pi_proxy.htm
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
Filed
by the Registrant [x]
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check
the appropriate box:
[
] Preliminary
Proxy Statement
[
] Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-b(e)(2))
[x] Definitive
Proxy Statement
[
] Definitive
Additional Materials
[
] Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
PIZZA
INN, INC.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] No
fee required.
[
] Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
1) Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:2)
2) Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction
applies:
3) Per
unit price or
other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant toExchange Act Rule
0-11
(set for the amount on which the filing fee is calculatedand state how it was
determined):
4) Proposed
maximum
aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total
fee
paid:
[
] Fee
paid previously with preliminary
materials.
[
] Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2)and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number,
or the
Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing.
1) Amount
Previously
Paid:
2) Form,
Schedule or
Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing
Party:
4) Date
Filed:
Mark
E Schwarz
|
Pizza
Inn, Inc.
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
3551
Plano Parkway
|
|
The
Colony, Texas 75056
|
Charles
R. Morrison
|
|
Interim
Chief Executive Officer and President
|
|
|
|
To
our
Shareholders:
We
are
pleased to invite you to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Pizza
Inn,
Inc. to be held at Pizza Inn’s corporate offices, 3551
Plano Parkway, The Colony, Texas 75056, on Thursday, December 13, 2007, at
10:00
a.m., local time.
Details
regarding admission to the meeting and the business to be conducted are more
fully described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy
Statement.
Your
vote
is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting,
we hope you will vote as soon as possible. To vote your shares, you may use
the
enclosed proxy card, vote via the Internet or telephone or attend the special
meeting and vote in person. On behalf of our board of directors, we
urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card, or vote
via
the Internet or telephone, even if you currently plan to attend the annual
meeting because this will help to ensure your representation at the annual
meeting. Please review the instructions on the proxy card regarding
each of these voting options.
Thank
you
for your ongoing support of and continued interest in Pizza Inn,
Inc.
Sincerely,
/s/
Mark E. Schwarz /s/
Charles R.
Morrison
Chairman
of the Board Interim
Chief
Executive Officer and
President
PIZZA
INN, INC.
3551
PLANO PARKWAY
THE
COLONY, TEXAS 75056
(469)
384-5000
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Time
and
Date 10:00
a.m., local time, on Thursday, December 13, 2007.
Place
The
Company’s corporate office at 3551
Plano Parkway, The Colony, TX 75056.
Items
of Business
|
(1)
|
To
elect a board of directors to hold office until the next succeeding
annual
meeting of shareholders or until their respective successors shall
have
been elected and qualified;
|
|
(2)
|
To
ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2008;
and
|
|
(3)
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any postponement or adjournment
thereof.
|
Adjournments
and
Postponements
|
Any
action on the items of business described above may be considered
at the
annual meeting and on the date specified above or at any time and
date to
which the annual meeting may be properly adjourned or
postponed.
|
Record
Date
|
You
are entitled to vote only if you were a Company shareholder as of
the
close of business on October 31, 2007, the record date for the annual
meeting. At the close of business on that date, there were
10,131,030 outstanding shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per
share,
of the Company. No other class of securities of the Company is
entitled to notice of, or to vote at, the annual
meeting.
|
Meeting
Admission
|
You
are entitled to attend the annual meeting only if you were a Company
shareholder as of the close of business on October 31, 2007 or hold
a
valid proxy for the annual meeting. You should be prepared to
offer proof of identification for admittance. If you are a
shareholder of record or hold your shares through the Pizza Inn,
Inc.
401(k) Plan, we may verify your ownership as of the record date prior
to
admitting you to the meeting. If you are not a shareholder of
record but hold your shares through a broker, trustee or nominee
(i.e., in
“street name”), you should provide proof of beneficial ownership as of the
record date, such as your most recent account statement prior to
October
31, 2007, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your
broker,
trustee or nominee, or similar evidence of ownership. If you do
not provide identification upon request, the Company has the right
to
refuse you admission to the
meeting.
|
Voting
|
Your
vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the
annual meeting, we encourage you to read this proxy statement and
submit
your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. You may
submit your proxy or voting instructions by completing, signing,
dating
and returning your proxy card in the pre-addressed envelope provided,
or,
in most cases, by using the telephone or Internet. For specific
instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the section
entitled Questions and Answers – Voting Information in this proxy
statement and the instructions on the proxy
card.
|
|
By
order of the Board of Directors,
|
/s/
Danny
Meisenheimer
Danny
Meisenheimer
Vice
President and
Acting Secretary
The
Colony,
Texas
November
16,
2007
This
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and form of proxy are being
distributed on or about November 29, 2007.
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD DECEMBER 13, 2007
Pizza
Inn, Inc., a Missouri corporation, is
soliciting proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held at the Company's corporate offices, 3551 Plano
Parkway, The Colony, Texas 75056, on Thursday, December 13, 2007, at 10:00
a.m.,
local time, and at any postponement or adjournment
thereof. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are
first being sent or given to the Company's shareholders on or about November
29,
2007.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Proxy
Materials
1. Why
am I receiving these materials?
The
Board
of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company is providing these proxy materials for
you in connection with the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, which is
scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 13, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., local
time. As a shareholder, you are invited to attend the annual meeting
and are entitled to and requested to vote on the items of business described
in
this proxy statement.
2. What
information is contained in this proxy statement?
The
information in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted on
at
the annual meeting, the voting process, the Board and Board committees, the
compensation of directors and certain current and former executive officers
and
other required information.
3. How
may I obtain the Company’s Form 10-K, 10-K/A and other financial
information?
A
copy of
our 2007 Annual Report, which includes our 2007 Form 10-K and 10-K/A , is
enclosed. Shareholders may request another free copy of our 2007
Annual Report from:
Pizza
Inn, Inc.
Attn:
Investor Relations
3551
Plano Parkway
The
Colony, TX 75056
(800)
880-9955
http://www.pizzainn.com
Alternatively,
current and prospective investors can access the 2007 Annual Report on the
Investor Relations page of our web site at:
http://www.pizzainn.com
We
will also furnish any exhibit to the
2007 Form 10-K and 10-K/A as specifically requested.
4. How
may I obtain a separate set of proxy materials?
If
you
share an address with another shareholder, you may receive only one set of
proxy
materials (including our 2007 Annual Report with 2007 Form 10-K, 10-K/A and
proxy statement) unless you have provided contrary instructions. If
you wish to receive a separate set of proxy materials now, please request the
additional copies by contacting our stock transfer agent, Securities Transfer
Corporation, at:
(469)
633-0101
http://stctransfer.com
If
you
hold shares beneficially in “street name” and you wish to receive a separate set
of proxy materials in the future, please call Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
at:
(800)
542-1061
5. How
may I request a single set of proxy materials for my
household?
If
you
share an address with another shareholder and have received multiple copies
of
our proxy materials, you may write us at the address shown in the answer to
question 3 above and request that a single set of proxy materials be sent to
your household in the future.
6.
|
How
may I request an electronic copy of the proxy
materials?
|
You
may sign up for future electronic
delivery of proxy materials at: http://www.pizzainn.com
7. What
should I do if I receive more than one set of proxy
materials?
Under
certain circumstances, you may receive more than one set of proxy materials,
including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy
cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one
brokerage account, you may receive a proxy card for each such brokerage
account. If you are a shareholder of record and your shares are
registered in more than one name, or variation of a name, you will receive
more
than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each
proxy card that you receive.
Voting
Information
8. What
items of business will be voted on at the annual meeting?
The
items of business scheduled to be
voted on are:
|
(1)
|
To
elect a board of directors to hold office until the next succeeding
annual
meeting of shareholders or until their respective successors shall
have
been elected and qualified;
|
|
(2) To
ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2008;
and
|
|
(3)
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any postponement or adjournment
thereof.
|
We
will
also consider any other business that properly comes before the
meeting. See question, “What happens if additional matters are
presented at the meeting?” below.
9. How
does the Board recommend that I vote?
Our
Board recommends that you vote your
shares “FOR” each of the scheduled items of business.
10. What
shares can I
vote?
Each
share of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of the close of
business on October 31, 2007, the Record Date, is entitled to be voted on all
items being voted on at the meeting. You may vote all shares you own
as of the Record Date, including (1) shares held directly in your name as the
shareholder of record, and (2) shares for which you are the beneficial owner
through a broker, trustee or nominee such as a bank. On the Record
Date, we had approximately 10,131,030 shares of common stock issued and
outstanding.
11.
How can I vote my shares in person at the meeting?
