
   Dollars in thousands      J. Alexander’s
  Holdings, LLC
  Actual(1)
     J. Alexander’s
Holdings, Inc.
Pro Forma(2)
 
  

 

 

 

  Cash and cash equivalents

     $           15,152       $ 12,652   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Debt(2):

     

Pinnacle Bank Credit Facility

     22,084         22,084   
  

 

 

 

Total debt

     22,084         22,084   
  

 

 

 

  Member’s/shareholders’ equity:

     

Member’s equity

     102,612         -   

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10 million shares authorized, no shares outstanding actual or pro forma as adjusted

     -         -   

Common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 30 million shares authorized, no shares outstanding actual and 15 million shares outstanding pro forma as adjusted

     -         15   

Additional paid in capital

     -         87,844   

Retained earnings

     -         (2,500

Non-controlling interests

     -         14,753   
  

 

 

 
     

  Total member’s/shareholders’ equity

     102,612         100,112   
  

 

 

 
     

  Total capitalization

     $ 124,696       $ 122,196   
  

 

 

 

 

  (1)

As of June 28, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC directly or indirectly held all of our assets and liabilities, and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., which was incorporated on August 15, 2014, did not hold any significant assets or liabilities. Accordingly, the actual capitalization as of June 28, 2015 presents that of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

 

  (2)

Debt amounts do not include accrued interest.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014 present our consolidated results of operations giving pro forma effect to the reorganization transactions and the distribution as if they had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2014. The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2015 presents our unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet giving pro forma effect to the reorganization transactions and the distribution as if they had occurred as of the balance sheet date. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and upon assumptions that our management believes are reasonable in order to reflect, on a pro forma basis, the impact of the reorganization transactions and the distribution on the historical financial information of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations and balance sheet information should be read in conjunction with information found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this information statement.

In connection with the distribution and the related transactions, we will record in our consolidated statement of operations at the time of the transaction, a one-time charge of $2,500,000 related to the payment of special recognition bonuses to certain senior executives and other employees as described in “Executive Compensation – Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table – Special Recognition Bonus.” Because this charge is non-recurring in nature, we have not given effect to this transaction in the unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations. However, this has been reflected as an adjustment to retained earnings in the unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2015.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information is included for informational purposes only and does not purport to reflect our results of operations or financial position that would have occurred had we operated as a public company during the periods presented. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information should not be relied upon as being indicative of our results of operations or financial condition had the reorganization transactions and the spin-off occurred on the dates assumed. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information also does not project our results of operations or financial position for any future period or date.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet

As of June 28, 2015

(in thousands)

 

   
 
J. Alexander’s
Holdings, LLC (1)
  
  
   
 
 
Reorganization
and Distribution
Adjustments
  
  
  
    
 

 

J. Alexander’s
Holdings, Inc.

Pro Forma

  
 

  

Assets       

  Current assets:

      

  Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 15,152        $ (2,500)  (9)     $ 12,652     

  Accounts and notes receivable

    225          -             225     

  Accounts receivable from related party

    1          -             1     

  Inventories

    2,156          -             2,156     

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    2,216          -             2,216     
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Total current assets

    19,750          (2,500      17,250     
      

  Other assets

    4,141          -             4,141     

  Property and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $21,592 as of June 28, 2015

    85,934          -             85,934     

  Goodwill

    15,737          -             15,737     

  Trade name and other indefinite-lived intangibles

    25,155          -             25,155     

  Deferred Charges, less accumulated amortization of $163 as of June 28, 2015

    627          -             627     
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
      

  Total assets

  $ 151,344          (2,500    $ 148,844     
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Liabilities and Membership Equity       

  Current liabilities:

      

  Accounts payable

  $ 4,504        $ -           $ 4,504     

  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    9,730          -             9,730     

  Unearned revenue

    2,400          -             2,400     

  Current portion of long-term debt

    1,667          -             1,667     
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Total current liabilities

    18,301          -             18,301     
      

  Long-term debt, net of portion classified as current

    20,417          -             20,417     

  Deferred compensation obligations

    5,803          -             5,803     

  Other long-term liabilities

    4,211          -             4,211     
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Total liabilities

    48,732          -             48,732     

  Members’ / shareholders’ equity:

      

Members’ equity

    102,612          (102,612)         -       

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10 million shares authorized, no shares outstanding actual or pro forma adjusted

    -            -             -       

Common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 30 million shares authorized, no shares outstanding actual and 15 million shares outstanding pro forma adjusted

    -            15 (2)(3)       15     

Additional paid in capital

    -            87,844 (2)(3)(4)       87,844     

Retained earnings

    -            (2,500) (9)       (2,500)     
      
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Total members’ / shareholders’ equity attributable to J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

    102,612          (17,253      85,359     
      

  Non-controlling interests

    -            14,753 (4)       14,753     
      

  Total liabilities and equity

  $ 151,344        $ (2,500    $ 148,844     
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the Six Months ended June 28, 2015

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

    
 
 J. Alexander’s
 Holdings, LLC (1)
  
  
    
 
 
Reorganization
and Distribution
Adjustments
  
  
  
     
 
J. Alexander’s Holdings,
Inc. Pro Forma
  
  
  

 

 

 

Net sales

     $             109,275           $                                  -        $ 109,275   

Costs and expenses:

         

Cost of sales

     34,596             -          34,596   

Restaurant labor and related costs

     32,636             -          32,636   

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

     4,039             -          4,039   

Other operating expenses

     21,550             -          21,550   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

     92,821             -          92,821   

Transaction and integration expenses

     2,113             (2,113   (10)     -   

General and administrative expenses

     7,863             1,774      (5)(6)     9,637   

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

     2             -          2   

Pre-opening expense

     2             -          2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     102,801             (339       102,462   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income

     6,474             339          6,813   

Other income (expense):

         

Interest expense

     (776)             374      (11)     (402

Other, net

     48             -          48   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (728)             374          (354
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     5,746             713          6,459   

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (21)             (2,433   (7)     (2,454
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     5,725             (1,720       4,005   

Income from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interests

     -         590      (4)     590   

Income from continuing operations attributable to J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

   $ -       $ 3,415        $ 3,415   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

         

Weighted average of common stock outstanding

         

Basic

     N/A                 15,000   

Diluted

     N/A                 17,390   

Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders per share (8)

         

Basic

     N/A               $ 0.23   

Diluted

     N/A               $ 0.20   

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the year ended December 28, 2014

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

    
 
J. Alexander’s
Holdings, LLC (1)
  
  
    
 
 
Reorganization
and Distribution
Adjustments
  
  
  
      
 
 
J. Alexander’s
Holdings, Inc.
Pro Forma
  
  
  
  

 

 

 
          

Net sales

     $         202,233           $                          -         $         202,233   

Costs and expenses:

          

Cost of sales

     64,591             -           64,591   

Restaurant labor and related costs

     61,539             -           61,539   

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

     7,652             -           7,652   

Other operating expenses

     40,440             -           40,440   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

     174,222             -           174,222   

Transaction and integration expenses

     785             (785)      (10)      -   

General and administrative expenses

     14,450             3,423      (5)(6)      17,873   

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

     5             -           5   

Pre-opening expense

     681             -           681   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     190,143             2,638           192,781   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Operating income

     12,090             (2,638)           9,452   

Other income (expense):

          

Interest expense

     (2,908)             2,240      (11)      (668)   

Other, net

     104             -           104   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (2,804)             2,240           (564)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     9,286             (398)           8,888   

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (328)             (3,050)      (7)      (3,378)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     8,958             (3,448)           5,510   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interests

     -             578      (4)      578   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

     $ -           $ 4,932         $ 4,932   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

          

Weighted average of common stock outstanding

          

Basic

     N/A                  15,000   

Diluted

     N/A                  16,499   

Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders per share (8)

          

Basic

     N/A                $ 0.33   

Diluted

     N/A                $ 0.30   

 

  (1)

We have historically operated our business through J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries. As of June 28, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC held all of our assets and liabilities and J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. did not have assets or liabilities and did not conduct operations. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 28, 2014 and the six months ended June 28,

 

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2015 and the unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2015 present the historical results of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC as a starting point for the pro forma amounts.

 

  (2)

Represents the adjustments to reflect the reorganization transactions wherein common stock was authorized and issued to FNF, Newport, and other holders of Class A Units in exchange for their contribution of membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. As a result of this contribution, we will be the sole managing member of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Accordingly, pursuant to ASC 810, we will consolidate the financial results of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC into our financial statements and record a non-controlling interest for the Class B membership units in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC not owned by us.

 

  (3)

Represents the recapitalization of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. (to result in 15 million shares of common stock outstanding), and the distribution transaction wherein FNF distributed its ownership of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock to the holders of FNFV common stock by issuing 0.17229 shares of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock for every one share of FNFV stock held on the record date for the distribution.

 

  (4)

Represents the allocation of shareholders’ equity between non-controlling interests and equity allocable to J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. On the statements of operations for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and the year ended December 28, 2014, this represents the allocation of the non-controlling interests in the income of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC relating to the membership units not owned by us.

 

  (5)

Represents the estimated impact of the Class B Units issued in connection with the reorganization and distribution pursuant to the Management Consulting Agreement on general and administrative expenses. The estimated impact of these grants totals $2,772 and $1,386 for the year ended December 28, 2014 and the six month period ended June 28, 2015, respectively. These amounts were calculated by estimating the fair value of the grants using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model, and assumes no change in the fair value of the awards at either of the reporting dates presented.

 

  (6)

Represents the estimated impact of the annual base fee of 3% of annual Adjusted EBITDA payable to the Management Consultant pursuant to the Management Consulting Agreement. The estimated impact of this fee totals $651 and $388 for the year ended December 28, 2014 and the six month period ended June 28, 2015, respectively. These amounts were calculated using the Adjusted EBITDA amounts derived from the unaudited pro forma financial information for the respective periods. The Adjusted EBITDA used in this calculation is consistent with that definition of Adjusted EBITDA presented as a Non-GAAP financial measure within this Information Statement.

 

  (7)

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. currently has no significant assets or liabilities, conducts no operations, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FNF. As such, it is included in the consolidated income tax returns of FNF. As a result of the reorganization and distribution transactions, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. will be subject to applicable federal and certain state and local income taxes with respect to its share of allocable taxable income of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, which will result in higher income taxes and an increase in income taxes paid. As a result, this reflects an adjustment to corporate income taxes to reflect a blended statutory tax rate of 38%, which includes a provision for U.S. federal income taxes. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will continue to remain a partnership for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes.

 

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  (8)

Pro forma basic income from continuing operations per share was computed by dividing the pro forma continuing income from operations attributable to our common shareholders by the 15 million shares of common stock outstanding after completion of the distribution. Pro forma diluted income from continuing operations per share was computed by dividing the pro forma continuing income from operations attributable to our common shareholders by the shares of common stock outstanding after completion of the distribution and the effect of Class B Units both currently outstanding and those that will be issued in connection with the distribution. This adjustment assumes all Class B Units have met their respective hurdle rates.

 

  (9)

Reflects the payment of the special recognition bonus in connection with the distribution. See “Executive Compensation—Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table—Special Recognition Bonus.”

 

  (10)

Reflects the adjustment to the pro forma consolidated statements of operations to reflect the exclusion of transaction and integration costs that would have been incurred prior to the periods presented had the reorganization and distribution transactions occurred at the beginning of 2014.

 

  (11)

Reflects the refinancing of the FNF Note which occurred on May 20, 2015 with Pinnacle Bank under the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. The interest rate of the FNF Note was 12.5%, and interest expense recorded in the historical financial statements related to that note was $2,479 and $493 for the year ended December 28, 2014 and the six month period ended June 28, 2015, respectively. The new $10,000 term loan under the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement bears interest at LIBOR plus 220 basis points, and the interest rate at June 28, 2015 was 2.3875%. This calculation assumes that the interest rate was 2.3875% for all periods presented, and therefore interest for the year-ended December 28, 2014 and the six months ended June 28, 2015 was $238 and $119, respectively. The adjustment for the refinancing in the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods presented is the difference between the interest actually recorded in the historical financial statements and the interest calculated under the new $10,000 term loan using these assumptions.

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

We have no material operations to date and, therefore, the information below is presented for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, which, upon completion of the reorganization transactions and the distribution, will be our consolidated subsidiary and will directly or indirectly hold all of our consolidated operations. The following selected historical consolidated financial data of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement. The statements of operations for the periods of January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2013 and October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 and for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 are derived from, and qualified by reference to, the audited consolidated financial statements of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC included elsewhere in this information statement and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and notes thereto. Results for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year.

The unaudited pro forma financial data included as Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information in the table below for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012 represents the combination of the Successor 2012 period and the Predecessor 2012 period and the adjustments reflecting the JAC acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2012. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that are factually supportable and that we believe are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data included as Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information does not reflect any of the synergies or cost reductions that may have resulted from the JAC acquisition and does not include any restructuring costs or other one-time charges that may have been incurred. The Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information results are for informational purposes only and do not reflect the actual results that we would have achieved had the JAC acquisition been completed as of January 1, 2012 and are not indicative of our future results of operations.

Financial information for all periods presented has been adjusted to reflect the impact of discontinued operations for comparative purposes.

 

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Our combined financial information may not be indicative of our future performance and does not necessarily reflect what our financial condition and results of operations would have been had we operated as a separate, stand-alone entity during the periods presented, including many changes that will occur in the operations and capitalization of our company as a result of our separation from FNF.

 

    Successor     Successor     Supplemental
Pro Forma
MD&A
Information
    Successor     Predecessor     Successor  
Dollars in thousands    

 
 
 

Year

Ended
December 28,
2014(1)

  

  
  
  

   

 
 
 

Year

Ended
December 29,
2013(1)

  

  
  
  

   

 
 
 
 

Year

Ended
December 30,
2012, as
adjusted(1)

  

  
  
  
  

   
 
 
 
October 1,
2012 to
December 30,
2012(1)
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
January 2,
2012 to
September 30,
2012(1)
  
  
  
  
    Six Months Ended   
             
 
June 28,
2015(1)
  
  
   
 
June 29,
2014(1)
  
  
 

 

 

 
                (unaudited)                 (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
   

  Statement of Operations Data:

                 
   

  Net sales

    $202,233        $188,223        $156,896        $40,341        $116,555        $109,275        $102,196   
   

  Cost of sales

    64,591        61,432        49,741        12,883        36,858        34,596        32,339   
   

  Restaurant labor and related costs

    61,539        59,032        50,835        12,785        38,050        32,636        30,711   
   

  Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

    7,652        7,228        5,837        1,425        4,117        4,039        3,777   
   

  Other operating expenses

    40,440        39,016        31,274        7,849        23,175        21,550        20,491   
   

  General and administrative expense

    14,450        11,981        10,439        2,330        8,109        7,863        6,537   
   

  Pre-opening expense

    681        -        -        -        -        2        21   
   

    Transaction and integration expenses

    785        (217)        -        183        4,537        2,113        102   
   

  Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

    5        2,094        -        -        -        2        4   
                                                       
   

  Total operating expenses

    190,143        180,566        148,126        37,455        114,846        102,801        93,982   
                                                       
   

  Operating income

    12,090        7,657        8,770        2,886        1,709        6,474        8,214   
   

  Interest expense

    2,908        2,888        957        187        1,174        776        1,491   
   

  Other, net

    104        3,055        94        26        (161)        48        76   
                                                       

  Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    9,286        7,824        7,907        2,725        374        5,746        6,799   
   

  Income tax (expense) benefit

    (328)        (138)        (226)        (1)        79        (21)        (37)   

  Loss from discontinued operations, net

    (443)        (4,785)        (1,918)        (506)        (1,412)        (211)        (224)   
                                                       
   

  Net income (loss)

    $8,515        $2,901        $5,763        $2,218        $(959     $5,514        $6,538   
                                                       

   Balance Sheet Data

 

  Cash and cash equivalents

    $13,301        $18,069        -        $11,127        $6,853        $15,152        $23,938   
   

  Working capital (deficit)(2)

    (4,102)        1,001        -        (640)        (1,416)        1,449        8,132   

  Total assets

    150,908        151,101        -        132,749        83,872        151,344        156,121   

  Total debt

    22,921        34,640        -        20,654        17,648        22,084        33,781   

  Total membership equity

    96,889        88,455        -        91,394        42,508        102,612        94,975   

 

  (1)

We utilize a 52- or 53-week accounting period which ends on the Sunday closest to December 31, and each quarter typically consists of 13 weeks. The period January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012, included 39 weeks of operations, and the period October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012, included 13 weeks of operations. Fiscal years 2014 and 2013 each included 52 weeks of operations. Each of the six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 included 26 weeks of operations.

 

  (2)

Defined as total current assets minus total current liabilities.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations for the 26 weeks ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 and for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, and the three months ended December 30, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2012 should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes to those statements included elsewhere in this information statement. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this information statement, including information with respect to our plans and strategies for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the section entitled “Risk Factors” for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this information statement.

Overview

We own and operate three complementary upscale dining restaurant concepts: J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill (“Stoney River”). For more than 20 years, J. Alexander’s guests have enjoyed a contemporary American menu, polished service and an attractive ambiance. In February 2013, our team brought our quality and professionalism to the steakhouse category with the addition of the Stoney River concept. Stoney River provides “white tablecloth” service and food quality in a casual atmosphere at a competitive price point. Our newest concept, Redlands Grill, offers customers a different version of our contemporary American menu and a distinct architectural design and feel.

Our business plan has evolved over time to include a collection of restaurant concepts dedicated to providing guests with what we believe to be the highest quality food, high levels of professional service and a comfortable ambiance. By offering multiple restaurant concepts and utilizing unique non-standardized architecture and specialized menus, we believe we are positioned to continue to scale and grow our overall restaurant business in an efficient manner in urban and affluent suburban areas. We want each of our restaurants to be perceived by our guests as a locally managed, stand-alone dining experience. This differentiation permits us to successfully operate each of our concepts in the same geographic market. If this strategy continues to prove successful, we may expand beyond our current three concept model in the future.

While each concept operates under a unique trade name, each of our restaurants is identified as a “J. Alexander’s Holdings” restaurant. As of June 28, 2015, we operated a total of 41 locations across 14 states. We currently plan to transition a total of between 12 and 15 of our J. Alexander’s restaurants to Redlands Grill restaurants. Other restaurant locations may be added or converted in the future as we determine how best to position our multiple concepts in a given geographic market.

We believe our concepts deliver on our guests’ desire for freshly-prepared, high quality food and high quality service in a restaurant that feels “unchained” with architecture and design that varies from location to location. As a result, we have delivered strong growth in same store sales, average weekly sales, net sales and Adjusted EBITDA. Through our combination with Stoney River, we have grown from 33 restaurants across 13 states in 2008 to 41 restaurants across 14 states as of June 28, 2015. Our growth in same store sales since 2008 has allowed us to invest significant amounts of capital to drive growth through the continuous improvement of existing locations, the development of plans to open new restaurants, and the hiring of personnel to support our growth plans.

 

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We plan to execute the following strategies to continue to enhance the awareness of our concepts, grow our revenue and improve our profitability by:

 

   

Pursuing new restaurant development;

 

 

   

Expanding beyond our current three restaurant concepts;

 

 

   

Increasing our same store sales through providing high quality food and service; and

 

 

   

Improving our margins and leverage infrastructure.

 

We resumed our new restaurant development program in 2013 and believe there are opportunities to open four to five new restaurants annually starting in 2016. We are actively pursuing development opportunities within all of our concepts and, as discussed elsewhere in this information statement, we are currently evaluating approximately 30 locations in approximately 20 separate markets in order to meet our stated growth objectives. The next new restaurant opening will be a Stoney River restaurant, which is scheduled to open during the fourth quarter of 2015.

Recent Transactions

The following events had an impact on the presentation of our results of operations over the past three years:

 

   

In September 2012, FNF acquired JAC. JAC was subsequently converted from a corporation to a limited liability company, J. Alexander’s, LLC, on October 30, 2012. The acquisition was treated as an acquisition for accounting purposes with FNF as the acquirer and JAC as the acquiree. In February 2013, the operations of Stoney River were contributed to J. Alexander’s by FNH. Additionally, in February 2013, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC assumed the $20,000,000 FNF Note, which was accounted for as a distribution of capital. The note accrued interest at 12.5%, and the interest and principal were payable in full on January 31, 2016. During the years ended December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, $2,479,000 and $2,139,000 of interest expense payable to FNF was recorded related to this note. In May 2015, this note was repaid in full.

 

   

During 2013, we closed three underperforming J. Alexander’s restaurants:

 

 

  ¡

Chicago, Illinois—closed February 2013

 

  ¡

Orlando, Florida—closed April 2013

 

  ¡

Scottsdale, Arizona—closed April 2013

For financial reporting purposes, the Orlando and Scottsdale locations were deemed to represent discontinued operations while results related to the Chicago location are reflected as a component of continuing operations.

Performance Indicators

We use the following key metrics in evaluating our performance:

Same Store Sales . We include a restaurant in the same store restaurant group starting in the first full accounting period following the eighteenth month of operations. Our same store restaurant

 

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base consisted of 31 restaurants at December 30, 2012, and 40 restaurants at each of December 29, 2013, December 28, 2014 and June 28, 2015. Changes in same store restaurant sales reflect changes in sales for the same store group of restaurants over a specified period of time. This measure highlights the performance of existing restaurants, as the impact of new restaurant openings is excluded.

Measuring our same store restaurant sales allows us to evaluate the performance of our existing restaurant base. Various factors impact same store sales including:

 

   

consumer recognition of our concepts and our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences;

 

 

   

overall economic trends, particularly those related to consumer spending;

 

 

   

our ability to operate restaurants effectively and efficiently meet guest expectations;

 

 

   

pricing;

 

 

   

guest customer traffic;

 

 

   

spending per guest and average check amounts;

 

 

   

local competition;

 

 

   

trade area dynamics; and

 

 

   

introduction of new menu items.

 

 

J. ALEXANDER’S AVERAGE WEEKLY SAME STORE SALES  

(Dollars Rounded to the Nearest $100)

 
     Average Weekly Same Store Sales  
             Q1                      Q2                      Q3                      Q4          

2009

   $     91,900       $     83,400       $     77,900       $     86,700   

2010

     92,000         87,200         84,800         92,900   

2011

     97,300         92,600         88,900         97,700   

2012

     101,600         96,200         91,400         99,700   

2013

     106,700         101,100         95,800         105,000   

2014

     111,800         105,600         100,500         110,100   

2015

     118,600         110,600         
           
     Average Weekly Same Store Sales Growth Rate  
     Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4  

2010

     0.1%         4.6%         8.9%         7.2%   

2011

     5.8%         6.2%         4.8%         5.2%   

2012

     4.4%         3.9%         2.8%         2.0%   

2013

     5.0%         5.1%         4.8%         5.3%   

2014

     4.8%         4.5%         4.9%         4.9%   

2015

     6.1%         4.7%         

 

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Average Weekly Sales . Average weekly sales per restaurant is computed by dividing total restaurant sales for the period by the total number of days all restaurants were open for the period to obtain a daily sales average. The daily sales average is then multiplied by seven to arrive at average weekly sales per restaurant. Days on which restaurants are closed for business for any reason other than scheduled closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas are excluded from this calculation. Revenue associated with reduction in liabilities for gift cards which are considered to be only remotely likely to be redeemed (based on historical redemption rates) is not included in the calculation of average weekly sales per restaurant.

Average Weekly Same Store Sales . Average weekly same store sales per restaurant is computed by dividing total restaurant same store sales for the period by the total number of days all same store restaurants were open for the period to obtain a daily sales average. The daily same store sales average is then multiplied by seven to arrive at average weekly same store sales per restaurant. Days on which restaurants are closed for business for any reason other than scheduled closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas are excluded from this calculation. Sales and sales days used in this calculation include only those for restaurants in operation at the end of the period which have been open for more than eighteen months. Revenue associated with reduction in liabilities for gift cards which are considered to be only remotely likely to be redeemed (based on historical redemption rates) is not included in the calculation of average weekly same store sales per restaurant.

Average Check . Average check is calculated by dividing total restaurant sales by guest counts for a given time period. Total restaurant sales includes food, alcohol and beverage sales. Average check is influenced by menu prices and menu mix. Management uses this indicator to analyze trends in customers’ preferences, the effectiveness of menu changes and price increases and per guest expenditures.

Average Unit Volume . Average unit volume consists of the average sales of our restaurants over a certain period of time. This measure is calculated by multiplying Average Weekly Sales by the relevant number of weeks for the period presented. This indicator assists management in measuring changes in customer traffic, pricing and development of our concepts.

Cost of Sales . Cost of sales, as defined below, is an important metric to management because it is the only truly variable component of cost relative to the sales volume while other components of cost can vary significantly due to the ability to leverage fixed costs at higher sales volumes.

Guest Counts . Guest counts are measured by the number of entrees ordered at our restaurants over a given time period.

Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Historically, the percentage of our annual revenues earned during the first and fourth quarters has been higher due, in part, to increased gift card redemptions and increased private dining during the year-end holiday season. In addition, we operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Each quarterly period has 13 weeks, except for a 53-week year when the fourth quarter has 14 weeks. As many of our operating expenses have a fixed component, our operating income and operating income margins have historically varied from quarter to quarter. Accordingly, results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter, or for the full fiscal year.

Key Financial Definitions

Net Sales . Net sales consist primarily of food and beverage sales at our restaurants, net of any discounts, such as management meals and employee meals, associated with each sale. Net sales are directly influenced by the number of operating weeks in the relevant period, the number of restaurants we operate and same store sales growth.

 

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Cost of Sales . Cost of sales is comprised primarily of food and beverage expenses and is presented net of earned vendor rebates. Food and beverage expenses are generally influenced by the cost of food and beverage items, distribution costs and menu mix. The components of cost of sales are variable in nature, increase with revenues, are subject to increases or decreases based on fluctuations in commodity costs, including beef prices, and depend in part on the controls we have in place to manage cost of sales at our restaurants.

Restaurant Labor and Related Costs . Restaurant labor and related costs includes restaurant management salaries, hourly staff payroll and other payroll-related expenses, including management bonus expenses, vacation pay, payroll taxes, fringe benefits and health insurance expenses.

Depreciation and Amortization . Depreciation and amortization principally includes depreciation on restaurant fixed assets, including equipment and leasehold improvements, and amortization of certain intangible assets for restaurants. We depreciate capitalized leasehold improvements over the shorter of the total expected lease term or their estimated useful life. As we accelerate our restaurant openings, depreciation and amortization is expected to increase as a result of our increased capital expenditures.

Other Operating Expenses . Other operating expenses includes repairs and maintenance, credit card fees, rent, property taxes, insurance, utilities, operating supplies and other restaurant-level related operating expenses.

Pre-opening Expenses . Pre-opening expenses are costs incurred prior to opening a restaurant, and primarily consist of manager salaries, relocation costs, recruiting expenses, employee payroll and related training costs for new employees, including rehearsal of service activities, as well as lease costs incurred prior to opening. In addition, pre-opening expenses include marketing costs incurred prior to opening as well as meal expenses for entertaining local dignitaries, families and friends. We currently target pre-opening costs per restaurant at $625,000.

General and Administrative Expenses . General and administrative expenses are comprised of costs related to certain corporate and administrative functions for both concepts that support development and restaurant operations and provide an infrastructure to support future company growth. These expenses reflect management, supervisory and staff salaries and employee benefits, travel, information systems, training, corporate rent, depreciation of corporate assets, professional and consulting fees, technology and market research. These expenses are expected to increase as a result of costs associated with being a public company as well as costs related to our anticipated growth. As we are able to leverage these investments made in our people and systems, we expect these expenses to decrease as a percentage of net sales over time.

Interest Expense . Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our outstanding indebtedness. Our debt issuance costs are recorded at cost and are amortized over the lives of the related debt under the effective interest method.

Income Tax (Expense) Benefit . This represents expense related to the taxable income at the federal, state and local level. The predecessor entity, JAC, was organized as a C-corporation, and therefore filed federal and state income tax returns, as required in various jurisdictions. JAC was converted to J. Alexander’s, LLC on October 30, 2012, and thereafter the filing requirements and related tax liability at both the federal and state level were passed through to the ultimate parent corporation, FNF. Concurrent with the combination with Stoney River, partnership tax treatment became effective, and the federal and state tax filing requirements for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC went into effect. Although partnership returns for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC are filed in most jurisdictions, effectively passing the tax liability to the partners, there are a small number of

 

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jurisdictions, Tennessee being one of them, that do not recognize limited liability companies structured as partnerships as disregarded entities for state income tax purposes. In those jurisdictions, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is liable for any applicable state income tax. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is also liable for franchise taxes in the various jurisdictions in which it operates, which are recorded as a component of general and administrative expense. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal, state, and local income tax purposes after the reorganization and distribution transactions are completed.

Discontinued Operations . On April 3, 2013 we closed our Orlando, FL location and on April 15, 2013 we closed our Scottsdale, AZ location. We determined that these closures met the criteria for classification as discontinued operations. See Note 2(c) “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Discontinued Operations” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for more information.

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Statements of Operations and Cash Flows are presented for four periods: January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012 (the “Predecessor Period”) (which relates to the period immediately preceding the JAC acquisition), October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, the year ended December 29, 2013, and the year ended December 28, 2014 (the “Successor Periods”). The supplemental pro forma results for the year ended December 30, 2012 provided herein represent the addition of the Predecessor and Successor periods as well as pro forma adjustments to reflect the JAC acquisition as if it had occurred prior to the beginning of the period presented (these combined and adjusted results are referred to herein as “Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information” or the “2012 period, as adjusted”). The Consolidated Financial Statements for the Successor Periods reflect the JAC acquisition under the purchase method of accounting. The results of the Successor Periods are not comparable to the results of the Predecessor Period due to the difference in the basis of presentation of purchase accounting as compared to historical cost. These adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that are factually supportable and that we believe are reasonable. The results reflected in the Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information are for informational purposes only and do not reflect the actual results we would have achieved had the JAC acquisition been completed as of the beginning of the year and are not indicative of our future results of operations. Results of Stoney River are included only for periods after February 24, 2013.

The 10 locations that began the transition from a J. Alexander’s restaurant to a Redlands Grill restaurant during 2015 have been included in the J. Alexander’s results of operations, average weekly same store sales calculations and all applicable other disclosures due to the timing of the applicable transitions.

 

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Results of Operations

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, our consolidated results, including our results expressed as a percentage of net sales, and other selected operating data:

 

($ in thousands)    26 Weeks Ended      Percent Change      
  

 

 

 
     June 28, 2015      June 29, 2014      2015 vs. 2014      
  

 

 

 
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)      (unaudited)      

Net sales

   $ 109,275       $ 102,196         6.9%       

Costs and expenses:

     

Cost of sales

     34,596         32,339         7.0%       

Restaurant labor and related costs

     32,636         30,711         6.3%       

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

     4,039         3,777         6.9%       

Other operating expenses

     21,550         20,491         5.2%       
  

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

     92,821         87,318         6.3%       

Transaction and integration expenses

     2,113         102         NM       

General and administrative expenses

     7,863         6,537         20.3%       

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

     2         4         NM       

Pre-opening expense

     2         21         NM       
  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     102,801         93,982         9.4%       
  

 

 

 

Operating income

     6,474         8,214         -21.2%       

Other income (expense):

     

Interest expense

     (776)         (1,491)         -48.0%       

Other, net

     48         76         -36.8%       
  

 

 

 

Total other (expense)

     (728)         (1,415)         -48.6%       
  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     5,746         6,799         -15.5%       

Income tax (expense)

     (21)         (37)         -43.2%       

Loss from discontinued operations, net

     (211)         (224)         -5.8%       
  

 

 

 
        

Net income

   $ 5,514       $ 6,538         -15.7%       
  

 

 

 

 

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As a Percentage of Net Sales:   

26 Weeks Ended

 
    

  June 28,  

2015

    

  June 29,  

2014

 
  

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

     

Cost of sales

     31.7%         31.6%   

Restaurant labor and related costs

     29.9%         30.1%   

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

     3.7%         3.7%   

Other operating expenses

     19.7%         20.1%   
  

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

     84.9%         85.4%   

Transaction and integration expenses

     1.9%         0.1%   

General and administrative expenses

     7.2%         6.4%   

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

     *         *   

Pre-opening expense

     *         *   
  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     94.1%         92.0%   
  

 

 

 

Operating income

     5.9%         8.0%   
  

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

     

Interest expense

     -0.7%         -1.5%   

Other, net

     *         0.1%   
  

 

 

 

Total other expense

     -0.7%         -1.4%   
  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     5.3%         6.7%   

Income tax (expense)

     *         *   

Loss from discontinued operations, net

     -0.2%         -0.2%   
  

 

 

 

Net income

     5.0%         6.4%   
  

 

 

 

* Less than 0.1%

NM means not meaningful

Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 28, 2015 compared to Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 29, 2014

Net Sales

Net sales increased by $7,079,000, or 6.9%, in the first six months of 2015 compared to the corresponding period of 2014, due to a $614,000 increase in same store revenue at Stoney River restaurants, a $4,019,000 increase in same store revenue at J. Alexander’s restaurants, and the impact of a new J. Alexander’s restaurant which opened in Columbus, Ohio during November 2014. Due to atypically severe winter weather conditions during the first quarter of both periods, our concepts lost 32 days of revenue due to weather-related restaurant closures during the first quarter of 2015, compared to 36 revenue days during the first quarter of 2014. In addition, one of the J. Alexander’s restaurants was closed for 35 days during the first quarter of 2015 while undergoing a major remodel. Further, during the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a change in estimate related to the Stoney River gift card program which resulted in additional breakage of $373,000 being recognized in revenue. No similar adjustments were recorded during 2015.

Average weekly same store sales on a consolidated basis totaled $103,700 during the first six months of 2015, a 5.4% increase over the $98,400 recorded during the first six months of 2014. Average weekly same store sales at J. Alexander’s restaurants for the first six months of 2015

 

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increased by 5.4% to $114,600, compared to $108,700, in the corresponding period of 2014. At Stoney River, average weekly sales totaled $71,000, for the first six months of 2015, an increase of 5.8% over the $67,100 in average weekly sales for the first six months of 2014.

The average check per guest at J. Alexander’s in the first six months of 2015 was $30.68, representing an increase of approximately 4.1% from $29.47 in the corresponding period in 2014. Average menu prices increased by approximately 3.4% in the first six months of 2015 compared to the corresponding period in 2014. These price increase estimates reflect nominal amounts of menu price changes, without regard to any change in product mix because of price increases, and may not reflect amounts actually paid by customers. Weekly average guest counts increased on a same store basis by approximately 1.2% in the first six months of 2015 compared to the corresponding period of 2014.

At Stoney River, the average check per guest in the first six months of 2015 was $45.38, representing an increase of approximately 2.3% from $44.35 during the first six months of 2014. Weekly average guest counts increased on a same store basis by approximately 3.5% in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014.

Restaurant Costs and Expenses

Total restaurant operating expenses were 84.9% of net sales in the first six months of 2015, down from 85.4% in the corresponding period of 2014. The decrease in the 2015 period was due primarily to the effect of higher sales in the same store base of restaurants combined with favorable trends in certain other operating expenses such as utilities and advertising. Restaurant operating profit margins were 15.1% in the first six months of 2015 compared to 14.6% in the corresponding period of 2014.

Cost of sales increased to 31.7% of net sales in the first six months of 2015 from 31.6% of net sales in the corresponding period of 2014 due primarily to increases in the price of beef, which were partially offset by the effect of higher menu prices as well as reductions in various other cost categories such as seafood, pork, and produce. Management estimates inflation totaled 4.5% within the J. Alexander’s concept and 5.9% within the Stoney River concept during the first six months of 2015. Beef purchases represent the largest component of consolidated cost of sales and comprise approximately 32.6% of this expense category. We purchase beef at weekly market prices. Prices paid for beef within the J. Alexander’s restaurants were higher in the first six months of 2015 than in the corresponding period of 2014 by approximately 12.6%, and at Stoney River, prices paid for beef were up 8.3% in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014.

Our beef purchases currently remain subject to variable market conditions and we anticipate that prices for beef over the remainder of 2015 will exceed those paid in previous comparable periods, perhaps substantially. We continually monitor the beef market and if there are significant changes in market conditions or attractive opportunities to contract at fixed prices arise, we will consider entering into a fixed price purchasing agreement.

Restaurant labor and related costs decreased to 29.9% of net sales in the first six months of 2015 from 30.1% in the corresponding period of 2014 due primarily to the effect of higher average weekly same store sales in each concept.

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment remained flat at 3.7% of net sales for the first six months of 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014, as the favorable effect of higher average weekly same store sales offset additional depreciation expense related to capital expenditures within each concept, including an extensive remodel of one J. Alexander’s location in the first quarter of 2015 and the impact of the new J. Alexander’s restaurant opened in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

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Other operating expenses decreased to 19.7% of net sales in the first six months of 2015 from 20.1% of net sales in the corresponding period of 2014, primarily due to the favorable effect of higher average weekly same store sales and decreases in property insurance expense, utilities and advertising expense associated with Stoney River.

General and Administrative Expenses

Total general and administrative expenses increased by $1,326,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to the corresponding period of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expense totaled 7.2% for the first six months of 2015 compared to 6.4% during the corresponding period of 2014. The more significant components of the increase during 2015 include non-cash compensation expense associated with the profits interest plan implemented on January 1, 2015, increased incentive compensation accruals, increased salaries and wages, additional payroll processing fees, increased rent expenses, increased franchise tax expense, increased employee relocation costs, and increased expense associated with legal, accounting, auditing and other professional fees, which more than offset the favorable effect of higher average weekly same store sales per restaurant.

Transaction and Integration Expenses

We incurred non-recurring transaction and integration expenses totaling $2,113,000 during the six months ended June 28, 2015, compared to $102,000 for the first six months of 2014. Transaction costs typically consist primarily of legal and consulting costs, accounting fees, and, to a lesser extent, other professional fees and miscellaneous costs. Integration costs consist primarily of consulting and legal costs. During the first six months of 2015, we incurred transaction costs related to the spin-off transaction totaling $820,000. Further, due to the abandonment of the initial public offering in the second quarter of 2015, deferred offering costs totaling $1,293,000 previously capitalized as other current assets were expensed during the second quarter of 2015.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense decreased by $715,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to the corresponding period in 2014, primarily as a result of our prepayment of $10,000,000 of the 12.5%, $20,000,000 FNF note payable during December 2014, and the refinancing of the remaining $10,000,000 of the FNF note on May 20, 2015 at a substantially lower interest rate.

Discontinued Operations

During 2013, three underperforming J. Alexander’s restaurants were closed and two of these locations were considered to be discontinued operations. Losses from discontinued operations totaling $211,000 and $224,000 for the six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively, consist solely of exit and disposal costs which are primarily related to continued obligations under leases.