Shares
held in your name as the shareholder of record may be voted in person at the
meeting. Shares held beneficially in “street name” may be voted in
person at the meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee
or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the
shares. Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting, we
recommend that you also submit your proxy or voting instructions as described
below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the
meeting.
12. How
can I vote my shares without attending the meeting?
Whether
you hold shares directly as the shareholder of record or beneficially in “street
name,” you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the
meeting. If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote by
submitting a proxy as described below. If you hold shares
beneficially in “street name,” you may vote by submitting voting instructions to
your broker, trustee or nominee. For directions on how to vote,
please refer to the instructions below and those included on your proxy card,
or
the voting instruction card provided by your broker, trustee or nominee, as
applicable.
By
Mail– Shareholders of record may submit proxies by completing, signing
and dating their proxy cards and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed
envelopes. Beneficial holders may vote by mail by completing, signing
and dating the voting instruction cards provided by their brokers, trustees
or
nominees and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed
envelopes.
By
Internet– Shareholders of record with Internet access may submit
proxies by following the “Vote by Internet” instructions on their proxy
cards. Most shareholders who hold shares beneficially in “street
name” may vote by accessing the website specified on the voting instruction
cards provided by their brokers, trustees or nominees. Please check
the voting instruction card for Internet voting availability.
By
Telephone– Shareholders of record who live in the United States may
submit proxies by following the “Vote by Telephone” instructions on their proxy
cards. Most shareholders who hold shares beneficially in “street
name” and live in the United States may vote by phone by calling the number
specified on the voting instruction cards provided by their brokers, trustees
or
nominees. Please check the voting instruction card for telephone
voting availability.
13. What
is the deadline for voting my shares?
If
you
hold the shares as the shareholder of record, your proxy must be received before
the polls close at the meeting. If you hold shares beneficially in
“street name” with a broker, trustee or nominee, please follow the voting
instructions provided by your broker, trustee or nominee.
14. May
I change my vote?
You
may
change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the meeting. If you
are a shareholder of record, you may change your vote in one of three ways:
(1)
by granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the
earlier proxy), (2) by providing a written notice of revocation to the Corporate
Secretary at the Company’s corporate office address prior to your shares being
voted, or (3) by attending the meeting and voting in
person. Attendance at the meeting will not cause your previously
granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically make that
request. For shares you hold beneficially in “street name,” you may
change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, trustee
or nominee, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, trustee
or
nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the meeting
and
voting in person.
15. Is
my vote confidential?
Proxy
instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual
shareholders are handled in a manner that protects voting
privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or
to third parties, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal
requirements, (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of
the
vote, and (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
16. How
are votes counted and what is the voting requirement to approve each of the
proposals?
A
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting, represented
in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum at the meeting. If a
quorum is not present, in person or by proxy, the meeting may be postponed
or
adjourned from time to time until a quorum is obtained. Each
outstanding share entitled to vote under the provisions of the Company’s
Restated Articles of Incorporation will be entitled to one vote on each matter
submitted to a vote at the meeting.
In
the
election of directors, you may vote “FOR” all or some of the nominees or your
vote may be “WITHHELD” with respect to one or more of the
nominees. For the election of directors, votes withheld do not affect
whether a nominee has received sufficient votes to be elected. You
may not cumulate your votes. Thus, a shareholder is not entitled to cumulate
his
votes and cast them all for any single nominee or to spread his votes, so
cumulated, among more than one nominee. The election of each nominee
as a director requires the affirmative vote of the holders of record of a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the election of
directors and represented in person or by proxy at the meeting at which a quorum
is present.
For
the
other item of business, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or
“ABSTAIN.” If you elect to “ABSTAIN,” the abstention has the same
effect as a vote “AGAINST.” For the purpose of determining whether the
shareholders have approved matters other than the election of directors,
abstentions are treated as shares present or represented and voting, and
abstaining has the same effect as a negative vote. Shares held by
brokers who do not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter
and who have not received voting instructions from their customers are not
counted or deemed to be present or represented for the purpose of determining
whether shareholders have approved that matter, but they are counted as present
for the purpose of determining the existence of a quorum. Shares as
to which voting instructions are given as to at least one of the matters to
be
voted on are also deemed to be represented. If the proxy states how
the shares are to be voted and in the absence of instructions by the
shareholder, such shares will be deemed to be represented at the
meeting.
17. What
happens if additional matters are presented at the
meeting?
Other
than the three items of business described in this proxy statement, we are
not
aware of any other business to be acted upon at the meeting. If you
grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders will have the discretion
to
vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at
the
meeting. If for any reason one or more of our nominees is not
available as a candidate for director, the persons named as proxy holders may
vote your proxy for such other candidate or candidates as the Board may
nominate.
18. Who
will serve as inspector of elections?
The
inspector of elections will be a representative from the Company’s stock
transfer agent, Securities Transfer Corporation.
19. Who
will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the meeting?
The
Company is making this solicitation and will pay the entire cost of preparing,
assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials and
soliciting votes. If you choose to access the proxy materials and/or
vote over the Internet, you are responsible for Internet charges you may
incur. If you choose to vote by telephone, you are responsible for
telephone charges you may incur. In addition to the mailing of these
proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person,
by
telephone or by electronic communication by our directors, officers and
employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for such
solicitation activities other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses directly
related to such solicitation. Arrangements may also be made with
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the
forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of stock held
of
record by such persons, and the Company may reimburse them for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses of such solicitation.
20. Where
can I find voting results from the annual meeting?
We
intend
to publish the final voting results from the annual meeting in our quarterly
report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2008.
Stock
Ownership Information
21. What
is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as
a
beneficial owner?
Most
Company shareholders hold their shares directly in their own names rather than
through a broker or other nominee. As summarized below, there are
some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned
beneficially.
Shareholder
of
Record
If
your
shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent,
Securities Transfer Corporation, you are considered, with respect to those
shares, the shareholder of record, and these proxy materials are being sent
directly to you by the Company. As the shareholder of record, you
have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Company or to a third
party, or to vote in person at the meeting. There is a proxy card
enclosed with these materials for your use.
Beneficial
Owner
If
your
shares are held in a brokerage account or by another nominee, you are considered
the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and these proxy materials
are being forwarded to you together with a voting instruction card on behalf
of
your broker, trustee or nominee. As the beneficial owner, you have
the right to direct your broker, trustee or nominee how to vote and you are
also
invited to attend the meeting. Your broker, trustee or nominee has
enclosed or provided a voting instruction card for you to use in directing
the
broker, trustee or nominee how to vote your shares. Since a
beneficial owner is not a shareholder of record, you may not vote these shares
in person at the meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker,
trustee or nominee holding your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares
at the meeting.
22. What
happens if I have questions for the Company’s transfer
agent?
Please
contact the Company’s transfer agent at the phone number or address listed below
with questions concerning stock certificates, transfer of ownership or other
matters pertaining to your stock account.
Securities
Transfer Corporation, Inc.
2591
Dallas Parkway, Suite 102
Frisco,
TX 75034
(469)
633-0101
Annual
Meeting Information
23. How
can I attend the meeting?
You
are
entitled to attend the annual meeting only if you were a Company shareholder
as
of the close of business on October 31, 2007 or hold a valid proxy for the
annual meeting. You should be prepared to offer proof of
identification for admittance. If you are a shareholder of record or
hold your shares through the Pizza Inn, Inc. 401(k) Plan, your ownership as
of
the Record Date may be verified prior to being admitted to the
meeting. If you are not a shareholder of record but hold your shares
through a broker, trustee or nominee (i.e., in “street name”), you should
provide proof of beneficial ownership as of the Record Date, such as your most
recent account statement prior to October 31, 2007, a copy of the voting
instruction card provided by your broker, trustee or nominee, or similar
evidence of ownership. If you do not provide identification upon
request, the Company has the right to refuse you admission to the
meeting.
24. How
many shares must be present?
The
quorum requirements for holding the meeting and transacting business are that
a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting, must be
represented in person or by proxy. Shares held by brokers who do not
vote (“broker non-votes”) because they do not have discretionary authority to
vote on a particular matter and who have not received voting instructions from
their customers are counted as present for the purpose of determining the
existence of a quorum. Shares as to which voting instructions are
given as to at least one of the matters to be voted are also deemed to be
represented. If the proxy states how shares will be voted in the
absence of instructions by the shareholder, such shares will be deemed to be
represented at the meeting.
Shareholder
Proposals, Director Nominations and Related Bylaw
Provisions
25. What
is the deadline to propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual
meeting of shareholders?
If
a
shareholder wishes to submit a proposal for inclusion in the Company’s proxy
statement and form of proxy for the Company’s next regularly scheduled annual
meeting tentatively scheduled for December 10, 2008, the proposal must be
received in proper form at the Company’s principal executive offices prior to
July 19, 2008 in order to have that proposal
considered to be included in the proxy materials of the Company for such
meeting.
If
a
shareholder wishes to submit a proposal at the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, the
shareholder must notify the Company in writing of such proposal prior to October
2, 2008 in order to have that proposal considered at such meeting.
To
be in
proper form, a shareholder’s notice must include information concerning the
proposal or nominee. A shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal or
nomination is encouraged to seek independent counsel with regard to the SEC
requirements. The Company may not consider any proposal or nomination
that does not meet the SEC’s requirements for submitting a proposal or
nomination, and reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other
appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these
and other applicable requirements.
Notices
of intention to submit proposals for or at the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders should be addressed to:
Corporate
Secretary
Pizza
Inn, Inc.
3551
Plano Parkway
The
Colony, TX 75056
Fax
(469)
384-5061
e-mail: corporate_secretary@pihq.com
26. How
may I nominate or recommend individuals to serve as
directors?
You
may
propose director candidates for consideration by the Board’s Nominating and
Governance Committee. Any such recommendations should include the
nominee’s name and qualifications for Board membership and should be directed to
the Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices set
forth above. To nominate a director, follow the instructions set
forth above in the answer to question number 25, “What is the deadline to
propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of
shareholders?” plus submit a statement by the nominee acknowledging that he
or she will owe a fiduciary obligation to the Company and its
shareholders.
27.
|
How
may I obtain a copy of the Company’s bylaw provisions regarding
shareholder proposals and director
nominations?
|
You
may contact the Corporate Secretary
at our principal executive offices for a copy of the bylaws. Our
bylaws are also available on our website at http://pizzainn.com/investor/bylaws.html. There
are no specific
provisions in the bylaws regarding shareholder proposals and director
nominations. Follow the instructions set forth above in the answer to
question number 25, “What is the deadline
to propose
actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of
shareholders?”
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES AND BOARD MATTERS
The
Company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of business conduct
and corporate governance, which we believe are essential to running our business
efficiently, serving our shareholders well and maintaining the Company’s
integrity in the marketplace. The Company has adopted a Code of
Business Conduct that applies to directors and to all Company employees and
a
Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers. These codes work in
conjunction with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Board
committee charters, and together form the framework for governance of the
Company. These documents are available at the Company’s website at
http://www.pizzainn.com. We will post on this website any
amendments to the Code of Business Conduct or waivers of the Code of Business
Conduct for directors and executive officers.
The
business of the Company is managed under the direction of the
Board. Each director is expected to make reasonable efforts to attend
board meetings, meetings of committees of which such director is a member and
the annual meeting of shareholders. The Board intends to comply with
the corporate governance guidelines set forth by The Nasdaq Stock Market
(“Nasdaq”) listing standards and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
rules adopted to implement provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) in order to assure that the Board will have the necessary
practices in place to review and evaluate the Company’s business operations as
needed and to make decisions that are independent of the Company’s
management.
Board
Independence and Independence Standards
Each
of
the Company’s current directors qualify as “independent” in accordance with
published Nasdaq listing requirements. Independent directors meet at
least twice annually apart from other Board members and management
representatives.
An
independent director must not have any material relationship with the Company,
directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has
a
relationship with the Company, or any relationship that would interfere with
the
exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a
director. In determining independence, the Board reviews whether
directors have any material relationship with the Company. The Board
considers all relevant facts and circumstances. In assessing the
materiality of a director’s relationship with the Company, the Board considers
the issues from the director’s standpoint and from the perspective of the
persons or organizations with which the director has an
affiliation.
The
Board
has nominated W.C. Hammett, Jr. as a candidate for election as a director at
the
annual meeting of shareholders.. See “Proposal One: Election of
Directors.” below. The Board has made an affirmative
determination that this nominee, if elected, will qualify as independent
director according to NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15) and under SEC Rule
10A-3(b)(1).
Board
Structure and Committee Composition
The
Board
has seven directors and five standing committees: (1) Executive, (2) Audit,
(3)
Compensation, (4) Finance, and (5) Nominating and Governance. Current
copies of the charters for certain Board committees are available to security
holders on the Company’s website at
http://www.pizzainn.com. Below is a description of the
functions performed by each committee. Each has authority to engage
legal counsel or other experts or consultants as it deems appropriate to carry
out its responsibilities. The Board has determined that each member
of each committee meets the applicable laws and regulations regarding
“independence” when applicable and that each member is free of any relationship
that would interfere with his individual exercise of independent
judgment.
Executive
Committee. This committee will consider issues as directed
by the Chairman of the Board. It also may exercise the authority of
the Board between Board meetings, except to the extent that the Board has
delegated authority to another committee or to other persons, and except as
otherwise limited by Missouri law.
Audit
Committee. The Company has a separately designated standing
audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the
Exchange Act. The responsibilities of this committee include
reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by
the
Company to any governmental body or the public; the Company’s systems of
internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and ethics
that management and the Board have established; the Company’s auditing,
accounting and financial reporting processes generally; reviewing and approving
the terms of transactions between the Company and related parties; and such
other functions as the Board may from time to time assign to the
committee. In performing its duties, the committee seeks to maintain
an effective working relationship with the Board, the independent accountant
and
management of the Company. The specific duties and functions of the
Audit Committee are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter. The
Charter is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in
regulatory requirements, authoritative guidelines, and evolving
practices. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is attached as an
appendix to this proxy statement.
The
report of the Audit Committee is included in this proxy statement.
Compensation
Committee. The primary responsibilities of this committee
are to (a) review and recommend to the Board the compensation of the Chief
Executive Officer and other officers of the Company, (b) review executive bonus
plan allocations, (c) oversee and advise the Board on the adoption of policies
that govern the Company’s compensation programs, (d) oversee the Company’s
administration of its equity-based compensation and other benefit plans, and
(e)
approve grants of stock options to officers and employees of the Company under
its stock plans. The Compensation Committee’s role includes producing
the report on executive compensation required by SEC rules and
regulations. The specific duties and functions of the Compensation
Committee are set forth in its charter. This charter is reviewed
annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in regulatory requirements,
authoritative guidelines and evolving practices.
Finance
Committee. The primary responsibilities of this committee
are to (a) monitor present and future capital requirements and opportunities
pertaining to the Company’s business and (b) review and provide guidance to the
Board and management about all proposals concerning major financial policies
of
the Company. The Finance Committee’s role includes designating
officers and employees who can execute documents and act on behalf of the
Company in the ordinary course of business under previously approved banking,
borrowing, and other financing arrangements.
Nominating
and Governance Committee. The primary responsibilities of
this committee are to (a) recommend the slate of director nominees for election
to the Board, (b) identify and recommend candidates to fill vacancies occurring
between annual shareholder meetings, and (c) review, evaluate and recommend
changes to the Company’s corporate governance practices. The
Nominating and Governance Committee’s role includes periodic review of the
compensation paid to non-employee directors for annual retainers and meeting
fees and making recommendations to the Board for any adjustments. The
specific responsibilities and functions of the Nominating and Governance
Committee are set forth in its Charter.
Review
and Evaluation of Director Qualifications
From
time
to time the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews the Board to assess
the
skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the
current composition of the Board. This assessment includes issues of
diversity in numerous factors, understanding of and achievements in the
restaurant industry, board service, business, finance, marketing and community
involvement. These factors, and any other qualifications considered
useful by the Nominating and Governance Committee, are reviewed in the context
of an assessment of the perceived needs of the Board at a particular
point. As a result, the priorities and emphasis of the Nominating and
Governance Committee and of the Board may change from time to time to take
into
account changes in business and other trends, and the portfolio of skills and
experience of current and prospective Board members. Therefore, while
focused on the achievement and the ability of potential candidates to make
a
positive contribution with respect to such factors, the Nominating and
Governance Committee has not established specific minimum criteria or
qualifications that a nominee must possess.
Identifying
and Evaluating Candidates for Directors
Consideration
of new Board nominee candidates typically involves a series of internal
discussions, review of information concerning candidates and interviews with
selected candidates. In the event that vacancies are anticipated or otherwise
arise, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers various potential
candidates for director. In general, candidates for nomination to the
Board are suggested by Board members or by employees, and may come from
professional search firms or shareholders. The new
candidate standing for election at the annual meeting of shareholders was
recommended by current non-management Board members. In 2007, the Company did
not employ a search firm or pay fees to third parties in connection with seeking
or evaluating Board nominee candidates.