 

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Year Ended December 28, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 29, 2013

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, our consolidated results, including our results expressed as a percentage of net sales, and other selected operating data:

 

    

Year Ended

December 28,
2014

    

Year Ended

December 29,
2013

    

Percent
Change

2014 vs. 2013

 
  

 

 

 

Net sales

   $ 202,233       $ 188,223         7.4%   

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of sales

     64,591         61,432         5.1%   

Restaurant labor and related costs

     61,539         59,032         4.2%   

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

     7,652         7,228         5.9%   

Other operating expenses

     40,440         39,016         3.6%   
  

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

     174,222         166,708         4.5%   

Transaction and integration expenses

     785         (217)         NM   

General and administrative expenses

     14,450         11,981         20.6%   

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

     5         2,094         -99.8%   

Pre-opening expense

     681         -             NM   
  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     190,143         180,566         5.3%   
  

 

 

 

Operating income

     12,090         7,657         57.9%   
  

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense

     (2,908)         (2,888)         0.7%   

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     -             2,938         NM   

Other, net

     104         117         -11.1%   
  

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (2,804)         167         NM   
  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     9,286         7,824         18.7%   

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (328)         (138)         137.7%   

Loss from discontinued operations, net

     (443)         (4,785)         -90.7%   
  

 

 

 

Net Income (loss)

   $         8,515       $         2,901         193.5%   
  

 

 

 

 

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As a Percentage of Net Sales

     
    

Year Ended

  December 28,  

2014

    

Year Ended

December 29,

2013

 
  

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

     

Cost of sales

     31.9%         32.6%   

Restaurant labor and related costs

     30.4%         31.4%   

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

     3.8%         3.8%   

Other operating expenses

     20.0%         20.7%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

     86.1%         88.6%   

Transaction and integration expenses

     0.4%         -0.1%   

General and administrative expenses

     7.1%         6.4%   

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

     *         1.1%   

Pre-opening expense

     0.3%         *   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     94.0%         95.9%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     6.0%         4.1%   

Other income (expense):

     

Interest expense

     -1.4%         -1.5%   

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     *         1.6%   

Other, net

     0.1%         0.1%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     -1.4%         0.1%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     4.6%         4.2%   

Income tax (expense) benefit

     -0.2%         -0.1%   

Loss from discontinued operations, net

     -0.2%         -2.5%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     4.2%         1.5%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*Less than 0.1%

NM means not meaningful

Net Sales

Net sales totaled $202,233,000 in 2014 compared to $188,223,000 in 2013, an increase of $14,010,000. This increase is attributed to $7,252,000 of additional revenue related to the 30 J. Alexander’s locations open during both 2014 and 2013, an increase of $6,563,000 related to Stoney River, and the impact of the new J. Alexander’s restaurant which opened in Columbus, Ohio during November 2014, which more than offset the $409,000 decrease in revenue associated with the closure of the J. Alexander’s in Chicago, Illinois during 2013. The increase at Stoney River was attributed partially to a full 52 weeks of operations during 2014 compared to 44 weeks of revenue during 2013.

Average weekly same store sales on a consolidated basis totaled $96,800 in 2014, a 3.2% increase over the $93,800 recorded during 2013. Average weekly same store sales per restaurant for J. Alexander’s totaled $107,000 during 2014 compared to $102,200 during 2013. For the Stoney River restaurants, average weekly same store sales totaled $66,200 during 2014 as compared to $64,200 for the 44 weeks subsequent to the transfer by FNH of the Stoney River Assets to us in 2013.

 

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With respect to the J. Alexander’s operations, the average check per guest in 2014 was $29.69, up approximately 3.7% compared to $28.62 in 2013. Management estimates that average menu prices increased by approximately 3.1% in 2014 compared to 0.9% in 2013. These price increase estimates reflect nominal amounts of menu price changes, without regard to any change in product mix because of price increases, and may not reflect amounts actually paid by customers. Weekly average guest counts increased on a same store basis by approximately 1.0% during 2014.

For the Stoney River concept, the estimated average check per guest during 2014 was $45.31 up approximately 10.2% compared to $41.11 during the 44 weeks of operations included in 2013. Weekly average guest counts decreased on a same store basis by approximately 7.2% in 2014 compared to the 44 weeks of operations included in 2013. This decrease in guest counts is attributable primarily to the fact that since we began operating Stoney River we have reduced, and in some markets eliminated, the coupons and other discounts previously offered to Stoney River guests. Also contributing to this decline was our conversion in the third quarter of 2013 of one Stoney River location that had previously been open for lunch to a dinner-only restaurant.

We recognize revenue from reductions in liabilities for gift cards which, although they do not expire, are considered to be only remotely likely to be redeemed (based on historical redemption rates). These revenues are included in net sales in the amounts of $772,000 for 2014 and $213,000 for 2013. Based on our historical experience, we consider the probability of redemption of a J. Alexander’s gift card to be remote when it has been outstanding for 24 months. With respect to outstanding Stoney River gift cards, breakage was historically calculated as a percent of gift cards sold and we continued to apply this historical methodology to the Stoney River population of gift cards outstanding subsequent to the transfer by FNH of the Stoney River Assets to us through the period ended March 30, 2014. During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a change in estimate related to the Stoney River gift card program which resulted in additional breakage of $373,000 being recognized. Prospectively, we will calculate breakage for Stoney River consistent with the approach utilized for J. Alexander’s.

Restaurant Costs and Expenses

Total restaurant operating expenses were 86.1% of net sales in 2014 compared to 88.6% of net sales in 2013. The decrease in 2014 was due to the combination of improved sales in the same store base of restaurants, favorable trends in cost of sales at each concept, and the favorable impact of closing the underperforming J. Alexander’s in Chicago, which was partially offset by operating losses incurred relative to the new J. Alexander’s which opened in Columbus, Ohio during November 2014. Restaurant Operating Profit Margins were 13.9% in 2014 compared to 11.4% in 2013.

Cost of sales decreased to 31.9% of net sales in 2014 compared to 32.6% of net sales in 2013 primarily due to improvements realized within the Stoney River restaurants. Cost of sales at Stoney River decreased to 35.5% of net sales in 2014 compared to 40.0% of net sales for the 44 weeks of operations included in 2013 due to continued improvements in kitchen efficiencies, menu mix and sourcing. In addition, the effect of higher sales at J. Alexander’s restaurants more than offset estimated inflation of 4.8% within the J. Alexander’s concept, resulting in cost of sales totaling 31.2% in 2014 compared to 31.3% in 2013.

Beef purchases represent the largest component of consolidated cost of sales and comprise approximately 30% of this expense category. We purchase beef weekly at market prices. Prices paid for beef within the J. Alexander’s restaurants were higher in 2014 than in 2013 by approximately 8.3%.

Our beef purchases currently remain subject to variable market conditions and we anticipate that prices for beef in 2015 will exceed those paid in 2014, perhaps substantially. We continually

 

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monitor the beef market and if there are significant changes in market conditions or attractive opportunities to contract at fixed prices arise, we will consider entering into a fixed price purchasing agreement.

Restaurant labor and related costs decreased to 30.4% of net sales in 2014 compared to 31.4% of net sales in 2013 due primarily to the effect of higher average weekly same store sales in our concepts.

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment totaled 3.8% of net sales for each of 2014 and 2013, as the favorable effects of higher average weekly same store sales was offset by additional depreciation expense related to capital expenditures within the Stoney River restaurants.

Other operating expenses decreased to 20.0% of net sales in 2014 compared to 20.7% of net sales in 2013 primarily due to the favorable effect of higher average weekly same store sales and decreases in both repair and maintenance expense as well as advertising expense associated with Stoney River.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses totaled $14,450,000 in 2014 compared to $11,981,000 in 2013, an increase of $2,469,000. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expense totaled 7.1% of net sales in 2014 compared to 6.4% in 2013. The increase during 2014 is attributed primarily to increased incentive compensation accruals, additional staffing of selected new positions, additional management training costs, increased expense associated with accounting and auditing fees, and non-cash expense related to the accounting for certain executive salary continuation agreements which more than offset the favorable effect of higher average weekly same store sales per restaurant.

Transaction and Integration Expenses

During 2013, we incurred certain nonrecurring transaction and integration costs of $189,000 in connection with the acquisition of J. Alexander’s and the contribution of the Stoney River Assets to us. This amount was offset by receipt of $406,000 in insurance proceeds under our directors and officers liability policy for costs previously incurred in connection with certain shareholder litigation.

During 2014, we incurred transaction and integration costs of $785,000 as indirect costs related to the contemplated initial public offering of our common stock. Transaction costs consisted primarily of legal and consulting costs, accounting fees and to a lesser extent other professional fees and miscellaneous costs. Integration costs consisted primarily of consulting and legal costs. In addition, we capitalized deferred offering costs of $1,675,000 consisting primarily of direct, incremental legal and accounting fees relating to the pursuit of an initial public offering. Such deferred offering costs would be offset against proceeds upon the consummation of the offering. In the event the offering is terminated, deferred offering costs will be expensed.

Asset Impairment Charges

During 2013, we closed the J. Alexander’s restaurant in Chicago. At the time the decision to close the restaurant was made, an analysis was performed for asset impairment, and this restaurant was determined to be an impaired location and the related long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $1,583,000 were written down to their fair value of zero, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $1,583,000.

 

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In addition to asset impairment charges, we expensed $511,000 of restaurant closing costs in 2013 relative to the Chicago location, which is also presented in the “Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs” line item. Restaurant closing costs consisted largely of accruals of remaining rent payments, net of estimated sublease, as well as brokerage fees, lease break payments, moving costs and travel.

We did not incur any impairment charges in 2014.

Pre-Opening Expenses

Pre-opening expense consists of expenses incurred prior to opening a new restaurant and include principally manager salaries and relocation costs, payroll and related costs for training new employees, travel and lodging expenses for employees who assist with training new employees, and cost of food and other expenses associated with practice of food preparation and service activities. Pre-opening expense also includes rent expense for leased properties for the period of time between taking control of the property and the opening of the restaurant. In 2014, we incurred $681,000 of pre-opening expense related to the opening of a new J. Alexander’s in Columbus, Ohio in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense totaled $2,908,000 in 2014 compared to $2,888,000 in 2013. Interest expense of $2,479,000 and $2,139,000 in 2014 and 2013, respectively, was recorded relative to the FNF Note.

In 2013, we obtained a new credit facility and our previous mortgage loan was paid off. A gain on the debt extinguishment of $2,938,000 was recorded as the reacquisition price was less than the carrying amount of the debt, due to the fact that the carrying value included a fair-value adjustment made in connection with the purchase accounting for the JAC acquisition.

Income Taxes

We reported income tax expense of $328,000 in 2014 compared to $138,000 in 2013.

Discontinued Operations

During 2013, we closed the J. Alexander’s restaurants in Orlando and Scottsdale. The Orlando restaurant had been previously classified as an impaired asset, with substantially all of its assets written down to their fair value of zero. At the time the decision to close these restaurants was made, an analysis was performed for asset impairment, and both restaurants were determined to be impaired locations and the related long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $2,657,000 were written down to their fair value of zero, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $2,657,000.

In addition to asset impairment charges, we expensed $1,827,000 of restaurant closing costs in 2013 relative to these two locations, which is also presented in the “Loss from discontinued operations, net” line item. Restaurant closing costs consisted largely of accruals of remaining rent payments, net of estimated subleases as well as brokerage fees, lease break payments, moving costs and travel.

During 2014, restaurant closing costs totaled $443,000 and were included in the “Loss from discontinued operations, net” line item and consisted solely of exit and disposal costs related to the Orlando and Scottsdale closings.

 

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Year Ended December 29, 2013 Compared to Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information for the Year Ended December 30, 2012

This supplemental discussion of 2012 results reflected in the Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information as compared to 2013 results is included to provide a more meaningful discussion of trends as compared to the discussion of historical successor and predecessor periods included later in this section. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, our consolidated results, with percentages expressed as a percentage of net sales:

 

     Successor      Supplemental
Pro Forma MD&A
Information (1)
 
  ($ in thousands)    Year Ended
December 29, 2013
     Year Ended
December 30 2012, as
adjusted
 
            (unaudited)  

  Net sales

     $                     188,223       $                         156,896       

  Costs and expenses:

     

Cost of sales

     61,432         49,741       

Restaurant labor and related costs

     59,032         50,835       

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

     7,228         5,837       

Other operating expenses

     39,016         31,274       
  

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

     166,708         137,687       

Transaction and integration expenses

     (217)         -       

General and administrative expenses

     11,981         10,439       

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

     2,094         -       
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     180,566         148,126       
  

 

 

 

Operating income

     7,657         8,770       

  Other income (expense):

     

Interest expense

     (2,888)         (957)       

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     2,938         -       

Other, net

     117         94       
  

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     167         (863)       
  

 

 

 

  Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     7,824         7,907       

  Income tax (expense) benefit

     (138)         (226)       

  Loss from discontinued operations, net

     (4,785)         (1,918)       
  

 

 

 

  Net income

     $ 2,901       $ 5,763       
  

 

 

 

 

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As a Percentage of Net Sales:

 

    Successor   

Supplemental

Pro Forma

MD&A
Information(1)

    Year Ended
December 29,
2013
   Year Ended
December 30,
2012, as adjusted
         (unaudited)

Costs and expenses:

    

Cost of sales

  32.6%    31.7%

Restaurant labor and related costs

  31.4%    32.4%

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

  3.8%    3.7%

Other operating expenses

  20.7%    19.9%
 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

  88.6%    87.8%

Transaction and integration expenses

  -0.1%        *

General and administrative expenses

  6.4%    6.7%

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

  1.1%        *
 

 

Total operating expenses

  95.9%    94.4%
 

 

Operating income

  4.1%    5.6%

Other income (expense):

    

Interest expense

  -1.5%    -0.6%

Gain on extinguishment of debt

  1.6%        *

Other, net

  0.1%    0.1%

Total other income (expense)

  0.1%    -0.6%
 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

  4.2%    5.0%

Income tax (expense) benefit

  -0.1%    -0.1%

Loss from discontinued operations, net

  -2.5%    -1.2%
 

 

Net income

  1.5%    3.7%
 

 

*Less

than 0.1%

 

(1)

Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information for the year ended December 30, 2012 gives effect to the JAC acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2012. The adjustments reflected in the statement of operations presented as Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information are comprised of the following:

 

   

the elimination of $4,720,000 of transaction and integration costs related to the JAC acquisition;

 

 

   

the addition of $295,000 in restaurant depreciation expense to reflect the impact of a full year of depreciation of the increased fair value basis of property, plant and equipment;

 

 

   

the addition of $250,000 of non-cash rent expense to reflect the restart of straight-line rent expense at the beginning of the year and a full year of amortization of favorable lease assets and unfavorable lease liabilities;

 

 

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a reduction of interest expense of $404,000 to reflect a full year of amortization of the fair value debt adjustment and the elimination of deferred loan cost amortization as of the beginning of the year;

 

 

   

the elimination of $229,000 of stock option expense that would not have been incurred had the transaction taken place prior to the beginning of the year; and

 

 

   

the addition of $304,000 of income tax expense to reflect the provision for income taxes on the adjusted pre-tax income.

 

Net Sales

Net sales increased by $31,327,000 or 20.0%, in 2013 compared to the 2012 period, as adjusted, due to $28,295,000 of revenue related to the addition of the Stoney River concept, and a $5,317,000 increase in revenue at the same store J. Alexander’s restaurants open for both periods, which more than offset the $2,285,000 decrease in revenue associated with the closure of the Chicago J. Alexander’s location.

Average weekly same store sales per J. Alexander’s restaurant increased by 5.0% to $102,200 during 2013 compared to $97,300 in the 2012 period, as adjusted. For the Stoney River restaurants, average weekly net sales per restaurant totaled $64,200 for the 44 weeks of 2013 that we operated Stoney River.

With respect to the J. Alexander’s operations, the estimated average check per guest in 2013 was $28.63, up approximately 1.9% from the estimated $28.09 in the 2012 period, as adjusted. Average menu prices increased by approximately 0.9% in 2013 compared to the 2012 period, as adjusted. These price increase estimates reflect nominal amounts of menu price changes, without regard to any change in product mix because of price increases, and may not reflect amounts actually paid by customers. Estimated weekly average guest counts increased on a same store basis by approximately 1.3% in 2013 compared to the estimated 2012 period, as adjusted.

For the Stoney River concept, the average estimated check per guest during 2013 was $41.11, up approximately 8.5% from the estimated $37.88 during the comparable 44 weeks of 2012. Estimated weekly average guest counts decreased on a same store basis by approximately 12.0% in 2013 compared to 2012 estimates. The decrease in guest counts is primarily attributable to a decline in the coupons and discounts provided to our guests after we began operating Stoney River and the transition of one location to dinner-only as previously discussed.

We recognize revenue from reductions in liabilities for gift cards which, although they do not expire, are considered to be only remotely likely to be redeemed based on historical redemption rates. These revenues are included in net sales in the amounts of $213,000 for 2013 and $171,000 for the 2012 period, as adjusted.

Restaurant Costs and Expenses

Total restaurant operating expenses were 88.6% of net sales in 2013, up from 87.8% in the 2012 period, as adjusted. The increase in 2013 was due primarily to the impact of the Stoney River restaurants. Restaurant operating expenses as a percentage of net sales at the Stoney River locations were higher than the J. Alexander’s locations in part due to the costs of integrating those ten restaurants into the J. Alexander’s systems, increased labor training costs to ensure consistent quality across our restaurants, and lower average unit volumes. These higher costs more than offset the combined favorable impact of higher sales within the J. Alexander’s same store group of restaurants and the impact of closing the underperforming J. Alexander’s in Chicago. Restaurant Operating Profit Margins were 11.4% in 2013 compared to 12.2% in the 2012 period, as adjusted.

 

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Cost of sales increased to 32.6% of net sales in 2013 from 31.7% of net sales in the 2012 period, as adjusted, due the impact of higher food costs at the Stoney River restaurants. For the 44 weeks that the Stoney River restaurants were included in the 2013 results, cost of sales were 40.0% compared to 31.3% for the J. Alexander’s restaurants in 2013, which was down from 31.7% in the 2012 period, as adjusted. There was no measurable inflation present during 2013 compared to the 2012 period, as adjusted.

Beef purchases represent the largest component of consolidated cost of sales and comprise approximately 30% of this expense category. We purchase beef weekly at market prices. Prices paid for beef within the J. Alexander’s restaurants were lower in 2013 than in the 2012 period, as adjusted, by approximately 4.2%.

Restaurant labor and related costs decreased to 31.4% of net sales in 2013 from 32.4% in the 2012 period, as adjusted, due primarily to the effect of higher average weekly sales per restaurant in the J. Alexander’s restaurants and the favorable impact of closing the Chicago J. Alexander’s restaurant.

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment totaled 3.8% of net sales for 2013 and 3.7% in the 2012 period, as adjusted. The favorable impact of higher average weekly same store sales at the J. Alexander’s restaurants was offset by additional depreciation expense related to capital expenditures at Stoney River.

Other operating expenses increased to 20.7% of net sales in 2013 from 19.9% of net sales in the 2012 period, as adjusted. The 2013 increase reflects the impact of increased costs related to Stoney River, particularly in the area of repair and maintenance expense, which more than offset the favorable effect of higher average weekly same store sales per restaurant in the J. Alexander’s concept and the favorable impact of closing the Chicago J. Alexander’s restaurant.

General and Administrative Expenses

Total general and administrative expenses increased by $1,542,000 in 2013 compared to the 2012 period, as adjusted, $1,354,000 of which related to the addition of the Stoney River restaurant operations. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expense totaled 6.4% in 2013 compared to 6.7% for the 2012 period, as adjusted, as the favorable impact of improved average weekly same store sales at J. Alexander’s, reduced management training costs, reduced non-cash expense associated with the accounting for certain executive salary continuation agreements and certain efficiencies associated with no longer being a stand-alone publicly held company more than offset increases related to Stoney River, incentive compensation, rent, depreciation and amortization, travel and employee relocation costs.

Asset Impairment Charges and Restaurant Closing Costs

As disclosed above, during 2013 we closed the J. Alexander’s restaurant in Chicago. At the time the decision to close the restaurant was made, an analysis was performed for asset impairment, and this restaurant was determined to be an impaired location and the related long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $1,583,000 were written down to their fair value of zero, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $1,583,000.

In addition to asset impairment charges, we expensed $511,000 of restaurant closing costs in 2013 related to the Chicago location. Restaurant closing costs consisted largely of accruals of remaining rent payments, net of estimated subleases. Additionally, brokerage fees, lease break payments, moving costs and travel are included in restaurant closing costs.

 

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Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense increased by $1,931,000 in 2013 compared to the 2012 period, as adjusted, primarily due to interest expense associated with the $20,000,000 FNF Note, and the adjustments recorded in the adjusted period to properly reflect the amortization of the fair value of debt adjustment for a full year.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense of $138,000 included in 2013 reflects the net return to provision adjustment associated with the preparation of the 2012 returns. For the 2012 period, as adjusted, we have reflected a tax provision of $226,000 based on the adjusted pre-tax income of $5,989,000, indicating an effective tax rate of 3.8% for the adjusted period.

Discontinued Operations

As noted above, during 2013 we closed the J. Alexander’s restaurants in Orlando and Scottsdale. The Orlando restaurant had been previously classified as an impaired asset, with substantially all of its assets written down to their fair value of zero. At the time the decision to close these restaurants was made, an analysis was performed for asset impairment, and both restaurants were determined to be impaired locations and the related long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $2,657,000 were written down to their fair value of zero, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $2,657,000.

In addition to asset impairment charges, we expensed $1,827,000 of restaurant closing costs in 2013 relative to these two locations, which is also presented in the “Loss from discontinued operations, net” line item. Restaurant closing costs consisted largely of accruals of remaining rent payments, net of estimated subleases. Additionally, brokerage fees, lease break payments, moving costs and travel are included in restaurant closing costs.

Finally, we incurred operating losses of $301,000 relative to these locations during 2013 compared to operating losses of $1,918,000 in the 2012 period, as adjusted.

 

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Year Ended December 29, 2013 Compared to Periods from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012 (Predecessor Period) and October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 (Successor Period)

The nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the three months ended December 30, 2012 are distinct reporting periods as a result of the JAC acquisition. The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, our consolidated results, including our results expressed as a percentage of net sales, and other selected operating data:

 

    Successor     Predecessor     Percent
Change
      
    December 29,
2013
    October 1, 2012 to
December 30, 2012
    January 2, 2012 to
September 30, 2012
    2013 v. 2012       

Net sales

    $  188,223        $  40,341        $  116,555                        20.0  

Costs and expenses:

           

Cost of sales

    61,432        12,883        36,858                        23.5  

Restaurant labor and related costs

    59,032        12,785        38,050                        16.1  

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

    7,228        1,425        4,117                        30.4  

Other operating expenses

    39,016        7,849        23,175                        25.8    
           

Total restaurant operating expenses

    166,708        34,942        102,200                        21.6  

Transaction and integration expenses

    (217)        183        4,537                        -104.6  

General and administrative expenses

    11,981        2,330        8,109                        14.8  

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

    2,094                                      NM       
         

Total operating expenses

    180,566        37,455        114,846                        18.6    
         

Operating income

    7,657        2,886        1,709                        66.6  

Other income (expense):

           

Interest expense

    (2,888)        (187)        (1,174)                        112.2  

Gain on extinguishment of debt

    2,938                                      NM     

Stock option expense

                  (229)                        -100.0  

Other, net

    117        26        68                        24.5    
           

Total other income (expense)

    167        (161)        (1,335)                        -111.2    
           

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    7,824        2,725        374                        152.5  

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (138)        (1)        79                        -276.9  

Loss from discontinued operations, net

    (4,785)        (506)        (1,412)                        149.5    
           

Net income (loss)

    $  2,901        $  2,218        $  (959)                    130.4  
                                   

 

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 As a Percentage of Net Sales   Successor     Predecessor
    December 29,  
2013
          October 1,
2012 to
December 30,  
2012
    January 2,
2012 to
September 30,
2012
      

Costs and expenses

            

Cost of sales

    32.6%           31.9%        31.6%     

Restaurant labor and related costs

    31.4%           31.7%        32.6%     

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

    3.8%           3.5%        3.5%     

Other operating expenses

    20.7%             19.5%        19.9%     

Total restaurant operating expenses

    88.6%           86.6%        87.7%     

Transaction and integration expenses

    -0.1%           0.5%        3.9%     

General and administrative expenses

    6.4%           5.8%        7.0%     

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

    1.1%             *        *     

Total operating expenses

    95.9%             92.8%        98.5%     

Operating income

    4.1%           7.2%        1.5%     

Other income (expense):

            

Interest expense

    -1.5%           -0.5%        -1.0%     

Gain on extinguishment of debt

    1.6%           *        *     

Stock option expense

    *           *        -0.2%     

Other, net

    0.1%             0.1%        0.1%     

Total other income (expense)

    0.1%             -0.4%        -1.1%     

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

    4.2%           6.8%        0.3%     

Income tax (expense) benefit

    -0.1%           *        0.1%     

Loss from discontinued operations, net

    -2.5%             -1.3%        -1.2%     

Net income (loss)

    1.5%           5.5%        -0.8%     
                              

*Less than 0.1%

NM means not meaningful

Net Sales

Net sales totaled $188,223,000 in 2013 compared to $116,555,000 for the 2012 Predecessor Period and $40,341,000 for the 2012 Successor Period. Net sales for 2013 include $28,295,000 associated with the addition of the Stoney River concept and a $5,317,000 increase in net sales for the 30 J. Alexander’s restaurants open for all relevant periods, which more than offset the $2,285,000 decrease associated with the closure of the Chicago J. Alexander’s location.

Average weekly same store sales per restaurant for J. Alexander’s totaled $102,200 during 2013 compared to $96,400 for the 2012 Predecessor Period and $99,700 for the 2012 Successor Period. For the Stoney River restaurants, average weekly same store sales per restaurant totaled $64,200 for the 44 weeks subsequent to the transfer by FNH of the Stoney River Assets to us.

With respect to the J. Alexander’s operations, the average check per guest, in 2013 was $28.63, compared to $27.97 for the Predecessor Period and $28.44 for the Successor Period. Management estimates that average menu prices increased by approximately 0.9% in 2013 compared to 3.9% for the 2012 Predecessor Period and 1.9% for the 2012 Successor Period. Weekly average guest counts decreased on a same store basis by approximately 1.5% during the Predecessor period and 0.5% during the 2012 Successor Period.

For the Stoney River concept, the estimated average check per guest during 2013 was $41.11.

 

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We recognize revenue from reductions in liabilities for gift cards which, although they do not expire, are considered to be only remotely likely to be redeemed based on historical redemption rates. These revenues are included in net sales in the amounts of $213,000 for 2013, $26,000 for the 2012 Predecessor Period and $145,000 for the 2012 Successor Period.

Restaurant Costs and Expenses

Total restaurant operating expenses were 88.6% of net sales in 2013, compared to 87.7% for the 2012 Predecessor Period and 86.6% for the 2012 Successor Period. The 2013 percentage reflects the impact of the Stoney River restaurants, which were not as profitable as the J. Alexander’s locations in part due to the costs of integrating those ten restaurants into the J. Alexander’s systems, increased labor training costs to ensure consistent quality across our restaurants, and lower average unit volumes. The favorable impact of higher average weekly same store sales within the J. Alexander’s restaurants combined with the favorable impact of closing the underperforming J. Alexander’s in Chicago were offset by the difference in the Stoney River profitability. Restaurant Operating Profit Margins were 11.4% in 2013 compared to 12.3% for the 2012 Predecessor Period and 13.4% for the 2012 Successor Period.

Cost of sales totaled 32.6% of net sales in 2013 compared to 31.6% for the 2012 Predecessor Period and 31.9% for the 2012 Successor Period. The 2013 percentage reflects the impact of higher food costs at the Stoney River restaurants. For the 44 weeks that the Stoney River restaurants were included in the 2013 results, cost of sales was 40.0% compared to 31.3% for the J. Alexander’s restaurants in 2013.

Beef purchases represent the largest component of consolidated cost of sales and comprise approximately 30% of this expense category. We purchase beef weekly at market prices. Prices paid for beef within the J. Alexander’s restaurants were lower in 2013 than in the 2012 Predecessor Period by approximately 4.9% and the 2012 Successor Period by approximately 2.5%.

Restaurant labor and related costs totaled 31.4% of net sales in 2013 compared to 32.6% for the 2012 Predecessor Period and 31.7% for the 2012 Successor Period. The 2013 percentage reflects the favorable effect of higher average weekly same store sales in the J. Alexander’s restaurants and the favorable impact of closing the Chicago J. Alexander’s restaurant.

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment totaled 3.8% of net sales for 2013 compared to 3.5% for both the Predecessor Period and the Successor Period in 2012. The 2013 percentage reflects additional depreciation expense associated with the allocation of FNF’s purchase price for JAC to the acquired assets based on estimated fair values as of October 1, 2012 and additional depreciation expense related to capital expenditures within the Stoney River group of restaurants.

Other operating expenses totaled 20.7% of net sales in 2013 compared to 19.9% for the 2012 Predecessor Period and 19.5% for the 2012 Successor Period. The 2013 increase reflects the impact of increased costs related to Stoney River, particularly in the area of repair and maintenance expense, which more than offset the favorable effect of higher average weekly same store sales per restaurant in the J. Alexander’s concept and the favorable impact of closing the Chicago J. Alexander’s restaurant.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses totaled $11,981,000 in 2013 compared to $8,109,000 for the 2012 Predecessor Period and $2,330,000 for the 2012 Successor Period. The 2013 total includes

 

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$1,354,000 related to the addition of the Stoney River restaurant operations. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expense totaled 6.4% in 2013 compared to 7.0% for the Predecessor Period and 5.8% for the 2012 Successor Period.

Asset Impairment Charges

During 2013, we closed the J. Alexander’s restaurant in Chicago. At the time the decision to close the restaurant was made, an analysis was performed for asset impairment, and this restaurant was determined to be an impaired location and the related long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $1,583,000 were written down to their fair value of zero, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $1,583,000.

In addition to asset impairment charges, we expensed $511,000 of restaurant closing costs in 2013 relative to the Chicago location, which is also presented in the “Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs” line item. Restaurant closing costs consisted largely of accruals of remaining rent payments, net of estimated subleases. Additionally, brokerage fees, lease break payments, moving costs and travel are included in restaurant closing costs.

There were no asset impairment charges during either the Predecessor Period or the Successor Period.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense totaled $2,888,000 in 2013 compared to $1,174,000 for the 2012 Predecessor Period and $187,000 for the 2012 Successor Period. The 2013 total includes $2,139,000 of interest expense associated with the $20,000,000 FNF Note.

In 2013, we obtained a new credit facility and the previous mortgage loan was paid off. A gain on the debt extinguishment of $2,938,000 was recorded as the reacquisition price was less than the carrying amount of the debt, due to the fact that the carrying value included a fair-value adjustment made in connection with the purchase accounting for the JAC acquisition.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense of $138,000 included in 2013 reflects the net return to provision adjustment associated with the preparation of the 2012 returns. Income tax benefit for the 2012 Predecessor Period totaled $79,000 compared to expense of $1,000 for the 2012 Successor Period.

Discontinued Operations

During 2013, we closed the J. Alexander’s restaurants in Orlando and Scottsdale. The Orlando restaurant had been previously classified as an impaired asset, with substantially all of its assets written down to their fair value of zero. At the time the decision to close these restaurants was made, an analysis was performed for asset impairment, and both restaurants were determined to be impaired locations and the related long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $2,657,000 were written down to their fair value of zero, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $2,657,000.

In addition to asset impairment charges, we expensed $1,827,000 of restaurant closing costs in 2013 relative to these two locations, which is also presented in the “Loss from discontinued operations, net” line item. Restaurant closing costs consisted largely of accruals of remaining rent payments, net of estimated subleases. Additionally, brokerage fees, lease break payments, moving costs and travel are included in restaurant closing costs.

 

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We incurred operating losses of $301,000 relative to these locations during 2013 compared to operating losses of $1,412,000 for the 2012 Predecessor Period and $506,000 for the 2012 Successor Period.

Liquidity And Capital Resources

Liquidity

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Tennessee on August 15, 2014. Following the consummation of the reorganization and distribution transactions, we will be a holding company, and as the sole managing member, will control the business and affairs of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries, and we will consolidate J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries into our financial statements. There are currently no restrictions on our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries present in current credit facilities, subsidiary operating agreements or other material agreements. Our principal sources of cash are cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our credit facility. As of June 28, 2015, cash and cash equivalents totaled $15,152,000. Our capital needs are primarily for the development and construction of new restaurants, maintenance of and improvements to our existing restaurants, and meeting debt service requirements and operating lease obligations. Based on our current growth plans, we believe our cash on hand, expected cash flows from operations and available borrowings under our credit facility will be sufficient to finance our planned capital expenditures and other operating activities for the next twelve months.

Consistent with many other restaurant companies, we use operating lease arrangements for many of our restaurants. We believe that these operating lease arrangements provide appropriate leverage for our capital structure in a financially efficient manner.

Our liquidity may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including a decrease in guest traffic or average check per customer due to changes in economic conditions, as described elsewhere in this information statement under the heading “Risk Factors.”

Cash Flows

The table below shows our net cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the Successor and Predecessor periods, as indicated (in thousands):

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Twenty-six
weeks ended
June 28,
2015
     Twenty-six
weeks ended
June 29,
2014
     Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2014
     Fiscal year
ended
December 29,
2013
     October 1,
2012 to
December 20,
2012
    January 2, 2012 to
September 20, 2012
 
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)                             
 

Net cash provided by (used in)

                
 

Operating activities

     $  7,455         $  9,377         $  17,955         $  15,907         $  5,656        $  3,036   
 

Investing activities

     (4,599)         (2,630)         (10,693)         (6,126)         (1,159)        (2,608
 

Financing activities

     (1,005)         (878)         (12,030)         (2,839)         (223)        (7,941
                
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalent

     $ 1,851         $  5,869         $  (4,768)         $  6,942         $  4,274        $  (7,513
                                                    

Operating Activities . Net cash flows provided by operating activities decreased to $7,455,000 for the first six months of 2015 from $9,377,000 for the corresponding period of 2014, a decrease of

 

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$1,922,000. Our operations generate receipts from customers in the form of cash and cash equivalents, with receivables related to credit card payments considered cash equivalents due to their relatively short settlement period, and the majority of our expenses are paid within a 30-day pay period. Therefore, increases in restaurant operating profit generally increase our cash flows from operations. While restaurant operating income did increase by $1,576,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to the corresponding period of 2014, the payment of incentive compensation related to fiscal 2014 during the first quarter of 2015 was approximately $995,000 higher than corresponding payments during the first quarter of 2014. Additionally, during the first six months of 2015, we have made payments related to transaction costs totaling $1,155,000, and there were no such payments in the first half of 2014. An additional use of cash in 2015 has been interest totaling $781,000 compared to interest payments in the first half of 2014 of $216,000, an increase of $565,000. We have also paid $139,000 more in income taxes during the first six months of 2015 as compared to the first six months of 2014. The timing and size of year-end and second quarter check runs also resulted in a decrease to cash flow from operations of approximately $449,000 in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $17,955,000 in fiscal year 2014 compared to $15,907,000 in fiscal year 2013, an increase of $2,048,000. The increase is attributable partially to the increase in restaurant operating profit of $6,496,000 in 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013. Additionally, transaction and integration costs paid in 2014 totaled $330,000, down from approximately $625,000 in such net disbursements in fiscal 2013. Also in 2013, cash flows from operations decreased due to the payment of certain severance benefits of approximately $985,000. These increases in cash flows in 2014 compared to 2013 were partially offset by an increase in bonus payments funded in 2014 of $1,232,000, a reduction in tax refunds received in 2014 of $331,000, and the payment of certain pre-opening costs in the fourth quarter of 2014 totaling approximately $559,000. An additional use of cash in 2014 was the payment of interest accrued on the FNF Note that had accrued through December 14, 2014. As a result, cash interest payments in 2014 were $3,811,000 more than in 2013.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities increased to $15,907,000 in fiscal year 2013 from $5,656,000 in the successor period of 2012 and $3,036,000 in the predecessor period of 2012. The increase is partially attributable to the increase in restaurant operating profit of $1,761,000 in 2013 as compared to the predecessor and successor 2012 periods combined. Additionally, the predecessor and successor periods of 2012 included cash outflows from transaction costs paid related to the FNF acquisition of approximately $3,880,000, while the 2013 fiscal year included cash outflows of approximately $1,610,000 related to the same acquisition and payout of certain severance benefits discussed above. Further, the effect of the refinancing of our long-term debt and the interest accrual from the FNF Note had the combined effect of increasing cash flow from operations in 2013 by approximately $2,430,000 over the predecessor and successor periods of 2012 combined. We also paid approximately $535,000 less in taxes in 2013 as compared to the predecessor and successor periods of 2012.

Investing Activities . Net cash used in investing activities for the 26 weeks ended June 28, 2015 totaled $4,599,000 compared to $2,630,000 in the corresponding period of 2014, with the increase in 2015 being attributed primarily to capital expenditures related to the completion of the J. Alexander’s restaurant which opened in Columbus, Ohio during November 2014 and a major remodel of a J. Alexander’s restaurant which took place during the first quarter of 2015.

Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014 totaled $10,693,000 and was related primarily to the construction of a new J. Alexander’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, remodeling projects at five restaurants totaling $1,785,000, and capital expenditures for routine replacement of equipment and image maintenance.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013 totaled $6,126,000 and was related primarily to capital expenditures for remodeling projects at five restaurants totaling $1,639,000 as well as capital expenditures for routine replacement of equipment and image maintenance totaling $4,487,000.

For the Successor period from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012, net cash used in investing activities totaled $1,159,000 and was related to capital expenditures for routine replacement of equipment and image maintenance for the J. Alexander’s restaurants. For the Predecessor period from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012, net cash used in investing activities totaled $2,608,000 and was related primarily to capital expenditures for routine replacement of equipment and image maintenance for the J. Alexander’s restaurants.

Financing Activities . Net cash used in financing activities for the 26 weeks ended June 28, 2015 totaled $1,005,000 compared to $878,000 in the corresponding period of 2014. The amounts for both periods primarily relate to servicing of the outstanding debt. Additionally, in the first six months of 2015, we paid debt issuance costs associated with our refinancing on May 20, 2015 of $118,000.