Shareholder
Recommendations and Nominations
The
policy of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to consider properly
submitted shareholder recommendations of candidates for membership on the Board,
as described above under “Review and Evaluation of Director
Qualifications.” Any shareholder recommendations proposed for consideration
by the Nominating and Governance Committee should include the candidate’s name
and qualifications for Board membership and should be addressed to:
Corporate
Secretary
Pizza
Inn, Inc.
3551
Plano Parkway
The
Colony, TX 75056
Fax:
(469) 384-5061
E-mail:
corporate_secretary@pihq.com
Shareholders
may nominate directors for consideration at an annual shareholders meeting
and
solicit proxies in favor of such nominees. The Nominating and
Governance Committee evaluates candidates proposed by shareholders using the
same criteria as for other candidates. For a description of the
process for nominating directors in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws, see
“Questions and Answers – Shareholder Proposals, Director Nominations and
Related Bylaw Provisions – How may I recommend or nominate individuals to serve
as directors?” The Company has not received any shareholder
director nominations.
Board
and Committee Meetings
The
Board
met seven times during the last fiscal year. All directors attended
75% or more of the Board meetings and meetings of the committees on which they
served. Below is a table that provides membership and meeting information for
each of the Board committees during fiscal year 2007:
Name
|
Executive
|
Audit
|
Compensation
|
Finance
|
Nominating
& Governance
|
Mark
E. Schwarz
|
X*
|
|
|
|
|
Jim
Zielke
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
Robert
B. Page
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
|
Ramon
D. Phillips
|
X
|
X*
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Steven
J. Pully
|
|
|
X*
|
X*
|
X*
|
Steve
Johnson
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
Tim
Taft
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of Meetings in Fiscal 2007
|
3
|
5
|
4
|
--
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Committee
Chairman
Communications
from Shareholders to the Board
The
Board
recommends that shareholders initiate any communications with the Board in
writing and send them in care of:
Corporate
Secretary
Pizza
Inn, Inc.
3551
Plano Parkway
The
Colony, TX 75056
Fax:
(469) 384-5061
E-mail:
corporate_secretary@pihq.com
This
centralized process assists the Board in reviewing and responding appropriately
to shareholder communications. The names of specific intended Board
members should be noted in the communication. The Board has
instructed the Corporate Secretary to forward such correspondence only to the
intended recipients; however, the Board has also instructed the Corporate
Secretary, prior to forwarding any correspondence, to review such correspondence
and, in his discretion, not to forward certain items if they are deemed of
a
commercial or frivolous nature or otherwise inappropriate for the Board’s
consideration. In such cases, that correspondence may be forwarded
elsewhere in the Company for review and possible response.
Director
Compensation
Employee
directors do not receive any separate compensation for Board
activities. Non-employee directors receive the compensation described
below. In addition to an annual retainer, non-employee directors
receive fees for each Board and committee meeting
attended. Non-employee and employee directors are also reimbursed for
their reasonable expenses in connection with attending Board and committee
meetings.
The
total
compensation paid to non-employee directors during fiscal 2007 was $159,750
plus
reimbursement of expenses. The following table summarizes
compensation paid to each of our non-employee directors who served in such
capacity during fiscal 2007.
Director
Compensation
(for
the fiscal year ended June 24, 2007)
|
Name
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid
in
Cash
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)
(1)
|
Option
Awards
($)
(1)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
Change
in
Pension
Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
Mark
E. Schwarz
|
30,750
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
30,750
|
Jim
Zielke
|
25,500
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
25,500
|
Ramon
D. Phillips
|
27,250
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
27,250
|
Steve
Johnson
|
25,000
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
25,000
|
Robert
B. Page
|
26,000
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
26,000
|
Steven
J. Pully
|
25,250
|
--
|
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
25,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
Reflects dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with FAS
123R.
|
In
addition to annual and meeting fees, each non-employee director is eligible
to
receive stock option awards under the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option
Award Plan (the “2005 Directors Plan”). Under the 2005 Directors
Plan, eligible directors receive, as of the first day of the Company’s fiscal
year, options for Common Stock equal to twice the number of shares of Common
Stock purchased during the preceding fiscal year or purchased by exercise of
previously granted options during the first ten days of the current fiscal
year. On the first day of the first fiscal year immediately following
the day on which a non-employee director became eligible to participate in
the
2005 Directors Plan, that director would receive options to acquire two shares
of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock owned by such director on the
first day of the fiscal year. Stock options granted under the 2005
Directors Plan have an exercise price equal to the market price of the Common
Stock on the date of grant and are first exercisable one year after
grant. Each eligible director will be entitled to options for no more
than 40,000 shares per fiscal year under the terms of the 2005 Directors
Plan.
In
fiscal
2007, no stock options were granted.
PROPOSALS
TO BE VOTED ON
PROPOSAL
ONE:
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws
provide that each director serves a one-year term, with all directors subject
to
annual election. Clinton Coleman was elected to serve as a director
on August 15, 2007 when Timothy P. Taft, the Company’s former President and CEO,
resigned from the Company. One of the Company’s current directors,
Steven Pully, is not standing for reelection to the Board.
The
Board
has nominated six of the seven incumbent directors and one new director
candidate for election at the meeting. If elected, each director
nominee will hold office until the next annual meeting, or until his successor
has been elected and qualified. Each nominee has expressed his
intention to serve the entire term for which election is sought. The
Board believes that all the nominees will be available to serve as
directors. If any nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will
not serve, the Board may recommend a substitute nominee or leave a vacancy
and
fill the vacancy later. The shares represented by all valid proxies
may be voted for the election of a substitute if one is nominated.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” each of the nominee
directors.
Following
is the biographical information, as of November 12, 2007, of the nominee
directors and, if applicable, the year in which each director was first
elected.
New
Nominee Directors
W.C.
Hammett, Jr., 61, is Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice
President of Pegasus Solutions, Inc. Mr. Hammett was the Chief
Financial Officer & Senior Vice President for Dave & Buster’s, Inc. from
2001 though 2006. He also served on the Board of Directors for
Carreker Corporation from 2006 to 2007. From 1992 to 1997, Mr.
Hammett was the Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice President Accounting &
Administration for La Quinta Inns, Inc. Previously, he was employed
by Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Current
Directors
Steven
J. Pully, 47, works in the
financial services industry. Until October 2007, Mr.
Pully served as President of
Newcastle Capital Management, L.P. and also as Chief Executive Officer of New
Century Equity Holdings Corp. Prior to joining Newcastle, Mr. Pully was a
managing director in the mergers and acquisitions department of Banc of America
Securities, Inc. Mr. Pully is licensed as an attorney and CPA and is also
a CFA. Mr. Pully was appointed a director of Pizza Inn in December
2002.
Steven
M. Johnson, 48, is Chief Executive Officer of Fox & Hound
Restaurant Group. From 1992 until 1998, Mr. Johnson was Chief
Operating Officer for Coulter Enterprises, Inc., a Pizza Hut franchisee
operating 100 Pizza Hut restaurants. From 1985 through 1991, he was
Controller for Fugate Enterprises, Inc., a Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Blockbuster
Video franchisee. Previously, he was employed by the accounting firm
of Ernst & Young. Mr. Johnson is a C.P.A. Mr.
Johnson was appointed a director in 2006.
James
K. Zielke, 43, is Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary of
Fox & Hound Restaurant Group. Prior to his employment with Fox
& Hound, Mr. Zielke served as Senior Director-Tax for PepsiCo Restaurant
Services Group, Inc. From 1993 through 1997, Mr. Zielke was employed
by Pizza Hut, Inc., most recently as Director-Tax from 1995 through
1997. Previously, he was employed by the accounting firm of Ernst
& Young. Mr. Zielke is a C.P.A. Mr. Zielke was
appointed a director in 2006.
Robert
B. Page, 47, is self-employed. He is a former franchisee of
Shoney’s, Inc., a family dining restaurant chain. From November 2000
until September 2002, Mr. Page was Chief Operations Officer of Gordon Biersch
Brewery Restaurant Inc., a group of casual dining restaurants. From
1993 through 2000 he worked for Romacorp, Inc., which owns Tony Roma’s, a chain
of casual dining restaurants, where he was Chief Executive Officer and a board
member from 1998 through 2000, and President and Chief Operations Officer from
1993 through 1998. Mr. Page was elected a director of the Company in February
2004, and was appointed as the Company’s Acting Chief Executive Officer in
January 2005, a position he held until March 2005.
Ramon
D. Phillips, 74, is the former Chairman of the Board, President, and
Chief Executive Officer of Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., a financial
services company. He served as Chairman, President, and Chief
Executive Officer of Hallmark from 1989 through 2000, and as Chairman through
August 2001. Prior to Hallmark, Mr. Phillips had over fifteen years
experience in the franchise restaurant industry, serving as Controller for
Kentucky Fried Chicken, Inc. (1969-1974) and as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer for Pizza Inn, Inc. (1974-1989). He was a director
of
the Company from 1980 through 1989 and was elected a director of the Company
in
1990 and served through 2002. He served as an advisory director in
2002 and was re-elected as a director in February 2004.
Mark
E. Schwarz, 47, is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio
Manager of Newcastle Capital Management, L.P., a private investment management
firm he founded in 1993 that is the general partner of Newcastle Partners,
L.P. Mr. Schwarz was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Company
in February 2004. Mr. Schwarz is also Chairman of the Board of
Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., Bell Industries, Inc. and New Century Equity
Holdings Corp., and a director of Nashua Corporation, and S L Industries,
Inc. Mr. Schwarz was appointed a director in December
2002.
Clinton
J. Coleman, 30, is Vice President of Newcastle Capital Management,
L.P., the general partner of Newcastle. Partners, L.P. Mr. Coleman is
also presently the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Bell Industries, Inc.,
a
position he has held since July 2007. In addition, Mr. Coleman presently
serves as a director on the boards of Bell Industries, Inc. and Fox & Hound
Restaurant Group. Mr. Coleman recently served as Interim Chief
Financial Officer of Pizza Inn, Inc. between July 2006 and January
2007. Mr. Coleman was appointed director in August of 2007 following
Timothy P. Taft’s resignation from the Company.
Except
as
noted, each nominee has been engaged in the principal occupation described
during the past five years. There are no family relationships among
any of our directors or executive officers. Company stock ownership
for each of these individuals is shown under the heading “Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Executive Officers” and is
based upon information furnished by the respective individuals.
PROPOSAL
TWO:
RATIFICATION
OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The
Audit
Committee has selected BDO Seidman, LLP, registered accounting firm, as the
independent auditors of the Company for fiscal year 2008. BDO
Seidman, LLP has been the Company’s independent registered accounting firm since
fiscal year 2004. As a matter of good corporate governance the Audit
Committee has determined to submit its selection to shareholders for
ratification. Shareholder ratification of the appointment is not
required by our bylaws or by any other applicable
law. In the event that this selection of auditors is not ratified by
a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy at
the
annual meeting, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain
BDO
Seidman, LLP. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee
in its discretion may select a different registered public accounting firm
at
any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the
best interests of the Company and our shareholders.
A
representative of BDO Seidman, LLP is expected to be present at the annual
meeting, to be available to respond to appropriate questions and to have an
opportunity to make a statement.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the selection of
BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm for
fiscal year 2008.
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
The
following table sets forth certain information, as of November 12, 2007,
regarding the Company’s executive officers:
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
Executive
Officer
Since
|
|
|
|
|
Charles
R. Morrison
|
39
|
Chief
Financial Officer, Interim President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
2007
|
Ward
T. Olgreen
|
48
|
Senior
Vice President of World Wide Franchising
|
1995
|
Darrell
G. Smith
|
52
|
Vice
President of Development
|
2006
|
Danny
K. Meisenheimer
|
48
|
Vice
President of Brand Management
|
2003
|
Biographies
Of Non-Director Executive Officers
Charles
R. Morrison was appointed Chief Financial Officer in January
2007. He was appointed Interim President and Chief Executive
Officer in August 2007. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Morrison was with Metromedia Restaurant Group from 2004 through 2006, serving
as
President for Steak and Ale and The Tavern Restaurants and also previously
serving as Chief Financial Officer for Steak and Ale and Ponderosa Restaurants,
which were each divisions of Metromedia. Prior to that, he was Vice
President of Finance for Kinko’s, Inc.
Ward
T. Olgreen was appointed Senior Vice President of World Wide
Franchising in October 2007. He was appointed Senior Vice President
of International Operations and Concept Development in September
2006. He served as Senior Vice President of Research and Development
and Concept Development from January 2006 until August 2006. In
December 2002 he was named Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations and
Concept Development. He was appointed Senior Vice President of
Concept Development in July 2000.
Darrell
G. Smith was appointed Vice President of Development in January
2006. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Smith served as Group
Director of Development Services for Whataburger, Inc. from 2002 through
2005. From 1997 to 2002 he was President and Chief Operating Officer
of Embree Group of Companies, a national development and design-build
construction group.
Danny
K. Meisenheimer was appointed Vice President of Brand Management in
July 2005. He was named Vice President of Marketing in January 2003
after joining the Company in December 2002. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Meisenheimer served as Vice President of Marketing for Furr’s
Restaurant Group, Inc. since 1995. Mr. Meisenheimer joined the
Marketing Department of Furr’s in 1991.
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The
following compensation discussion and analysis (“CD&A”) should be read in
conjunction with the “Summary Compensation Table” and related tables
that are presented elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.
Introduction
and Summary
The
purpose of this CD&A is to provide information about each material element
of compensation that we pay or award to, or that is earned by: (1) each person
who served as our principal executive officer during fiscal 2007; (2) each
person who served as our principal financial officer during fiscal 2007; and
(3)
our three most highly compensated executive officers as of June 24, 2007 with
compensation during fiscal 2007 of $100,000 or more (the “Named Executive
Officers”), and to explain the numerical and related information contained in
the tables located below. For our 2007 fiscal year, our Named
Executive Officers were:
·
|
Charles
R. Morrison, our CFO, Interim President and
CEO;
|
·
|
Ward
T. Olgreen, our Senior Vice President of World Wide
Franchising;
|
·
|
Danny
K. Meisenheimer, our Vice President of Brand Management;
and
|
·
|
Darrell
G. Smith, our Vice President of
Development.
|
Timothy
P. Taft, our former President and CEO, Jack A. Odachowski, our former Vice
President of Supply Chain, Kevin A. Kleiner, our former Controller and CFO
and
Clinton J. Coleman, our former Interim CFO, are also Named Executive Officers
because each served in their respective positions during our 2007 fiscal year
or, with respect to Mr. Odachowski, would have qualified as a Named Executive
Officer but for the fact that he was not serving as an executive officer at
the
end of our 2007 fiscal year.
The
Compensation Committee
The
three
members of the Compensation Committee are Steven J. Pully (Chairman), Ramon
D.
Phillips and Steven M. Johnson. The Company’s Board has determined
that each of the members of the Compensation Committee is “independent” under
NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. Additional information regarding our
Compensation Committee can be found under the “Compensation Committee”
heading in the “Corporate Governance Principles and Board Matters”
section of this Proxy Statement.
Role
of Executives in Determining Executive Compensation
The
Compensation Committee acts on behalf of the Board to establish the Company’s
general compensation policies for its executive officers. The Board determines
whether the Compensation Committee will make determinations as a committee
or
will make recommendations to the Board. In fiscal 2007, the
Compensation Committee determined the compensation of the Company’s executive
officers and delegated compensation determinations for other employees to
Timothy P. Taft, the Company’s former CEO and President. It is the
Company’s practice to have the CEO make recommendations to the Compensation
Committee with regard to compensation for its non-executive
employees.
Significant
Compensation Events in Fiscal 2007
On January
31, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment Letter with Charles R.
Morrison, pursuant to which Mr. Morrison agreed to serve as the Company’s
CFO. On August 15, 2007, following the Company’s former President and
Chief Executive Officer Timothy P. Taft’s resignation, Mr. Morrison
was appointed Interim President and CEO. Please see the section
entitled “Employment Agreements” for a more detailed description of Mr.
Morrison’s Employment Letter.
Compensation
Philosophy and Objectives
The
Company has developed a compensation program for executives and employees
designed to meet the following goals:
·
|
align
the interest of executives and employees with those of the Company’s
shareholders;
|
·
|
reward
performance and further the long-term interests of its
shareholders;
|
·
|
attract,
motivate and retain executives and employees with competitive compensation
for the Company’s industry and the labor markets in which it
operates;
|
·
|
build
and encourage ownership of the Company’s shares;
and
|
·
|
balance
short-term and long-term strategic
goals.
|
Compensation
Program Structure and Elements
Compensation
Program Structure in the 2007 Fiscal Year Ended June 24, 2007
In
fiscal
2007, each Named Executive Officer’s compensation was primarily comprised of
base salary and incentive bonuses. This compensation structure fit
into the Company’s overall compensation objective because it afforded us control
over the expense incurred by the Company in connection with the compensation
of
its Named Executive Officers and allowed us to limit compensation to levels
that
we believe are comparable to those offered in the local
marketplace.