Net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014 totaled $12,030,000 and consisted primarily of $11,719,000 in payments on outstanding debt, with $10,000,000 of this amount representing a prepayment of obligations due under the $20,000,000 note payable to FNF.

Net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013 totaled $2,839,000 and consisted of payments related to servicing mortgage debt totaling $17,716,000, proceeds from refinancing the mortgage debt in the amount of $15,000,000, and payment of debt issuance costs associated with the refinancing of the mortgage totaling $123,000.

For the Successor period from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012, net cash used in financing activities totaled $223,000 and was related primarily to servicing the outstanding mortgage debt. For the Predecessor period from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012, net cash used in financing activities totaled $7,941,000 and was primarily related to the repurchase of outstanding stock options in connection with the JAC acquisition totaling $7,643,000, mortgage debt service totaling $832,000 and proceeds from the exercise of stock options totaling $254,000.

Capital Resources

Long-Term Capital Requirements

Our capital requirements are primarily dependent upon the pace of our growth plan and resulting new restaurants. Our growth plan is dependent on many factors, including economic conditions, real estate markets, restaurant locations and nature of lease agreements. Our capital expenditure outlays are also dependent on costs for maintenance in our existing restaurants as well as information technology and other general corporate capital expenditures.

The capital resources required for a new restaurant depend on the concept, the size of the building and whether the restaurant is a ground-up build-out or a conversion. We estimate development costs, net of landlord contributions and excluding pre-opening costs, will range from $4,500,000 to $5,500,000 for a new J. Alexander’s or Redlands Grill, and $3,500,000 to $4,500,000 for a new Stoney River. In addition, we expect to spend approximately $625,000 per restaurant for pre-opening expenses and pre-opening rent expense.

In addition to new store development, we plan to remodel two of our Stoney River restaurants and five of our J. Alexander’s restaurants during 2015. During 2014, we remodeled two J. Alexander’s

 

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restaurants and three Stoney River restaurants at an average cost of $357,000 per location. During 2013, we remodeled three J. Alexander’s restaurants and two Stoney River restaurants at an average cost of $385,000 per location. We expect to complete three to four J. Alexander’s or Redlands Grill remodels each year at an average cost of $250,000 to $300,000 per location.

For 2015, we currently estimate capital expenditure outlays will range between $14,000,000 and $15,000,000, net of any tenant incentives and excluding pre-opening costs. These estimates anticipate the opening of one new restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, commencement of construction of one new J. Alexander’s restaurant, as well as capital expenditures to improve our existing restaurants and for general corporate purposes.

We believe that we can fund our growth plan with cash on hand, cash flows from operations and, if necessary, by the use of our credit facility, depending upon the timing of expenditures.

Short-Term Capital Requirements

Our operations have not required significant working capital. Many companies in the restaurant industry operate with a working capital deficit. Guests pay for their purchases with cash or by credit card at the time of the sale while restaurant operations do not require significant inventories or receivables. In addition, trade payables for food and beverage purchases and other obligations related to restaurant operations are not typically due for approximately 30 days after the sale takes place. Since requirements for funding accounts receivable and inventories are relatively insignificant, virtually all cash generated by operations is available to meet current obligations. We had working capital of $1,449,000 at June 28, 2015 as compared to a working capital deficit of $4,102,000 at December 28, 2014. Management does not believe a low working capital position or working capital deficits impair our overall financial condition.

Credit Facility

Our prior mortgage loan outstanding as of December 30, 2012, which was obtained in 2002 in the original amount of $25,000,000, had an effective annual interest rate, including the effect of the amortization of deferred loan costs, of 8.6% and was payable in equal monthly installments of principal and interest of approximately $212,000, through November 2022.

In 2009, we obtained a bank loan agreement that provided for a three-year $5,000,000 revolving line of credit from Pinnacle Bank, which could be used for general corporate purposes and expired on May 22, 2012. We refinanced the loan as a $6,000,000 line of credit from Pinnacle Bank with substantially similar terms on June 27, 2012. The revolving line of credit was secured by liens on certain personal property, subsidiary guaranties, and a negative pledge on certain real property and there were no outstanding amounts borrowed under the line of credit as of December 30, 2012.

On September 3, 2013, the mortgage loan obtained in 2002 was paid in full. At that time, the previous line of credit agreement from Pinnacle Bank was also refinanced, and we obtained a new $16,000,000 credit facility with Pinnacle Bank that provided two new loans from Pinnacle Bank. The borrower under this credit facility was J. Alexander’s, LLC, and the credit facility was guaranteed by J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and all of its significant subsidiaries. The new credit facility consisted of a three-year $1,000,000 revolving line of credit, which replaced the previous line of credit and may be used for general corporate purposes, and a seven-year $15,000,000 Mortgage Loan. On December 9, 2014, we executed an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement which encompasses the two existing credit facilities discussed above dated September 3, 2013 and also included a five-year, $15,000,000 development line of credit. On May 20, 2015, we executed a Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), which increased the development line of credit to $20,000,000 over a five-year term and also included a five-year, $10,000,000 term loan (the “Term Loan”), the

 

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proceeds of which were used to repay in full the $10,000,000 outstanding under a note to FNF which was scheduled to mature January 31, 2016. The indebtedness outstanding under these facilities is secured by liens on certain personal property of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries, subsidiary guaranties, and a mortgage lien on certain real property.

The 2013 refinancing was accounted for as a debt extinguishment, as an alternative lender was selected with respect to the new term loan. A $2,938,000 gain relative to the transaction was recorded, as the reacquisition price was less than the carrying amount of the debt as of the date of refinancing, which was due to the fact that the carrying amount of the debt included an adjustment made in purchase accounting to record the mortgage debt at fair value. In connection with the 2013, 2014 and 2015 refinancing transactions, lender and legal fees in the amount of $123,000, $175,000 and $173,000, respectively were incurred, which were capitalized as deferred loan costs and are being amortized over the respective lives of the loans under the credit facility.

Any amount borrowed under the 2013 revolving line of credit bears interest at an annual rate of 30 day LIBOR plus a margin equal to 2.50%, with a minimum interest rate of 3.25% per annum. The Mortgage Loan bears interest at an annual rate of 30 day LIBOR plus a margin equal to 2.50%, with a minimum and maximum interest rate of 3.25% and 6.25% per annum, respectively. Both the development line of credit and the Term Loan bear interest at LIBOR plus 220 basis points. The Term Loan is structured on an interest only basis for the first 24 months of the term, followed by a 36 month amortization. The Loan Agreement, among other things, permits payments of tax dividends to members, limits capital expenditures, asset sales and liens and encumbrances, prohibits dividends, and contains certain other provisions customarily included in such agreements.

The Loan Agreement also includes certain financial covenants. A fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.25 to 1 as of the end of any fiscal quarter based on the four quarters then ending must be maintained. The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined in the loan agreement as the ratio of (a) the sum of net income for the applicable period (excluding the effect on such period of any extraordinary or nonrecurring gains or losses, including any asset impairment charges, restaurant closing expenses, changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, and non-cash deferred income tax benefits and expenses and up to $1,000,000 (in the aggregate for the term of the loans) in uninsured losses) plus depreciation and amortization plus interest expense plus rent payments plus noncash share based compensation expense minus the greater of either actual store maintenance capital expenditures (excluding major remodeling or image enhancements) or the total number of stores in operation for at least 18 months multiplied by $40,000 to (b) the sum of interest expense during such period plus rent payments made during such period plus payments of long term debt and capital lease obligations made during such period, all determined in accordance with GAAP.

In addition, the maximum adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio must not exceed 4.0 to 1 at the end of any fiscal quarter. Under the Loan Agreement, EBITDAR is measured based on the then ending four fiscal quarters and is defined as the sum of net income for the applicable period (excluding the effect on such period of any extraordinary or nonrecurring gains or losses, including any asset impairment charges, restaurant closing expenses, changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and non-cash deferred income tax benefits and expenses and up to $1,000,000 (in the aggregate for the term of the loans) in uninsured losses) plus an amount that in the determination of net income for the applicable period has been deducted for (i) interest expense; (ii) total federal, state, foreign, or other income taxes; (iii) all depreciation and amortization; (iv) rent payments; and (v) non-cash share based compensation, all as determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted debt is (i) funded debt obligations net of any short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents plus (ii) rent payments multiplied by seven. The $20,000,000 FNF Note was subordinated to borrowings outstanding under the credit facility and, for purposes of calculating the financial covenants, this note and related interest expense were excluded from the calculations.

 

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If an event of default shall occur and be continuing under the Loan Agreement, the commitment under the Loan Agreement may be terminated and any principal amount outstanding, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owing in respect thereof, may be declared immediately due and payable. J. Alexander’s, LLC was in compliance with these financial covenants as of December 28, 2014 and for all reporting periods during the year then ended.

No amounts were outstanding under the revolving line of credit or the development line of credit at December 28, 2014, or subsequent to that time through June 28, 2015. At June 28, 2015, $12,084,000 was outstanding under the Mortgage Loan and an additional $10,000,000 was outstanding under the Term Loan. The Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement in place at June 28, 2015 is secured by the real estate, equipment and other personal property of six of the J. Alexander’s restaurant locations and six Redlands Grill locations with an aggregate net book value of $33,374,000 at June 28, 2015.

Deferred loan costs were $271,000 and $120,000, net of accumulated amortization expense of $28,000 and $3,000 at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively. Deferred loan costs are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the related debt.

The carrying value of the debt balance under the Term Loan at December 28, 2014, is considered to approximate its fair value because of the proximity of the debt refinancing discussed above to the fiscal year-end.

As of December 28, 2014, the aggregate maturities of long term debt for the five fiscal years succeeding December 28, 2014 are as follows:

 

   

2015—$1,671,000;

 

 

   

2016—$11,667,000;

 

 

   

2017—$1,667,000;

 

 

   

2018—$1,667,000;

 

 

   

2019—$1,667,000; and

 

 

   

$4,582,000 thereafter.

 

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 28, 2014 (in thousands):

 

     Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3
years (2)
     3-5
years
     More than
5 years
 

Long-term debt

   $   22,921       $   1,671       $   13,334       $ 3,334       $ 4,582   

Interest payments on long-term debt(1)

     3,078         395         2,061         411         211   

Operating leases

     30,427         6,028         10,417         7,386         6,596   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 56,426       $ 8,094       $ 25,812       $  11,131       $  11,389   
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Interest payments on current credit facility estimated at current interest rate of 3.25%.

 

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(2) Includes $10,000,000 principal amount and related interest due on note payable to FNF which was repaid in full on May 20, 2015.

We believe that cash on hand, net cash provided by operating activities and available borrowings under our credit facility will be sufficient to fund currently anticipated working capital, planned capital expenditures and debt service. We were in compliance with the financial covenants of our debt agreements as of June 28, 2015. Should we fail to comply with these covenants, management would likely request waivers of the covenants, attempt to renegotiate them or seek other sources of financing. However, if these efforts were not successful, the unused portion of our revolving line of credit would not be available for borrowing and amounts outstanding under our debt agreements could become immediately due and payable, and there could be a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operations.

We regularly review acquisitions and other strategic opportunities, which may require additional debt or equity financing. We currently do not have any pending agreements or understandings with respect to any acquisition or other strategic opportunities.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 28, 2015, we had no financing transactions, arrangements or other relationships with any unconsolidated affiliated entities. Additionally, we are not a party to any financing arrangements involving synthetic leases or trading activities involving commodity contracts. Operating lease commitments for leased restaurants and office space are disclosed in Note 12, “Leases,” and Note 16, “Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contingent Obligations

From 1975 through 1996, we operated restaurants in the quick-service restaurant industry. The discontinuation of these quick-service restaurant operations included disposals of restaurants that were subject to lease agreements which typically contained initial lease terms of 20 years plus two additional option periods of five years each. In connection with certain of these dispositions, we may remain secondarily liable for ensuring financial performance as set forth in the original lease agreements. We can only estimate our contingent liability relative to these leases, as any changes to the contractual arrangements between the current tenant and the landlord subsequent to the assignment are not required to be disclosed to us. A summary of our estimated contingent liability as of June 28, 2015, is as follows (in thousands):

 

Wendy’s restaurants (10 leases)

   $ 2,050   

Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits restaurants (1 lease)

     200   
  

 

 

 

Total contingent liability relating to assigned leases

   $ 2,250   
  

 

 

 

We have never been required to pay any such contingent liabilities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to its accounting for gift card revenue, property and equipment, leases, impairment of

 

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long-lived assets, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies are those which involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition for Gift Cards

We record a liability for gift cards at the time they are sold to a guest by our gift card subsidiaries. Upon redemption of gift cards, net sales are recorded and the liability is reduced by the amount of card values redeemed. Reductions in liabilities for gift cards which, although they do not expire, are considered to be only remotely likely to be redeemed (based on historical redemption rates) and for which there is no legal obligation to remit balances under unclaimed property laws of the relevant jurisdictions (“breakage”), have been recorded as revenue and are included in net sales in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Based on our historical experience, we consider the probability of redemption of a J. Alexander’s gift card to be remote when it has been outstanding for 24 months. With respect to outstanding Stoney River gift cards, breakage has historically been calculated as a percent of gift cards sold and we continued to apply this historical methodology to the Stoney River population of gift cards outstanding subsequent to FNH’s transfer of the Stoney River Assets through the period ended March 30, 2014. During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a change in estimate related to the Stoney River gift card program which resulted in additional breakage of $373,000 being recognized. Prospectively, we will calculate breakage for Stoney River consistent with the approach utilized for J. Alexander’s.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

We account for our goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other . In accordance with ASC 350, goodwill and intangible assets, primarily trade names, which have indefinite useful lives, are not being amortized. However, both goodwill and trade names are subject to annual impairment testing in accordance with ASC Topic 350.

The impairment evaluation for goodwill is conducted annually as of the fiscal year-end date, or more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We first perform a qualitative assessment of impairment for these assets, which includes an analysis of macroeconomic factors, industry and market conditions, internal cost factors, overall financial performance and entity-specific events. If the qualitative analysis results in a determination that further testing must be done, a quantitative impairment test is then performed using a two-step process. In the first step, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is generally determined on the basis of discounted future cash flows. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, then a second step must be completed in order to determine the amount of the goodwill impairment that should be recorded. In the second step, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its assets

 

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and liabilities other than goodwill in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The resulting implied fair value of the goodwill that results from the application of this second step is then compared to the carrying amount of the goodwill and an impairment charge is recorded for the difference.

The evaluation of the carrying amount of other intangible assets with indefinite lives is made annually by comparing the carrying amount of these assets to their estimated fair value. The estimated fair value is generally determined on the basis of discounted future cash flows of the restaurant concepts. We make assumptions regarding future profits and cash flows, expected growth rates, terminal value, and other factors which could significantly impact the fair value calculations. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of the other intangible assets with indefinite lives, then an impairment charge is recorded to reduce the asset to its estimated fair value.

The assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are generally consistent with the past performance of each reporting unit and other intangible assets and are also consistent with the projections and assumptions that are used in current operating plans. These assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the asset’s estimated useful life or the expected lease term which generally includes renewal options. Improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Because significant judgments are required in estimating useful lives, which are not ultimately known until the passage of time and may be dependent on proper asset maintenance, and in the determination of what constitutes a capitalized cost versus a repair or maintenance expense, changes in circumstances or use of different assumptions could result in materially different results from those determined based on our estimates.

Lease Accounting

We are obligated under various lease agreements for certain restaurant facilities. At inception each lease is evaluated to determine whether it is an operating or capital lease. For operating leases, we recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. Capital leases are recorded as an asset and an obligation at an amount equal to the lesser of the present value of the minimum lease payments during the lease term or the fair market value of the leased asset.

Certain of our leases include rent holidays and/or escalations in payments over the base lease term, as well as the renewal periods. The effects of the rent holidays and escalations have been reflected in rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, which begins when we take possession of or are given control of the leased property and includes cancelable option periods when it is deemed to be reasonably assured that we will exercise our options for such periods because we would incur an economic penalty for not doing so. Rent expense incurred during the construction period for a leased restaurant is included in pre-opening expense.

Leasehold improvements and, when applicable, property held under capital lease for each leased restaurant facility are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated life of the asset or the expected lease term used for lease accounting purposes. Percentage rent expense is based upon sales levels and is typically accrued when it is deemed probable that it will be payable. Allowances for tenant improvements received from lessors are recorded as deferred rent obligations and credited to rent expense over the term of the lease on a straight-line basis.

 

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Judgments made by management about the probable term for each restaurant facility lease affect the payments that are taken into consideration when calculating straight-line rent expense and the term over which leasehold improvements and assets under capital lease are amortized. These judgments may produce materially different amounts of depreciation, amortization and rent expense than would be reported if different assumed lease terms were used.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Such events or changes generally include, but are not necessarily limited to, a current period operating loss or cash flow deficit. Our assessment of recoverability of property and equipment is performed on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

The impairment assessment process requires the use of estimates and assumptions regarding future cash flows, operating incomes, and other factors, which are subject to a significant degree of judgment. These include, among other factors, assumptions made regarding a restaurant’s future period of operation, sales and operating costs and local market expectations. These estimates can be significantly impacted by changes in the economic environment and overall operating performance. Additional impairment charges could be triggered in the future if expected restaurant performance does not support the carrying amounts of the underlying long-lived restaurant assets or if management decides to close a restaurant location.

Income Taxes

The predecessor entity, JAC, was organized as a C-corporation, and therefore filed federal and state income tax returns, as required in various jurisdictions. JAC was converted to J. Alexander’s LLC on October 30, 2012, and thereafter the filing requirements and related tax liability at both the federal and state level were passed through to the ultimate parent corporation, FNF. In 2013, partnership tax treatment became effective, and the federal and state tax filing requirements for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC went into effect. Although partnership returns for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC are filed in most jurisdictions, effectively passing the tax liability to the partners, there are a small number of jurisdictions, Tennessee being one of them, that do not recognize limited liability companies structured as partnerships as disregarded entities for state income tax purposes. In those jurisdictions, we are liable for any applicable state income tax.

Based upon the structure outlined above, certain components of our provision for income taxes must be estimated. These include, but are not limited to, effective state tax rates, the need for a valuation allowance on any established deferred tax assets and estimates related to depreciation expense allowable for tax purposes. These estimates are made based on the best available information at the time the tax provision is prepared. Income tax returns are generally not filed, however, until several months after year-end. All tax returns are subject to audit by federal and state governments, usually years after the returns are filed, and could be subject to differing interpretations of the tax laws.

The above listing is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all of our accounting policies and estimates. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available

 

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alternative would not produce a materially different result. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this filing which contain accounting policies and other disclosures required by GAAP.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2014 08 Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity . ASU No. 2014 08 improves the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Under current GAAP, many disposals, some of which may be routine in nature and not a change in an entity’s strategy, are reported in discontinued operations. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require expanded disclosures for discontinued operations. The amendments in this ASU also require an entity to disclose the pretax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The ASU is effective for annual financial statements with years that begin on or after December 15, 2014. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will adopt this guidance in fiscal year 2015 and is currently evaluating the impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . The core principle of the standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. New qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements aim to enable financial statement users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The ASU permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has not yet selected a transition method or determined the effect, if any, that this ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this ASU. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, and require retrospective presentation for all periods presented. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will adopt this guidance in fiscal year 2016 and does not expect the impact of adopting this ASU to have a significant impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Impact of Inflation and Other Factors

Over the past five years, inflation has not significantly impacted our operations. However, the impact of inflation on labor, food and occupancy costs could, in the future, significantly impact our operations. We pay many of our employees hourly rates related to the applicable federal or state minimum wage. Food costs as a percentage of revenues have been somewhat stable due to our continued focus on procurement efficiencies and menu price adjustments, although no assurance can be made that we can continue to improve our procurement or that we will be able to raise menu prices in the future. By owning a number of our properties, we avoid certain increases in occupancy costs. Costs for construction, taxes, repairs, maintenance and insurance all impact our occupancy costs. We

 

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believe our current strategy, which is to seek to maintain operating margins through a combination of menu price increases, cost controls, careful evaluation of property and equipment needs, and efficient purchasing practices has been an effective tool for dealing with inflation. There can be no assurances that future inflation or other cost pressures will be offset by this strategy.

Seasonality and Quarterly Results

Our business operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations comparable to most restaurants. Net sales and operating income typically reach their highest levels during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to holiday traffic and the first quarter of the fiscal year due in part to the redemption of gift cards sold during the holiday season. In addition, certain of our restaurants, particularly those located in south Florida, typically experience an increase in customer traffic during the period between Thanksgiving and Easter due to an increase in population in these markets during that portion of the year. Certain of our restaurants are located in areas subject to hurricanes and tropical storms, which typically occur during our third and fourth quarters, and which can negatively affect our net sales and operating results. As a result of these and other factors, our financial results for any given quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year. A summary of our quarterly results for 2014 and 2013 appears in Note 20 to our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

The inherent risk in market risk sensitive instruments and positions primarily relates to potential losses arising from adverse changes in interest rates.

We are exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates. For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes affect the fair market value of the debt but do not impact earnings or cash flows. Conversely for variable rate debt, which represents all borrowings outstanding or available under our credit facility, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair market value of the debt, but do impact future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. As of the date of this information statement, we had no outstanding borrowings on our revolving line of credit or our development line of credit. Both the mortgage loan and revolving line of credit bear interest at an annual rate of 30 day LIBOR plus a margin of 2.5%, with a minimum of 3.25% per annum, whereas the term loan and the development line of credit bear interest at a rate of 30 days LIBOR plus a margin of 2.2%. Assuming a full drawdown on the $1,000,000 revolving line of credit and the $20,000,000 development line of credit, and assuming that the variable rate debt was at the minimum rate of 3.25% per annum, a hypothetical immediate one percentage point change in interest rates would be expected to have an impact on pre-tax earnings and cash flows of approximately $435,000 over the course of 12 months.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market price fluctuations in beef, seafood, produce and other food product prices. Given the historical volatility of beef, seafood, produce and other food product prices, these fluctuations can materially impact our food and beverage costs. While we have taken steps to qualify multiple suppliers who meet our standards as suppliers for our restaurants and have entered into agreements with suppliers for some of the commodities used in our restaurant operations, there can be no assurance that future supplies and costs for such commodities will not fluctuate due to weather and other market conditions outside of our control. Consequently, such commodities can be subject to unforeseen supply and cost fluctuations. Dairy costs can also fluctuate due to government regulation. Because we typically set our menu prices in advance of our food product prices, our menu prices cannot immediately take into account changing costs of food items. To the extent that we are unable to

 

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pass the increased costs on to our guests through price increases, our results of operations would be adversely affected. We do not use financial instruments to hedge our risk to market price fluctuations in beef, seafood, produce and other food product prices at this time.

INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

Industry & Competition

The restaurant industry is fragmented and intensely competitive. We believe guests make their dining decisions based on a variety of factors such as menu offering, taste, quality and price of food offered, perceived value, service, atmosphere, location and overall dining experience. Our competitive landscape primarily includes boutique chef-driven local concepts serving American cuisine and run by local restaurant operators as well as some select regional and national upscale dining concepts. According to the NRA, U.S. restaurant industry sales in 2014 were $683 billion, an increase of 3.6% over 2013 sales, and are projected to grow 3.8% to $709 billion in 2015.

We compete in the full service category as defined by Technomic. Each of our concepts falls into this category, which is defined as establishments with a relatively broad menu along with table, counter, and/or booth service and a wait staff. Within full service, we compete in the upscale/polished casual sub-category which is defined as full service restaurants with a chic décor that resembles a fine dining setting, with well-planned and expertly executed lunch and dinner menus at an average check of around $25.00 to $50.00. Within Technomic’s Top 500 restaurants, the full-service category achieved nearly $73 billion in sales in the U.S. in 2014, representing a 3.6% growth rate over 2013.

Depending on the specific concept, our restaurants compete with a number of restaurants within their markets, including both locally-owned restaurants and restaurants that are part of regional or national chains. We believe we have two primary types of competitors:

 

   

Competitors with similar menus and operational characteristics; and

 

 

   

Competitors that market to the same demographic using different menus and formats.

 

The number, size and strength of our competitors varies widely by region, however we believe that we benefit from our goal of providing our guests with a combination of check average, food quality and intense levels of service that we believe to be unique in the markets in which we compete.

Our concepts have different competitors:

J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill: In virtually all of our markets, we compete primarily against locally-owned boutique restaurants or locally-managed restaurant groups with similar menus and similar concept attributes at check averages that approximate ours. To a lesser extent we compete with restaurant groups, both regional and national, that market to the same upscale restaurant customer and may have menus, formats and check averages that differ from ours. Del Frisco’s Grill, Kona Grill and Seasons 52 are concepts that would fall within this second category.

Stoney River : Because of the difference in price point and day part (dinner only), Stoney River has a different set of competitors than J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill. Stoney River generally competes with restaurants that are considered steakhouses or have a steakhouse format. In each market where we have locations our primary competitors are locally-owned and operated steakhouses that compete at similar price points. We also compete with national steakhouse chains, commonly referred to as “white tablecloth” steakhouses, that market to the upscale steakhouse customer, such as The Palm, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.

 

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BUSINESS

Our Company

We own and operate three complementary upscale dining restaurant concepts: J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill (“Stoney River”). For more than 20 years, J. Alexander’s guests have enjoyed a contemporary American menu, polished service and an attractive ambiance. In February 2013, our team brought our quality and professionalism to the steakhouse category with the addition of the Stoney River concept. Stoney River provides “white tablecloth” service and food quality in a casual atmosphere at a competitive price point. Our newest concept, Redlands Grill, offers customers a different version of our contemporary American menu and a distinct architectural design and feel.

Our business plan has evolved over time to include a collection of restaurant concepts dedicated to providing guests with what we believe to be the highest quality food, high levels of professional service and a comfortable ambiance. By offering multiple restaurant concepts and utilizing unique non-standardized architecture and specialized menus, we believe we are positioned to continue to scale and grow our overall restaurant business in an efficient manner in urban and affluent suburban areas. We want each of our restaurants to be perceived by our guests as a locally-managed, stand-alone dining experience. This multiple concept strategy permits us to successfully operate each of our concepts in the same geographic market and avoid being perceived as a “chain”. If this strategy continues to prove successful, we may expand beyond our current three concepts in the future.

While each concept operates under a unique trade name, each of our restaurants is identified as a “J. Alexander’s Holdings” restaurant. As of June 28, 2015, we operated a total of 41 locations across 14 states. We are currently planning to transition between 12 and 15 of our J. Alexander’s restaurants to Redlands Grill restaurants. Other restaurant locations may be added or converted in the future as we determine how best to position our multiple concepts in a given geographic market.

 

LOGO

 

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA presented for the 2012 period, as adjusted. See - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations — Year Ended December 29, 2013 Compared to Supplemental Pro Forma MD&A Information for the Year Ended December 30, 2012 for a discussion of the adjustments included.

 

(2)

Stoney River is reflected in the 2014 and YTD through June 28, 2015 periods only.

 

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Restaurant Positioning Strategy

Our business plan has evolved over time to include a collection of restaurant concepts dedicated to providing guests with the highest quality of food, levels of professional service, and ambiance in each of the markets being served. Through unique, non-standardized architecture and specialized menu items, we strive to have each of our restaurants to be perceived as a locally-managed, stand-alone dining experience. Although we have and will continue to develop distinct concepts, we will identify all of our restaurants as a “J. Alexander’s Holdings Restaurant.” We believe our restaurant branding strategy enhances our ability to expand feature menu offerings available to guests on a seasonal or rotational basis and facilitate expansion into certain markets which may currently have one of our concepts. We also believe that having multiple concepts will allow us to expand in markets that might not otherwise have been considered viable for expansion opportunities.

In the upscale segment of the restaurant industry, a “chain” classification is generally perceived negatively. We determined that in order to compete with upscale independent restaurants we would need to offer the service, food quality, and building design standards that more resemble an independently owned restaurant than a national chain restaurant group. We differentiate ourselves from chain restaurants by insuring that no two J. Alexander’s have the exact same menu, emphasizing feature items which are typically changed on a daily basis, and executing a 95 percent made-from-scratch menu. In addition, the architecture of each of our restaurants is designed to meet the needs of individual markets and create a unique dining experience at each location.

In further execution of this strategy we have begun to transition some of our existing J. Alexander’s locations to Redlands Grill. Effective March 9, 2015, the J. Alexander’s restaurant on West End Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee began the process of transitioning to a Redlands Grill, and the Birmingham, Alabama J. Alexander’s began the transition process on March 23, 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, we began transitioning eight additional locations to the Redlands Grill concept. Assuming the initial transitions are successfully completed, we anticipate a total of between 12 and 15 Redlands Grill locations will be operational by the end of fiscal 2015. The benefits of converting existing J. Alexander’s restaurants to Redlands Grill are twofold. In larger metropolitan areas and midsize markets, we can operate an additional restaurant, and in other markets, conversions will reduce the number of J. Alexander’s national locations. This multiple concept strategy will allow us to expand the number of units we operate without directly competing with ourselves in major metropolitan markets and offer our consumers a differentiated look and feel while preserving the made-from-scratch and upscale service our patrons have come to expect.

The end result of this strategy is to have less of a chain image and allow us to compete more effectively with independently owned upscale American style dining restaurants. Determining the specific number of restaurants that should operate under the name J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill or another brand name requires ongoing evaluation, which we expect to refine over time. The Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act of 2010 defines any restaurant with 20 or more locations as being a chain and requires such restaurants to post the caloric content of each menu item. Although we were aware of and analyzed the impact of this requirement, it did not have a material impact on our decision to implement our current strategy. To the extent that this law grouped us with national fast food and casual dining restaurants, it affirmed our belief that being identified as a chain is inconsistent with our upscale concept.

In this information statement, we identify each of J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill as a “J. Alexander’s.” Accordingly, unless the context is otherwise, references to J. Alexander’s means J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill and other similar restaurants to be developed under separate trade names offering a contemporary American menu.

 

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Our Concepts

J. Alexander’s

The first J. Alexander’s restaurant was opened in 1991 in Nashville, Tennessee. For over twenty years, J. Alexander’s has been a quality-focused upscale dining restaurant offering a contemporary American menu in a lively environment with attentive, courteous and professional service. J. Alexander’s menu centers around made-from-scratch items with a focus on fresh ingredients providing guests a variety of high quality menu options. We believe J. Alexander’s restaurants have a low table to server ratio which, when coupled with our intensive training program and team approach to table service, allows our servers to provide better, more detail-oriented and attentive service. As of June 28, 2015 we had 21 J. Alexander’s locations in 10 states.

The J. Alexander’s menu features prime rib of beef; hardwood-grilled steaks, seafood and chicken; pasta; salads; soups; and assorted sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. We place special emphasis on high quality and sustainable seafood and daily specials which enable us to efficiently take advantage of variances in food costs. We also incorporate local “farm-to-table” produce to provide menu variety to our guests. As a part of our commitment to quality, the majority of our soups, sauces, salsa, salad dressings and desserts are made daily from scratch; our steaks are cut in house; and our beef, chicken, seafood and select vegetable offerings are grilled over a genuine hardwood fire. All of our steaks are U.S.D.A. choice beef (or higher) with a targeted aging of 21 to 38 days. We use only Certified Angus Beef ® for all strip steaks and chuck rolls. We grind chuck fresh daily for our hand-pattied burgers. The J. Alexander’s food menu is complemented by a comprehensive wine list that offers both familiar varietals as well as wines exclusive to our restaurants.

J. Alexander’s restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. The breadth of our menu offering helps generate significant traffic at both lunch and dinner. Lunch entrées range in price from $12.00 to $35.00, while appetizers and entrée salads range from $8.00 to $19.00. Dinner entrée prices range from $12.00 to $35.00, and dinner appetizers and entrée salads range from $8.00 to $19.00. In 2014, lunch and dinner represented approximately 32% and 68% of sales, respectively. Alcohol was 18% of sales for the same period. Our average unit volumes were approximately $5,600,000 in 2014 and some of our restaurants exceed $8,000,000 in annual sales. The average check for J. Alexander’s in 2014 was $29.69.

Architecturally, J. Alexander’s restaurants employ contemporary designs and unique features contributing to a high-end, upscale environment. Each J. Alexander’s location incorporates natural materials such as stone and wood and, for the much of our history, have been craftsman style. Our J. Alexander’s restaurants include open floor plans, and in some cases exposed structural steel, in each case giving the restaurants a contemporary feel. The architectural design varies from location to location depending on the space available and several locations include unique attributes such as fire pits or patios. All locations feature original artwork, full bars and open kitchens. We believe this gives our restaurants a boutique, unchained feel which is an important facet of our design and site strategy. J. Alexander’s locations range in size from 6,900 to 9,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 220 guests, on average.

Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill

Stoney River is an upscale steakhouse concept that seeks to provide the quality and service of fine dining steakhouses at a lower price point. Stoney River has a high quality steakhouse menu and a broad selection of non-steak entrées with an emphasis on featured items. We believe Stoney River restaurants have a low table to server ratio in line with that of “white tablecloth” steakhouses. This, coupled with our intensive training program and team approach to table service, allows our servers to

 

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provide better, more attentive service. In 2014, Stoney River Legendary Steaks began operating as Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill. As of June 28, 2015, we had ten Stoney River restaurants in six states.

Stoney River offers a high quality steakhouse menu, but unlike menus of many of its more expensive competitors, the menu is not à la carte, and a side item is included with all filets and steaks. Stoney River’s menu features its popular Coffee-Cured Filet Mignon made with select tenderloin, as well as other U.S.D.A. top choice (or higher) aged beef options. Particularly when compared to steakhouse competitors, Stoney River places special emphasis on a broad selection of steak alternatives including baby back ribs, ahi tuna, pasta, chicken, salmon and other popular non-steak dishes. Beef currently accounts for approximately 70% of our entrée sales. Stoney River also offers an extensive wine list, including high quality and unique selections. The quality of the beef and inclusion of a side item offers our guests a premium offering at a more reasonable price than many steakhouse competitors.

Each restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week, and several are open for lunch or Sunday brunch. Entrées range in price from approximately $12.00 to $42.00, and appetizers and entrée salads range in price from approximately $8.00 to $23.00. Each location has a full bar and alcohol and wine represented approximately 21% of sales in 2014. Our year-to-date average weekly same store sales as of June 28, 2015 were $71,000. During the 26 weeks ended June 28, 2015, the average check for Stoney River was $45.38.

Stoney River’s basic restaurant design is modeled after an elite and modern mountain lodge style building. As we complete our planned remodeling program we will elevate the decor to a more updated contemporary feel. We have remodeled five restaurants to date and expect to have remodeled two additional locations by the end of fiscal 2015. Stoney River locations range in size from 6,400 to 8,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 260 guests on average, including private dining spaces. Most locations offer private dining as an option, and private dining accounted for approximately 7.4% of net sales in 2014.

Redlands Grill

Redlands Grill offers a broad contemporary American cuisine featuring expanded menu offerings on a seasonal or rotational basis. Menu offerings include made-from-scratch flatbreads, sushi, and a strong emphasis on farm-to-table seasonal vegetables. We anticipate that over time the Redlands Grills will have more sushi and contemporary products like in-restaurant prepared flatbreads compared to a J. Alexander’s Restaurant which will emphasize center of the plate proteins. Redlands Grill will offer a brunch menu in locations that can support a brunch program. For example, the Redlands Grill on West End Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee features a high quality sushi program, a signature coffee-cured ribeye, jumbo fried shrimp, shrimp louie entrée salad, Croque Madame, French press coffee service and unique desserts such as a “deconstructed” ice cream sundae and numerous other feature items not offered in all J. Alexander’s locations. On Sundays, Redlands Grill offers a wide selection of made-from-scratch brunch items including Belgian waffles, eggs benedict, huevos ranchero, quiche, omelettes and lemon and ricotta hotcakes. The Redlands Grill on West End also has a more extensive wine program than a typical J. Alexander’s Restaurant, with an award-winning wine program that offers 35 wines by the glass and maintains over 140 bottles. Each restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Menu items are priced substantially similar to those at J. Alexander’s restaurants.

Since 1997 we have specifically designed restaurants with different architecture to meet the needs of individual markets. When a restaurant is transitioned from a J. Alexander’s to a Redlands

 

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Grill, the architecture remains unique to that site. The J. Alexander’s on West End Avenue in Nashville was the first location we transitioned to a Redlands Grill. The architecture has a contemporary urban streetscape similar to a restaurant in San Francisco or New York. It is the only restaurant in our portfolio with this architectural design. Currently, we operate 10 Redlands Grills in six states and plan to transition a total of 12 to 15 locations to this concept by the end of fiscal 2015.

Our Competitive Strengths

Over the more than 20 year operating history of our restaurants, we have developed and refined the following strengths:

Three Distinct Yet Complementary Concepts

J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River are concepts with more than 40 years of combined history, strong brand value and exceptional customer loyalty in their core markets. They blend what we believe are the best attributes of fine and casual dining: a focus on high quality food made with fresh ingredients in a scratch kitchen, exceptional service, diverse menus and individualized interior and exterior design unique to each community. Each concept has a distinct identity, and the differentiation in menu and restaurant design is substantial enough that they can successfully operate in the same markets or retail locations.

Over time, we anticipate that we will continue to grow with our multi-concept strategy. Each restaurant concept will have 15 to 20 restaurants competing in the upscale casual dining segment of the restaurant industry. All of our restaurants will take advantage of our professional service system, made-from-scratch high-quality menu items, and our unique architectural designs supported by upscale ambiance. We believe that this strategy will increase our national footprint and overall competitive advantage.

Delivering a Superior Dining Experience with the Highest Quality Service at a Reasonable Price Point

Our restaurant concepts provide a broad range of high-quality menu items that are intended to appeal to a wide range of consumer tastes and which are served by a courteous, professional and well-trained wait-staff. We provide this high-end experience at a reasonable and attractive price point, which we believe helps us cultivate long-term, loyal and highly satisfied guests who place a premium on the price-value relationship that our concepts offer.

Premium, Freshly Made Cuisine . All of our concepts are committed to preparing high quality food from innovative menus. We are selective in our choice of ingredients and menu offerings, including the grades of beef and the freshness of seafood and vegetables we serve. Substantially all protein and vegetable offerings are delivered fresh to our restaurants and are not frozen in transport or in storage prior to being served, and are predominantly preservative and additive-free. We offer made-to-order items prepared from scratch, with approximately 95% of our items, including stocks, sauces and desserts, made in-house daily. Our food menu is complemented by comprehensive wine lists that offer both familiar varietals as well as wines exclusive to our restaurants. While each restaurant concept’s menu has its own distinctive profile, we strive to continuously innovate with new ingredients and local “farm-to-table” produce to provide specials and limited time featured items to keep the experience new and interesting for our guests. All of our new menu items are developed through a process designed to meet our high standards. An important component of the quality assurance system is the preparation of taste plates. Within each concept, 100% of menu items are taste-tested daily by a manager to ensure that only the highest quality, properly prepared food meeting or exceeding our specifications is served in each restaurant. A key position in each restaurant is the Quality Control coordinator (“QC”). This position is always staffed by a fully-trained manager who inspects every plate of food before it is served to our guests. We believe that the QC inspection by a member of management is a significant and vital factor in maintaining consistent, high food quality.