Base
Salary
Base
salary, which is designed to attract and retain qualified executives, provides
a
fixed amount of cash to our Named Executive Officers. Base salaries
for Named Executive Officers are generally determined on an individual basis
by
evaluating each executive’s scope of responsibility, performance, prior
experience and salary history. In setting fiscal 2007
base salaries, the Compensation Committee considered executive compensation
in
its industry..
Discretionary
Cash Bonuses
We
believe that some portion of the executive’s compensation should be contingent
upon successful achievement of our corporate objectives. Therefore, as part
of
the Company’s compensation program, each of the Named Executive Officers is
eligible to receive discretionary cash bonuses. Bonuses paid to Named
Executive Officers are determined by evaluating the financial performance
of the
Company against its annual budget as well as the successful completion of
stated
personal and Company goals. All goals and objectives are subject to
approval by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the fiscal
year. We intend that our discretionary cash bonus program will focus
management on achieving key financial and other performance objectives on
a
short-term basis, motivate certain desired individual behaviors and reward
substantial achievement of financial and other performance objectives and
individual goals on a short-term basis.
Equity-Based
Compensation
The
purpose of the equity-based compensation component is to instill the economic
incentives of ownership in our Named Executive Officers and to create long-term
incentives for management to increase shareholder value. The Company
frequently uses vesting periods in its awards to encourage executives to remain
with it and to focus on longer-term results.
Equity-based
compensation is awarded pursuant to our 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan (the
“2005 Plan”). The Compensation Committee administers the 2005
Plan. Subject to the terms of the 2005 Plan, the Compensation
Committee determines the persons who are to receive awards, the number of shares
subject to each such award and the terms, types and conditions of such
awards.
In
fiscal
year 2007, the Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s
current compensation objectives, and the desired mix of cash and equity
compensation. No grants were made in fiscal 2007.
Other
Compensation
Our
Named
Executive Officers also either participate or are eligible to participate in
our
other benefit plans and programs on the same terms as other employees, including
a 401(k) plan, medical and dental insurance, term life insurance, short-term
disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance.
Tax
Code Considerations
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code disallows a corporate income tax deduction
for executive compensation paid to its chief executive officer or any of its
four other highest compensated “covered employees” in excess of $1 million per
year unless it is performance-based and is paid under a plan satisfying the
requirements of Section 162(m). Qualifying performance-based
compensation is not subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements
are
met. The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation
arrangements with the Company’s executive officers will not exceed the limits on
deductibility during the current fiscal year. The Compensation
Committee currently intends to structure the performance-based portion of the
compensation of executive officers in a manner that complies with Section
162(m).
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
The
following table summarizes the overall compensation earned during the fiscal
year ending June 24, 2007 by the Named Executive Officers.
Name
and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
|
Option
Awards
($)(2)
|
All
Other Compensation
($)(3)
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles
R. Morrison
(CFO,
Interim President and CEO)(4)
|
2007
|
99,038
|
40,000
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
139,038
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ward
T. Olgreen
(Senior
Vice President of World Wide Franchising)
|
2007
|
154,929
|
18,150
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
173,079,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Danny
K. Meisenheimer
(Vice
President of Brand Management)
|
2007
|
138,825
|
17,298
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
156,123
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darrell
G. Smith
(Vice
President of Development)
|
2007
|
150,000
|
16,406
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
166,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Former
Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy
P. Taft
(President
and CEO)(5)
|
2007
|
229,852
|
188,000
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
417,852
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack
A. Odachowski
(Vice
President of Supply Chain)(6)
|
2007
|
185,000
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
35,577
(7)
|
220,577
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
A. Kleiner
(Controller
and CFO)(8)
|
2007
|
3,820
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
3,820
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinton
J. Coleman
(CFO)(9)
|
2007
|
112,000
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
112,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
Reflects dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with FAS
123R.
|
|
(2)
Reflects dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with FAS
123R.
|
|
(3)
Includes all other compensation not reported in the preceding columns,
including (i) perquisites and other personal benefits, or property,
unless
the aggregate amount of such compensation is less than $10,000; (ii)
any
"gross-ups" or other amounts reimbursed during the fiscal year for
the
payment of taxes; (iii) discounts from market price with respect
to
securities purchased from the company except to the extent available
generally to all security holders or to all salaried employees; (iv)
any
amounts paid or accrued in connection with any termination (including
without limitation through retirement, resignation, severance or
constructive termination, including change of responsibilities) or
change
in control; (v) contributions to vested and unvested defined contribution
plans; (vi) any insurance premiums paid by, or on behalf of, the
company
relating to life insurance for the benefit of the named executive
officer;
and (vii) any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option
awards
that are not factored into the grant date fair value required to
be
reported in a preceding column |
|
(4)
Mr. Morrison was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer and
President
on August 15, 2007. Mr. Morrison was appointed Chief Financial
Officer on January 31, 2007. Mr. Morrison’s Employment Letter
dated January 31, 2007 provides for a base salary of $250,000,
a bonus of
$40,000 due on June 24, 2007 and an annual bonus based on the fiscal
year
performance.
|
|
(5)
Mr. Taft served as the Company’s President and CEO from March 31, 2005
through his resignation on August 15,
2007.
|
|
(6)
Mr. Odachowski was appointed Vice President of Supply Chain Management
on
September 6, 2005. Figures shown for fiscal 2007 are through
June 22, 2007, Mr. Odachowski’s last date of employment with the Company.
|
|
(7)
Amount represents severance equal to three months of base salary,
or
$35,577 payable in one lump sum. |
|
(8)
Mr. Kleiner served as the Company’s CFO from January 11, 2006 through his
resignation on July 7, 2006.
|
|
(9)
Mr. Coleman served as Interim CFO from July 5, 2006 through February
8,
2007
|
|
GRANTS
OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
|
During
fiscal year 2007, the Company did not make any grant to a Named Executive
Officer pursuant to the 2005 Plan.
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENTS
Current
Officers
Other
than as noted below for Mr. Morrison, there are no employment agreements
in
place for our [currently-employed] Named Executive Officers. The
following summarizes the overall compensation earned by the Named Executive
Officers for the fiscal year ending June 24, 2007
● Charles
R.
Morrison received a base salary of $99,038 and a bonus equaling
$40,000
● Ward
T.
Olgreen received a base salary of $154,929 and a bonus equaling
$18,150
● Danny
K.
Meisenheimer received a base salary of $138,825 and a bonus equaling
$17,298
● Darrell
G.
Smith received a base salary of $150,000 and a bonus equaling $16,
406
Charles
R. Morrison entered into an
employment letter with the Company on January 31, 2007. Mr.
Morrison’s employment letter provides for an annual base salary of $250,000, a
bonus of $40,000 due on June 24, 2007 and an annual bonus based on criteria
established annually by the Compensation Committee. In the event that
Mr. Morrison is terminated other than for “cause” (as defined in his employment
letter), he is entitled to severance benefits equal to three months of annual
base salary and continuation of health benefits for three months.
Other Named
Executive Officers are not covered under a general severance plan and any
severance benefits payable to them would be determined by the Compensation
Committee in its discretion.
Former Officers
Timothy
P. Taft
Timothy
P. Taft, our former President and CEO, entered into an employment agreement
with
the Company on March 31, 2005, which Mr. Taft agreed to amend effective November
30,
2006. His employment agreement was for a term that extended through
June 30, 2007. It provided Mr. Taft with a total salary in the first
12 months of $1.00 plus any bonus determined by the Board. During the
six-month period between April 2006 and September 2006, Mr. Taft agreed
to be paid a total salary of approximately $12,000. Pursuant to
his employment agreement, Mr. Taft began receiving a salary of $300,000 per
year
in October 2006. In June 2007, Mr. Taft was eligible for a total
bonus potential of $338,000, of which $138,000 was guaranteed. His
employment agreement also provided for a grant of 500,000 non-qualified stock
options on March 31, 2005, with 50,000 of such options vesting immediately
and
the remainder vesting over three years. On August 15, 2007 Mr. Taft
submitted his resignation to the Company. In connection with Mr.
Taft’s resignation, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Taft severance of $300,000
representing one year of salary, payable in twelve equal monthly
installments.