 

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Outstanding Service . We believe that prompt, courteous and efficient service delivered by a knowledgeable staff is an integral part of our concepts. We enforce strict guidelines on professional appearance for servers as well as timeliness of service. To be sure that all staff are working together to achieve the highest guest satisfaction we employ a low table to server ratio which, when coupled with team serving by a dedicated staff, we believe ensures our guests receive the best service.

Sophisticated Experience . Our concepts use a variety of architectural designs and building finishes to provide guests with beautiful, upscale décor with contemporary and timeless finishes. We are aggressive with our repair and maintenance program in all locations, ensuring that no restaurant ever looks “highly trafficked” or dated. This results in a lesser need for periodic remodels to reimage a location to acceptable standards.

Attractive Unit Economics and Consistent Execution

We believe that we have a long standing track record of consistently producing high average weekly sales and average unit sales volumes and have proven the viability of our concepts in multiple markets and regions. We have successfully increased our average weekly sales at a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%, from $88,400 in fiscal year 2008 to $107,000 in fiscal year 2014 for the J. Alexander’s restaurant concept. Our highest volume J. Alexander’s restaurant generated net sales of approximately $8,400,000 in 2014. From fiscal 2008 to fiscal year 2014, we increased our Restaurant Operating Profit Margin by 5.9% from 9.8% to 15.7% at J. Alexander’s. Since we began operating Stoney River, we have been able to increase the average weekly sales at the Stoney River restaurants even while implementing significant operational improvements and remodeling several locations. We believe that additional remodels of locations in each of our concepts will contribute to increases in same store sales. Once operational for 36 months, we are targeting average unit volumes and Restaurant Operating Profit Margins for new locations to exceed system-wide fiscal year 2014 levels for all of our concepts.

Strong Cultural Focus on Continuous Training

We believe that our stringent employee hiring standards, coupled with our extensive and continuous training programs for all employees provide outstanding service to our guests at each of our concepts. We prefer to promote our restaurant general managers and regional management from within the organization and approximately 55% of those roles are currently filled by individuals promoted from within. We believe that this helps to ensure that our unique focus and culture of excellent service are thoroughly disseminated throughout our restaurants. We seek to hire management prospects from top culinary programs nationwide and to train them in the J. Alexander’s service levels and processes. It can take 3 to 5 years of experience in our system for a management trainee to be qualified for promotion to general manager in one of our locations. We also provide ongoing training opportunities for our back of the house and kitchen staff to ensure they maintain and improve their skills and learn how best to prepare our current and new menu items.

Sophisticated and Scalable Back Office and Operations

We have been in operation for over twenty years and have a long history of operating high volume restaurants. We employ a sophisticated menu development process that has successfully created replicable recipes with a focus on maximizing gross margin by highly efficient use of perishable food inventories to create unique and inviting recipes. Our recipes are developed to use high quality ingredients sourced from long standing relationships with high quality vendors. Most of our protein purchases are negotiated directly with our suppliers. We believe this not only reduces overall food costs but enables us to enforce strict standards on orders and adherence to the detailed instruction manual we provide to producers. Because we deal directly with producers, we are also able to take

 

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advantage of seasonal products and provide “farm-to-table” options that change with the seasons and ingredient availability through our unique “featured items” menu. Direct relationships with vendors also provide us cost and flexibility advantages that may not be available from third party distributors. We also have a shared services model for our back-office that centralizes certain functionality at our corporate headquarters. Services shared between our concepts include staff training, real estate development, purchasing, human resources, information technology, finance and accounting, further contributing to the complementary nature of our two concepts. We believe that the teams we have put in place to manage these functions, and other non-restaurant operations functions, are capable of managing the number of restaurants in our current growth plan with limited additional hires.

From high quality food vendors to technology and maintenance vendors, we believe that we have developed long term relationships with a highly sophisticated team of vendors capable of effectively servicing our needs as we execute our growth plan. The quality and depth of both our vendor relationships and our shared services have resulted in a scalable platform with the bench strength to support our planned growth with limited adjustments.

Experienced Management Team

We are led by a management team with significant experience in all aspects of restaurant operations. Our experienced team of industry veterans at the executive level has an average of 30 years of restaurant experience and our 41 general managers, as of July, 2015, have an average tenure at J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River of approximately 9.8 years, 10.6 years and 6.1 years, respectively. Despite a difficult economic environment, this management team has achieved 22 consecutive fiscal quarters of same store sales growth, has improved our financial performance, integrated the Stoney River operations, restarted development efforts, and launched Redlands Grill.

In addition, pursuant to the Management Consulting Agreement, we will continue to be able to leverage key management resources of FNFV which have contributed significantly to our growth and financial performance since we were acquired by FNF in 2012.

Our Growth Strategies

We believe there are significant opportunities to grow our business, strengthen our competitive position and enhance our concepts through the implementation of the following strategies:

Deliver Consistent Same Store Sales

We believe that we will be able to continue to generate same store sales growth by consistently providing an attractive price/value proposition for our guests through excellent service in an upscale environment. We remain focused on delivering freshly prepared, contemporary American cuisine to our guests, with exceptional quality and service for the price. Though the core menu at each concept will remain unchanged, we will continue to explore potential additions as well as limited-time featured food and drink offerings that are rotated on a weekly basis. As a result, we are able to adapt to changing consumer tastes and incorporate local offerings to reinforce our boutique restaurant feel. We continue to explore ways to increase the number of occasions and flexibility of dining options for our guests, and most recently have begun to test Sunday brunch items at select J. Alexander’s restaurants.

We have a program of continuous investment in all of our locations to maintain our store images at the highest level, and target spending $75,000 to $100,000 per year in maintenance capital expenditures per restaurant to do so. We may also selectively undertake more extensive remodels of existing units to improve back of the house efficiencies and the front of the house experience, or relocations in the event of demographic shifts in a market. We believe our investment in remodeling and relocation will generate incremental comparable sales at affected restaurants.

 

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Pursue Disciplined New Restaurant Growth in Target Markets

We believe each of our concepts has significant growth potential and we are in the early stages of our growth story. Historically, we have focused on organic rather than new restaurant growth but in 2012 began to establish a new restaurant development pipeline. We believe there are significant opportunities to grow our concepts on a nationwide basis in both existing and new markets where we believe we can generate attractive unit economics.

We are constantly evaluating potential sites for new restaurant openings and currently have approximately 30 locations in approximately 20 separate markets under various stages of review and development. We believe that having a large number of sites under review at any one time is necessary in order to meet our development goals. In our experience, sites under analysis often will not result in a new restaurant location for any number of reasons, including the delay or cancelation of larger development projects on which a future restaurant may depend, the loss of potential site locations to competitors, or our ultimate determination that a site under review is not appropriate for one of our concepts. We believe that the number of available and potential sites under review by us, the anticipated costs of opening a new restaurant location, and our current capital resources will support four to five new store openings annually starting in 2016. However, our ability to open any particular number of restaurants in any calendar year is dependent upon many factors, risks and uncertainties beyond our control as discussed more fully elsewhere in this information statement under the heading “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business.”

We expect that the development of our Redlands Grill concept will further accelerate growth by allowing us to expand into certain markets which may currently have a J. Alexander’s and/or Stoney River restaurant that might not otherwise have been considered viable for expansion opportunities. Assuming the initial transitions of certain J. Alexander’s are successfully completed, management anticipates a total of 12 to 15 Redlands Grill locations will be operational by the end of fiscal 2015.

Improve Margins and Leverage Infrastructure

We believe that our corporate infrastructure can support a restaurant base greater than our existing footprint. As we continue to grow, we expect to drive greater efficiencies in our supply chain and leverage our technology and existing support infrastructure. We will continue to optimize restaurant operating costs at existing Stoney River restaurants as we continue to implement our best practices at those locations. As we grow our restaurant base, we expect to leverage our corporate infrastructure to enhance margins as general and administrative expenses grow at a slower rate than our restaurant base and revenues.

 

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Properties

As of June 28, 2015, we operate 21 J. Alexander’s restaurants, 10 Redlands Grill restaurants, and 10 Stoney River restaurants. The following table gives the locations of, and describes our interest in, the land and buildings used in connection with our restaurants:

 

     Site and
Building
Owned by the
Company
     Site Leased and
Building Owned
by the Company
     Site Leased to
the Company
     Total  
  Location   

JAX

    

SR

    

RG

    

JAX

    

SR

    

RG

    

JAX

    

SR

    

RG

        

  Alabama

           1                           1   

  Colorado

     1                                 1   

  Florida

     1            1         3            1                  6   

  Georgia

        1         1         1         1               1            5   

  Illinois

     2         1                              3   

  Kansas

     1                                 1   

  Kentucky

        1                  1                  2   

  Louisiana

              1                        1   

  Maryland

                          2            2   

  Michigan

     1               1               1               3   

  Missouri

                 1                     1   

  Ohio

     1            2         2            1                  6   

  Tennessee

     2            1            1            1         1         1         7   

  Texas

              1               1               2   
                                                                                           

  Total

     9         3         6         9         3         3         3         4         1         41   

JAX = J. Alexander’s restaurants

SR = Stoney River restaurants

RG = Redlands Grill restaurants

 

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National Restaurant Location Distribution

 

 

LOGO

Most of our restaurant lease agreements may be renewed at the end of the initial term (generally 15 to 20 years) for periods of five or more years. Certain of these leases provide for minimum rentals plus additional rent based on a percentage of the restaurant’s gross sales in excess of specified amounts. These leases usually require us to pay all real estate taxes, insurance premiums and maintenance expenses with respect to the leased premises.

Our corporate offices are located in leased office space in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to the properties listed in the table above, we remain party to two additional leases for closed locations, one of which we have subleased to a third party through the term of the original lease. Additionally, as of July 2015, we are party to one lease for a Stoney River restaurant to be constructed in Memphis, Tennessee during 2015 and one additional lease for a J. Alexander’s location to be opened in 2016.

Certain of our owned restaurants are mortgaged as security for our credit facility. See Note 10, “Debt,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Restaurant Design and Site Selection Process

Site Selection

We have developed a targeted site acquisition and qualification process incorporating management’s experience as well as extensive data collection, analysis and interpretation. We are actively developing restaurants in both new and existing markets, and we will continue to expand in

 

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selected regions throughout the U.S. We identify and work with a local broker to conduct preliminary research regarding potential markets and locations. The preliminary research includes an analysis of traffic patterns, parking, access, demographic characteristics, population density, level of affluence, consumer attitudes or preferences and current or expected co-retail and restaurant tenants. The brokers then present potential sites to our real estate department. If our financial criteria for the site are satisfied, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer visit the site and, subject to board approval, our management negotiates the lease.

For each of our concepts, our key site criteria is that the population within a five mile radius has a high concentration of our targeted guest, which includes individuals in the upper income demographic of major metropolitan areas that dine out frequently. In addition, we target high concentrations of retail and upscale office developments to support our lunch offering at J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill and, in certain situations, at our Stoney River restaurants. We also prefer locations with high visibility and ample parking spaces. To the extent that the majority of our Stoney River restaurants offer dinner only, the population of sites that satisfy our selection criteria will be broader relative to this concept than the population that satisfies our criteria for a new J. Alexander’s or Redlands Grill.

Restaurant Design

We do not have a standard prototype for each concept with respect to size, location or layout, which enables us to be flexible in our real estate selection process. This allows us to use a combination of new builds and conversions for our new locations. Our restaurants are generally free-standing structures using a variety of interior and exterior finishes and materials which have been developed to allow each location a unique design with a common look and feel within each concept. Each location has been designed to provide a high level of curb appeal as well as a comfortable dining experience. While our restaurants are individually designed to create an unchained feel, all locations benefit from a focus on a contemporary and comfortable aesthetic that we believe compliments our food and creates a consistent dining experience across all of our concepts. This flexibility in design has allowed us to utilize a variety of locations and spaces, making the best use of the real estate available.

Many of our J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill building designs utilize craftsman-style architecture, featuring natural materials such as stone, wood and weathered copper. Others reflect a blend of international and craftsman architecture featuring elements such as steel, concrete, stone and glass, subtly incorporated to give a contemporary feel. Several of our restaurants also feature a patio complemented by an exposed fire pit. J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill locations typically contain approximately 6,900 to 9,000 square feet with seating for an average of approximately 220 guests. For J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill locations, we estimate that a new build, excluding land, will require a total cash investment of $4,500,000 to $5,500,000 (excluding any tenant incentives).

Stoney River locations typically contain approximately 6,400 to 8,000 square feet with seating for an average of approximately 260 guests. Most of our Stoney River locations include private dining spaces, which represented 7.4% of sales at Stoney River in 2014. For Stoney River locations we estimate that each new build will require a total cash investment of $3,500,000 to $4,500,000 (excluding any tenant incentives).

The flexibility of our concepts has enabled us to open restaurants in a wide variety of locations, including high-density residential areas and near shopping malls, lifestyle centers and other high-traffic locations. On average, it takes us approximately 12 to 18 months from identification of the specific site to opening the doors for business. In order to maintain consistency of food and customer service as well as the unique atmosphere at our restaurants, we have set processes and timelines to follow for all restaurant openings.

 

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Hiring and Training

We are highly focused on providing an unparalleled experience to our guests. Achieving this experience is intricately tied to careful hiring, thorough training and an apprenticeship for management trainees that provides intimate knowledge of every facet of our restaurants. We have implemented a sophisticated and stringent hiring and training program. Maintaining the uniqueness of culture, with our focus on quality and training, starts with hiring. Excluding the needs of new restaurants, we hire approximately 60 to 75 new management trainees annually. With new locations, we believe this number will increase to approximately 90 to 95 per year. We focus our recruiting efforts on approximately fifteen of the best culinary programs in the country where we believe our long relationships with the schools enable us to identify and recruit the most promising students. These graduates typically spend three to five years at J. Alexander’s before they are promoted to a department responsibility or a general manager role. During that time they experience every job in the restaurant. Because of our focus on quality and training, we have traditionally found that some of our most successful managers have been hired from within.

Every employee, regardless of previous experience, goes through a thirteen week training program at the beginning of their employment. Certain positions start the “on the job” portion of their training during that thirteen week training period, also working shifts in their designated job as they complete the training program. Since FNH transferred the Stoney River Assets to us, our hiring and training practices have been rolled out across all of the Stoney River restaurants.

Suppliers

To ensure that we can maintain consistent price and quality throughout our restaurants, we use centralized contracts with a network of third-party vendors, suppliers and distributors to provide our required items. We provide each vendor with a strict set of specifications to ensure that our food quality is maintained at the highest level. Where possible, we may also take advantage of local farms or purveyors to provide in-season products to supplement our regular menu with recipes featuring high quality local or “farm-to-table” products. When prices rise on any of our commodities, we work with our menu development team to create new and unique menu additions that can make the most efficient use of the products we have purchased or to improve the food margin of products on the menu.

Beef is the largest percentage of our food costs, representing approximately 31.7% of total food and beverage costs in 2014. We purchase our beef directly from the producers, rather than through a distributor or third party supplier. We believe that direct relationships with these vendors provide us cost and flexibility advantages that may not be available from third party distributors. We have purchased beef from our current beef supplier for multiple consecutive years and anticipate this will continue for the foreseeable future. We do not hedge our beef purchases, and instead rely on our direct purchases and menu innovation to offset potential price increases.

While most of our current supply contracts are for no longer than one year, we have been purchasing from many of our suppliers for many years and believe that our relationships are strong, and their financial position secure. However, we believe that we do not rely on any single-source supplier that could not be replaced with one or more alternative suppliers without disruption. Should there be any disruption in our supply chain, we believe we have created a set of product specifications that can be met by a number of common restaurant suppliers.

Seasonality

Our net sales and net income have historically been subject to seasonal fluctuations. Net sales and operating income typically reach their highest levels during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to holiday business and the first quarter of the fiscal year due in part to the redemption of gift cards

 

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sold during the holiday season. In addition, certain of our restaurants, particularly those located in south Florida, typically experience an increase in customer traffic during the period between Thanksgiving and Easter due to an increase in population in these markets during that portion of the year. Certain of our restaurants are located in areas subject to hurricanes and tropical storms, which typically occur during our third and fourth quarters, and which can negatively affect our net sales and operating results. As a result of these and other factors, our financial results for any given quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.

Intellectual Property and Trademarks

We own a number of trademarks and service marks registered with the PTO. We have registered the following marks with the PTO, among others: “J. Alexander’s Restaurant,” “Redlands Grill,” “Black River Angus Beef,” “Black River Premium Beef,” “Legendary Steaks,” “Stoney River,” “Stoney River Legendary Steaks,” and “Stoney River Legendary Filet.” In addition, we have also registered the Internet domain names www.jalexanders.com, www.jalexandersholdings.com, www.redlandsgrill.com, and www.stoneyriver.com, among others, and have registered certain copyrights with the U.S. Copyright Office, including copyrights with respect to the J. Alexander’s menu and the J. Alexander’s cocktail menu.

We believe that our trademarks, service marks and other intellectual property rights have significant value and are important to the marketing of our concepts, and it is our policy to protect and defend vigorously our rights to such intellectual property. However, we cannot predict whether steps taken to protect such rights will be adequate. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—The failure to enforce and maintain our intellectual property rights could enable others to use names confusingly similar to the names and marks used by our restaurants, which could adversely affect the value of our concepts.”

Regulatory, Environmental, Health and Safety Matters

Environmental

We are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations concerning waste disposal, pollution, protection of the environment, and the presence, discharge, storage, handling, release and disposal of, or exposure to, hazardous or toxic substances (“environmental laws”). These environmental laws can provide for significant fines and penalties for non-compliance and liabilities for remediation, sometimes without regard to whether the owner or operator of the property knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of the hazardous or toxic substances. Third-parties may also make claims against owners or operators of properties for personal injuries and property damage associated with releases of, or actual or alleged exposure to, such substances. We are not aware of any environmental laws that will materially affect our earnings or competitive position, or result in material capital expenditures relating to our restaurants. However, we cannot predict what environmental laws will be enacted in the future, how existing or future environmental laws will be administered, interpreted or enforced, or the amount of future expenditures that we may need to make to comply with, or to satisfy claims relating to, environmental laws. It is possible that we will become subject to environmental liabilities at our properties, and any such liabilities could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Compliance with environmental laws may negatively affect our business.”

Health and Safety

We are subject to extensive and varied federal, state and local government regulation, including regulations relating to the sale of food and alcoholic beverage, public and occupational health

 

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and safety, sanitation and fire prevention. We operate each of our restaurants in accordance with standards and procedures designed to comply with applicable codes and regulations. However, an inability to obtain or retain health department or other licenses would adversely affect our operations. Although we have not experienced, and do not anticipate, any significant difficulties, delays or failures in obtaining required licenses, permits or approvals, any such problem could delay or prevent the opening of, or adversely impact the viability of, a particular restaurant or group of restaurants.

In addition, in order to develop and construct restaurants, we must comply with applicable zoning, land use and environmental regulations. Such regulations have not had a material effect on our operations to date, but more stringent and varied requirements of local governmental bodies could delay or even prevent construction and increase development costs for new restaurants. We are also required to comply with the accessibility standards mandated by the ADA, which generally prohibits discrimination in accommodation or employment based on disability. The ADA became effective as to public accommodations and employment in 1992. Construction and remodeling projects completed by us at J. Alexander’s since January 1992 and Stoney River since March 2013 have taken into account the requirements of the ADA. We may in the future have to modify restaurants, by adding access ramps or redesigning certain architectural fixtures for example, to provide service to or make reasonable accommodations for disabled persons. While these expenses could be material, our current expectation is that any such actions will not require substantial capital expenditures.

A significant amount of our revenues is attributable to the sale of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverage control regulations require each of our restaurants to apply to a state authority and, in certain locations, county or municipal authorities for a license that must be renewed annually and may be revoked or suspended for cause at any time. Alcoholic beverage control regulations relate to numerous aspects of daily operations of our restaurants, including the minimum age of patrons and employees, hours of operation, advertising, trade practices, wholesale purchasing, other relationships with alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, inventory control and handling, storage and dispensing of alcoholic beverages. We are also subject in certain states to “dram shop” statutes, which generally provide a person injured by an intoxicated person the right to recover damages from an establishment that wrongfully served alcoholic beverages to the intoxicated person. Of the 14 states where we operate, most have dram-shop statutes or recognize a cause of action for damages relating to sales of alcoholic beverages to obviously intoxicated persons and/or minors. We carry liquor liability coverage as part of our existing comprehensive general liability insurance.

In addition, we are subject to the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and various other federal and state laws governing similar matters including minimum wages, overtime, workplace safety and other working conditions. We may also be subject to lawsuits from our employees, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or others alleging violations of federal and state laws regarding workplace and employment matters, discrimination and similar matters, and we have been party to such matters in the past. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Governmental regulation may adversely affect our ability to open new restaurants or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

PPACA, enacted in March 2010, requires chain restaurants with 20 or more locations in the United States operating under the same name and offering substantially the same menus to publish the total number of calories of standard menu items on menus and menu boards, along with a statement that puts this calorie information in the context of a total daily calorie intake. A number of states, counties and cities have also enacted menu labeling laws requiring multi-unit restaurant operators to disclose certain nutritional information to customers, or have enacted legislation restricting the use of certain types of ingredients in restaurants. Many of these requirements are inconsistent or are interpreted differently from one jurisdiction to another. While our ability to adapt to consumer

 

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preferences is a strength of our concepts, the effect of such labeling requirements on consumer choices, if any, is unclear at this time. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Legislation and regulations requiring the display and provision of nutritional information for our menu offerings and new information or attitudes regarding diet and health could result in changes in consumer consumption habits that could adversely affect our results of operations.”

There is also a potential for increased regulation of certain food establishments in the United States, where compliance with Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (“HACCP”) management systems may now be required. HACCP refers to a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of potential hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product. Many states have required restaurants to develop and implement HACCP programs and the United States government continues to expand the sectors of the food industry that must adopt and implement HACCP programs. For example, the Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law in January 2011, granted the FDA new authority regarding the safety of the entire food system, including through increased inspections and mandatory food recalls. We anticipate that the new requirements may impact our industry. Additionally, our suppliers may initiate or otherwise be subject to food recalls that may impact the availability of certain products, result in adverse publicity or require us to take actions that could be costly for us or otherwise harm our business. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Governmental regulation may adversely affect our ability to open new restaurants or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

We are also subject to laws and regulations relating to information security, privacy, cashless payments, gift cards and consumer credit protection and fraud, and any failure or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could harm our reputation or lead to litigation, which could adversely affect our financial condition.

Information Technology

All of our restaurants use computerized point of sale systems created by Micros Systems, which we believe are scalable to support our future growth plans. We utilize a Windows-based accounting software package and a network that enables electronic communication throughout the Company. In addition, all of our restaurants utilize touch screen point-of-sale and electronic gift card systems, and also employ a theoretical food costing program, all of which were specifically designed for the restaurant industry. We use our management information systems to develop pricing strategies, identify food cost issues, monitor new product acceptance and evaluate restaurant-level productivity. The system also supplies sales, bank deposit and variance data to our accounting department on a daily basis. We use this data to generate daily sales information and weekly consolidated reports regarding sales and other key measures, as well as preliminary weekly detailed profit and loss statements for each location with final reports following the end of each period. We expect to continue to develop our management information systems to assist management in analyzing business issues and to improve efficiency.

Employee Matters

As of June 28, 2015, we employed approximately 3,200 persons, including 46 on the corporate staff. We believe that our employee relations are good. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements.

Legal Proceedings

We are a defendant from time to time in various claims or legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, including claims relating to injury or wrongful death under “dram shop” laws, labor-related claims, workers’ compensation matters, discrimination and similar matters, claims

 

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resulting from “slip and fall” accidents, claims relating to lease and contractual obligations, federal and state tax matters and claims from guests or employees alleging illness, injury or other food quality, health or operational concerns. We do not believe that any of the legal proceedings pending against us as of the date of this information statement will have a material adverse effect on our liquidity or financial condition. We may incur liabilities, receive benefits, settle disputes, sustain judgments or accrue expenses relating to legal proceedings in a particular fiscal year which may adversely affect our results of operations, or on occasion, receive settlements that favorably affect our results of operations.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the current members of our board of directors, our director nominees and executive officers.

 

Name   Age      Position
            

Lonnie J. Stout II

    68       President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

Mark A. Parkey

    52       Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

J. Michael Moore

    55       Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Raymond R. Quirk

    68       Director

Douglas K. Ammerman

    63       Director

Timothy T. Janszen

    51       Director

Frank R. Martire

    66       Director

Ronald B. Maggard, Sr.

    64       Director

 

Lonnie J. Stout II

  

Mr. Stout has been a director and President and Chief Executive Officer of
the issuer since its formation. Prior to that time, he was a director/manager
(as applicable), President and Chief Executive Officer of JAC, J. Alexander’s
Holdings, LLC and J. Alexander’s, LLC, positions he has held since May
1986. Mr. Stout joined JAC in 1979 and since that time has held various
leadership roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of JAC from October 1981 to May 1984, and a member of the board of
directors of JAC from 1982 until October 2012, and served as Chairman from
July 1990 until October 2012. He is a certified public accountant, inactive, as
well as a Chartered Global Management Accountant and a graduate of
Tennessee Technological University. Mr. Stout has over 30 years of
experience in the hospitality, food services and restaurant business. His
industry knowledge and experience make him a vital component to our board
of directors.

Mark A. Parkey

  

Mr. Parkey has served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the issuer since its formation. He has held the same positions at J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and J. Alexander’s, LLC since May 2013. Prior to becoming the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Parkey served as Vice President of JAC from May 1999 to October 2012, Controller of JAC from May 1997 to October 2012, Vice President and Controller of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and J. Alexander’s, LLC from October 2012 until August 2013 and as the Director of Finance of JAC from January 1993 to May 1997. He is a certified public accountant, inactive, as well as a Chartered Global Management Accountant and a graduate of Harding University. His previous experience includes positions as audit manager with the accounting firms Ernst & Young LLP and Steele Martin Jones & Company, PLC (formerly Steele Carter and Martin).

J. Michael Moore

  

Mr. Moore has served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the
issuer since its formation. He has held the same positions at J. Alexander’s
Holdings, LLC and J. Alexander’s, LLC since May 2013. Prior to becoming

 

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Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Moore served as Vice President of Human
Resources and Administration of JAC from November 1997 to October 2012,
and of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and J. Alexander’s, LLC from October
2012 to July 2013. Mr. Moore also served as Director of Human Resources
and Administration of JAC from August 1996 to November 1997 and as the
Director of Operations of J. Alexander’s Restaurants, Inc. from March 1993 to
April 1996. Mr. Moore joined JAC in 1991 as General Manager of the first
J. Alexander’s restaurant, and since that time, Mr. Moore has supervised the
training and opening of all J. Alexander’s restaurants. He is a graduate of
Emory and Henry College. His previous experience includes operational
management as area director with Brinker International, Inc.

Raymond R. Quirk

  

Mr. Quirk has served as the Chief Executive Officer of FNF since December 2013. Before that, Mr. Quirk served as President of FNF beginning in April 2008. Mr. Quirk served as Co-President of FNF from May 2007 until April 2008, and as Co-Chief Operating Officer of FNF from October 2006 until May 2007. Mr. Quirk was appointed as President of FNF in 2002. Since joining FNF in 1985, Mr. Quirk has served in numerous   executive and management positions, including Executive Vice President, Co-Chief Operating Officer and Division Manager and Regional Manager, with responsibilities for managing direct and agency operations nationally.

Douglas K. Ammerman

  

Mr. Ammerman has served as a director of FNF since July 2005. Mr. Ammerman is a retired partner of KPMG LLP, where he became a partner in 1984. Mr. Ammerman formally retired from KPMG in 2002. He serves as a director of William Lyon Homes, Inc., El Pollo Loco, Inc., Stantec Inc. and Remy International, Inc. Within the past five years, Mr. Ammerman also has served as a director of Quiksilver, Inc. Mr. Ammerman’s qualifications to serve on the FNF board of directors include his financial and accounting background and expertise, including his 18 years as a partner with KPMG and his experience as a director on the boards of directors of other companies.

Timothy T. Janszen

  

Mr. Janszen has been the Chief Executive Officer of Newport Global Advisors
since September 2005. Mr. Janszen serves as an Operating Manager at NGA
Blocker, LLC. He also serves as Principal Executive Officer and Operating
Manager of NGA Holdco, L.L.C. Prior to joining Newport Global Advisors,
Mr. Janszen held a number of positions, including Managing Director, at AIG
Global Investment Group, which he had joined in 2001. Mr. Janszen received a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Xavier University in
Cincinnati, Ohio in 1986. Mr. Janszen has been a director of the issuer since its
formation. Additionally, Mr. Janszen has served on the board of managers of J.
Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and J. Alexander’s, LLC since February 2013 and
January 2013, respectively. As a member of our board of directors, Mr. Janszen
contributes strategic, financial and capital markets expertise through his career
with investment advisory firms. Mr. Janszen also contributes insights on board
leadership developed through his service on the board of directors of several
other companies.

Frank R. Martire

  

Mr. Martire serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of Fidelity National
Information Services (“FIS”), a Fortune 500 company that has over $6.5 billion in
revenue and 40,000 employees. Prior to joining FIS, Mr. Martire served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of FIS from 2009 to January 1, 2015,
following FNF’s acquisition of Metavante Technologies, Inc., where he served as

 

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Chairman of the Board. Mr. Martire also served as President of Metavante,
President and Chief Operating Officer for Call Solutions and President and Chief
Operating Officer for the Financial Institution Systems and Services Group at
Fiserv, Inc.

Ronald B. Maggard, Sr.

  

Mr. Maggard, Sr. co-founded Maggard Enterprises, Inc., a former franchisee
of Long John Silver and A&W restaurants in 1970 and has been its Chairman
of the Board and President since 1972. He was a franchisee of quick-service
restaurants for over 30 years. Mr. Maggard served as a director of Santa
Barbara Restaurant Group and former Chairman of Checkers/Rally’s until
2002 and a former director of Carl Karcher Enterprises from 2003-2004. He is
currently a director of American Blue Ribbon Holdings and a director of
HyperActive Technologies, Inc. As a member of our board of directors,
Mr. Maggard contributes his extensive experience in restaurant operations.

Overview of our Board Structure

Our amended and restated charter provides that our board of directors will consist of between three and 15 directors. The exact number of directors will be fixed from time to time by a majority of our board of directors. Initially, our board of directors will have six (6) members. In accordance with our amended and restated charter, our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, each class with overlapping three-year terms. Each class will constitute, as nearly as possible, one-third of the total number of directors.

In accordance with our amended and restated charter, one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of shareholders to serve for a three-year term. However, because we will be a newly established public company, the term of the initial Class I directors will terminate on the date of the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders; the term of the initial Class II directors will terminate on the date of the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, and the term of the initial Class III directors will terminate on the date of the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders. At each annual meeting of shareholders beginning in 2016, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting will be elected for a three-year term. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. There will be no limit on the number of terms a director may serve on our board of directors.

Neither FNF nor Newport, nor any other person or shareholder, will have contractual rights to designate nominees for election to our board of directors. Nominees to our board of directors will be designated and elected in accordance with our amended and restated bylaws and our amended and restated charter. We will establish a standing nominating committee which will be responsible for evaluating and recommending director nominees for election to our board of directors.

Our amended and restated charter provides that, subject to any rights of any voting group established pursuant to our amended and restated bylaws or any applicable shareholders’ agreement, any director may be removed from office at any time but only for cause and only by (i) the affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3% of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, considered for this purpose as one class or (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board of directors then in office. In addition, our amended and restated charter will provide that any vacancy on the board of directors, including a vacancy that results from an increase in the number of directors or a vacancy that results from the removal of a director with cause, may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office.

 

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Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

One of the key functions of our board of directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. Our board of directors will administer this oversight function directly, with support from its two standing committees, the audit committee and the compensation committee, each of which addresses risks specific to its respective areas of oversight. In particular, our audit committee will have the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The audit committee also will monitor compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Our compensation committee will assess and monitor whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. Our nominating and corporate governance committee will monitor the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, including whether they are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct.

Independent Directors

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines will provide that following any phase-in period permitted under the NYSE listing standards, our board of directors will consist of a majority of independent directors. We expect that upon completion of the distribution, Douglas K. Ammerman, Timothy T. Janszen, Frank R. Martire and Ronald B. Maggard, Sr. will be independent, non-management directors who meet the criteria for independence required by the applicable NYSE and SEC rules. Our board of directors will evaluate our relationships of each director and nominee and makes a recommendation to our board of directors as to whether to make an affirmative determination that such director or nominee is independent. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, an “independent” director will be one who meets the qualification requirements for being independent under applicable laws and the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE.

Our board of directors will evaluate the independence of directors and director nominees under the criteria established by the NYSE for director independence and for audit committee membership.

Board Committees

Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Each committee operates under a charter approved by our board of directors. Copies of each committee’s charter are posted on the Corporate Governance section of our website, www.jalexandersholdings.com.

Audit Committee.

Our Audit Committee following the distribution will consist of Douglas K. Ammerman (Chair) Frank R. Martire and Timothy T. Janszen all of whom satisfy the independence, financial literacy, experience and expertise requirements of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Section 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, the applicable NYSE listing standards and any other applicable regulatory requirements currently in effect. In addition, we have determined that Mr. Ammerman qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined under the rules and regulations of the SEC. The functions of this committee will include, among other things:

 

   

evaluating the performance, independence and qualifications of our independent auditors and determining whether to retain our existing independent auditors or engage new independent auditors;

 

 

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reviewing and approving the engagement of our independent auditors to perform audit services and any permissible non-audit services;

 

 

   

reviewing our annual and quarterly financial statements and reports and discussing the statements and reports with our independent auditors and management;

 

 

   

reviewing with our independent auditors and management significant issues that arise regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation, and matters concerning the scope, adequacy and effectiveness of our financial controls;

 

 

   

reviewing with management and our auditors any earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding material developments;

 

 

   

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and other matters;

 

 

   

preparing the report of the audit committee that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement;

 

 

   

overseeing risks associated with financial matters such as accounting, internal controls over financial reporting and financial policies;

 

 

   

reviewing and providing oversight with respect to any related party transactions and monitoring compliance with our code of ethics; and

 

 

   

reviewing and evaluating, at least annually, the performance of the audit committee, including compliance of the audit committee with its charter.

 

Following the distribution, both our independent registered public accounting firm and management personnel will periodically meet privately with our audit committee.

Compensation Committee.

Our Compensation Committee following the distribution will consist of Frank R. Martire (Chair), Ronald B. Maggard, Sr. and Douglas K. Ammerman, all of whom satisfy the independence requirements of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the applicable NYSE listing standards and any other applicable regulatory requirements currently in effect. The functions of our compensation committee will include, among other things:

 

   

reviewing and recommending to our board of directors the compensation and other terms of employment of our executive officers;

 

 

   

reviewing and recommending to our board of directors performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our executive officers;

 

 

   

evaluating and approving the equity incentive plans, compensation plans and similar programs advisable for us, as well as modification or termination of existing plans and programs;

 

 

   

evaluating and recommending to our board of directors the type and amount of compensation to be paid or awarded to Board members;

 

 

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administering our equity incentive plans;

 

 

   

reviewing and recommending to our board of directors policies with respect to incentive compensation and equity compensation arrangements;

 

 

   

reviewing the competitiveness of our executive compensation programs and evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation policy and strategy in achieving expected benefits to us;

 

 

   

evaluating and overseeing risks associated with compensation policies and practices;

 

 

   

reviewing and recommending to our board of directors the terms of any employment agreements, severance arrangements, change in control protections and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers and other members of senior management;

 

 

   

preparing the report of the compensation committee that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement;

 

 

   

reviewing the adequacy of its charter on an annual basis; and

 

 

   

reviewing and evaluating, at least annually, the performance of the compensation committee, including compliance of the compensation committee with its charter.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Governance Committee following the distribution will consist of Ronald B. Maggard, Sr. (Chair) and Douglas K. Ammerman, both of whom satisfy the independence requirements of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the applicable NYSE listing standards and any other applicable regulatory requirements currently in effect. Nominating functions to be exercised by our board of directors will include, among other things:

 

   

identify, review and evaluate candidates to serve on our board of directors;

 

 

   

determine the minimum qualifications for service on our board of directors;

 

 

   

evaluate director performance on our board of directors and applicable committees of our board of directors;

 

 

   

evaluate, nominate and recommend individuals for membership on our board of directors; and

 

 

   

consider nominations by shareholders of candidates for election to our board of directors.

 

Corporate governance functions to be exercised by our board of directors will include, among other things:

 

   

consider and assess the independence of members of our board of directors;

 

 

   

develop, as appropriate, a set of corporate governance principles, and review and make any changes to such principles;

 

 

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periodically review our policy statements; and

 

 

   

evaluate, at least annually, the performance of its committees.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our executive officers have served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any related entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that will apply to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code will be posted on our corporate website, at www.jalexandersholdings.com. Any amendments to our code of conduct will be disclosed on our Internet website promptly following the date of such amendment or waiver.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As an “emerging growth company,” we have opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act, which require compensation disclosure for our Chief Executive Officer and the two most highly compensated executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer, whom we collectively refer to as the “named executive officers” in this information statement.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain summary information for the year indicated with respect to the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the named executive officers for 2014 and 2013 in their capacity as employees and officers of our subsidiaries.

 

  Name and Principal

  Position

   Fiscal
Year
    

Salary  

($)(1)  

     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
on
($)(2)
     All Other
Compensation
on
($)(3)(4)
     Total
($)
 

  Lonnie J. Stout II

     2014         485,217         792,464         112,841         1,390,522     

President, Chief Executive

     2013         430,400         253,149         29,846         713,395     

Officer and Director

              
              

  Mark A. Parkey

     2014         203,667         166,316         172,743         542,726     

Vice President and Chief

     2013         188,350         73,504         253,678         515,532     

Financial Officer

              
              

  J. Michael Moore

     2014         203,667         166,316         153,050         523,033     

Vice President and Chief

     2013         197,311         76,914         215,032         489,257     

Operating Officer

              

 

  (1)

Amounts shown are not reduced to reflect the named executive officers’ contributions to our 401(k) and deferred compensation plans. Amounts shown are amounts actually earned by the named executive officer during the year. Amounts reflect raises effective in mid-year 2013 and 2014.