OUTSTANDING
EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The
following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards
at
June 24, 2007 for the named executive officers.
|
Option
Awards
|
Stock
Awards
|
Name
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options (#)
|
Option
Exercise Price
($)
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested
($)
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other
Rights
That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares,
Units or
Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles
R. Morrison
(CFO,
Interim President and CEO)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ward
T. Olgreen
(Senior
Vice President of World Wide Franchising)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Danny
K. Meisenheimer
Vice
President of Brand Management)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darrell
G. Smith
(Vice
President of Development)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Former
Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy
P. Taft
(President
and CEO)
|
300,000
(1)
|
200,000
(2)
|
--
|
$2.50
|
3/31/2015
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack
A. Odachowski
(Vice
President of Supply Chain)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
A Kleiner
(Controller
and CFO)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinton
J. Coleman
(Interim
CFO)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
(1)
|
These
options were granted on March 31, 2005 and
became exercisable (vested) as follows: 50,000 vested immediately
on March
31, 2005; 100,000 vested on March 31, 2006 and 150,000 vested on
March 31,
2007
|
(2)
|
These
options were granted on March 31, 2005 and were to become exercisable
(vested) on March 31, 2008. These options never vested due to the
resignation of the former President and CEO on August 15,
2007.
|
OPTION
EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The
following table sets forth information with respect to shares of the Company’s
common stock acquired through exercises of stock options and the number of
shares acquired and value realized on exercise by the Named Executive
Officers.
|
Option
Awards
|
Stock
Awards
|
Name
|
Number
of
Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise
(#)
|
Value
Realized
on
Exercise
($)
|
Number
of
Shares
Acquired
on
Vesting
(#)
|
Value
Realized
on
Vesting
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles
R. Morrison
(CFO,
Interim President and CEO)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ward
T. Olgreen
(Senior
Vice President of World Wide Franchising)
|
30,000
|
12,614
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Danny
K. Meisenheimer
(Vice
President of Brand Management)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darrell
G. Smith
(Vice
President of Development)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Former
Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy
P. Taft
(President
and CEO)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack
A. Odachowski
(Vice
President of Supply Chain)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
A. Kleiner
(Controller
and CFO)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinton
J. Coleman
(CFO)
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
PENSION
BENEFITS
The
Company has no plans that provide payments or other benefits in connection
with
retirement.
NONQUALIFIED
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The
Company has no plan for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not
tax-qualified.
EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The
following table sets forth information as of June 24, 2007 regarding the
Company’s equity compensation plans.
Plan
Category
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights (a)
|
Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding options, warrants and
rights
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)
(b)
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
88,358
|
$2.77
|
1,403,759
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
500,000
|
$2.50
|
0
|
Total
|
588,358
|
$2.54
|
1,403,759
|
|
(a) Under
the 2005 Plan 1,000,000 shares are authorized and available for future
option grants. Under the 2005 Director Plan 500,000 shares were
authorized and 437,758 are available for future option grants as
of June
24, 2007. There are no shares available for grant under the
1993 Employee Stock Award Plan and the 1993 Outside Directors Stock
Award
Plan, both of which expired in September
2003.
|
|
(b) Reflects
shares granted to Mr. Taft in March 2005 pursuant to a Nonqualified
Stock
Option Agreement described in “Compensation Committee Report on
Executive Compensation – Executive Employment Agreements”
below.
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The
Compensation Committee administers the Company’s executive compensation program,
and its members are appointed by the Board. In this regard, the role
of the Compensation Committee is to oversee our compensation plans and policies,
annually review and approve all executive officers’ compensation decisions, and
administer our stock option plans (including reviewing and approving stock
option grants to executive officers). The Compensation Committee’s
charter reflects these various responsibilities, and the Compensation Committee
and the Board periodically review and revise the charter. The
Compensation Committee’s membership is determined by the Board and is composed
entirely of independent directors. The Compensation Committee meets
at scheduled times during the year, and it also considers and takes action
by
written consent. The Compensation Committee Chairman reports on its
actions and recommendations at Board meetings. The Company’s Human
Resources and Legal Departments support the Compensation Committee in its work
and in some cases the Human Resources Department acts pursuant to delegated
authority to fulfill various functions in administering the Company’s
compensation programs. In addition, the Compensation Committee has
the authority to engage the services of outside Attorneys, advisers, experts
and
others to assist it.
The
Compensation Committee and the Board have adopted a charter to conform to the
Compensation Committee’s responsibilities under the revised NASDAQ standards,
new rules adopted by the SEC and the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act.
Compensation
Philosophy and Practice
In
its
administration and periodic review of executive compensation, the Compensation
Committee believes in aligning the interests of the executive officers with
those of the Company’s shareholders. To accomplish this, the
Compensation Committee seeks to structure and maintain a compensation program
that is directly and materially linked to individual performance, operating
performance and enhancement of shareholder value.
Tax
Deductibility under Section 162(m)
As
noted,
the Company’s compensation policy is primarily based upon the practice of
pay-for-performance. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
imposes a limitation on the deductibility of nonperformance-based compensation
in excess of $1 million paid to the Principal Executive Officer and the other
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company. The
Compensation Committee currently believes that the Company should be able to
continue to manage its executive compensation program for these officers so
as
to preserve the related federal income tax deductions.
Stock
Options
The
Company established the 2005 Plan for the purpose of aligning employee and
shareholder interests. The Compensation Committee administers the
2005 Plan. Subject to the terms of the 2005 Plan, and automatic
option grants to non-employee directors pursuant to the 2005 Directors Plan,
the
Compensation Committee determines the persons who are to receive awards, the
number of shares subject to each such award and the terms, types and conditions
of such awards. The Compensation Committee also has the authority to
construe and interpret any of the provisions of the 2005 Plan or any awards
granted thereunder.
In
determining whether an award should be made, and/or the vesting schedule for
any
such award, subject to the terms of the 2005 Plan, the Compensation Committee
may impose whatever conditions to vesting it deems appropriate. For example,
the
Compensation Committee may decide to grant an award only if the participant
satisfies performance goals established by the Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee may choose performance periods
and performance goals that differ from participant to
participant. The Compensation Committee may choose performance goals
based on either Company-wide or departmental results, as deemed appropriate
in
light of the participant’s specific responsibilities. For purposes of
qualifying awards as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), the
Compensation Committee may (but is not required to) specify performance goals
for the entire Company and/or one or more individual
departments. Performance goals may be based upon business criteria
including: net income, earnings per share, return on equity, EBITDA, or other
financial or performance-related measures.
The
Company will continue to monitor changes in the marketplace relating to equity
compensation and respond appropriately. We have periodically reviewed
our option grant guidelines, among other reasons, in response to evolving market
practices and will continue to be vigilant in this regard so that we may
consider prevailing market standards in our effort to provide a competitive
mix
of cash and equity compensation.
Timing
and Pricing of Option Awards
It
is the
policy of the Board and the Compensation Committee when approving stock option
grants to employees and directors, whether pursuant to a shareholder approved
plan or individual non-plan grants, to price all such grants at the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant (or, in the case of certain
past option grants, at the fair market value of the Common Stock at the close
of
trading on the trading day immediately preceding the grant date). It
is not the policy, practice or intended result of executive management, the
Board or the Compensation Committee in granting stock options to engage in
or
approve of backdating option grants, selecting option exercise prices that
differ from the underlying stock’s price on the grant date (except as may be
allowed by applicable laws and accounted for in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles), or timing the grant of options to coordinate
with the release of material nonpublic information.
For
all
option grants made pursuant to shareholder approved plans, option grant exercise
prices, method of fixing grant dates, vesting requirements and expiration dates
are specified in each such plan. There are currently two such plans,
the 2005 Plan and the 2005 Directors Plan. Both plans provide that
the date of a stock option award will be the effective date that the award
is
made to a plan participant. Both plans also provide that all stock
option awards will be issued at fair market value, which is defined in the
plans
as the closing price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ exchange on the date
that
the award is made.
Conclusion
We
have
reviewed with the Company’s executive management and all components of
compensation paid to Mr. Taft, Mr. Morrison and each of the Company’s principal
executive officers in fiscal year 2007, including base salary, bonus and equity
compensation. Based upon this review and consideration of the
Company’s overall executive officer compensation objectives, the Compensation
Committee finds such total compensation to be appropriate, and recommends that
the Compensation Committee Report be included in this proxy
statement.
Submitted
to the Board by the undersigned members of the Compensation
Committee.
Compensation
Committee
Steven
J. Pully,
Chairman
Ramon
D.
Phillips
Steven
M.