 

  (2)

Amounts shown reflect the amounts earned by the named executive officers pursuant to the Bonus Plan (as defined below) for 2014 and 2013.

 

  (3)

Amounts shown reflect the value to each of the named executive officers of: the expense recognized by us relating to the vested benefit under their Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements; contributions allocated by us pursuant to our 401(k) plan; auto allowance; reimbursements for certain auto-related expenses; our reimbursement of employee medical insurance contributions; payments received under a supplemental medical reimbursement insurance plan; payments of supplemental disability insurance premiums; and certain other benefits that vary by the named executive officer, including group life insurance premiums, tax preparation and planning services, a health club membership stipend and the limited use of Company-owned tickets to Tennessee Titans games.

 

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  (4)

The following table details for each named executive officer the expense recognized by us over the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years relating to the named executive officer’s vested Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreement benefits. No amounts were actually paid to the employee.

 

Named Executive Officer       Non-
Cash Expense Recognized Relating to the
Vested Benefit Under the Amended and
Restated Salary Continuation Agreements
 
              2013            2014  

Lonnie J. Stout II

      —(a)       $ 88,617   

Mark A. Parkey

    $ 222,918       $ 139,856   

J. Michael Moore

    $ 184,361       $ 127,903   

 

  (a)

As a result of forecasted interest rates for the 15-year period during which Mr. Stout is eligible to receive his vested benefit, we recognized income for the 2013 fiscal year relating to our obligations with respect to Mr. Stout’s Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreement. Consequently, no amount of expense is reported in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table with respect to Mr. Stout’s Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreement.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

Compensation Philosophy .    The executive compensation program, which has been administered by J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC’s board of managers, and following the distribution, will be administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors, compensates management primarily through a combination of base salary and annual cash incentives. The goal of the executive compensation program is to attract and retain talent through incentives that reward outstanding Company and individual performance and the creation of shareholder value. Base salaries are intended to provide cash compensation at a level appropriate for the named executive officer’s experience and responsibilities. Our incentive compensation, which for both 2013 and 2014 took the form of a cash incentive program, is designed to align a portion of the management incentives with the interests of our equity holders.

Base Salary .    Base salaries are reviewed annually and may be adjusted in light of individual past performance, tenure, any change in the named executive officer’s position or responsibilities within our organization, or rates of inflation. We review the base salary of the Chief Executive Officer and receive recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer regarding base salaries for the other named executive officers. Base salaries of the named executive officers are listed in the table below.

 

Named Executive
Officer
     

July 1,

2014 Base Salary

   

July 1,

2015 Base Salary

 

Lonnie J. Stout II

    $ 550,000      $ 550,000   

Mark A. Parkey

    $ 208,000      $ 215,000   

J. Michael Moore

    $ 208,000      $ 215,000   

Cash-Based Incentive Compensation . Part of our compensation philosophy is to incentivize the named executive officers using cash-based incentive compensation tied primarily to our business objectives. We approve the payment of annual cash incentive compensation, if earned, because we believe they reward executives for achieving our shorter-term business objectives.

In 2014, all named executive officers participated in our cash incentive bonus plan (the “Bonus Plan”) under which they were eligible to receive a cash payment based on the achievement of certain

 

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performance targets. Performance targets are set annually by the board of directors and communicated to participants. The amount of the cash payment is a percentage of the officer’s annual base salary earned by the officer during the applicable fiscal year. Each participant in the Bonus Plan is assigned an annual award target expressed as a percentage of the participant’s base salary earned during the applicable fiscal year. This annual award target is generally determined based on seniority, level of responsibility within our organization, and such person’s ability to influence profitability, meet our stated objectives of operational excellence and ensure the integrity of our financial statements and our reputation in the business community. In addition, our board of directors has the discretionary authority to modify the annual award target based on its assessment of the individual participant’s performance.

The Bonus Plan is designed to provide 100% of a participant’s annual award target for achieving targeted performance, 50% of a participant’s annual award target for achieving a minimum acceptable (threshold) level of performance (typically, 90% of the targeted performance level), and up to a maximum of 200% of a participant’s annual award target for achieving maximum performance (typically, 120% of the targeted performance level). Payouts between the threshold and maximum amounts are interpolated in 1% increments in relation to the performance level achieved. No payments will be made for performance below the threshold level.

The performance targets for 2013 were calculated based on our achievement of designated levels of earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, any pre-opening expenses, certain impairment charges, if applicable, along with adjustments for other items that do not reflect our performance for a given fiscal year (the “Plan Adjusted EBITDA”). Plan Adjusted EBITDA for 2013 did not include the operational results of Stoney River, as the Plan Adjusted EBITDA targets were established prior to the transfer by FNH of the Stoney River Assets to us. The table below summarizes the potential cash incentives for each of our named executive officers based on our achievement of the threshold, target and maximum Adjusted Plan EBITDA goals for 2013.

 

    Named Executive Officer       Threshold Plan
Adjusted
EBITDA
  Target Plan Adjusted
EBITDA
  Maximum Plan Adjusted
EBITDA

  Lonnie J. Stout II

    17.5% of Base Salary   35% of Base Salary   70% of Base Salary

  Mark A. Parkey

    12.5% of Base Salary   25% of Base Salary   50% of Base Salary

  J. Michael Moore

    12.5% of Base Salary   25% of Base Salary   50% of Base Salary

As a result of our achievement of Plan Adjusted EBITDA between the target and maximum goals, each named executive officer received an award equal to approximately 156% of their targeted award level for 2013, using the interpolation method described above. Consequently, Mr. Stout received a cash award pursuant to the Bonus Plan equal to 54.64% of his base salary earned in 2013 and Messrs. Parkey and Moore each received a cash award pursuant to the Bonus Plan equal to 39.03% of their respective base salaries earned in 2013.

The performance targets for 2014 were calculated based on our achievement of Plan Adjusted EBITDA which, for 2014, was based on the performance of both J. Alexander’s and Stoney River. The table below summarizes the potential cash incentives for each of our named executive officers based on our achievement of the threshold, target and maximum Plan Adjusted EBITDA goals for 2014.

 

    Named Executive Officer       Threshold Plan
Adjusted
EBITDA
  Target Plan Adjusted
EBITDA
  Maximum Plan Adjusted
EBITDA

  Lonnie J. Stout II

    50% of Base Salary   100% of Base Salary   200% of Base Salary

  Mark A. Parkey

    25% of Base Salary   50% of Base Salary   100% of Base Salary

  J. Michael Moore

    25% of Base Salary   50% of Base Salary   100% of Base Salary

 

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As a result of our achievement of Plan Adjusted EBITDA between the target and maximum goals, each named executive officer received an award equal to approximately 163% of their targeted award level for 2014, using the interpolation method described above. Consequently, Mr. Stout received a cash award pursuant to the Bonus Plan equal to 163% of his base salary earned in 2014 and Messrs. Parkey and Moore each received a cash award pursuant to the Bonus Plan equal to 82% of their respective base salaries earned in 2014.

Cash Bonuses . On occasion, we have awarded discretionary cash bonus payments to the named executive officers to reward superior individual performance during a fiscal year. No discretionary cash bonus payments were made during 2013 or 2014.

Special Recognition Bonuses . J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC’s board of managers has determined that a special recognition bonus program is appropriate to reward a group of our senior executives and other employees in recognition of their efforts and exceptional contributions to us in connection with the distribution and related transactions. Prior to completion of the distribution, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC’s board of managers will determine the amount of the special recognition bonus to be paid to Mr. Stout, and together with Mr. Stout, the board of managers will determine the bonus payments for other senior executives and other employees. Based on individual contributions in furtherance of the distribution, it is anticipated that Messrs. Stout, Parkey and Moore will receive special recognition bonuses upon completion of the distribution in amounts to be determined in accordance with the preceding sentence.

Profits Interest Incentive Awards. On January 1, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC adopted a Management Incentive Plan and issued Class B Units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC to each of our named executive officers as well as other members of our management in the amounts set forth below.

 

Named
Executive
Officer
        Class B Units
issued in 2015
 

Lonnie J. Stout II

        442,500   

Mark A. Parkey

        132,750   

J. Michael Moore

        132,750   

Equity Incentive . In September 2015, our board of directors approved the J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of non-statutory or incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards to the Company’s employees, officers, directors or consultants. 1,500,000 shares are reserved for issuance under the Plan. The compensation committee of the board of directors administers the Plan, selects the individuals to whom options will be granted, determines the number of options to be granted, and the term and exercise price of each option. Stock options granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan generally cannot be granted with an exercise price of less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of the grant. The term of the options granted under the Plan cannot be greater than 10 years. As of the date of this information statement, no awards have been issued under the Plan.

Employment Agreements . On December 26, 2008, JAC entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Stout, Parkey and Moore, which were each subsequently amended on July 30, 2012. The agreements provide that each of the named executive officers will continue to serve in their current offices and such other office or offices to which he may be appointed or elected by our board of directors for the term of the agreement. Following the initial three-year term, each agreement has been subject to successive one-year automatic renewals unless either party gives written notice to

 

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the other party not less than 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term that it is electing not to extend the agreement. Each agreement provides for the named executive officer to continue to receive his current annual base salary as well as customary benefits, including remuneration pursuant to our cash compensation incentive plans (assuming applicable performance targets are met) or any long-term incentive award plans offered generally to our executives and health insurance. Pursuant to the terms of each agreement, we will also reimburse the named executive officer for all reasonable business expenses incurred by such named executive officer in performance of his duties. Compensation payable under the agreements will be, following the completion of the distribution, subject to annual review by the compensation committee of our board of directors, and may be increased as the compensation committee deems advisable.

Each agreement provides for certain payments upon the termination of the named executive officer’s employment. Details of these payments and obligations are discussed below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” In addition to these payments, if (i) the named executive officer is terminated other than as a result of death or for “cause” and (ii) the named executive officer does not obtain substantially similar health insurance coverage as provided for in his employment agreement, then once the period for which we are obligated to provide health insurance coverage under the employment agreement ends, we must use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the named executive officer health insurance benefits for the named executive officer and his dependents under our then-existing health insurance plan at the named executive officer’s expense (and at no additional cost to us). Further, pursuant to the terms of each of the agreements, each named executive officer is prohibited from (i) competing with us (A) during the term of his employment and (B) for a period of one year following termination of employment if the named executive officer receives payments under the employment agreements in connection with termination without “cause” or by the named executive officer for “good reason” and (ii) soliciting, without our written consent, the services of our executive officers (or otherwise soliciting our executive officers to terminate their employment or agency with us) for a period of one year following termination of employment if the named executive officer receives payments under the employment agreements in connection with termination without “cause” or by the named executive officer for “good reason.” The named executive officer is also subject to certain confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations.

Retirement Benefits . We provide a vested salary continuation benefit as the primary retirement benefit for certain senior executives, including our named executive officers. Each named executive officer receives this retirement benefit through Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements between us and such named executive officer. A description of the vested salary continuation benefits provided to each named executive officer under these agreements is described below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” In addition, we provide the named executive officers certain other retirement benefits, including participation in our 401(k) plan and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Each plan allows the named executive officer to defer a portion of his compensation income on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the plan. We will match 25% of the named executive officer’s total elective contributions up to 3% of the named executive officer’s compensation for the plan year (taking into account elective contributions to both plans). Earnings, gains and losses on deferral accounts under the non-qualified deferred compensation plan are determined quarterly and credited to participant accounts based on the gains or losses of hypothetical measurement funds selected by the plan’s administrative committee. We do not provide above-market or preferential earnings on deferred compensation.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2014 Fiscal Year-End Table

None of the named executive officers had any outstanding equity awards at the end of fiscal 2014.

 

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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Payments Pursuant to the Employment Agreements . Under each of the employment agreements discussed above under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table,” if we terminate the employment of the named executive officer with “cause,” or the named executive officer terminates employment without “good reason,” we are required to pay the named executive officer his salary, prior year bonus (if any) and benefits, in each case, already earned but unpaid through the date of such termination (the “accrued obligations”).

If we terminate the employment of Mr. Stout without “cause,” including non-renewal by us, or if Mr. Stout resigns for “good reason,” Mr. Stout will receive the accrued obligations and will also be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to 2.99 times his base salary then in effect, (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to 2.99 times the greater of (a) the cash bonus paid, or earned but not yet paid, in respect of the previous fiscal year or (b) the average bonus paid, or earned but not yet paid, in respect of the last three fiscal years, and (iii) health insurance benefits substantially commensurate with our standard health insurance benefits for Mr. Stout and his spouse and dependents for a period of up to two years, with such benefits terminating prior to the end of such two-year period if he receives substantially similar coverage and benefits from a subsequent employer. For each of Messrs. Parkey and Moore, the applicable severance amounts payable under their respective employment agreements in the event of a termination of employment by us without “cause” or a resignation by the named executive officer for “good reason” include (i) the accrued obligations, (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to 2.00 times his base salary then in effect, (iii) a lump sum cash payment equal to 2.00 times the greater of (a) the cash bonus paid, or earned but not yet paid, in respect of the previous fiscal year or (b) the average bonus paid, or earned but not yet paid, in respect of the last three fiscal years and (iii) health insurance benefits substantially commensurate with our standard health insurance benefits for the named executive officers and his spouse and dependents for a period of up to two years, with such benefits terminating prior to the end of such two-year period if he receives substantially similar coverage and benefits from a subsequent employer. For Mr. Stout, who is also party to a Severance Benefits Agreement (more fully described below under “—Payments Made Pursuant to the Severance Benefits Agreement”) entitling him to 18 months’ salary upon termination of employment by us without “cause” or resignation by him for “reason,” the applicable severance amounts payable under the employment agreements in the event of termination without “cause” and for “good reason” are reduced by amounts actually paid under his Severance Benefits Agreement.

Under the employment agreements, in the event of termination without “cause” or if the named executive officer resigns for “good reason,” each within the 36-month period following a “change in control,” each named executive officer will be entitled to receive the severance payments and benefits described above, however, for Messrs. Moore and Parkey the severance multiple is increased from 2.00 to 2.99 and for each of Messrs. Stout, Moore and Parkey the duration of the health insurance benefits continuation is increased from a period of up to two years to a continuation of up three years. In addition, all unvested equity incentive plan awards held by the named executive officer will vest upon a termination without “cause” or if the named executive officer resigns for “good reason” within the 36-month period following a change in control.

Under the employment agreements, we may terminate the employment of the named executive officers with “cause” upon the occurrence of any of the following events (after we have provided proper notice and given the named executive officer the opportunity to remedy the condition in accordance with the procedures set forth in his respective employment agreement): (i) conviction of a felony or a crime involving misappropriation or embezzlement; (ii) willful and material wrongdoing on the part of the named executive officer, including, but not limited to, acts of dishonesty or fraud, which have a material adverse effect on us or any of our subsidiaries; (iii) repeated material failure of the

 

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named executive officer to follow our direction or the direction of our board of directors regarding the material duties of employment; or (iv) material breach by the named executive officer of a material obligation under his employment agreement.

Under the employment agreements, the named executive officers may terminate their employment for “good reason” within two years of the occurrence of any of the following events (after the named executive officers have provided proper notice and given us the opportunity to remedy the condition in accordance with the procedures set forth in his respective employment agreement): (i) a material reduction by us in the named executive officer’s title or position, or a material reduction by us in the named executive officer’s authority, duties or responsibilities (which, in the case of Mr. Stout, includes no longer serving on our board of directors) or the assignment by us to the named executive officers of any duties or responsibilities that are materially inconsistent with such title, position, authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction in the named executive officer’s base salary; (iii) any material breach of the named executive officer’s employment agreement by us; or (iv) our requiring the named executive officer to relocate his office location more than 50 miles from Nashville, Tennessee.

In the employment agreements, “change in control” is defined to include (i) the acquisition of 35% or more of the combined voting power of our then outstanding securities by any person, entity or group; (ii) the change in ownership of a majority of the combined voting power of our then outstanding securities as the result of, or in connection with, any cash tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination transaction, sales of all or substantially all assets or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing; or (iii) a change, during any period of two consecutive years, in a majority of our directors, unless such newly elected directors were approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors in office at the beginning of such period.

Each of the named executive officers’ employment agreements provides for certain tax reimbursement payments to the extent any payment made under the employment agreement becomes subject to excise taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties incurred by the named executive officer with respect to such excise tax.

Payments Made Pursuant to the Severance Benefits Agreement . In 1989, JAC entered into a Severance Benefits Agreement with Mr. Stout (the “Severance Benefits Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Stout would receive lump sum payments representing 18 months of his salary upon termination by us without “cause” or resignation by Mr. Stout for “reason.” Under the Severance Benefits Agreement, Mr. Stout has “reason” to terminate his employment if his present job responsibilities change or there is a decrease in his compensation or some other economic loss; provided, however, that the assignment of Mr. Stout to a position at FNH in its main corporate office or upscale division office in Nashville, Tennessee with similar duties and responsibilities and substantially similar salary and benefits or their equivalent value as Mr. Stout’s salary and benefits prior to the acquisition of JAC by FNF will not give rise to his right to terminate his employment for “reason.” Under the Severance Benefits Agreement, Mr. Stout would not be entitled to severance benefits if he were terminated for “cause.” Under the Severance Benefits Agreement, we will have “cause” only if termination was the result of an act or acts of dishonesty by Mr. Stout constituting a felony and resulting in or intended to result in substantial gain or personal enrichment at our expense. As described above, any payments actually made under the Severance Benefits Agreement to Mr. Stout will offset and reduce any amounts that become payable under his employment agreement.

Payments Made Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements . We are also a party to Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements with each of the named executive officers that provide for annual retirement benefits payable upon

 

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termination of employment. This type of annual retirement benefit was implemented by JAC over 30 years ago and is the primary retirement benefit for the named executive officers. The amounts described below assume that terminations occurred as of December 28, 2014.

The Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements, which may be updated or replaced by new agreements from time to time prior to a change in control, and were in fact amended in connection with, and prior to, the acquisition of JAC by FNF, provide for an annual retirement benefit of 50% of the employee’s base salary on the date of his termination of service with us for any reason other than death if such termination occurs on or after attaining the age of 65. Pursuant to letter agreements that amended the terms of the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements, for the purpose of calculating benefits under the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements, Messrs. Stout’s and Moore’s base salary is set at their respective base salaries on the date of the acquisition of JAC by FNF, which was $430,400 and $176,700, respectively; for Mr. Parkey, base salary is set at $200,000 pursuant to his July 1, 2014 letter agreement. The retirement benefit is payable over 15 years commencing within 30 days of the employee’s retirement. The same benefit is available to the beneficiaries of an employee who dies while in office, but after age 65. The Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements also provide that in the event an employee dies while in our employ before attaining the age of 65, his beneficiaries will receive specified benefit payments for a period of ten years, or until such time as the employee would have attained age 65, whichever period is longer. The payments in this instance are 100% of the employee’s base salary, in the amounts set forth above, for the first year after death and 50% of the employee’s base salary, in the amounts set forth above, each year thereafter in the death benefits period. The annual payment for the first year after death for Messrs. Stout, Parkey and Moore would be $430,400, $200,000 and $176,700, respectively.

In connection with the acquisition of JAC by FNF, the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements with each of the named executive officers were amended to suspend our obligation and that of our successors to establish and fund a “rabbi trust” with respect to certain retirement benefits upon a change in control of JAC (which occurred when FNF acquired JAC in 2012), in exchange for FNF’s guarantee of our obligations under the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements until (a) FNH beneficially owns any interest in JAC or its successors and permitted assigns (which occurred in 2013), at which time FNH will also guarantee the performance of our obligations under the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements, and (b) FNF no longer retains direct or indirect beneficial ownership of at least 40% of JAC or its successors and permitted assigns, at which time, upon the occurrence of both (a) and (b), our obligations under the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreement to fund a “rabbi trust” will resume, and upon the establishment and funding by us of the “rabbi trust,” FNF’s guarantee will terminate; provided, however, that FNH’s guarantee of our obligations under the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements will continue in force until all such obligations are satisfied. As FNF will not retain a beneficial ownership of at least 40% of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, successor to JAC, the distribution will trigger our obligation to fund a “rabbi trust” under the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements.

Our obligations under the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements, if termination had occurred on December 28, 2014, are described in the table below. None of our non-employee directors are party to a Salary Continuation Agreement.

If a termination of service had occurred on December 28, 2014, the annual retirement benefit for each of Mr. Stout, Mr. Parkey and Mr. Moore under the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements would have been $215,200, $100,000 and $88,350, respectively. Payments to Mr. Stout would have commenced 30 days following his termination. Pursuant to an election made in accordance

 

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with the terms of their respective Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements, payments to Messrs. Parkey and Moore would have been scheduled to commence once the named executive officer attained the age of 65.

The following table summarizes our obligations under the employment agreements, Mr. Stout’s Severance Benefits Agreement and the Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreements to the named executive officers upon (i) a termination of employment or (ii) a termination of employment without cause or a resignation for good reason within the 36-month period following a change in control assuming, in each case, that such termination and change in control occurred on December 28, 2014:

 

Name

  Termination by
Company for Cause;
by Executive Without
Good Reason; or the
Result of Disability
     Termination by
Company Without
Cause or by Executive
for Good Reason not
Following a Change in
Control
     Termination by
Company Without
Cause or by Executive
for Good Reason
Following a Change in
Control
 

Lonnie J. Stout II

    

Employment Agreement(1)

          $ 3,188,967       $ 3,188,967   

Severance Benefits Agreement(2)

          $ 825,000       $ 825,000   

Salary Continuation Agreement(3)

  $ 2,595,326       $ 2,595,326       $ 2,595,326   
       

Mark A. Parkey

    

Employment Agreement(1)

     $ 748,632       $ 1,119,205   

Salary Continuation Agreement(3)

  $ 657,059       $ 657,059       $ 657,059   
       

J. Michael Moore

    

Employment Agreement(1)

     $ 748,632       $ 1,119,205   

Salary Continuation Agreement(3)

  $ 672,991       $ 672,991       $ 672,991   
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $ 3,925,376       $ 9,436,607       $ 10,177,753   

 

  (1)

Termination amounts payable to each named executive officer under the Employment Agreements are payable as lump sum payments. For Mr. Stout, payments under his Employment Agreement are reduced by amounts actually paid under his Severance Benefits Agreement. Consequently, the amounts reported as payments under Mr. Stout’s Employment Agreement are reduced by the amounts that would be paid pursuant to his Severance Benefits Agreement.

 

  (2)

Termination amounts payable to Mr. Stout under his Severance Benefits Agreement are payable as lump sum payments. Amounts represent 18 months of base salary. Messrs. Parkey and Moore are not parties to a Severance Benefits Agreement.

 

  (3)

Assuming a termination on December 28, 2014, amounts indicated for each named executive officer represent the present value of benefits to be paid over a period of fifteen years, which would have been scheduled to commence once the named executive officer attained the age of 65, or, in the case of Mr. Stout, 30 days following his termination.

Upon termination by us without cause or by the named executive officer for good reason, or upon termination as the result of disability, each named executive officer would be eligible for certain continued health insurance benefits for him and his dependents, for a period of two years or for a period of three years upon a termination in connection with a change in control. No payments would be made upon a change in control not involving a termination.

 

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Director Compensation

Our current directors were appointed in connection with our formation in 2014, and did not receive compensation for their service as a director for the year ended December 28, 2014. In addition, our directors who were also non-employee members of the board of managers of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC did not receive any compensation for their service as a manager of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC during the year ended December 28, 2014. Following the distribution, our director compensation program will be comprised of a cash component and an equity component. We anticipate that the cash component of our director compensation program will consist of:

 

   

an annual cash retainer for non-employee directors;

 

 

   

meeting fees for each board and committee meeting attended, with differing amounts paid for meetings attended in-person and meetings attended telephonically;

 

 

   

an annual cash retainer for acting as a chair of the audit committee and for acting as a member of the audit committee; and

 

 

   

an annual cash retainer for acting as a chair of any other committee and for acting as a member of any other committee.

 

We will also reimburse our directors for their travel and related out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending board, committee and shareholders’ meetings. In addition, we anticipate that annual equity awards will be an aspect of director compensation. Directors who are also employees, such as Mr. Stout, will not receive any additional compensation for their services as directors. Directors are also entitled to the protection provided by their indemnification agreements and the indemnification provisions in our charter and bylaws.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In addition to the compensation arrangements with directors and executive officers described under “Executive Compensation,” the following is a description of each transaction since January 3, 2013, and each currently proposed transaction in which:

 

   

we have been or are to be a participant;

 

 

   

the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and

 

 

   

any of our directors, executive officers, beneficial holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of their immediate family or person sharing their household had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

The Distribution

The distribution will be accomplished by FNF distributing all of the shares of our common stock that it owns to holders of FNFV common stock entitled to such distribution, as described under “Distribution.” Completion of the distribution will be subject to satisfaction or waiver by FNF of the conditions to the separation and distribution described below under “—Agreements with FNF—Separation and Distribution Agreement.” After the distribution, we will be an independent, publicly owned company.

Agreements with FNF

We have provided below a summary description of the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the key related agreements we will enter into with FNF and related parties prior to the distribution. These agreements effect the separation and distribution and also provide a framework for our ongoing relationship with FNF. This description, which summarizes the material terms of these agreements, is not necessarily complete. You should read the full text of these agreements, forms of which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part. FNF and we intend to execute the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the ancillary agreements before the distribution.

Because the separation and distribution involves the separation of FNF’s existing businesses, we negotiated these agreements with FNF while we were a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF. Accordingly, during this time our directors and officers were directors, officers and employees of FNF and, as such, had an obligation to serve the interests of FNF. We believe our officers and officers of FNF negotiated these arrangements in good faith taking into account the interests of their respective companies in the separation.

Separation and Distribution Agreement

The Separation and Distribution Agreement will contain the key provisions relating to the separation of our business from that of FNF and the distribution. The Separation and Distribution Agreement includes procedures by which FNF and we will become separate and independent companies. It will also contain the conditions that must be satisfied, or waived by FNF, prior to completion of the separation and distribution.

 

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Pre-Distribution Occurrences . The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the agreement and prior to the distribution, that the following will occur:

 

   

the transfer by FNFV to JAX Investments of a 1% Class A membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC;

 

 

   

the contribution by all members of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, other than JAX Investments and members of our management, of their membership interests in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC to us in exchange for our issuance of shares of our common stock to them;

 

 

   

the distribution by FNFV to FNF of all of FNFV’s shares of our common stock; and

 

 

   

the recapitalization of our common stock such that the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and owned by FNF immediately before the distribution shall be in an amount calculated on the basis of the following: 0.17229 shares of our common stock with respect to every one share of FNFV common stock issued and outstanding immediately before the distribution.

 

Distribution . The Separation and Distribution Agreement will provide that the completion of the separation and distribution are subject to several conditions that must be satisfied, or waived by FNF, including:

 

   

the board of directors of FNF shall have given final approval of the separation and distribution, which approval the board of directors of FNF may give in its sole and absolute discretion;

 

 

   

the SEC shall have declared effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, and no stop order shall be in effect with respect to the registration statement;

 

 

   

the actions and filings necessary or appropriate to comply with federal and state securities and blue sky laws and any comparable foreign laws shall have been taken and where applicable become effective or been accepted;

 

 

   

the NYSE shall have accepted for listing the shares of our common stock to be issued in the distribution, subject to official notice of issuance;

 

 

   

no order by any court or other legal or regulatory restraint preventing completion of the separation or the distribution shall be threatened or in effect;

 

 

   

FNF shall have received an opinion from KPMG LLP, its tax advisor, satisfactory to FNF, to the effect that the distribution of our shares by FNF to the holders of FNFV common stock will qualify as a distribution that is tax-free under Section 355 and other related provisions of the Code;

 

 

   

all consents and governmental or other regulatory approvals required in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall have been received;

 

 

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each of the Tax Matters Agreement and Management Consulting Agreement shall have been entered into prior to the distribution and remain in full force and effect;

 

 

   

FNF shall have established the record date for determining holders of FNFV common stock entitled to receive shares of our common stock pursuant to the distribution;

 

 

   

the distribution will not violate or result in a breach of law or any material agreement;

 

 

   

each of the other pre-distribution occurrences shall have occurred; and

 

 

   

the board of directors of FNF shall not have determined that any event or development has occurred or exists that makes it inadvisable to effect the distribution.

 

Indemnification . In general, under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, we will indemnify FNF and its representatives and affiliates against certain liabilities, to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

 

   

our failure to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of our liabilities or any of our contracts or agreements in accordance with their respective terms;

 

 

   

any of our liabilities, any of our assets or the operation of our business or prior businesses, whether arising prior to or after the distribution;

 

 

   

any breach by us of the Separation and Distribution Agreement;

 

 

   

any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or material omission or material alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case, other than certain information relating to FNF; and

 

 

   

our failure to substitute a subsidiary or affiliate, owned by us immediately prior to the distribution but after the reorganization, for any subsidiary or affiliate of FNF, owned by FNF immediately after the distribution, as guarantor or primary obligor for any of our agreements or liabilities.

 

In general, under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, FNF will indemnify us and our representatives and affiliates against certain liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

 

   

the failure of FNF to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any liability of FNF or any FNF contract or agreement in accordance with its respective terms;

 

 

   

any of FNF’s liabilities, any of its assets or the operation of its retained businesses (other than our business), whether arising prior to or after the distribution;

 

 

   

any breach by FNF of the Separation and Distribution Agreement;

 

 

   

any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or material omission or material alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case, only for certain information relating to FNF; and

 

 

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the failure by FNF to substitute a subsidiary or affiliate of FNF, owned by FNF immediately after the distribution, for any of our subsidiaries or affiliates, owned by us immediately prior to the distribution but after the reorganization, as guarantor or primary obligor for any FNF agreement or liability.

 

Indemnification with respect to taxes will be governed by the Tax Matters Agreement.

Access to Information . Under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the following terms govern access to information:

 

   

after the distribution, subject to applicable confidentiality provisions and other restrictions, we and FNF will each give the other any information within that company’s possession that the requesting party reasonably needs (a) to comply with the requirements imposed on the requesting party by a governmental authority, (b) for use in any proceeding to satisfy audit, accounting, insurance claims, regulatory, litigation or other similar requirements, (c) to comply with its obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement or certain of the ancillary agreements or (d) to enable the requesting party’s auditors to be able to complete their audit and preparation of financial statements and to meet the requesting party’s timetable for dissemination of its financial statements;

 

 

   

we and FNF will retain certain significant information owned or in our respective possession in accordance with our and FNF’s practices from time to time; and

 

 

   

we and FNF will, subject to applicable confidentiality provisions and other restrictions, use reasonable best efforts to make available to the other party, our respective past and present directors, officers, employees and other personnel and agents to the extent reasonably required in connection with any proceedings in which the other party may become involved.

 

Limited Representations and Warranties . Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, we and FNF will make customary representations and warranties only with respect to our capacity to enter into and the validity and enforceability of the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the ancillary agreements.

Termination and Amendment . The Separation and Distribution Agreement may be terminated or amended at any time prior to the distribution by FNF, in its sole discretion. In the event of the termination of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, neither party shall have any further liability to the other party.

Expenses . In general, FNF will be responsible for expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Separation and Distribution Agreement prior to the distribution.

Tax Matters Agreement . The Tax Matters Agreement will govern both our and FNF’s rights and obligations after the distribution with respect to taxes for both pre- and post-distribution periods. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, FNF generally will be required to indemnify us for any income taxes attributable to its operations or our operations and for any non-income taxes attributable to its operations, in each case for all pre-distribution periods as well as any taxes arising from transactions effected to consummate the separation and distribution, and we generally will be required to indemnify FNF for any non-income taxes attributable to our operations for all pre-distribution periods and for any taxes attributable to our operations for post-distribution periods.

 

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We will generally be required to indemnify FNF against any tax resulting from the distribution (and against any claims made against FNF in respect of any tax imposed on its stockholders), in each case if that tax results from (i) an issuance of a significant amount of our equity securities, a redemption of a significant amount of our equity securities or our involvement in other significant acquisitions of our equity securities (excluding the distribution described in this information statement), (ii) other actions or failures to act by us (such as those described in the following paragraph) or (iii) any of our representations or undertakings referred to in the Tax Matters Agreement being incorrect or violated. FNF will generally be required to indemnify us for any tax resulting from the distribution.

In addition, to preserve the tax-free treatment to FNF of the distribution, for specified periods of up to 24 months following the distribution, we will generally be prohibited, except in specified circumstances, from:

 

   

issuing, redeeming or being involved in other significant acquisitions of our equity securities (excluding the distribution described in this information statement);

 

 

   

voluntarily dissolving or liquidating;

 

 

   

transferring significant amounts of our assets;

 

 

   

amending our certificate of incorporation or by-laws in any material respect;

 

 

   

failing to comply with the tax requirement for a spin-off that we engage in the active conduct of a trade or business after the spin-off; or

 

 

   

engaging in other actions or transactions that could jeopardize the tax-free status of the distribution.

 

Though valid as between the parties, the Tax Matters Agreement is not binding on the IRS and does not affect the several liability of FNF and us for all U.S. federal taxes of the consolidated group relating to periods before the distribution date.

Management Consulting Agreement

Immediately prior to the distribution, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will enter into the Management Consulting Agreement with the Management Consultant pursuant to which the Management Consultant will provide corporate and strategic advisory services to us. Under the Management Consulting Agreement, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will issue the Management Consultant non-voting Class B Units in an amount equal to 10% of the outstanding units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, and pay the Management Consultant an annual fee equal to 3% of our Adjusted EBITDA for each fiscal year during the term of the Management Consulting Agreement. We will also reimburse the Management Consultant for its direct out-of-pocket costs incurred for management services provided to us. Under the Management Consulting Agreement, “Adjusted EBITDA” means our net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax (expense) benefit, depreciation and amortization, and adding asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs, loss on disposals of fixed assets, transaction and integration costs, non-cash compensation, loss from discontinued operations, gain on debt extinguishment, pre-opening costs and certain unusual items.

Each Class B Unit represents a non-voting equity interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC that entitles the holder thereof to a percentage of the profits and appreciation in the equity value of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC arising after the date of grant. The Management Consultant will only participate in distributions by J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC following such time as a specified hurdle

 

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amount has been previously distributed to holders of Class A Units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC (i.e., the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, JAX Investments). The hurdle amount with respect to the Class B Units issued to the Management Consultant will be based on the volume weighted average of the closing price of our common stock over the five trading days preceding the distribution. None of the Class B Units will be vested upon issuance. Instead, the Class B Units issued to the Management Consultant will vest with respect to one-third of such Class B Units on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.

The vesting of the Class B Units issued to the Management Consultant will be subject to acceleration upon a change in control of us, our termination of the Management Consulting Agreement without cause or the termination of the Management Consulting Agreement by the Management Consultant as a result of our breach of the Management Consulting Agreement.

Vested Class B Units may be exchanged for shares of our common stock. However, upon termination of the Management Consulting Agreement for any reason, Management Consultant must exchange its Class B Units within 90 days, or such units will be forfeited.

The Management Consulting Agreement will continue in effect for an initial term of seven years and be renewed for successive one-year periods thereafter unless earlier terminated (i) by us upon at least six months’ prior notice to the Management Consultant or (ii) by the Management Consultant upon 30 days’ prior notice to us. In the event that we terminate the Management Consulting Agreement prior to the tenth anniversary thereof, or the Management Consultant terminates the Management Consulting Agreement within 180 days after a change of control event with respect to us, we will be obligated to pay to the Management Consultant an early termination payment equal to the product of (i) the annual base fee for the most recent fiscal year and (ii) the difference between ten and the number of years that have elapsed under the Management Consulting Agreement, provided that in the event of such a termination following a change of control event, the multiple of the annual base fee to be paid shall not exceed three.

The principal member of the Management Consultant is William P. Foley, II, Senior Managing Director of FNFV. The other members of the Management Consultant consist of certain of our officers and directors and officers and directors of FNFV, including Lonnie J. Stout II, our President, Chief Executive Officer and one of our directors; Brent B. Bickett, Managing Director of FNFV; Greg Lane, FNFV’s Managing Director and General Counsel; Michael Gravelle, FNFV’s Managing Director and Corporate Secretary; Richard L. Cox, FNFV’s Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer; and David Ducommun, FNFV’s Managing Director—Corporate Finance.

FNF Promissory Note

In February 2013, in connection with the contribution of all of the outstanding membership interests in J. Alexander’s, LLC by FNFV to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC assumed from FNFV the FNF Note, dated as of January 31, 2013. The note accrued interest at 12.5% per annum, and the interest and principal were to be payable in full on January 31, 2016. During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2014, $2,479,000 of interest expense payable to FNF was recorded related to this note. During the six months ended June 28, 2015, interest expense associated with the FNF Note was $493,000. The FNF Note was repaid in full in May 2015.

Transactions with ABRH, LLC

Following the transfer by FNH of the Stoney River Assets to us in February 2013, the former operating parent company of Stoney River, ABRH, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FNH, continued to process transactions for the Stoney River restaurants in order to assist in the transition of point-of-

 

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sale systems, the accounts payable function, the payroll function and third-party gift card sales. Although no management or service fees were paid for these services, monies were transferred between ABRH, LLC and J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC on a regular basis. Further, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC began utilizing the internal audit function of ABRH, LLC to perform internal controls testing on behalf of FNF, as well as to perform certain operational audits at the restaurant level. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is billed by ABRH, LLC for these services, which totaled approximately $50,000 of general and administrative expense for the year ended December 28, 2014.

Indemnification Agreements

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and officers. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Tennessee law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

Our code of business conduct and ethics states that a “conflict of interest” occurs when an individual’s private interests interfere in any way, or appear from the perspective of a reasonable person to interfere in any way, with our interests as a whole, and provides further that a conflict situation can arise when an employee or director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her responsibilities objectively and effectively. We believe that a conflict exists whenever an outside interest could actually or potentially influence the judgment or actions of an individual in the conduct of our business and that conflicts of interest may arise when an employee or director, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.

Our code of business conduct and ethics provides directors and employees must avoid conflicts or the appearance of conflicts, and that employees should avoid any outside financial interests that might conflict with our interests. Such outside interests could include, among other things:

 

   

Personal or family financial interests in, or indebtedness to, enterprises that have business relations with us, such as relatives who are employed by or own an interest in consultants or suppliers;

 

 

   

Acquiring any interest in outside entities, properties, etc., in which we have an interest or potential interest;

 

 

   

Conduct of any business not on our behalf with any consultant, contractor, supplier, or distributor doing business with us or any of their officers or employees, including service as a director or officer of, or employment or retention as a consultant by, such persons; or

 

 

   

Serving on the board of directors of an outside entity whose business competes with our business.

 

Under our code of business conduct and ethics, employees are required to report any material transaction or relationship that could result in a conflict of interest to our compliance officer.

Our audit committee will be responsible for the review, approval, or ratification of any potential conflict of interest transaction involving any of our directors or executive officers, director nominees, any person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of any class of our voting securities, or any family member of or related party to such persons, including any transaction required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

 

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In reviewing any such proposed transaction, our audit committee will be tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the commercial reasonableness of the terms, the benefit or perceived benefit, or lack thereof, to us, opportunity costs of alternate transactions, the materiality and character of the related person’s direct or indirect interest and the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the related person.

All related party transactions described in this section occurred prior to establishment of our audit committee and as such, these transactions were not subject to the approval and review procedures set forth above, but were approved by our board of directors as a whole, as constituted at the time of such approval.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

As of the date hereof, 87.44% of the outstanding shares of our common stock are owned by FNF. After the distribution, FNF will not own any shares of our common stock.

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock after the distribution and giving effect to the reorganization transactions described under “Corporate Structure,” by:

 

   

each person whom we expect to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock;

 

 

   

each of our directors and named executive officers individually; and

 

 

   

all directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Following the distribution, we are expected to have outstanding an aggregate of approximately 15 million shares of common stock based upon approximately 76,130,021 shares of FNFV common stock outstanding on September 8, 2015, excluding treasury shares and assuming no exercise, vesting or settlement of FNF equity awards in shares of FNFV common stock, and applying the distribution ratio of 0.17229 shares of our common stock for every one share of FNFV common stock held as of the record date. Unless otherwise noted in the footnotes following the table, (i) the persons as to whom the information is given had sole voting and investment power over the stock shown as beneficially owned and (ii) the address for each beneficial owner listed below is: c/o J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., 3401 West End Avenue, Suite 260 Nashville, Tennessee 37203.

 

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The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of the regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities.

 

  Name and Address of

  Beneficial Owner

   Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
   Percent of  
Class  

  5% Stockholders

     

Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP(1)

   1,627,500    10.85%
  BlackRock, Inc. (2)    1,236,218    8.24%
  Eminence Capital LP (3)    1,008,028    6.72%
  Directors and Executive Officers      
  Lonnie J. Stout II    0    *
  Mark A. Parkey    172    *
  J. Michael Moore    0
   *
  Raymond R. Quirk (4)    62,326    *
  Douglas K. Ammerman    2,456    *
  Timothy T. Janszen (5)    1,627,500    10.85%
  Frank R. Martire    0    *
  Ronald B. Maggard, Sr.    1,174    *

All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)

   1,693,629    11.29%

 

*

Indicates less than one percent.

 

  (1)

The address for Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP is 21 Waterway Avenue, Suite 150, The Woodlands, Texas 77380. Newport Global Advisors is the investment manager to Newport and, as a result, Newport Global Advisors, under the direction of its Investment Committee comprised of Timothy T. Janzen and Ryan L. Langdon, holds voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of our common stock held by Newport.

 

  (2)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed February 6, 2015, BlackRock, Inc., whose address is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares.

 

  (3)

Based on a Schedule 13G filed February 17, 2015, Eminence Capital, LP., whose address is 65 East 55th Street, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10022, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over the shares. Ricky Sandler is the Chief Executive Officer of Eminence Capital, LP and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares.

 

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  (4)

Includes 59,470 shares of common stock held by Quirk 2002 Trust and 2,710 shares of common stock held by the Raymond Quirk 2004 Trust.

 

  (5)

Reflects 1,627,500 shares of common stock held by Newport. Mr. Janszen is the Chief Executive Officer of Newport Global Advisors. Newport Global Advisors is the investment manager to Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP. As a result, as the Chief Executive Officer of Newport Global Advisors, Mr. Janszen may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the securities over which Newport has voting or dispositive power. Mr. Janszen’s address is c/o Newport Global Advisors LP, 21 Waterway Avenue, Suite 150, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following descriptions are summaries of the material terms of our amended and restated charter and amended and restated bylaws that will be in effect upon the consummation of the distribution. Reference is made to the more detailed provisions of, and the descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the amended and restated charter and amended and restated bylaws, forms of which are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this information statement is a part.

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 30 million shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 10 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

Common Stock

Common stock outstanding. All shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Voting rights. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders.

Dividend rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. However, we do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.”

Rights upon liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of our debts and other liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, then outstanding, if any.

Other rights. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock will be subject to those of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock we may issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences and limitations thereof, including dividend rights, specification of par value, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, specification of par value, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, without further vote or action by the shareholders.

The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. without further action by the shareholders and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock. At present, we have no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding and we have no plans to issue any preferred stock.

 

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Election and Removal of Directors; Vacancies

Our amended and restated charter provides that our board of directors will consist of between three and 15 directors. The exact number of directors will be fixed from time to time by a majority of our board of directors. In accordance with our amended and restated charter, our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, each class with overlapping three-year terms. Each class will constitute, as nearly as possible, one-third of the total number of directors.

In accordance with our amended and restated charter, one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of shareholders to serve for a three-year term. However, because we will be a newly established public company, the term of the initial Class I directors will terminate on the date of the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders; the term of the initial Class II directors will terminate on the date of the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders and the term of the initial Class III directors will terminate on the date of the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders. At each annual meeting of shareholders beginning in 2016, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting will be elected for a three-year term. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. There will be no limit on the number of terms a director may serve on our board of directors.

Neither Newport nor any other shareholder will have contractual rights to designate nominees for election to our board of directors. Following the distribution, nominees to our board of directors will be designated and elected in accordance with our amended and restated bylaws and our amended and restated charter. The nominating committee of our board of directors will be responsible for evaluating and recommending director nominees for election to our board of directors. At this time, FNF has two members of our board of directors and Newport has one member that is affiliated with such entity and it is anticipated that each of FNF and Newport will continue to have one or more members of our board of directors that is an affiliate of such entity.

Our amended and restated charter provides that, subject to any rights of any voting group established pursuant to our amended and restated bylaws or any applicable shareholders agreement, any director may be removed from office at any time but only for cause and only by (i) the affirmative vote of the holders of 66  2 3 % of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, considered for this purpose as one class or (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board of directors then in office. In addition, our amended and restated charter will provide that any vacancy on the board of directors, including a vacancy that results from an increase in the number of directors or a vacancy that results from the removal of a director with cause, may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office.

No Cumulative Voting

The Tennessee Business Corporation Act provides that shareholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our amended and restated charter provides otherwise. Our amended and restated charter will not provide for cumulative voting.

Limits on Written Consents

The Tennessee Business Corporation Act permits shareholder action by unanimous written consent and, if a corporation’s charter so provides, by written consent of holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be required to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. Our amended and restated charter permits shareholder action only by unanimous written consent.

 

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Shareholder Special Meetings

Our amended and restated charter and our amended and restated bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders may be called at any time, but only by the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer, or by our board of directors, and not by our shareholders.

Amendment of Amended and Restated Charter

Our amended and restated charter provides that the provisions of our amended and restated charter relating to our capital structure, voting rights, dividends, distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, preferred stock, preemptive rights, board of directors, limited liability of directors, indemnification of directors, control share acquisitions, business combinations, action taken by written consent of our shareholders, special meetings of shareholders, forum exclusivity and amendment of our amended and restated charter or our amended and restated bylaws in a manner inconsistent with such provisions may be amended only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66  2 3 % of the voting power of our outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class. The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment will generally be required to amend other provisions of our amended and restated charter.

Amendment of Amended and Restated Bylaws

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that such bylaws may generally be altered, amended or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted, by a majority of our board of directors, and any bylaws adopted by our board of directors may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66  2 3 % of the voting power of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that no provision of our bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed which will interpret or qualify, or impair or impede the implementation of any provision of our charter or which is otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of our charter.

Other Limitations on Shareholder Actions

Our amended and restated bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our shareholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors. Shareholders at an annual meeting will only be able to consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors or by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record who is entitled to vote at the meeting, or who is a shareholder that holds such stock through a nominee or “street name” holder of record and can demonstrate to us that such indirect ownership of such stock and such shareholder’s entitlement to vote such stock on such business, and who has given our secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the shareholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting. To be timely, such notice must be delivered to our secretary:

 

   

in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by us; and

 

 

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in the case of a special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the date on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.

 

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our amended and restated charter provides that no director will be personally liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to fullest extent permitted by the Tennessee Business Corporation Act. Currently, the Tennessee Business Corporation Act prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders;

 

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; and

 

 

   

unlawful distributions under Section 48-18-302 of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act.

 

As a result, neither we nor our shareholders have the right, through shareholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except in the situations described above.

Our amended and restated charter provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we will indemnify any officer or director of our Company against all expenses, liabilities and losses arising out of the fact that the person is or was our director or officer or served any other enterprise at our request as a director, officer, employee, manager, agent or trustee. We will also advance to such persons expenses related to such action, suits or proceedings when we receive an undertaking to repay such amounts if it is ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by us.

Forum Selection

The Court of Chancery of the State of Tennessee will be the sole and exclusive forum for any shareholder to bring (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or employees to us or our shareholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against us or our directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act or our charter or bylaws, or (4) any action asserting a claim against us or our directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented, to the foregoing forum selection provisions.

Corporate Opportunities

Our amended and restated charter provides that we renounce any interest or expectancy in the business opportunities that are from time to time presented to our non-employee directors, other than such opportunity expressly presented to such directors in their capacities as our directors, and such directors will not be liable to us or our shareholders for breach of any fiduciary or other duty by reason of the fact that they personally or on behalf of any other person pursue or acquire such

 

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business opportunity, direct such business opportunity to another person or fail to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to us. Some of our directors are affiliates of FNF and Newport. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Structure.”

Anti-Takeover Effects of Some Provisions

Some provisions of our amended and restated charter and bylaws could make the following more difficult:

 

   

acquisition of control of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise, or

 

 

   

removal of our incumbent officers and directors.

 

These provisions, as well as our ability to issue preferred stock, are designed to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection give us the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us, and that the benefits of this increased protection outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging those proposals, because negotiation of those proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Tennessee Anti-Takeover Law and Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws

Under the Tennessee Business Combination Act and subject to certain exceptions, we may not engage in any “business combination” with an “interested shareholder” for a period of five years after the date on which the person became an interested shareholder unless the “business combination” or the transaction in which the shareholder becomes an “interested shareholder” is approved by our board of directors prior to the date the “interested shareholder” attained that status.

For purposes of the Tennessee Business Combination Act, “business combinations” generally include:

 

   

mergers, consolidations or share exchanges;

 

 

   

sales, leases, exchanges, mortgages, pledges, or other transfers of assets representing 10% or more of the market value of consolidated assets, the market value of our outstanding shares, or our consolidated net income;

 

 

   

issuances or transfers of shares from us to the interested shareholder;

 

 

   

plans of liquidation;

 

 

   

transactions in which the interested shareholder’s proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of securities is increased; or

 

 

   

financing arrangements pursuant to which the interested shareholder, directly or indirectly, receives a benefit except proportionately as a shareholder.

 

Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested shareholder” generally is a person who, together with his or her affiliates and associates, owns, or within five years did own, 10% or more of our outstanding voting stock.

 

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After the five-year moratorium, we may complete a business combination if the transaction complies with all applicable charter and bylaw requirements and applicable Tennessee law and:

 

   

is approved by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not beneficially owned by the interested shareholder; or

 

 

   

meets certain fair price criteria including, among others, the requirement that the per share consideration received in any such business combination by each of the shareholders is equal to the highest of (a) the highest per share price paid by the interested shareholder during the preceding five-year period for shares of the same class or series plus interest thereon from such date at a treasury bill rate less the aggregate amount of any cash dividends paid and the market value of any dividends paid other than in cash since such earliest date, up to the amount of such interest, (b) the highest preferential amount, if any, such class or series is entitled to receive on liquidation, or (c) the market value of the shares on either the date the business combination is announced or the date when the interested shareholder reaches the 10% threshold, whichever is higher, plus interest thereon less dividends as noted above.

 

We are currently subject to the Tennessee Business Combination Act, and we intend to remain subject to such act after the completion of the distribution.

Under our amended and restated charter, we intend to be elect to be subject to the Tennessee Control Share Acquisition Act which prohibits certain shareholders from exercising in excess of 20% of the voting power in a corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” unless such voting rights have been previously approved by the disinterested shareholders.

The Tennessee Greenmail Act prohibits us from purchasing or agreeing to purchase any of our securities, at a price in excess of fair market value, from a holder of 3% or more of our securities who has beneficially owned such securities for less than two years, unless the purchase has been approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of our voting stock or we make an offer of at least equal value per share to all holders of shares of such class. The Tennessee Greenmail Act may make a change of control more difficult.

The Tennessee Investor Protection Act (the “Investor Protection Act”) applies to tender offers directed at corporations, such as J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., that have “substantial assets” in Tennessee and that are either incorporated in or have a principal office in Tennessee. The Investor Protection Act requires an offer or making a tender offer for an offeree company to file a registration statement with the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance. When the offeror intends to gain control of the offeree company, the registration statement must indicate any plans the offeror has for the offeree. The Commissioner may require additional information concerning the takeover offer and may call for hearings. The Investor Protection Act does not apply to an offer that the offeree company’s board of directors recommends to shareholders.

In addition to requiring the offeror to file a registration statement with the Commissioner, the Investor Protection Act requires the offeror and the offeree company to deliver to the Commissioner all solicitation materials used in connection with the tender offer. The Investor Protection Act prohibits fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative acts or practices by either side and gives the Commissioner standing to apply for equitable relief to the Chancery Court of Davidson County, Tennessee, or to any other chancery court having jurisdiction whenever it appears to the Commissioner that the offeror, the offeree company or any of its respective affiliates has engaged in or is about to engage in a violation of the Investor Protection Act. Upon proper showing, the chancery court may grant injunctive relief. The Investor Protection Act further provides civil and criminal penalties for violations.

 

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Listing on the New York Stock Exchange

We intend to list the common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “JAX”. We have not yet filed an application to have our common stock approved for listing. We intend to file such application following the filing of the registration statement of which this information forms a part.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is: Computershare, 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

In August 2014, in connection with our formation, we issued 1,000 shares of common stock to FNFV for an aggregate consideration of $1.00. These securities were issued in reliance on the exemption contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act on the basis that the transaction did not involve a public offering. No underwriters were involved in the sale.

In connection with the reorganization transaction, prior to the distribution, we will issue to FNFV, Newport Holdings and each other person holding membership interests of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, approximately 15 million shares of common stock in consideration of the delivery to us of all of the outstanding limited liability company membership interests of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC held by such persons. These shares of common stock will be issued in reliance on the exemption contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act on the basis that the transaction will not involve a public offering. No underwriters will be involved in the transaction.

 

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DELIVERY OF INFORMATION STATEMENT

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries, such as brokers, to satisfy delivery requirements for information statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single information statement to those stockholders. This process, known as “householding,” is intended to provide greater convenience for stockholders, and cost savings for companies, by reducing the number of duplicate documents that stockholders receive. Unless contrary instructions from one or more stockholders sharing an address have been received, only one copy of this information statement will be delivered to those multiple stockholders sharing an address.

If, at any time, a stockholder no longer wishes to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive separate copies of the information statement, the stockholder should notify his or her intermediary or, if shares are registered in the stockholder’s name, should contact us at the address and telephone number provided below. Any stockholder who currently receives multiple copies of the information statement at his or her address and would like to request “householding” of communications should contact his or her intermediary or, if shares are registered in the stockholder’s name, should contact us at the address and telephone number provided below. Additionally, we will deliver, promptly upon written or oral request directed to the address or telephone number below, a separate copy of the information statement to any stockholders sharing an address to which only one copy was mailed.

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

601 Riverside Avenue

Jacksonville, FL 32204

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the shares of our common stock that the holders of FNFV common stock will receive in the distribution. This information statement forms a part of that registration statement and, as allowed by SEC rules, does not include all of the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. For additional information relating to our company and the distribution, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this information statement as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.

You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at: 3401 West End Avenue, Suite 260 Nashville, Tennessee 37203 or (615) 269-1900.

After the distribution, we will be subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, as amended, and we will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.jalexandersholdings.com, at which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this information statement.

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

    

Report of Independent Auditors

       F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013

       F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Year ended December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 and periods from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 and from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012

       F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Membership Equity for the Year ended December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 and periods from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 and from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012

       F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Year ended December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 and periods from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 and from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012

       F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

       F-7   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 28, 2015 and December 28, 2014

       F-32   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014

       F-33   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014

       F-34   

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

       F-35   

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc.

The financial statements of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. have been omitted from this presentation because the entity has not commenced operations, and has no activities except in connection with its formation as described under “Our Corporate Structure”.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Managers

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, membership equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 28, 2014 (Successor) and December 29, 2013 (Successor) and periods from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 (Successor) and from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012 (Predecessor). These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 28, 2014 (Successor) and December 29, 2013 (Successor) and periods from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 (Successor) and from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012 (Predecessor), in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective September 26, 2012, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. acquired all of the outstanding stock of J. Alexander’s Corporation in a business combination accounted for as a purchase. As a result of the acquisition, the consolidated financial information for the periods after the acquisition is presented on a different cost basis than that for the period before acquisition and, therefore, is not comparable.

 

Nashville, Tennessee

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

April 3, 2015

 

KPMG LLP

 

 

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J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, LLC   
Consolidated Balance Sheets   
December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013   
(In thousands)   
Assets        2014       2013

  Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $           13,301       $           18,069    

Accounts and notes receivable

       250          202   

Accounts receivable from related party

                150   

Inventories

       2,306          2,112   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

       3,003          1,483   
    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

       18,860          22,016   

Other assets

       4,405          4,631   

Property and equipment, net

       86,263          83,216   

Goodwill

       15,737          15,737   

Trade name and other indefinite-lived intangibles

       25,155          25,155   

Deferred charges, less accumulated amortization of $104 and $33 as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively

       488          346   
    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $          150,908      $          151,101   
    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Membership Equity         

  Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

   $          5,719      $          4,568   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

       12,014          8,547   

Accrued expenses due to related party

       92          2,150   

Unearned revenue

       3,466          4,031   

Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

       1,671          1,719   
    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

       22,962          21,015   

Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, net of portion classified as current

       11,250          12,921   

Long-term debt due to related party

       10,000          20,000   

Deferred compensation obligations

       5,555          4,955   

Other long-term liabilities

       4,252          3,755   
    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       54,019          62,646   

  Membership equity

       96,889          88,455   
    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and membership equity

   $          150,908      $          151,101   
    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, LLC   
Consolidated Statements of Operations   
Years ended December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013 and periods from   

October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 and from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012

 

(In thousands)

  

  

        Successor           Predecessor
                       

October 1,

 

2012 to

          

January 2,

 

2012 to

        December 28,       December 29,       December 30,            September 30,
        2014       2013       2012            2012
 

  Net sales

  $          202,233       $          188,223       $          40,341           $          116,555    
 

  Costs and expenses:

                   

Cost of sales

      64,591          61,432          12,883              36,858   

Restaurant labor and related costs

      61,539          59,032          12,785              38,050   

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

      7,652          7,228          1,425              4,117   

Other operating expenses

      40,440          39,016          7,849              23,175   
   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

      174,222          166,708          34,942              102,200   
 

Transaction and integration expenses

      785          (217)          183              4,537   

General and administrative expenses

      14,450          11,981          2,330              8,109   

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

      5          2,094                         

Pre-opening expense

      681                                  
   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

      190,143          180,566          37,455              114,846   
   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

Operating income

      12,090          7,657          2,886              1,709   
   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

  Other income (expense):

                   

Interest expense

      (2,908)          (2,888)          (187)              (1,174)   

Gain on extinguishment of debt

               2,938                         

Stock option expense

                                     (229)   

Other, net

      104          117          26              68   
   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

      (2,804)          167          (161)              (1,335)   
   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

      9,286          7,824          2,725              374   
 

  Income tax (expense) benefit

      (328)          (138)          (1)              79   

  Loss from discontinued operations, net

      (443)          (4,785)          (506)              (1,412)   
   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $          8,515      $          2,901      $          2,218          $          (959)   
   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, LLC

 

  

Consolidated Statements of Membership Equity   
Years ended December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013 and periods from   
October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 and from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012   
(In thousands, except share data)   
Predecessor   Outstanding
shares
          Common
stock
          Additional
paid-in
capital
          Retained
earnings
          FNF           FNH           Newport           Other
Minority

Investors
          Total

  Balances at January 1, 2012

    5,993,453      $          300      $          34,581      $          14,904      $               $               $               $               $          49,785     

  Share-based compensation

                      792                                                       792   

  Exercise of stock options

    42,553          2          251                                                       253   

  Repurchase of outstanding stock options

                      (7,643)                                                       (7,643)   

  Tax benefit of option repurchase

                      280                                                       280   

  Other

    (218)                                                                           

  Net loss

                               (959)                                              (959)   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

  Balances at September 30, 2012

    6,035,788      $          302      $          28,261      $          13,945      $               $               $               $               $          42,508   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                         

Successor

                                 

  Cancellation of Predecessor common stock and additional paid-in capital and elimination of Predecessor retained earnings

    (6,035,788)          (302)          (28,261)          (13,945)                                              (42,508)   

  Establishment of membership interest

                                        87,519                                     87,519   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

  Balances at October 1, 2012

         $               $               $               $          87,519      $               $               $               $          87,519   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

  Contributions of capital

                                        1,657                                     1,657   

  Net income

                                        2,218                                     2,218   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

  Balances at December 30, 2012

         $               $               $               $          91,394      $               $               $               $          91,394   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

  Stoney River Contribution

                                                 14,160                            14,160   

  Distribution through note payable

                                        (20,000)                                     (20,000)   

  Allocation of membership interests in conjunction with the contribution

                                        (9,647)          9,647                              

  Net income

                                        2,029          872                            2,901   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

  Balances at December 29, 2013

         $               $               $               $          63,776      $          24,679      $               $               $          88,455   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

  FNH distribution of membership interests

                                        14,504          (26,371)          10,258          1,609            

  Tax distributions

                                        (64)          (15)          (2)                   (81)   

  Net income

                                        6,507          1,707          260          41          8,515   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

  Balances at December 28, 2014

         $               $               $               $          84,723      $               $          10,516      $          1,650      $          96,889   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, LLC   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   
Years ended December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013 and periods from   
October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012 and from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012   
(In thousands)   
    Successor     Predecessor  
   
 
December 28,
2014
  
  
   
 
December 29,
2013
  
  
   
 
 
 
October 1,
2012 to
December 30,
2012
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
January 2,
2012 to
September 30,
2012
  
  
  
  

  Cash flows from operating activities:

         

Net income (loss)

  $ 8,515        $ 2,901        $ 2,218        $ (959)     

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities

         

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

    7,946          7,530          1,536          4,418     

Amortization of lease assets and liabilities, deferred charges, and fair value of debt

    348          (226)          (155)          61     

Asset impairment charges

    —          4,240          —          —     

Gain on debt extinguishment

    —          (2,938)          —          —     

Share-based compensation expense

    —          —          —          792     

Excess tax benefits related to stock options exercised or repurchased

    —          —          —          (280)     

Deferred income taxes

    (277)          —          —          —     

Other, net

    172          405          63          218     

Changes in assets and liabilities:

         

Accounts and notes receivable

    102          722          90          (322)     

Inventories

    (194)          132          (280)          109     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    155          (82)          574          (954)     

Accounts payable

    516          377          (527)          217     

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    (212)          913          1,128          (138)     

Unearned revenue

    (565)          407          820          (736)     

Deferred compensation obligations

    600          263          48          523     

Other assets and liabilities

    849          1,263          141          87     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    17,955          15,907          5,656          3,036     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Cash flows from investing activities:

         

Purchase of property and equipment

    (10,536)          (6,610)          (1,159)          (2,535)     

Other investing activities

    (157)          484          —          (73)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

    (10,693)          (6,126)          (1,159)          (2,608)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Cash flows from financing activities:

         

Proceeds from borrowing under long-term debt agreement

    —          15,000          —          —     

Payments on long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

    (11,719)          (17,716)          (292)          (832)     

Payments of debt issuance costs

    (75)          (123)          —          —     

Repurchase of outstanding stock options

    —          —          —          (7,643)     

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

    —          —          —          254     

Excess tax benefits related to stock options exercised or repurchased

    —          —          —          280     

Payment of offering costs

    (155)          —          —          —     

Other financing activities

    (81)          —          69          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

    (12,030)          (2,839)          (223)          (7,941)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (4,768)          6,942          4,274          (7,513)     

  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    18,069          11,127          6,853          14,366     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $       13,301        $       18,069        $       11,127        $         6,853     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Supplemental disclosures:

         

Property and equipment obligations accrued at beginning of period

  $ 808        $ 489        $ 497        $ 225     

Property and equipment obligations accrued at end of period

    1,444          808          489          497     

Cash paid for interest

    5,010          1,199          363          1,127     

Cash paid for income taxes

    92          45          1          579     

Noncash related-party note accounted for as a distribution of capital

    —          20,000          —          —     

Noncash deferred offering costs accrued at end of period

    1,520          —          —          —     

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(1)

Organization and Business

On September 26, 2012 (the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date), Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) acquired substantially all of the outstanding common stock of J. Alexander’s Corporation, a publicly traded company, in a tender offer, followed by a merger (the J. Alexander’s Acquisition), after which FNF owned all of the outstanding common stock of J. Alexander’s Corporation. The outstanding shares of common stock were delisted and deregistered from the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and J. Alexander’s Corporation was subsequently converted from a corporation to a limited liability company, J. Alexander’s, LLC (the Operating Company), on October 30, 2012. The J. Alexander’s Acquisition was treated as an acquisition for accounting purposes with FNF as the acquirer and J. Alexander’s Corporation as the acquiree, and resulted in FNF owning a 100% interest in the Operating Company. Purchase accounting was applied as of October 1, 2012, as the four days between the purchase transaction and the beginning of the fourth quarter were not considered significant. FNF also contributed the ownership of the Operating Company to Fidelity National Special Opportunities, Inc. (FNSO), a wholly owned subsidiary of FNF, subsequent to the J. Alexander’s Acquisition. FNSO was subsequently converted to Fidelity National Financial Ventures, LLC (FNFV). For purposes of these Consolidated Financial Statements, FNSO, FNFV and FNF are collectively referred to as “FNF”. References herein to operations and assets of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC may also refer to its consolidated subsidiaries.

On February 6, 2013, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC was formed as a Delaware limited liability company, and on February 25, 2013 (the Contribution Date), 100% of the membership interests of the Operating Company were contributed by FNF to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC in exchange for a 72.1% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Additionally, on February 25, 2013, 100% of the membership interests of Stoney River Management Company, LLC and subsidiaries (Stoney River) were contributed by Fidelity Newport Holdings, LLC (FNH), a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF, to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC in exchange for a 27.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC (the Contribution). J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC then contributed Stoney River to the Operating Company.

On May 6, 2014, FNF converted FNSO to FNFV. Other than certain tax consequences, this change in the organization of the entity holding a majority of the membership interests had no effect on the operations of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. On August 18, 2014, FNH distributed its 27.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC on a pro rata basis to the owners of the FNH membership interests. The distribution resulted in FNFV holding an 87.4% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Also after the distribution, Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP holds a 10.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, and the remaining 1.7% membership interests are held by other minority investors.

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, through the Operating Company and its subsidiaries, owns and operates full-service, upscale restaurants under the J. Alexander’s and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill concepts. At December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, restaurants operating within the J. Alexander’s concept consisted of 31 and 30 restaurants, respectively, in 12 states, and restaurants operating within the Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill concept consisted of 10 locations within six states. At December 30, 2012, restaurants operating within the J. Alexander’s concept consisted of 33 restaurants in 13 states, three of which were subsequently closed as discussed in note 3(c) below. The restaurants are concentrated primarily in the East, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the United States. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC does not have any restaurants operating under franchise agreements.

 

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Table of Contents

On August 15, 2014, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, was incorporated in the state of Tennessee. On October 28, 2014, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock and a restructuring pursuant to which J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. would become the managing member of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. On February 18, 2015, FNF announced its intentions to pursue a spin-off of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC to shareholders of FNFV as an alternative to the structure in the proposed initial public offering of the J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock. The structure related to this proposed course of action is currently under evaluation.

 

(2)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

  (a)

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) and include the accounts of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC as well as the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany profits, transactions, and balances have been eliminated. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF.

Financial information through the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date is referred to as “Predecessor” company information, which has been prepared using the previous basis of accounting. The financial information for periods beginning October 1, 2012 is referred to as “Successor” company information and reflects the financial statement effects of recording fair value adjustments and the capital structure resulting from the J. Alexander’s Acquisition. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “Successor” refer either to J. Alexander’s, LLC or J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC for the periods subsequent to the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date. The Predecessor operated under a different ownership and capital structure and the application of acquisition accounting affects the comparability of results of operations for periods before and after the J. Alexander’s Acquisition. Black lines have been drawn to separate the Successor’s financial information from that of the Predecessor.

 

  (b)

Fiscal Year

The J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31, and each quarter typically consists of 13 weeks. The period from January 2, 2012 to September 30, 2012, included 39 weeks of operations, and the period from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012, included 13 weeks of operations. Fiscal years 2014 and 2013 each included 52 weeks of operations.

 

  (c)

Discontinued Operations

During the year ended December 29, 2013, three underperforming J. Alexander’s restaurants were closed. The decision to close these restaurants was the result of an extensive review of the J. Alexander’s restaurant portfolio that examined each restaurant’s recent and historical financial and operating performance, its position in the marketplace, and other operating considerations. Two of these restaurants were considered to be discontinued operations. The $443 loss from discontinued operations for fiscal 2014 consists solely of exit and disposal costs. For fiscal 2013, net sales from the closed restaurants included in discontinued operations were $1,941 and the loss was $4,785.

 

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The loss consists of $2,657 in asset impairment charges, $1,827 of exit and disposal costs, and a loss from operations of $301. For the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, net sales related to these two locations and included in discontinued operations for comparative purposes were $1,314 and the loss was $506, all of which was from operations. For the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, net sales associated with these two restaurants were $4,306 and the loss was $1,412, all of which was from operations There were no related assets reclassified as held for sale related to these closures, as there were no significant remaining assets related to these locations subsequent to the asset impairment charges being recorded.

 

  (d)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. Cash also consists of payments due from third-party credit card issuers for purchases made by guests using the issuers’ credit cards. The issuers typically remit payment within three to four days of a credit card transaction.

 

  (e)

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Accounts receivable are primarily related to income taxes due from governmental agencies and vendor rebates, which have been earned but not yet received. Related-party accounts receivable relate to payments made by third-party gift card resellers to the previous operating company of Stoney River, which is owned by FNH, for the Stoney River gift card sales made through those distribution channels subsequent to the Contribution.

 

  (f)

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis.

 

  (g)

Property and Equipment, Net

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC states property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense is calculated using the straight-line method. The useful lives of assets are typically 30–40 years for buildings and land improvements and two–10 years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the useful life or the remaining lease term, generally inclusive of renewal periods. Equipment under capital leases is amortized to its expected residual value at the end of the lease term. Gains or losses are recognized upon the disposal of property and equipment, and the asset and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts. Maintenance, repairs, and betterments that do not enhance the value of or increase the life of the assets are expensed as incurred. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC capitalizes all direct external costs associated with obtaining the land, building, and equipment for each new restaurant, as well as construction period interest. All direct external costs associated with obtaining the dining room and kitchen equipment, signage, and other assets and equipment are also capitalized.

Certain direct and indirect costs are capitalized as building and leasehold improvement costs in conjunction with capital improvement projects at existing restaurants and acquiring and developing new restaurant sites. Such costs are amortized over the life of the related assets.

 

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  (h)

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired in the J. Alexander’s Acquisition. Intangible assets include trade names, deferred loan costs, and liquor licenses at certain restaurants. Goodwill, trade names, and liquor licenses are not subject to amortization, but are tested for impairment annually as of the fiscal year-end date, or more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of the goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value.

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC performed the fiscal 2014 annual review of goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment , which allows for the performance of a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount prior to performing the two-step goodwill impairment test. The qualitative assessment includes an analysis of macroeconomic factors, industry and market conditions, internal cost factors, overall financial performance and entity-specific events. ASU 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets for Impairment , also provides an entity the option to perform a qualitative assessment with regard to the testing of its indefinite-lived intangible assets. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC performed the fiscal 2014 annual review of impairment for its indefinite-lived intangibles in accordance with this guidance. It was determined that no impairment of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets existed as of December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 or December 30, 2012, and accordingly, no impairment losses were recorded.

Deferred loan costs are subject to amortization and are classified in the “Deferred Charges” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred loan costs are amortized principally by the interest method over the life of the related debt. For the next five fiscal years, scheduled amortization of deferred loan costs is as follows: 2015 – $55; 2016 – $53; 2017 – $51; 2018 – $51; 2019 and thereafter – $61.

 

  (i)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset group exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge may be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group based upon the future highest and best use of the impaired asset or asset group. Fair value is determined by projected future discounted cash flows for each location or the estimated market value of the assets. The asset impairment charges are generally recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the financial statement line item “Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs,” but are also recorded in the line item “Loss from discontinued operations, net” when applicable. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated.

 

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In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment , and in connection with the preparation of the J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC financial statements for fiscal year 2013, long-lived assets held and used associated with three underperforming J. Alexander’s restaurants with a carrying amount of $4,240 were written down to their fair value of $0 resulting in an impairment charge of $4,240 being included in net income for the year ended December 29, 2013. Approximately $2,657 of the total impairment charge was related to the two locations that were determined to be discontinued operations, and the remaining $1,583 associated with the third location is presented in the “Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs” line item. Each restaurant was closed during fiscal 2013 and long-lived assets were either impaired and disposed of as of the date on which the restaurant ceased operations or transferred to other locations.

No impairment charges were recorded for the year ended December 28, 2014 or for the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012 or the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012.

 

  (j)

Operating Leases

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has land only, building only, and land and building leases that are recorded as operating leases. Most of the leases have rent escalation clauses and some have rent holiday and contingent rent provisions. The rent expense under these leases is recognized on the straight-line basis over an expected lease term, including cancelable option periods when it is reasonably assured that such option periods will be exercised because failure to do so would result in a significant economic penalty. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC begins recognizing rent expense on the date that it becomes legally obligated under the lease and takes possession of or is given control of the leased property. Rent expense incurred during the construction period for a leased restaurant location is included in pre-opening expense. Contingent rent expense is based upon sales levels and is typically accrued when it is deemed probable that it will be payable. Tenant improvement allowances received from landlords under operating leases are recorded as deferred rent obligations.

The same lease life that is used for the straight-line rent calculation is also used for assessing leases for capital or operating lease accounting.

 

  (k)

Revenue Recognition

Restaurant revenues are recognized when food and service are provided. Unearned revenue represents the liability for gift cards, which have been sold but not redeemed. Upon redemption, net sales are recorded and the liability is reduced by the amount of card values redeemed. Reductions in liabilities for gift cards that, although they do not expire, are considered to be only remotely likely to be redeemed and for which there is no legal obligation to remit balances under unclaimed property laws of the relevant jurisdictions (breakage), have been recorded as revenue and are included in net sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Based on historical experience, management considers the probability of redemption of a gift card to be remote when it has been outstanding for 24 months.

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC records breakage related to sold gift cards when the likelihood of redemption becomes remote. During the second quarter of 2014,

 

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J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC obtained sufficient information to reliably estimate breakage associated with Stoney River gift cards under this policy and recorded breakage as a component of net sales and reduced the associated unearned revenue liability by the same amount. Breakage of $772, $213, $145 and $26 related to gift cards was recorded in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013, the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, respectively.

 

  (l)

Vendor Rebates

Vendor rebates are received from various nonalcoholic beverage suppliers, and to a lesser extent, suppliers of food products and supplies. Rebates are recognized as a reduction to cost of sales in the period in which they are earned.

 

  (m)

Advertising Costs

Costs of advertising are charged to expense at the time the costs are incurred. Advertising expense totaled $203, $510, $19 and $52 during fiscal year 2014, fiscal year 2013, the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, respectively.

 

  (n)

Transaction and Integration Costs

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has historically grown through improving operations, food quality and the guest experience. However, during the periods presented as discussed above in note 1, both the J. Alexander’s Acquisition and the Contribution transactions occurred, resulting in certain nonrecurring transaction and integration costs being incurred. During the year ended December 29, 2013, and the periods from October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, respectively, transaction and integration costs of approximately $189, $183 and $4,537 were incurred. In fiscal 2013, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC received $406 in insurance proceeds from its insurance carrier under its directors and officers liability policy for costs previously incurred relating to certain shareholder litigation, which is netted against the $189 of transaction costs incurred, resulting in income of $(217) being presented for the 2013 period.

Also, during fiscal 2014, transaction and integration costs of approximately $785 were incurred related to the ongoing offering transaction as indirect costs. Transaction costs typically consist primarily of legal and consulting costs, accounting fees, accelerated expense associated with repurchased stock options, and to a lesser extent other professional fees and miscellaneous costs. Integration costs typically consist primarily of consulting and legal costs.

 

  (o)

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs, which primarily consist of direct, incremental legal and accounting fees relating to the pursuit of an initial public offering, are capitalized within other current assets. Such deferred offering costs would be offset against proceeds upon the consummation of an offering. In the event the offering is terminated, deferred offering costs will be expensed. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has incurred $1,675 in such costs as of December 28, 2014.

 

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  (p)

Income Taxes

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is a limited liability company. For federal and most state and local taxing jurisdictions, the revenues, expenses, and credits of a limited liability company are allocated to its members. For federal and most state and local taxing jurisdictions, which would comprise the majority of the J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC filing jurisdictions, no provision, assets or liabilities have been recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for these specific jurisdictions since the conversion to a limited liability company. However, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has a significant presence in the state of Tennessee and other local jurisdictions, which requires it to file income tax returns.

For those jurisdictions in which income tax returns must be filed, income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The benefits of uncertain tax positions are recognized in the financial statements only after determining a more-likely than-not probability that the uncertain tax positions will withstand challenge, if any, from taxing authorities. When facts and circumstances change, these probabilities are reassessed and any appropriate changes are recorded in the financial statements. Uncertain tax positions are accounted for by determining the minimum recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. This determination requires the use of judgment in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items. Tax positions that meet the more-likely than-not recognition threshold are recognized and measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits or income tax settlements are recognized as components of income tax expense.

 

  (q)

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that are potentially exposed to a concentration of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Operating cash balances are maintained in noninterest-bearing transaction accounts, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250. Additionally, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC invests cash in a money market fund, which invests primarily in U.S. Treasury securities and is also insured by the FDIC up to $250. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC places cash with high-credit-quality financial institutions, and at times, such cash may be in excess of the federally insured limit. However, there have been no losses experienced related to these balances, and the credit risk is believed to be minimal. Also, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC believes that its risk related to cash equivalents from third-party credit card issuers for purchases made by guests using the issuers’ credit cards is not significant due to the number of banks involved and the fact that payment is typically received within three to four days of a credit card transaction. Therefore, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC does not believe it has significant risk related to its cash and cash equivalents accounts.

 

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Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are related principally to receivables from governmental agencies related to refunds of franchise and income taxes. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC does not believe it has significant risk related to accounts receivable due to the nature of the entities involved.

 

  (r)

Use of Estimates

Management has made certain estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented to prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include those related to the accounting for gift card breakage, estimates of useful lives of property and equipment and leasehold improvements, the carrying amount of intangible assets, fair market valuations, determination of lease terms, and accounting for impairment losses, contingencies, and litigation. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

  (s)

Sales Taxes

Revenues are presented net of sales taxes. The obligation for sales taxes is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities until the taxes are remitted to the appropriate taxing authorities.

 

  (t)

Pre-opening Expense

Pre-opening costs are accounted for by expensing such costs as they are incurred.

 

  (u)

Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income or loss is comprised solely of net income or net loss for all periods presented.

 

  (v)

Segment Reporting

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC owns and operates full-service, upscale restaurants under two concepts exclusively in the United States that have similar economic characteristics, products and services, class of customer and distribution methods. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC believes it meets the criteria for aggregating its operating segments into a single reportable segment.

 

  (w)

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity . ASU No. 2014-08 changes the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Under current GAAP, many disposals, some of which may be routine in nature and not a change in an entity’s strategy, are reported in discontinued operations. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require expanded disclosures for discontinued operations. The amendments in this ASU also require an entity to disclose the pretax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not

 

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qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The ASU is effective for annual financial statements with years that begin on or after December 15, 2014. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC will adopt this guidance in fiscal year 2015 and does not expect a significant impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . The core principle of the standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. New qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements aim to enable financial statement users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The ASU permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has not yet selected a transition method or determined the effect, if any, that this ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

 

(3)

Significant Transactions

 

  (a)

J. Alexander’s Acquisition

On the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date, FNF acquired substantially all of the outstanding common stock of J. Alexander’s Corporation. The fair value of the equity was $87,519. Purchase accounting was applied to the net assets of the acquiree as of October 1, 2012, as the time and activity between the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date and the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2012 was not considered significant.

The purchase price was allocated to net tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities based on their estimated fair values. Management prepared the purchase price allocations and utilized valuations provided by third-party experts. Management reviewed and evaluated the third-party valuations to ensure the reasonableness and accuracy of the assumptions used to determine the fair values. The fair value of the liquor licenses was estimated using a market approach. The fair value of the trade names was estimated using an income approach, specifically known as the relief from royalty method. The relief from royalty method calculates the approximate royalty saved that is attributable to the sale of products and services using the trade names. The forecasted revenues expected to be generated under the trade names were based on the projected revenues of the respective company-owned restaurants.

Discount rates applied to the estimated cash flows for intangible assets acquired ranged from 13% to 15%, depending on the overall risk associated with the particular cash flow stream and other market factors. The discount rates used are believed to be consistent with those that a market participant would use. These approaches use significant estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows, discount rates reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rates, determination of appropriate market comparables, and the determination of whether a premium or discount should be applied to the market comparables.

The fair value of either a favorable lease asset or an unfavorable lease liability was also recognized representing the difference between the market rates in effect compared to the various lease payments on individual operating leases. These assets and liabilities are amortized to rent expense on a straight-line basis over each respective operating lease

 

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term. Net amortization expense to rent from operations for the period from October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012 was $25, and for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 was $100 and $90, respectively, for J. Alexander’s concept leases. Additionally, the period from October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012 included $8 in net amortization income from discontinued operations, and fiscal year 2013 included $342 in net amortization income from discontinued operations. The 2013 discontinued operations amount included a write-off of one restaurant’s unfavorable lease liability and one restaurant’s favorable lease asset, which totals $334 of the $342 in net amortization income, as further discussed in note 2(c) above. There was no impact to the loss from discontinued operations related to the amortization of these assets and liabilities in fiscal 2014.

To determine the fair values of the land, buildings, improvements, and equipment, valuations provided by third-party experts were utilized. Management reviewed and evaluated the third-party valuations to ensure the reasonableness and accuracy of the assumptions used to determine the fair values. The fair values of the owned restaurant land and buildings were estimated using a sales comparison approach. The fair values of the leasehold improvements and equipment were estimated using a replacement cost approach. Also, the fair value of point-of-sale software and restaurant smallwares was estimated using a replacement cost approach.

The fair value associated with mortgage debt was determined based on an estimated market rate for debt with similar terms provided by a third party. Because the estimated market rate was less than that of the existing mortgage rate, a fair value adjustment to increase the debt balance by $3,473 was recorded, and the fair value adjustment was amortized as a reduction to interest expense based on the effective-interest method over the remaining life of the mortgage debt. For fiscal 2013, $360 was recorded as a reduction to interest expense, and for the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, $175 was recorded as a reduction to interest expense. This mortgage debt was refinanced on September 3, 2013, and a gain for the remaining balance of the fair value adjustment of $2,938 was recorded upon extinguishment.

 

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The purchase price allocation was completed in 2012, and therefore, the measurement period for the transaction was closed as of December 30, 2012. The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date:

 

     October 1,
2012
 

Consideration

   $ 87,519   

Fair value of assets and current liabilities:

  

Net current liabilities (includes cash of $6,853)

     (2,564

Property, plant, and equipment

     74,944   

Purchased software

     136   

Favorable operating lease

     1,634   

Other noncurrent assets

     1,897   

Identified intangible assets:

  

Trade names

     23,600   

Liquor licenses

     102   
  

 

 

 

Total assets and current liabilities acquired

     99,749   
  

 

 

 

Fair value of noncurrent liabilities:

  

Long-term mortgage debt

     19,852   

Unfavorable operating lease

     1,761   

Deferred tax liability

     1,588   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     4,766   
  

 

 

 

Total noncurrent liabilities assumed

     27,967   
  

 

 

 

Goodwill

   $             15,737   
  

 

 

 

 

The deferred tax liability of $1,588 was recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 1, 2012, but was subsequently distributed to FNF upon the conversion of the Operating Company to a limited liability company. Subsequent to the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date and concurrent with the Contribution Date, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC also distributed $20,000 to FNF in the form of a note payable.

 

  (b)

Stoney River Contribution

On February 25, 2013, the assets of Stoney River were contributed by FNH to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC in exchange for a 27.9% membership interest in the consolidated J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC entity. This transaction was between entities under the common control of FNF. Therefore, the business combination accounting guidance in ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations , did not apply, and no purchase accounting procedures were necessary. Rather, the assets of Stoney River were measured at their carrying amounts as of the date of transfer and the results of operations are presented prospectively as this was not considered a change in reporting entity. The Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal year 2013 includes 10 months of operations of the 10 Stoney River restaurants.

 

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The following table summarizes the carrying values of the assets of Stoney River as of the Contribution Date that were transferred to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC:

 

           February 25,
2013
 

Current assets (includes cash of $561)

   $          1,192   

Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,161

       14,000   

Trade names

       1,453   

Favorable operating lease, net of $288 in accumulated amortization

       1,731   

Other noncurrent assets

       2   
    

 

 

 

Total assets contributed

       18,378   
    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

       3,178   

Unfavorable operating lease, net of $134 in accumulated amortization

       834   

Deferred tax liability

       21   

Other noncurrent liabilities

       185   
    

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

       4,218   
    

 

 

 

Equity contributed

   $                      14,160   
    

 

 

 

 

The net amortization to rent expense from operations of the favorable lease asset and the unfavorable lease liability in fiscal 2013 for the Stoney River restaurants totaled $140, and in fiscal 2014 totaled $187.

 

  (c)

Restaurant Closures

As disclosed in notes 2(c) and (i) above, during fiscal 2013, three underperforming J. Alexander’s restaurants were closed. At the time the decision to close the restaurants was made, each was analyzed for asset impairment, and each was determined to be an impaired location and the related long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $4,240 were written down to their fair value of $0, resulting in an impairment charge of $4,240 being included in net income for the year ended December 29, 2013. Approximately $2,657 of the total impairment charge was related to the two locations that were determined to be discontinued operations, and the remaining $1,583 associated with the third location is presented in the “Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs” line item.

In addition to asset impairment charges, restaurant closing costs of $2,338 were incurred in fiscal 2013, $1,827 of which related to the two locations determined to be discontinued operations. The remaining $511 associated with the third location is presented in the “Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs” line item. Restaurant closing costs consisted largely of accruals of remaining rent payments, net of estimated or actual subleases, and the liabilities for the remaining payments are reflected within the “Other long-term liabilities” line item. Additionally, brokerage fees, lease break payments, and moving and travel costs are included in restaurant closing costs. During fiscal 2014, restaurant closing costs totaled $448, $443 of which related to locations included in discontinued operations and consisted of ongoing rental payments, utilities, insurance and other costs to maintain the closed locations.

 

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(4)

Fair Value Measurements

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC utilizes the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs into valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Accordingly, it uses valuation techniques which maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1

    

Defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2

    

Defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3

    

Defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.

In connection with the J. Alexander’s Acquisition in 2012, assets and liabilities were recorded at their estimated fair values on the effective date of the transaction. See note 3 above for additional discussion relative to the approach for determining the fair values of assets and liabilities recorded at that time.

There were no significant assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during fiscal years 2013 or 2014.

The recorded amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

 

(5)

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

 

          December 28,
2014
           December 29,
2013
 

Prepaid insurance

    $        439        $        685  

Prepaid rent

      689          597  

Deferred offering costs

      1,675          —    

Other

      200          201  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    $                    3,003        $                    1,483  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

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(6)

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

 

          December 28,
2014
          December 29,
2013
 

Land

  $          20,204     $          20,204  

Buildings

      26,328         25,273  

Leasehold improvements

      37,961         32,292  

Restaurant and other equipment

      17,892         14,573  

Construction in progress

      1,540         808  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
      103,925         93,150  

Less accumulated depreciation

      (17,662 )       (9,934 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

  $                      86,263     $                      83,216  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

For fiscal years 2014 and 2013, depreciation expense from continuing operations was $7,946 and $7,456, respectively. For the periods October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012 and January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, depreciation expense from continuing operations was $1,448 and $4,152, respectively. The loss on disposition of assets from continuing operations included in the “Other operating expenses” line item, primarily related to the refreshing of assets through store remodels, was $179, $404, $61 and $218 for fiscal year 2014, fiscal year 2013, the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, respectively. In addition to the above amounts, there was depreciation expense included in discontinued operations of $74, $88 and $266 for the year ended December 29, 2013, the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, respectively.

In connection with the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements for fiscal year 2013, long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $4,240 were written off resulting in an impairment charge of $4,240, which was included in net income for the year ended December 29, 2013. Fair value is generally determined using projected future discounted cash flows for each restaurant location combined with the estimated salvage value of each restaurant’s furnishings, fixtures, and equipment. The discount rate is the estimated weighted average cost of capital, which management believes is commensurate with the required rate of return that a potential buyer would expect to receive when purchasing a similar restaurant and the related long-lived assets. Assumptions about important factors such as sales and margin change are limited to those that are supportable based upon management’s plans for the restaurant. As these associated restaurants were closed and assets were disposed of upon closure, fair value was determined to be $0 for these associated locations. No impairment charges were recorded during fiscal 2014 or in either period presented for 2012.

 

(7)

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

          December 28,
2014
          December 29,
2013
 

Goodwill

    $        15,737       $        15,737  

Trade name

      25,053         25,053  

Liquor licenses

      102         102  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Intangible assets

    $                    40,892       $                    40,892  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

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(8)

Other Assets

Other assets consisted of the following:

 

          December 28,
2014
          December 29,
2013
 

Favorable operating leases, net

  $          1,835     $          2,520  

Cash surrender value of life insurance

      1,871         1,806  

Deferred tax assets

      256         —    

Other

      443         305  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other assets

  $                      4,405     $                      4,631  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(9)

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

 

     December 28,
2014
     December 29,
2013
 

Taxes, other than income taxes

   $ 3,611      $ 3,365  

Income taxes

     203        14  

Salaries, wages, vacation, and incentive compensation

     4,538        3,464  

Deferred offering costs and transaction costs

     2,127        —    

Other

     1,535        1,704  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $             12,014      $             8,547  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(10)

Debt

Debt and obligations under capital leases consisted of the following:

 

    December 28,
2014
    December 28,
2014
    December 29,
2013
    December 29,
2013
 
    Current     Long-term     Current     Long-term  

Term loan, LIBOR + 2.5% (floor of 3.25%, ceiling of 6.25%, at 3.25% at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013), payable through 2020

  $ 1,667     $ 11,250     $ 1,667     $ 12,916  

Note payable to related party, 12.5% interest, payable through 2016

    —         10,000       —         20,000  

Obligation under capital lease, 9.9% interest, payable through 2015

    4       —         52       5  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt and obligations under capital leases

  $             1,671     $             21,250     $             1,719     $             32,921  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

In 2009, a bank loan agreement was obtained that provided for a three-year $5,000 revolving line of credit, which could be used for general corporate purposes and expired on May 22, 2012. The loan was refinanced as a $6,000 line of credit with substantially similar terms on June 27, 2012. The revolving line of credit was secured by liens on certain personal property, subsidiary guaranties, and a negative pledge on certain real property.

On September 3, 2013, a mortgage loan obtained in 2002 was paid off. At that time, the previous line of credit agreement was also refinanced, and a new $16,000 bank loan that provides two new credit facilities was obtained. The borrower under this loan agreement was J. Alexander’s, LLC, and the loan was guaranteed by J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and all significant

 

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subsidiaries. These new credit facilities consisted of a three-year $1,000 revolving line of credit, which replaced the previous line of credit and may be used for general corporate purposes, and a seven-year $15,000 term loan with monthly principal payments of $139 plus interest. The credit facilities are secured by liens on certain personal property of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries, subsidiary guaranties, and a mortgage lien on certain real property. At the time of the refinancing, there were no unamortized deferred loan costs which had previously been capitalized with regard to either the existing term loan or the existing revolving line of credit. Further, there were no borrowed balances outstanding under the previous line of credit.

The refinancing was accounted for as a debt extinguishment as an alternative lender was selected with respect to the term loan. A $2,938 gain relative to the transaction was recorded as the reacquisition price was less than the carrying amount of the debt as of the date of refinancing, which was due to the fact that the carrying amount of the debt included an adjustment made in purchase accounting to record the mortgage debt at fair value. In connection with the transaction, lender and legal fees in the amount of $123 were incurred, which were capitalized as deferred loan costs and are being amortized over the respective lives of the promissory notes.

On December 9, 2014, J. Alexander’s, LLC executed an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the Loan Agreement) which encompasses the two existing credit facilities discussed above dated September 3, 2013 and also includes a five-year $15,000 development line of credit. These credit facilities remain secured by the collateral package and guaranties described above in connection with the two credit facilities dated September 3, 2013. In addition, the lender is entitled to a first priority security interest in three additional restaurants in the event the term loan remains outstanding as of June 9, 2015. In connection with the transaction, lender and legal fees in the amount of $175 were incurred, which were capitalized as deferred loan costs and are being amortized over the life of the development line of credit.

In connection with the Contribution, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC entered into a $20,000 note payable to FNF (the FNF Note), which was accounted for as a distribution of capital. The note accrues interest at 12.5% annually, and the interest and principal are payable in full on January 31, 2016. Under the terms of the term loan dated September 3, 2013, the FNF Note was subordinated to the term debt. The Loan Agreement included a provision whereby, as long as there were no outstanding events of default, the entire FNF Note could be repaid with proceeds from the ongoing offering transaction and up to $10,000 of the debt associated with the FNF Note could be prepaid regardless of whether the offering transaction were to occur. On December 15, 2014, a payment of $14,569, representing $10,000 of principal on the FNF Note and $4,569 of accrued interest, was made to FNF.

Any amount borrowed under the $1,000 revolving credit facility bears interest at an annual rate of 30-day LIBOR plus a margin equal to 2.50%, with a minimum interest rate of 3.25% per annum. The term loan bears interest at an annual rate of 30-day LIBOR plus a margin equal to 2.50%, with a minimum and maximum interest rate of 3.25% and 6.25% per annum, respectively. Any amount borrowed under the $15,000 development line of credit bears interest at an annual rate of 30-day LIBOR plus a margin equal to 2.20%. The Loan Agreement, among other things, permits payments of tax dividends to members, limits capital expenditures, asset sales and liens and encumbrances, limits dividends, and contains certain other provisions customarily included in such agreements. In addition, dividends may be paid under a formula consisting of a $5,725 base, which amount will be increased annually by $2,500 plus 25% of consolidated net income for the immediately preceding year, beginning with the year which ended December 28, 2014, and reduced by the aggregate amount of such dividends previously paid, if any, from the Loan Agreement’s inception through the measurement date.

 

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The Loan Agreement also includes certain financial covenants. A fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.25 to 1 as of the end of any fiscal quarter based on the four quarters then ending must be maintained. The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined in the Loan Agreement as the ratio of (a) the sum of net income for the applicable period (excluding the effect on such period of any extraordinary or nonrecurring gains or losses, including any asset impairment charges, restaurant closing expenses (including lease buy-out expenses), changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, and noncash deferred income tax benefits and expenses and up to $1,000 (in the aggregate for the term of the loans) in uninsured losses) plus depreciation and amortization plus interest expense plus rent payments plus noncash compensation expense plus any other noncash expenses or charges and plus expenses associated with the initial public offering of equity securities of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., regardless of whether the transaction occurs or is delayed, minus the greater of either actual total store maintenance capital expenditures (excluding major remodeling or image enhancements) or the total number of stores in operation for at least 18 months multiplied by $40, to (b) the sum of interest expense during such period plus rent payments made during such period plus payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations made during such period, all determined in accordance with GAAP.

In addition, the maximum adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio must not exceed 4.0 to 1 at the end of any fiscal quarter. Under the Loan Agreement, EBITDAR is measured based on the then-ending four fiscal quarters and is defined as the sum of net income for the applicable period (excluding the effect on such period of any extraordinary or nonrecurring gains or losses, including any asset impairment charges, restaurant closing expenses (including lease buy-out expenses), changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and noncash deferred income tax benefits and expenses and up to $1,000 (in the aggregate for the term of the loans) in uninsured losses) plus an amount that in the determination of net income for the applicable period has been deducted for (i) interest expense; (ii) total federal, state, foreign, or other income taxes; (iii) all depreciation and amortization; (iv) rent payments; and (v) noncash compensation expenses, plus any other noncash expenses or charges and plus expenses associated with the ongoing offering transaction, regardless of whether the transaction occurs or is delayed, all as determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted debt is (i) funded debt obligations net of any short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents plus (ii) rent payments multiplied by seven. For purposes of calculating the financial covenants, the FNF Note and related interest expense are excluded from the calculations.

If an event of default shall occur and be continuing under the Loan Agreement, the commitment under the Loan Agreement may be terminated and any principal amount outstanding, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owing in respect thereof, may be declared immediately due and payable. J. Alexander’s, LLC was in compliance with these financial covenants as of December 28, 2014 and for all reporting periods during the year then ended.

No amounts were outstanding under the revolving line of credit at December 28, 2014. The loan is secured by the real estate, equipment and other personal property of nine of the J. Alexander’s restaurant locations with an aggregate net book value of $24,779 as of December 28, 2014. The real property at these locations is owned by JAX Real Estate, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of J. Alexander’s LLC.

Deferred loan costs are $271 and $120, net of accumulated amortization expense of $28 and $3 at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively. Deferred loan costs are being amortized to interest expense using the effective-interest method over the life of the related debt.

 

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The carrying value of the debt balance under the term loan at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013 is considered to approximate its fair value because of the proximity of the debt refinancing discussed above to the 2014 and 2013 fiscal year-ends.

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt for the five fiscal years succeeding December 28, 2014 are as follows: 2015 – $1,671; 2016 – $11,667; 2017 – $1,667; 2018 – $1,667; 2019 – $1,667; and $4,582 thereafter.

 

(11)

Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following:

 

          December 28,
2014
           December 29,
2013
 

Deferred rent

  $          2,625      $          2,024  

Unfavorable lease liabilities, net

      1,255          1,662  

Uncertain tax positions

      346           

Other noncurrent liabilities

      26          69  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

  $                            4,252      $                            3,755  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(12)

Leases

At December 28, 2014, subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC were lessee under both ground leases (the subsidiaries lease the land and build their own buildings) and improved leases (lessor owns the land and buildings) for restaurant locations. These leases are generally operating leases.

Terms for these leases are generally for 15 to 20 years and, in many cases, the leases provide for rent escalations and for one or more five-year renewal options. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is generally obligated for the cost of property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Certain real property leases provide for contingent rentals based upon a percentage of sales. In addition, a subsidiary of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is a lessee under other noncancelable operating leases, principally for office space. Amortization of leased assets is included in depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment expense and general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table summarizes future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases (excluding renewal options), including those restaurants reported as discontinued operations, having an initial term of one year or more:

 

     December 28, 2014  
     Capital leases     Operating
leases
 

2015

   $             4     $ 6,028  

2016

           5,663  

2017

           4,754  

2018

           4,201  

2019

       3,185  

2020 and thereafter

           6,596  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments (1)

     4     $             30,427  
    

 

 

 

Less amount representing interest

        
  

 

 

   

Present value of minimum lease payments

     4    

Less current maturities of capitalized lease obligations

     (4 )  
  

 

 

   

Long-term capitalized lease obligations

   $    
  

 

 

   

 

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(1) Total minimum lease payments under operating leases have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $1,108 due in future periods under noncancelable subleases.

For fiscal years 2014 and 2013 and the periods from October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, straight-line base rent expense from continuing operations was $6,321, $5,802, $1,115 and $3,011, respectively. In addition to the aforementioned amounts, there was straight-line base rent expense included in discontinued operations of $266, $347, $168 and $503 for fiscal year 2014, fiscal year 2013, the period from October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and the period from January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, respectively. There was no significant contingent rent expense for the any of the periods presented.

 

(13)

Stock Options

The Predecessor had equity incentive plans in place, under which directors, officers, and key employees were granted options to purchase shares of J. Alexander’s Corporation stock. During the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, the Predecessor incurred $229 of stock option expense associated with the normal vesting of outstanding options and an additional $563 of accelerated stock option expense associated with the immediate vesting of all options prior to the repurchase of the outstanding options in conjunction with the J. Alexander’s Acquisition. The Predecessor paid $7,643 to repurchase those outstanding options, and the repurchase was accounted for as a reduction to additional paid-in capital (APIC). The Predecessor also received the $280 of excess tax benefits associated with the repurchase, which was accounted for as an increase to APIC. Upon the repurchase, the existing plans were terminated. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has not put any new stock option plans into place.

 

(14)

Membership Equity

The Members constitute a single class or group of members of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, which was formed with a perpetual life. Except as may be provided by the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended (the Act), no Member of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is obligated personally for any debt, obligation, or liability of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC or of any other Member solely by reason of being a Member of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. No Member has any responsibility to restore any negative balance in its capital account or contribute to the liabilities or obligations of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC or return distributions made by J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, except as may be required by the Act or other applicable law. No Member has any right to resign or withdraw from J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC without the consent of the other Members or to receive any distribution or the repayment of the Member’s contribution except as provided in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement.

For the period beginning on the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date and continuing through the Contribution Date, FNF owned 100% of the membership interests of J. Alexander’s, LLC. Subsequent to the Contribution Date and through August 17, 2014, FNF owned 72.1% of the membership interests directly, and FNH owned 27.9% of the membership interests of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. On August 18, 2014, FNH distributed its 27.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC on a pro rata basis to the owners of the FNH membership interests. The distribution resulted in FNFV holding an 87.4% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Also after the distribution, Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP holds a 10.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, and the remaining 1.7% membership interests are held by other minority investors.

 

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(15)

Income Taxes

The Predecessor, J. Alexander’s Corporation, was organized as a C corporation, and therefore, filed federal and state income tax returns, as required in various jurisdictions. J. Alexander’s Corporation was converted to J. Alexander’s LLC on October 30, 2012, and thereafter, the filing requirements and related tax liability at both the federal and state level were passed through to FNF. At the Contribution Date, partnership tax treatment became effective, and the federal and state tax filing requirements for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC went into effect. Although partnership returns for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC are filed in most jurisdictions, effectively passing the tax liability to the partners, there are a small number of jurisdictions, Tennessee being one of them, that do not recognize limited liability companies structured as partnerships as disregarded entities for state and local income tax purposes. In those jurisdictions, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is liable for any applicable state or local income tax. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is also liable for franchise taxes in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. A provision for the income tax liability related to these limited state and local jurisdictions has been provided for in the Consolidated Financial Statements for fiscal years 2014 and 2013.

Return-to-provision adjustments have also been made in fiscal year 2013 related to changes in estimates made at the time that the provision for income taxes related to final filings for J. Alexander’s Corporation was prepared. Income tax (expense) benefit related to income (loss) before income taxes is as follows:

 

     Year ended
December 28,
2014
    Year ended
December 29,
2013
    October 1
through
December 30,
2012
    January 2
through
September 30,
2012
 

Current federal

   $             —     $             (225)      $             —     $             99  

Current state and local

     (273     87       (1     (20

Deferred state and local

     (55                  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax (expense) benefit

   $ (328   $ (138   $ (1   $ 79  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The effective tax rate differs from the statutory state and local tax rates due to the impact of permanent and temporary tax differences. These permanent tax differences include nondeductible charges for transaction-related expenses, nondeductible charges for meals and entertainment expenses, nondeductible expense related to the amortization of the favorable and unfavorable operating lease assets and liabilities, FICA Tip credit deductions, and life insurance expense. The significant temporary tax differences affecting the tax rate include timing differences related to depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, deferred compensation expense, and deferred rent.

During the period beginning on October 30, 2012 and ending on December 30, 2012, as well as for the period from the beginning of the 2013 fiscal year and ending on the Contribution Date in 2013, the Operating Company was a single member limited liability company, and tax expense was not allocated by FNF to the Operating Company. Had the Operating Company been a separate tax-paying entity, pro forma tax (expense) benefit would have been $(885) and $89, respectively, for these periods.

 

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Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. As discussed above, certain subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC have filing obligations in the specific jurisdictions that do not recognize these entities as disregarded entities. However, in fiscal 2013, tax liabilities and related deferred tax assets were not significant. Significant components of the deferred tax assets at December 28, 2014 are as follows:

 

     December 28,
2014
 

Deferred tax assets:

  

Property, plant and equipment

   $                     44  

Deferred rent

     57  

Deferred compensation

     70  

Net operating loss carryforwards

     91  
  

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     262  

Deferred tax assets valuation allowance

      
  

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax assets

     262  
  

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

  

Other

     (6 )
  

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (6 )
  

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 256  
  

 

 

 

ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes , establishes procedures to measure deferred tax assets and liabilities and assess whether a valuation allowance relative to existing deferred tax assets is necessary. Management assesses the likelihood of realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance with respect to those assets based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence. At December 28, 2014, management has determined that no valuation allowance is necessary.

As of the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date, the value of the net deferred tax liability was determined to be $1,588, which was subsequently distributed to FNF upon the conversion of J. Alexander’s Corporation to a limited liability company and treatment as a pass-through entity. The components of the net deferred tax liability as of the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date are as follows:

 

     October 1,
2012
 

Deferred tax assets:

  

Tax credit carryforwards

   $             6,982  

Other

     2,125  
  

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

     9,107  

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

      
  

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax assets

     9,107  
  

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

  

Property, plant and equipment

     1,807  

Trademark intangible

     8,850  

Other

     38  
  

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

     10,695  
  

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liability

   $ (1,588 )
  

 

 

 

 

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Additionally, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has recorded a liability in connection with uncertain tax positions related to state tax issues totaling $0 and $346 as of December 29, 2013 and December 28, 2014, respectively. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending gross amount of unrecognized tax benefit associated with these positions is as follows for the year ended December 28, 2014:

 

     Year ended
December 28,
2014
 

Balance at the beginning of the year

   $  

Additions based on tax positions taken during the current year

     3,358  

Additions based on tax positions taken during prior years

     1,757  

Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities and lapses of statutes of limitations

      
  

 

 

 

Balance at the end of the year

   $             5,115  
  

 

 

 

 

In the period from January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, federal and state income taxes of $579 were paid and refunds totaling $254 were received. In the period from October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, $1 was paid related to federal and state income taxes and refunds totaling $106 were received. In fiscal year 2013, $45 was paid related to federal, state and local income taxes, and refunds totaling $420 were received. In fiscal year 2014, $92 was paid related to state and local income taxes, and refunds totaling $34 of state and local income tax were received.

The tax years 2010 to 2014 remain open to examination by various taxing jurisdictions.

 

(16)

Contingencies

 

  (a)

Contingent Leases

As a result of the disposition of the Predecessor’s Wendy’s operations in 1996, subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s LLC may remain secondarily liable for certain real property leases with remaining terms of one to five years. The total estimated amount of lease payments remaining on these seven leases at December 28, 2014 was approximately $500. In connection with the sale of the Predecessor’s Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuit restaurant operations in 1989 and certain previous dispositions, subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s LLC also may remain secondarily liable for certain real property leases with remaining terms of one to four years. The total estimated amount of lease payments remaining on this one lease at December 28, 2014 was approximately $300. Additionally, in connection with the previous disposition of certain other Wendy’s restaurant operations, primarily the southern California restaurants in 1982, subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s LLC may remain secondarily liable for certain real property leases with remaining terms of one to five years. The total estimated amount of lease payments remaining on these five leases as of December 28, 2014 was approximately $450. There have been no payments by subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s LLC of such contingent liabilities in the history of J. Alexander’s LLC. Management does not believe any significant loss is likely.

 

  (b)

Tax Contingencies

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is subject to real property, personal property, business, franchise and income, and sales and use taxes in various jurisdictions within the United States and is regularly under audit by tax authorities. This is believed to be

 

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common for the restaurant industry. Management believes the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

 

  (c)

Insurance Reserves

Traditional insurance coverage is maintained for various insurable risks including medical, dental, workers’ compensation, general liability, liquor liability, employment liability, and property policies. The previous owner of Stoney River did not carry traditional insurance coverage, but rather retained a significant portion of those insurable risks. As such, when Stoney River was contributed to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, those risks and related liabilities were also transferred to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and were a component in the current liabilities line item included in note 3(b) above. During 2013, Stoney River was transitioned to traditional third-party insurance coverage under J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC’s existing policies, and the provisions for losses expected under the prior self-insured programs were adjusted to reflect the known facts and circumstances surrounding each risk. Management believes that the risk of any significant claims being incurred but not reported as of December 28, 2014 is minimal. The total recorded liability for those self-insured risks under the prior programs totaled $18 and $295 at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively.

 

  (d)

Litigation Contingencies

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries are defendants from time to time in various claims or legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including claims relating to workers’ compensation matters, labor-related claims, discrimination and similar matters, claims resulting from guest accidents while visiting a restaurant, claims relating to lease and contractual obligations, federal and state tax matters, and claims from guests or employees alleging illness, injury or other food quality, health or operational concerns, and injury or wrongful death under “dram shop” laws that allow a person to sue J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC based on any injury caused by an intoxicated person who was wrongfully served alcoholic beverages at one of its restaurants.

Management does not believe that any of the legal proceedings pending against it as of the date of this report will have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or financial condition. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC may incur liabilities, receive benefits, settle disputes, sustain judgments, or accrue expenses relating to legal proceedings in a particular fiscal year, which may adversely affect its results of operations, or on occasion, receive settlements that favorably affect its results of operations.

 

(17)

Related-Party Transactions

In connection with the Contribution, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC entered into the FNF Note, which was accounted for as a distribution of capital. The $20,000 note accrues interest at 12.5% annually, and the interest and principal are payable in full on January 31, 2016. Under the terms of the term loan dated September 3, 2013, the FNF Note was subordinated to the term debt. The Loan Agreement included a provision whereby, as long as there were no outstanding events of default, the entire FNF Note could be repaid with proceeds from the ongoing offering transaction and up to $10,000 of the debt associated with the FNF Note could be repaid regardless of whether the offering transaction were to occur. On December 15, 2014, a payment of $14,569, representing $10,000 of principal on the FNF Note and $4,569 of accrued interest, was made to FNF. During fiscal years 2014 and 2013, interest expense of $2,479 and $2,139, respectively, was recorded relative to the FNF Note. At December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, a liability

 

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of $48 and $2,139, respectively, associated with such interest has been reporting in the “Accrued expenses due to related party” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

FNF also bills J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC for expenses incurred or payments made on its behalf by FNF, primarily related to third-party consulting fees and travel expenses for employees and the board of managers. These expenses totaled $14 and $31 for 2014 and 2013, respectively, and no accrual was needed for such costs at December 28, 2014 or December 29, 2013. For the period from October 1, 2012 to December 30, 2012, total expense from these transactions amounted to $841. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC also reimburses FNF for certain franchise tax payments made on its behalf, and an accrual at December 28, 2014 of $42 is included in the “Accrued expenses due to related party” line item for such payments.

As discussed in detail in note 3(b) above, Stoney River was contributed to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC by FNH on the Contribution Date. Subsequent to that date, the former operating parent of Stoney River, ABRH, LLC (ABRH), continued to process transactions for the Stoney River restaurants in order to assist in the transition of point-of-sale systems, the accounts payable function, the payroll function and third-party gift card sales. Although no management or service fees were paid for these services, funds were transferred between ABRH and J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC on a regular basis, and receivables of $150 from ABRH are included in the J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 29, 2013. Further, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC began utilizing the internal audit function of ABRH to perform internal controls testing on behalf of FNF, as well as to perform certain operational audits at the restaurant level. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is billed by ABRH for these services, which totaled $50 and $34 of general and administrative expense for fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively, and at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, an accrual of $1 and $11 was included in the “Accrued expenses due to related party” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

(18)

Employee Benefit Plans

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC maintains a Savings Incentive and Salary Deferral Plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Plan) for the benefit of its employees and their beneficiaries. Under the Plan, qualifying employees can defer a portion of their income on a pretax basis through contributions to the Plan, subject to an annual statutory limit. All employees with at least one thousand hours of service during the 12-month period subsequent to their hire date, or any calendar year thereafter, and who are at least 21 years of age are eligible to participate. For each dollar of participant contributions, up to 3% of each participant’s salary, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC makes a minimum 25% matching contribution to the Plan. Matching contributions vest according to a vesting schedule defined in the plan document. Matching contributions totaled $86, $119, $18 and $56 for fiscal year 2014, fiscal year 2013, for the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, respectively.

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC has Salary Continuation Agreements, which provide retirement and death benefits to executive officers and certain other members of management. The recorded liability associated with these agreements totaled $5,255 and $4,733 at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively. The expense recognized under these agreements was $522, $199, $35 and $488 for fiscal year 2014, fiscal year 2013, the period October 1, 2012 through December 30, 2012, and the period January 2, 2012 through September 30, 2012, respectively.

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC also has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan under which executive officers and certain senior managers may defer receipt of their compensation, including up to 25% of applicable salaries and bonuses, and be credited with matching contributions under the same matching formula and limitations as the Savings Incentive and

 

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Salary Deferral Plan. Amounts that are deferred under this plan, and any matching contributions, are increased by earnings and decreased by losses based on the performance of one or more investment measurement funds elected by the participants from a group of funds, which the plan administrator has determined to make available for this purpose. Participant account balances totaled $300 and $222 at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively.

In 1992, J. Alexander’s Corporation established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which purchased shares of J. Alexander’s Corporation common stock from a trust created by the late Jack C. Massey, the former Board Chairman of the Predecessor, and the Jack C. Massey Foundation. In connection with the J. Alexander’s Acquisition, this ESOP was terminated, and all vested balances in participants’ accounts were distributed accordingly. In 2014, a favorable determination letter was received from the Internal Revenue Service approving the termination of this ESOP.

 

(19)

Subsequent Events

On January 1, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC adopted an Amended and Restated LLC Agreement and established a profits interest management incentive plan. On the same date grant awards were issued to certain members of management pursuant to that plan. As a result of the grants made on January 1, 2015, an estimated $1,500 of noncash compensation expense will be recognized based on the awards’ estimated grant-date fair value over the three-year vesting period, with an offsetting credit to membership equity. The Amended and Restated LLC Agreement adopted on January 1, 2015 contained various other changes to provisions, including the establishment of the requirement to make tax distributions to the Members of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC beginning in fiscal 2015. Such distributions will have no impact to net income and are not expected to be a significant use of cash in fiscal 2015.

Subsequent events have been evaluated and disclosed through April 3, 2015, the date of issuance of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(20)

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

 

          2014 Quarters ended  
          March 30           June 29           September 28           December 28  

Net sales

  $                      52,356      $                      49,840      $                      46,725      $                      53,312   

Operating income

      4,911          3,303          728          3,148   

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

      4,175          2,624          16          2,471   

Net income (loss)

      4,023          2,515          (215       2,192   
          2013 Quarters ended  
          March 31           June 30           September 29           December 29  

Net sales

  $          45,477      $          47,815      $          44,854      $          50,077   

Operating income

      2,129          1,455          102          3,971   

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

      1,684          664          2,230          3,246   

Net income (loss)

      (1,278       (871       1,749          3,301   

 

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J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, LLC   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets   
June 28, 2015 and December 28, 2014   
(Unaudited in thousands)   
Assets         June 28,
2015
          December 28,
2014

  Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $          15,152     $          13,301   

Accounts and notes receivable

      225         250  

Accounts receivable from related party

      1          

Inventories

      2,156         2,306  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

      2,216         3,003  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

      19,750         18,860  

  Other assets

      4,141         4,405  

  Property and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $21,592 and $17,662 as of June 28, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively

      85,934         86,263  

  Goodwill

      15,737         15,737  

  Trade name and other indefinite-lived intangibles

      25,155         25,155  

  Deferred charges, less accumulated amortization of $163 and $104 as of June 28, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively

      627         488  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

  $          151,344     $          150,908  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities and Membership Equity        

  Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable

  $          4,504     $          5,719  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

      9,730         12,014  

Accrued expenses due to related party

              92  

Unearned revenue

      2,400         3,466  

Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

      1,667         1,671  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

      18,301         22,962  

  Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases, net of portion classified as current

      20,417         11,250  

  Long-term debt due to related party

              10,000  

  Deferred compensation obligations

      5,803         5,555  

  Other long-term liabilities

      4,211         4,252  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

      48,732         54,019  

  Membership equity

      102,612         96,889  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities and membership equity

  $                      151,344     $                      150,908  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, LLC   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations   
Six Months Ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014   

(Unaudited in thousands)

 

  

           June 28,            June 29,  
           2015            2014  

Net sales

   $          109,275         $          102,196     

Costs and expenses:

         

Cost of sales

       34,596             32,339     

Restaurant labor and related costs

       32,636             30,711     

Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment

       4,039             3,777     

Other operating expenses

       21,550             20,491     
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total restaurant operating expenses

       92,821             87,318     

Transaction and integration expenses

       2,113             102     

General and administrative expenses

       7,863             6,537     

Asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs

       2             4     

Pre-opening expense

       2             21     
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

       102,801             93,982     
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Operating income

       6,474             8,214     
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

         

Interest expense

       (776)            (1,491)    

Other, net

       48             76     
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total other (expense)

       (728)            (1,415)    
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

       5,746             6,799     

Income tax (expense)

       (21)            (37)    

Loss from discontinued operations, net

       (211)            (224)    
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net income

   $                          5,514         $                          6,538     
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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J. ALEXANDER’S HOLDINGS, LLC   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   
Six Months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014   

(Unaudited in thousands)

 

  

          June 28,
2015
          June 29,
2014
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

       

Net income

  $          5,514      $          6,538   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

       

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

      4,191          3,921   

Equity-based compensation expense

      259           

Other, net

      302          254   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

       

Accounts and notes receivable

      24          205   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

      937          (604 )

Accounts payable

      (658 )       (209 )

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

      (3,498 )       427   

Other assets and liabilities, net

      384          (1,155 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

      7,455          9,377   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

       

Purchase of property and equipment

      (4,541 )       (2,510 )

Other investing activities

      (58 )       (120 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

      (4,599 )       (2,630 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

       

Proceeds from borrowing under long-term debt agreement

      10,000            

Payments on long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

      (10,838       (859

Other financing activities

      (167       (19
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

      (1,005 )       (878 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

      1,851         5,869   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

      13,301         18,069  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $                  15,152     $                  23,938   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

       

Property and equipment obligations accrued at beginning of period

  $          1,444     $          808  

Property and equipment obligations accrued at end of period

      886          1,206  

Cash paid for interest

      781          216   

Cash paid for income taxes

      206          67   

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

(1)

Organization and Business

On September 26, 2012 (the J. Alexander’s Acquisition Date), Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) acquired substantially all of the outstanding common stock of J. Alexander’s Corporation, a publicly traded company, in a tender offer, followed by a merger (the J. Alexander’s Acquisition), after which FNF owned all of the outstanding common stock of J. Alexander’s Corporation. The outstanding shares of common stock were delisted and deregistered from the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and J. Alexander’s Corporation was subsequently converted from a corporation to a limited liability company, J. Alexander’s, LLC (the Operating Company), on October 30, 2012. The J. Alexander’s Acquisition was treated as an acquisition for accounting purposes with FNF as the acquirer and J. Alexander’s Corporation as the acquiree, and resulted in FNF owning a 100% interest in the Operating Company. Purchase accounting was applied as of October 1, 2012, as the four days between the purchase transaction and the beginning of the fourth quarter were not considered significant. FNF also contributed the ownership of the Operating Company to Fidelity National Special Opportunities, Inc. (FNSO), a wholly owned subsidiary of FNF, subsequent to the J. Alexander’s Acquisition. FNSO was subsequently converted to Fidelity National Financial Ventures, LLC (FNFV). For purposes of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, FNSO, FNFV and FNF are collectively referred to as “FNF”. References herein to operations and assets of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC may also refer to its consolidated subsidiaries.

On February 6, 2013, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC was formed as a Delaware limited liability company, and on February 25, 2013 (the Contribution Date), 100% of the membership interests of the Operating Company were contributed by FNF to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC in exchange for a 72.1% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Additionally, on February 25, 2013, 100% of the membership interests of Stoney River Management Company, LLC and subsidiaries (Stoney River) were contributed by Fidelity Newport Holdings, LLC (FNH), a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF, to J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC in exchange for a 27.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC (the Contribution). J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC then contributed Stoney River to the Operating Company.

On May 6, 2014, FNF converted FNSO to FNFV. Other than certain tax consequences, this change in the organization of the entity holding a majority of the membership interests had no effect on the operations of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. On August 18, 2014, FNH distributed its 27.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC on a pro rata basis to the owners of the FNH membership interests. The distribution resulted in FNFV holding an 87.4% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. Also after the distribution, Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP (Newport) held a 10.9% membership interest in J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, and the remaining 1.7% membership interests were held by other minority investors.

On January 1, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC adopted an Amended and Restated LLC Agreement (the LLC Agreement) and established a profits interest management incentive plan. The LLC Agreement established two classes of membership units, Class A Units and Class B Units. The existing membership interests held by FNFV, Newport, and other minority investors were converted to Class A Units on a pro rata basis on the effective date of the LLC Agreement, resulting in FNFV holding 13,929,987 Class A Units, Newport holding 1,728,899 Class A Units, and the remaining minority investors holding a total of 271,114 Class A Units. The total Class A Units outstanding at June 28, 2015 is 15,930,000.

 

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Additionally, profits interest grant awards were issued to certain members of management pursuant to the incentive plan in the form of Class B Units on the effective date of the LLC Agreement. A total of 1,770,000 Class B Units were authorized under the profits interest plan and, as of June 28, 2015, a total of 885,000 Class B Units were issued and outstanding.

From its inception, J. Alexander’s has gone to great lengths to avoid operating as, or being perceived as, a chain concept. The objective from the beginning has been to operate as a collection of restaurants dedicated to providing guests with the highest quality of food, levels of professional service and ambiance in each of the markets being served. In an effort to further this vision, and also to allow selected locations to expand feature menu offerings available to guests on a seasonal or rotational basis, a number of locations previously operated as J. Alexander’s restaurants have been converted to restaurants operating under the name Redlands Grill. During the first half of fiscal 2015, ten locations formerly operated as J. Alexander’s restaurants began the transition to Redlands Grill locations. Management anticipates that use of the Redlands Grill name will also allow for expansion into certain markets which may currently have a J. Alexander’s and/or Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill restaurant that might not otherwise have been considered viable for expansion opportunities. Assuming the initial transitions are successfully completed, management anticipates a total of 12 to 15 Redlands Grill locations will be operational by the end of fiscal 2015.

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, through the Operating Company and its subsidiaries, owns and operates full service, upscale restaurants under the J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill concepts. At June 28, 2015 and December 28, 2014, restaurants operating within the J. Alexander’s concept consisted of 21 and 31 restaurants, in 10 and 12 states, respectively, and restaurants operating within the Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill concept consisted of 10 locations within six states. As noted above, during the first half of fiscal 2015, 10 locations within six states formerly operated as J. Alexander’s restaurants began the transition to Redlands Grill locations. Each concept’s restaurants are concentrated primarily in the East, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the United States. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC does not have any restaurants operating under franchise agreements.

On August 15, 2014, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, was incorporated in the state of Tennessee. On October 28, 2014, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. filed a registration statement on Form S 1 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock and a restructuring pursuant to which J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. would become the managing member of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC. On February 18, 2015, FNF announced its intentions to pursue a spin off of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC to shareholders of FNFV as an alternative to the structure in the proposed initial public offering of the J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. common stock. On June 24, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. filed a request for the withdrawal of the registration statement on Form S-1 and subsequently filed a registration statement on Form 10 on the same date in connection with the aforementioned spin-off.

 

(2)

Basis of Presentation

 

  (a)

Interim Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC’s annual financial statements for the year ended December 28, 2014.

 

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In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals and adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year.

Total comprehensive income or loss is comprised solely of net income or net loss for all periods presented.

 

  (b)

Principles of Consolidation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC as well as the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany profits, transactions, and balances between J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries have been eliminated. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF.

 

  (c)

Fiscal Year

The J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31, and each quarter typically consists of 13 weeks. The six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, each included 26 weeks of operations. Fiscal year 2015 will include 53 weeks of operations, and fiscal year 2014 included 52 weeks of operations.

 

  (d)

Discontinued Operations

During the 2013 fiscal year, three underperforming J. Alexander’s restaurants were closed. The decision to close these restaurants was the result of an extensive review of the J. Alexander’s restaurant portfolio that examined each restaurant’s recent and historical financial and operating performance, its position in the marketplace, and other operating considerations. Two of these restaurants were considered to be discontinued operations. The $211 and $224 losses from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively, consist solely of exit and disposal costs which are primarily related to continued obligations under leases. There were no related assets reclassified as held for sale related to these closures, as there were no significant remaining assets related to these locations subsequent to the asset impairment charges being recorded at the time of closure in fiscal 2013.

 

  (e)

Use of Estimates

Management has made certain estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented to prepare these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include those related to the accounting for gift card breakage, estimates of useful lives of property and equipment and leasehold improvements, the carrying amount of intangible assets, fair market valuations, determination of lease terms, and accounting for impairment losses, contingencies, and litigation. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

  (f)

Segment Reporting

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC owns and operates full-service, upscale restaurants under three concepts exclusively in the United States that have similar economic characteristics,

 

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products and services, class of customer and distribution methods. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC believes it meets the criteria for aggregating its operating segments into a single reportable segment.

 

(3)

Significant Transactions

 

  (a)

Transaction and Integration Costs and Deferred Offering Costs

As discussed in the footnotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending December 28, 2014, transaction and integration costs were incurred in fiscal 2014 as indirect costs related to the offering transaction discussed in Note 1 above. Additionally, deferred offering costs, which primarily consisted of direct, incremental legal and accounting fees relating to the pursuit of an initial public offering, were capitalized in 2014 within other current assets with the expectation that such costs would be offset against proceeds of the offering. However, as the offering was abandoned during the second quarter of 2015, the deferred offering costs were expensed as transaction costs in this quarter. Additionally, during the first six months of fiscal 2015, transaction costs associated with the spin-off transaction were incurred. Such transaction costs, including the write-off of deferred offering costs, totaled $2,113 and $102 for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively. Transaction costs typically consist primarily of legal and consulting costs, accounting fees, and to a lesser extent other professional fees and miscellaneous costs. Integration costs typically consist primarily of consulting and legal costs.

 

  (b)

Profits Interest Plan

As discussed in Note 1 above, on January 1, 2015, a profits interest management incentive plan was adopted, and grants related to 885,000 Class B Units were issued to certain members of management. The applicable hurdle rate for these Class B Units is $180,000, and the grants vest over a three-year period beginning on January 1, 2015, with 50% becoming vested after two years and the remaining 50% vesting at the end of the third year. As a result of the grants made on January 1, 2015, an estimated $1,500 of noncash compensation expense will be recognized based on the awards’ estimated grant date fair value over the three year vesting period, with an offsetting credit to membership equity. During the first six months of 2015, the noncash compensation related to these grants totaled $259, and is included as a component of general and administrative expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

  (c)

Debt

On May 20, 2015, J. Alexander’s, LLC entered into a financing arrangement with the financial institution that is the lender on its existing term loan and lines of credit. Under the terms of the new credit facility, the existing Development Line of Credit was increased from $15,000 to $20,000, with no other significant changes in terms. Further, a new $10,000 term loan was put into place, which refinanced the remaining $10,000 principal balance of the existing FNF Note which was scheduled to mature on January 31, 2016. The new $10,000 term loan bears interest at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 220 basis points on a floating rate basis, and requires interest only payments for the first two years and then combined principal and interest payments beginning in month 25 with a final payment due on the 60-month maturity date. Additionally, three restaurant properties were added as collateral in this refinancing, bringing the total of the collateral package to the personal and

 

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real property of 12 locations for all of J. Alexander’s, LLC’s term loans and revolving lines of credit. Maturities of long-term debt for the next five fiscal years giving effect to this refinancing are as follows:

 

2015*

   $ 833   

2016

   $ 1,667   

2017

   $ 3,889   

2018

   $ 5,000   

2019

   $ 5,000   

Thereafter

   $ 5,694   

 

* 2015 includes remaining six months of maturities.

 

(4)

Fair Value Measurements

As of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximated their carrying value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amounts of the long-term mortgage debt approximate fair value as interest rates and negotiated terms and conditions are consistent with current market rates, as evidenced by the close proximity of recent refinancing transactions to the dates of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(5)

Income Taxes

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is a limited liability company. For federal and most state and local taxing jurisdictions in which J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC operates, the revenues, expenses, and credits of a limited liability company are allocated to its members, and therefore, no provision, assets or liabilities have been recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for these specific jurisdictions since the conversion of the Operating Company and subsidiaries to limited liability companies.

Although partnership returns for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC are filed in most jurisdictions, effectively passing the tax liability to the partners, there are a small number of jurisdictions, Tennessee being one of them, that do not recognize limited liability companies structured as partnerships as disregarded entities for state and local income tax purposes. In those jurisdictions, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is liable for any applicable state or local income tax. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is also liable for franchise taxes in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. A provision for the income tax liability related to these limited state and local jurisdictions has been provided for in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

The tax years 2010 to 2014 remain open to examination by various taxing jurisdictions.

The LLC Agreement adopted on January 1, 2015 established the requirement to make tax distributions to the members of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC beginning in fiscal 2015. Such distributions will have no impact to net income and are not expected to be a significant use of cash in fiscal 2015.

 

(6)

Contingencies

 

  (a)

Contingent Leases

As a result of the disposition of the Predecessor’s Wendy’s operations in 1996, subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s, LLC may remain secondarily liable for certain real property leases with remaining terms of one to five years. The total estimated amount of lease

 

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payments remaining on these six leases at June 28, 2015 was approximately $1,500. In connection with the sale of the Predecessor’s Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuit restaurant operations in 1989 and certain previous dispositions, subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s, LLC also may remain secondarily liable for a certain real property lease. The total estimated amount of lease payments remaining on this one lease at June 28, 2015 was approximately $200. Additionally, in connection with the previous disposition of certain other Wendy’s restaurant operations, primarily the southern California restaurants in 1982, subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s, LLC may remain secondarily liable for certain real property leases with remaining terms of one to five years. The total estimated amount of lease payments remaining on these four leases as of June 28, 2015 was approximately $550. There have been no payments by subsidiaries of J. Alexander’s, LLC of such contingent liabilities in the history of J. Alexander’s, LLC. Management does not believe any significant loss is likely.

 

  (b)

Tax Contingencies

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC is subject to real property, personal property, business, franchise and income, and sales and use taxes in various jurisdictions within the United States and is regularly under audit by tax authorities. This is believed to be common for the restaurant industry. Management believes the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations for J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC.

 

  (c)

Litigation Contingencies

J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries are defendants from time to time in various claims or legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including claims relating to workers’ compensation matters, labor-related claims, discrimination and similar matters, claims resulting from guest accidents while visiting a restaurant, claims relating to lease and contractual obligations, federal and state tax matters, and claims from guests or employees alleging illness, injury or other food quality, health or operational concerns, and injury or wrongful death under “dram shop” laws that allow a person to sue J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC based on any injury caused by an intoxicated person who was wrongfully served alcoholic beverages at one of its restaurants.

Management does not believe that any of the legal proceedings pending against it as of the date of this report will have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or financial condition. J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC may incur liabilities, receive benefits, settle disputes, sustain judgments, or accrue expenses relating to legal proceedings in a particular fiscal year, which may adversely affect its results of operations, or on occasion, receive settlements that favorably affect its results of operations.

 

(7)

Related-Party Transactions

In connection with the Contribution, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC entered into the FNF Note, which was accounted for as a distribution of capital. The $20,000 note accrued interest at 12.5% annually, and the interest and principal were payable in full on January 31, 2016. Under the terms of J. Alexander’s, LLC’s term loan dated September 3, 2013, the FNF Note was subordinated to the term debt. The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated December 9, 2014, included a provision whereby, as long as there were no outstanding events of default, the entire FNF Note could be repaid with proceeds from the ongoing offering transaction and up to $10,000 of the debt associated with the FNF Note could be repaid regardless of whether the offering transaction were to occur. On December 15, 2014, a payment of $14,569, representing

 

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$10,000 of principal on the FNF Note and $4,569 of accrued interest, was made to FNF. Further, as discussed in Note 3(c), on May 20, 2015, J. Alexander’s, LLC entered into a financing arrangement with the financial institution that is the lender on its existing term loan and lines of credit. Under the terms of the new credit facility, a new $10,000 term loan was put into place, the purpose of which was to refinance the remaining $10,000 principal balance of the existing FNF Note. On May 20, 2015, J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC paid the remaining principal balance of $10,000 as well as accrued interest of $542 to FNF which resulted in the FNF note being paid in full.

During the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, interest expense of $493 and $1,264, respectively, was recorded relative to the FNF Note. At June 28, 2015 and December 28, 2014, a liability of $0 and $48, respectively, associated with such interest has been reported in the “Accrued expenses due to related party” line item on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

FNF also bills J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC for expenses incurred or payments made on its behalf by FNF, primarily related to third party consulting fees, travel expenses for employees and the board of managers, and franchise tax payments. These expenses totaled $3 and $7 for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, respectively, and an accrual of $0 and $42 was needed for such costs at June 28, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively.

 

F-41

Exhibit 99.2

 

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Investor Presentation September 2015


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Forward-Looking Statements CAUTIONARY STATEMENT This presentation contains forward-looking statements, which include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks which are described in headings such as “Risk Factors” in Fidelity National Financial’s (“FNF”) annual report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to the proposed spinoff of common stock of J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”). As a consequence, actual results may differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements in the presentation. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements. This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risk and uncertainties. All statements in this presentation other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding projections, expected operating results, expected timing of the completion of the spin-off transaction, the benefits of the spin-off transaction, the tax-free treatment of the spin-off transaction, the anticipated management of the business to be spun off, the market position of the business to be spun off and other events that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “thinks,” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Although FNF and the Company believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies, which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and are beyond the control of FNF and the Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proposed transaction or these future events will occur as anticipated, if at all, or that actual results will be as expected. A number of factors could affect the future results of the Company or the restaurant industry generally and could cause the Company’s expected results to differ materially from those expressed in this presentation. In addition, as it relates to the proposed transaction, such differences may result from a number of factors, including but not limited to: the timing and completion of the proposed transaction; a failure to obtain assurances of anticipated tax treatment; a deterioration in the business or prospects of the Company or its restaurant operations; adverse developments in the Company or the markets in which the Company’s restaurants are located; adverse developments in the U.S. or global capital markets, credit markets or economies generally; the risk that the benefits of the proposed transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected. Additional risks and factors that may affect results are set forth in filings by FNF and the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including FNF’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10. The consolidated operating results of the Company for the three and six months ended June 28, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be experienced for any such future period or for any future year. FNF and the Company caution that the guidance for 2015 set forth in this presentation is given as of the date hereof based on currently available information. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this presentation. Neither FNF nor the Company undertakes any obligation to revise or update any of these statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


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Senior Management Presenters Lonnie J. Stout II Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Parkey Chief Financial Officer


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Review of the Spin-Off Company J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. Symbol/Listing JAX/NYSE Basic Shares Outstanding at Distribution 15.0 MM shares Post Distribution Ownership Owner Shares % (MM) Owned FNFV Shareholders 13.1 87.4% Newport(1) 1.6 10.9% Other 0.3 1.7% Record Date September 22, 2015 Distribution Date September 28, 2015 (1) Newport Global Opportunities Fund AIV-A LP.


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Spin-Off Rationale Strategic Management Focus • Enables J. Alexander’s to pursue a more focused, industry specific strategy • Better aligns management incentives with shareholder interests Appropriately Capitalize The Business • Allows both FNFV and J. Alexander’s to allocate resources and deploy capital consistent with their own strategies • J. Alexander’s will be able to prioritize investment spending without having to compete for capital or resources with other FNFV businesses Pursue Growth Opportunities • Will allow J. Alexander’s to use common stock to make acquisitions and enhance equity compensation programs Greater Transparency for Investors • Provides holders of FNFV common stock with separate and distinct ownership interests in both FNFV and J. Alexander’s


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We are Unchained To view the video please go to http://investor.jalexandersholdings.com.


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Leader in Upscale Casual Dining • Founded in 1991 with 24-year track record of excellent food and intense service levels – 41 locations in 14 states – Multi-concept strategy focused on upscale casual dining concepts with complementary market positions • Superior dining experience with recognized commitment to quality – Highest quality of service at a reasonable price point – Cultural focus on continuous training • Strong, consistent, financial results – wide moat around mature restaurants • Attractive unit economic model • Flexible real estate model with proven portability and significant growth potential • Experienced management team


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What Sets Us Apart Our concepts are similar in style but each location is unique, giving them a boutique “unchained” look and feel Our concepts share a focus on highly professional, unparalleled service Our concepts have a commitment to quality food with 95% of items made from scratch, in-house


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Our Atmosphere • Casual elegance • Upscale ambiance with contemporary flare • Variety of designs and menus to complement each individual market • Boutique feel for each location • Multiple concepts can be successful in the same geography


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Upscale Experience at Polished Casual Check AVERAGE CHECK (2014) (Actuals) $120.0 $110 $100.0 $80.0 $76 $62 $60 $60.0 $51 $45 $45 $40.0 $31 $30 $25 $25 $24 $21 $20 $20 $20.0 $0.0 (1) (1) Includes J. Alexander’s and Redlands Grill locations. Sources: Company filings and Wall St. Research.


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Our Concepts Quality Ingredients USDA Top Choice beef Fresh seafood and local produce Culinary Innovation to Keep Menu Fresh for Frequent Guests Seasonal and daily specials, locally customized Broadly Appealing Menu Accessible Wine List Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Winner J. ALEXANDER’S LOCATIONS & KEY STATS 2014 Average Unit Volume: $5.6M 2014 Highest Volume Unit Sales: $8.4M Number of Locations: 19 Lunch and Dinner, 7 days per week 2014 Average Check of $29.69 Alcohol Sales of 18%


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Our Concepts • New concept furthers multi-concept strategy – Greater penetration in selected markets – Keeps “unchained” feel – Strengthens competitive position vs. independents – Added real estate flexibility • Began rollout in Q1 2015 • Number of locations: 12, with plans to transition an additional 2 to 5 J. Alexander’s locations to Redlands Grill concept by FYE 2016 • Operations and financial profile expected to be substantially similar to J. Alexander’s once transition is complete • Over time, menus will evolve – Emphasis on farm-to-table – Expanded wine program – Unique featured items – Items not currently offered by J. Alexander’s or Stoney River, such as sushi or artisan flatbreads


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Our Concepts $100 Experience at a $45 Average Check Quality Ingredients, Menu is not A La Carte Your Neighborhood Steakhouse Seasonal and Daily Specials Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Winner Private Dining STONEY RIVER LOCATIONS & KEY STATS • 2014 Average Unit Volume: $3.4M • 2014 Highest Volume Unit Sales: $4.3M • Number of Locations: 10 • Dinner only, 7 days per week at most locations, with a select number of locations also serving lunch or Sunday brunch • 2014 Average Check of $45.31 • Alcohol Sales of 21%


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Multiple Levers to Drive Growth 1 MAINTAIN HEALTHY CORE STORES Grow sales through traffic • Manage margins • Implement best practices across organization between brands 2 DISCIPLINED GROWTH • Find great real estate; 4 – 5 new restaurants per year starting in 2016 • Pursue multi-concept strategy including development of new concepts and complementary acquisitions • Thoughtfully deploy capital for relocations and remodels 3 LEVERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE • Leverage existing management infrastructure over growing store base • Use increased scale to drive improved purchasing and other costs


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Strong Unit Volume Growth AVERAGE UNIT VOLUME (Dollars in Millions) $6.0 $5.6 $5.3 $5.1 $5.0 $4.9 $4.6 $4.5 $4.0 $3.4 $3.3 $3.0 $2.0 $1.0 $0.0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 J. Alexander’s Stoney River


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Stoney River Improvement • Stoney River assets were contributed to J. Alexander’s in Q1 2013 • Since the combination, average weekly sales have improved considerably • Key to this improvement: – Applying best practices in both front of house and back of house operations – Reduced/eliminated discounting – Revised and updated menu – Improved management team – Brought restaurants up to quality standard through remodeling and reimaging STONEY RIVER AVERAGE WEEKLY SALES (Actuals) $72,000 $71,000 $70,000 $68,000 $67,100 $66,200 $66,000 $64,200 $64,000 $62,000 $60,000 2013 2014 1H June 2014 1H June 2015


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Long History of Same Store Sales Growth 22 QUARTERS OF SAME STORE SALES GROWTH AT J. ALEXANDER’S 10.0% 9.0% 8.9% 8.0% 7.2% 7.0% 6.2% 6.1% 6.0% 5.8% 5.2% 5.3% 5.0% 5.1% 4.8% 5.0% 4.8% 4.8% 4.5% 4.9% 4.9% 4.6% 4.7% 4.4% 4.0% 3.9% 3.0% 2.8% 2.0% 2.0% 1.0% 0.1% 0.0%


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Industry Leading Same Store Growth MOST RECENT QUARTER SSS(1) 8.0% 6% 6.0% 5% 4% 4% 4.0% 3% 3% 3% 2.0% 1% 1% 0.0% -2.0% -2% -2% -3% -3% -4.0% -5% -6.0% -6% -8.0% 2014 SSS 8.0% 6.0% 5% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4.0% 3% 2% 2.0% 2% 1% 0.0% -1% -2.0% -3% -3% -4.0% -5% -6.0% -6% -8.0% (1) Most recent quarter as of June 2015. Seasons 52 and Yard House most recent quarter as of May 2015. Sources: Company filings and Wall St. Research.


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Strong Store-Level EBITDA Margins LTM STORE-LEVEL EBITDA MARGIN 35.0% 30% 30.0% 29% 25% 25.0% 20.0% 18% 17% 17% 18% 16% 17% 14% 15% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 2014 STORE-LEVEL EBITDA MARGIN 35.0% 30% 30.0% 28% 25.0% 24% 20.0% 17% 17% 18% 18% 18% 16% 15.0% 15% 15% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Note: Except for Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, all data for multi-concept operators is consolidated across all concepts. Source: Company Filings.


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Attractive Scale with Significant Room to Grow • 41 restaurants across 14 states • Significant nationwide opportunity given demonstrated portability of concepts • Robust real estate pipeline J. Alexander’s J. Alexander’s 2016 openings Stoney River Stoney River under construction – opening Q1 2016 Redlands Grill


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Targeted Unit Economics Model J. ALEXANDER’S STONEY RIVER REDLANDS Average Square Footage 6,900 – 9,000 6,400 – 8,000 6,900 – 9,000 Typical Seats 220 260 220 Average Unit Volume (Year 3) $5.9M $4.4M $5.9M Restaurant Operating Margin 17.9% 16.5% 17.9% Build-out Cost(1) $4.5M – $5.0M $3.5M – $4.0M $4.5M – $5.0M Targeted Cash-on-Cash Return 21% – 24% 18% – 21% 21% – 24% (1) Excludes tenant allowances and pre-opening costs.


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Flexible Real Estate Options • All three concepts are successful in a range of building types and retail developments Development Type: Lifestyle/ Entertainment Centers 6 High Traffic, Upscale Retail Centers, and 16 Shopping Malls Mixed Use Commercial or Retail Centers 19 Total 41 Structure Type: Free Standing 35 Leasehold/End Cap 6 Total 41


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Remodeling and Reimaging Programs • Maintain restaurants at highest quality – Maintenance capex target of $75,000 – $100,000 per store per year – Reduces scale and frequency of major remodels required • Anticipate 3 – 4 major remodels per year – Average remodel cost of $250,000 – $300,000 – Stoney River locations have been brought up to standard – All three concepts on similar timeline for remodels • Ongoing re-branding for Redlands Grill concept – Began to transition certain J. Alexander’s locations to Redlands Grill in Q1 2015 – 12 locations currently in process – Average cost of transition expected to be $60,000 per location – Target completion by Q4 2016 Before After


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Cultural Focus on Continuous Training • Our team members are experts in our food, drink, and the art of hospitality • Focus on providing superior professional service • Low table to server ratio • Comprehensive initial training program • Dedicated wine, spirits, and bar training • Rigorous investment in ongoing training for existing team members • Enhance culture with focus on promoting from within • Bench strength to support substantial growth INTENSE LEVELS OF SERVICE


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Experienced Management Team with a Proven Track Record • Experienced team of industry veterans with 41 general managers that have an average tenure at J. Alexander’s of approximately 9.8 years, 10.6 years at Redlands Grill, and 6.1 years at Stoney River Lonnie J. Stout II President, CEO & Director 33 years with J. Alexander’s Jessica Hagler Root Assistant VP & Controller 5 years with J. Alexander’s Jim Filaroski Director of R&D/ Corporate Executive Chef 22 years with J. Alexander’s Mark A. Parkey VP & Chief Financial Officer 22 years with J. Alexander’s Chris Conlon VP of Stoney River 21 years with J. Alexander’s Shannon Hall Director of Hospitality & Service 14 years with J. Alexander’s J. Michael Moore VP & Chief Operating Officer 24 years with J. Alexander’s Ralph Carnevale Regional VP of J. Alexander’s 23 years with J. Alexander’s Ian Dodson Director of Culinary Operations 22 years with J. Alexander’s


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Black Knight Advisory Services • J. Alexander’s has entered into a management consulting agreement with Black Knight Advisory Services, LLC (“Black Knight”) which is owned and controlled by several key executive officers and directors of FNFV and J. Alexander’s—The Black Knight team has been an active part of the management and Board of J. Alexander’s and provided key Board-level strategic guidance during the Company’s ownership by FNF and FNFV—They have helped us achieve significant milestones since 2012 n Successful integration of Stoney River n Accelerated unit growth pipeline n Doubling of EBITDA • The agreement with Black Knight gives the Company access to best-in-class expertise in capital raising, tax matters, legal advice and mergers and acquisitions execution generally not accessible or affordable for a company of this size—The current consulting agreement has a seven year term, and Black Knight will earn a fee equal to 3% of Adjusted EBITDA each year—Additionally, Black Knight was issued non-voting Class B units of J. Alexander’s Holdings, LLC, a part of the Profits Interest plan, in the amount of 10% which will have a strike price equal to the value at distribution Note: For further information regarding the agreement with Black Knight and the Profits Interest Plan please see the “Executive Compensation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” sections of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10.


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Financial Performance


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Historical Financial Performance (Dollars in Millions) TOTAL RESTAURANTS 45 40 41 40 35 10 10 30 33 33 33 33 25 30 31 20 15 10 5 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 J. Alexander’s Stoney River RESTAURANT OPERATING PROFIT (AND MARGIN %)(1)(2) $40.0 16.0% 13.9% $35.0 12.6% 14.0% 11.4% $30.0 $28.0 12.0% 10.2% $25.0 9.6% 10.0% $21.5 $20.0 7.6% $19.8 8.0% $15.4 $13.8 $15.0 $10.5 6.0% $10.0 4.0% $5.0 2.0% 15.1% $0.0 0.0% 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTAL REVENUE(1) $250 7.8% CAGR ‘09 – ‘14 $202 $200 $188 $152 $157 $139 $144 $150 $100 $50 $0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 ADJUSTED EBITDA (AND MARGIN %)(1)(3) $40.0 11.1% 12.0% 10.1% $35.0 9.4% 10.0% $30.0 7.9% 7.7% 8.0% $25.0 $22.4 $20.0 5.3% $17.7 6.0% $15.8 $15.0 $11.7 $11.4 4.0% $10.0 $7.4 2.0% $5.0 12.2% .2% $0.0 0.0% 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (1) Historical financials have been adjusted for discontinued operations. (2) Restaurant Operating Margin represents net sales subtracted by food & beverage costs, direct labor, benefits, other operating expenses, and occupancy and fixed costs. (3) See Appendix for Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation.


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Momentum Continues in 1H 2015 (Dollars in Millions) TOTAL RESTAURANTS 50 40 10 10 30 30 31 20 10 0 Q2 June 2014 Q2 June 2015 J. Alexander’s Stoney River RESTAURANT OPERATING PROFIT (AND MARGIN %)(1) 10.7% $20.0 $14.9 $16.5 $15.0 $10.0 15.1% 14.6% $5.0 $0.0 1H June 2014 1H June 2015 TOTAL REVENUE 6.9% $120.0 $102.2 $109.3 $100.0 $80.0 $60.0 5.4% 4.6% $40.0 SSS SSS Growth $20.0 Growth $0.0 1H June 2014 1H June 2015 ADJUSTED EBITDA (AND MARGIN %)(2) $20.0 6.4% $15.0 $13.3 $12.5 $10.0 $5.0 12.2% 12.2% $0.0 1H June 2014 1H June 2015 (1) Restaurant Operating Margin represents net sales subtracted by food & beverage costs, direct labor, benefits, other operating expenses, and occupancy and fixed costs. (2) See Appendix for Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation.


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Recent Developments J. Alexander’s 2016 openings Stoney River under construction – opening Q1 2016 Near term targeted markets • Easton, Ohio J. Alexander’s location opened November 2014 • Rollout of Redlands Grill concept in Q1 2015 – currently 12 in transition • New store pipeline – Plan to open Stoney River location in Memphis, TN in Q1 2016 – Lexington, KY – J. Alexander’s – Raleigh, NC – J. Alexander’s • Target sites under consideration for near term development include markets in: – Texas – Florida – Ohio – Pennsylvania – Washington, DC


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Capitalization (Dollars in Millions) June 2015 June 2015 Actual Pro Forma(1) Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 15.2 $ 12.7 Total Debt $ 22.1 $ 22.1 Net Debt $6.9 $9.4 LTM Adjusted EBITDA 6/28/15(2) $ 23.2 $ 23.2 Net Debt / LTM Adjusted EBITDA 6/28/15(2) 0.3x 0.4x (1) Pro Forma for impact of Reorganization and Distribution. See Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information and related footnotes included in the Company’s Form 10 for information related to pro forma adjustments. (2) See Appendix for Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation.


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Long-term Financial Goals NEW UNIT GROWTH OF 10%+ PER YEAR USE FREE CASH FLOW FOR NEW UNIT DEVELOPMENT 2 – 4% ANNUAL COMPARABLE STORE SALES GROWTH G&A OPERATING LEVERAGE MAINTAIN FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY TO FUND NEW UNIT GROWTH AND POTENTIAL ACQUISITIONS


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2015 Guidance Same Store Sales 3.5% – 4.5% Redlands Grill Conversions 12 – 15 Capital Expenditures $11 million – $ 13 million Total Revenue $217 million – $ 220 million Adjusted EBITDA $25.5 million – $ 26.5 million Net Income(1) $5.5 million – $ 6.5 million FYE Share Count 15.0 million Basic EPS Range(2) $0.37 – $0.43 (1) Assuming an estimated annualized 2015 tax rate of 20%, including a post-spin estimated effective rate of 40%, and transaction related expenses of approximately $5.9 million. (2) For illustrative purposes, the 15 million shares issued in connection with the distribution are assumed to be outstanding for all of fiscal 2015. Note: FYE 2015 has 53 weeks.


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Appendix


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Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation (Dollars in Thousands) Predecessor Successor 6 Months 6 Months Jan. 2012 to Oct. 1 to Dec. Year Ended Year Ended Ended June Ended June LTM June 28, Sept. 30, 2012 30, 2012 Dec. 29, 2013 Dec. 28, 2014 29, 2014(1) 28, 2015(1) 2015(1) Net Income (Loss) $ (959) $ 2,218 $ 2,901 $ 8,515 $ 6,538 $ 5,514 $ 7,491 Less: Income Tax (Expense) Benefit 79 (1) (138) (328) (37) (21) (312) Interest Expense 1,174 187 2,888 2,908 1,491 776 2,193 Depreciation & Amortization 4,164 1,470 7,483 7,992 3,941 4,219 8,270 EBITDA $ 4,300 $ 3,876 $ 13,410 $ 19,743 $ 12,007 $ 10,530 $ 18,266 Asset Impairment/Restaurant Closing(2) — 2,094 5 4 2 3 Loss on disposals of fixed assets(3) 218 62 406 179 73 121 227 Transaction and integration costs(4) 4,537 183 (217) 785 102 2,113 2,796 Non-cash compensation(5) 717 35 199 522 81 339 780 Loss from discontinued operations(6) 1,412 506 4,785 443 224 211 430 (Gain) on debt extinguishment — (2,938) — — Pre-opening costs(7) ——681 21 2 662 Adjusted EBITDA(8) $ 11,184 $ 4,662 $ 17,739 $ 22,358 $ 12,512 $ 13,318 $ 23,164 (1) Represents unaudited financials. (2) Asset impairment charges include charges related to the closing of the Chicago location and restaurant closing costs include costs associated with the accruals of rent payments, net of estimated subleases, brokerage fees, lease break payments, moving costs, and travel related to the closing of Chicago location. (3) Represents non-cash losses on the disposal of fixed assets. (4) In 2012, transaction and integration costs represent costs associated with the J. Alexander’s acquisition by FNF. In 2014, the Company incurred $0.8 million in indirect costs, related to the contemplated initial public offering of the Company’s common stock. During the 6 months ended June 28, 2015, the Company incurred $2.1 million in transaction and integration costs, including $0.8 million related to the spin-off transaction and $1.3 million in deferred offering costs due to the abandonment of the Company’s initial public offering in the second quarter of 2015. (5) Represents non-cash or stock-based compensation for Company management. (6) Loss from discontinued operations represents the net losses generated by two locations closed in 2013, and related asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs for those two locations. (7) Pre-opening costs primarily consist of manager salaries, relocation costs, recruiting expenses, employee payroll, and related training costs for new employees and lease costs. (8) Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that management uses to evaluate operating performance and the effectiveness of its business strategies. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax (expense) benefit, depreciation and amortization, and adding asset impairment charges and restaurant closing costs, loss on disposals of fixed assets, transaction and integration costs, non-cash compensation, loss from discontinued operations, gain on debt extinguishment, pre-opening costs, and certain unusual items. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful metric for investors because it provides a comparative assessment of the Company’s operating performance relative to the Company’s performance based on the Company’s results under GAAP, while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance. Specifically, Adjusted EBITDA allows for an assessment of the Company’s operating performance without the effect of non-cash depreciation and amortization expenses or the Company’s ability to service or incur indebtedness.