Johnson
The
Compensation Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and
shall
not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company
filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent that
the Company specifically incorporates the Compensation Committee Report therein
by reference.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None.
FEES
PAID TO INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The
following table shows the fees the Company paid or accrued for audit and other
services provided by BDO Seidman, LLP in fiscal 2006 and 2007.
|
BDO
Seidman
|
|
2006
|
2007
|
Audit
Fees
|
$175,194
|
$175,434
|
Audit-Related
Fees
|
15,149
|
25,000
|
Tax
Fees
|
7,950
|
--
|
All
Other Fees
|
--
|
$17,833
|
Total
|
$198,293
|
$218,267
|
Audit
Fees. This category represents aggregate fees billed by BDO
Seidman, LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s
annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended June 25, 2006 and June
24, 2007, respectively, and the reviews of the financial statements included
in
the Company’s Forms 10-Q for those years.
Audit-Related
Fees. These fees consist of assurance and related services
that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the
Company’s financial statements. This category includes fees related
to the performance of audits and attest services not required by statute or
regulations, audits of the Company’s benefits plans, review of the Company’s
2007 Uniform Franchise Offering Circular and providing consent to include
audited financial statements, and accounting consultations regarding the
application of generally accepted accounting principles to proposed
transactions.
Tax
Fees. These fees consist of amounts billed by BDO Seidman,
LLP for tax services, including preparation and review of the Company’s federal
and state income tax returns, during fiscal years 2006 and 2007.
All
Other Fees. These fees consist of amounts billed by BDO
Seidman, LLP for work related to the distribution outsourcing and sale leaseback
transaction in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.
In
considering and authorizing these payments to the independent auditors for
services unrelated to performance of the audit of the Company’s financial
statements, the Audit Committee has determined that all such services undertaken
by the independent auditors are not inconsistent with the independent auditor’s
performance of the audit and financial statement review functions and are
compatible with maintaining the independent auditor’s independence.
Policy
of the Audit Committee for Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit
Services of the Independent Auditor
The
Audit
Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation for, and
overseeing the work of, the independent auditor. In accordance with
Audit Committee policy and the requirements of law, all services to be provided
by BDO Seidman, LLP are pre-approved by the Audit
Committee. Pre-approval applies to audit services, audit-related
services, tax services and other services. In some cases, pre-approval is
provided by the full Audit Committee for up to a year, and relates to a
particular defined task or scope of work and is subject to a specific
budget. In other cases, the Chairman of the Audit Committee has the
delegated authority from the Audit Committee to pre-approve additional services,
and such pre-approvals are then communicated to the full Audit
Committee. In fiscal 2007, 100% of all audit services and non-audit
services performed by BDO Seidman, LLP were pre-authorized by the Audit
Committee.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
Audit
Committee of the Board is responsible for providing independent, objective
oversight of the Company’s accounting functions and internal
controls. The Audit Committee is currently composed of two
independent directors and acts under a written charter approved and adopted
by
the Board on April 15, 2003. The Audit Committee reviews its Charter
on an annual basis. Each of the members is independent as defined by
NASDAQ’s listing standards and as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. After a full review and analysis, the Board positively
reaffirmed that each member is independent within the meaning of Rule
4200(a)(15) of the listing standards of the NASDAQ and the rules and regulations
of the SEC, as such requirements are defined as of the mailing date of this
proxy statement. The Board annually reviews the NASDAQ listing
standards’ definition of independence for audit committee members and makes an
annual determination of the independence of Audit Committee
members.
The
Board
has made an affirmative determination that nominee W.C. Hammett, Jr., if
elected, will satisfy SEC Rule 10A-3(b)(1), and thus may serve as a member
of
the Audit Committee. As a result, effective as of the date of
the annual meeting of shareholders, the Company believes that it will be in
compliance with the audit committee composition requirements under NASDAQ
Marketplace Rule 4350(d)(2)(A) and NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15) and
Rule
10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.
The
Board
of Directors has determined that at least one member of the Audit Committee,
Mr.
Phillips, is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by SEC rules and
regulations. This designation results from a disclosure requirement
of the SEC related to Mr. Phillips’ experience and understanding with respect to
certain accounting and auditing matters. The SEC believes this
designation does not impose upon Mr. Phillips any duty, obligation or liability
that is greater than is generally imposed on him as a member of the Audit
Committee and the Board, and that his designation as an audit committee
financial expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duty,
obligation or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or the
Board. For an overview of Mr. Phillips’ relevant experience, see the
section entitled “Continuing Directors” above.
The
Audit
Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with
management. It also discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
“Communications with Audit Committees”, as amended by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 90. In addition, BDO Seidman, LLP also provided to the
Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees,” and the Committee discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP that firm’s
independence.
The
Audit
Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board that the Company’s
financial statements be included in the Company’s annual
report. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation,
and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, accounting and financial
reporting principles, internal controls and procedures designed to ensure
compliance with accounting standards, applicable laws, and
regulations. The Company’s independent auditor, BDO Seidman, LLP, is
responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial
statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial
statements to generally accepted accounting principles.
Based
on
the discussions with BDO Seidman, LLP concerning the audit, the financial
statement review, and other such matters deemed relevant and appropriate by
the
Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited
financial statements be included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended June 24, 2007, for filing with the
SEC.
In
accordance with the rules of the SEC, the foregoing information, which is
required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of Regulation S-K Item 306, shall not be
deemed to be “soliciting material”, or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to
the SEC’s Regulation 14A, other than as provided in that Item, or to the
liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the
Company specifically requests that the information be treated as soliciting
material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Submitted
to the Board by the undersigned members of the Audit Committee.
Audit
Committee
Ramon
D. Phillips,
Chairman
Robert
B.
Page
James
K.
Zielke
The
Audit Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not
be
deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent that the
Company specifically incorporates the Audit Committee Report therein by
reference.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS,
DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
following table sets forth information, as of November 5, 2007, concerning
beneficial ownership by:
§
|
Holders
of more than 5% of the Company’s Common
Stock;
|
§
|
Company
directors and each of the Named Executive Officers set forth in the
Summary Compensation Table set forth below;
and
|
§
|
Company
directors and executive officers as a group (seven directors and
four
executive officers).
|
The
information provided in the table is based upon the Company’s records,
information filed with the SEC and information provided to the Company, except
where otherwise noted.
The
number of shares beneficially owned by each entity or individual is determined
under SEC rules, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial
ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial
ownership includes any shares as to which the entity or individual has sole
or
shared voting or investment power and also any shares that the entity or
individual has the right to acquire as of January 4, 2008 (60 days after
November 5, 2007) through the exercise of any stock option or other
right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and
investment power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect
to
the shares set forth in the following table.
Name
of
Beneficial
Owner
|
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
|
Percent
of
Class
|
|
|
|
Beneficial
owners of more than 5%
|
|
|
Newcastle
Partners, L.P.(a)
Newcastle
Capital Management, L.P.
Newcastle
Capital Group, L.L.C.
300
Crescent Court, Ste. 1110
Dallas,
TX 75201
|
4,760,550
|
47.0%
|
Hoak
Public Equities, L.P.(b)
Hoak
Fund Management, L.P.
500
Crescent Court, Ste. 220
Dallas,
TX 75201
|
525,000
|
5.2%
|
Current
directors and named executive officers
|
|
|
Mark
E.
Schwarz (a)(c)
Robert
B. Page
Steve
Johnson
Ramon
D. Phillips (e)
Steven
J. Pully (a)(c)
Jim
Zeilke
Clinton
Coleman
Ward
T.
Olgreen (c)
Darrell
G. Smith
Danny
K. Meisenheimer
Charles
R. Morrison
|
4,805,550
--
10,000
11,590
26,787
10,000
--
48,506
7,500
7,228
9,000
|
47.4
%
--
*
*
*
*
--
*
*
*
*
|
New
nominee directors
|
|
|
W.C.
Hammett, Jr.
|
--
|
--
|
All
directors, nominees and executive officers as a
group
|
4,936,161
|
48.7%
|
|
|
|
* Represents
holdings of less than one percent.
(a)
|
Newcastle
Capital Management, L.P. is the general partner of Newcastle Partners,
L.P., Newcastle Capital Group, L.L.C. is the general partner of Newcastle
Capital Management, L.P., and Mark E. Schwarz is the managing member
of
Newcastle Capital Group, L.L.C. Accordingly, each of Newcastle
Capital Management, L.P., Newcastle Capital Group, L.L.C. and Mr.
Schwarz
may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by Newcastle Partners, L.P. In addition, Newcastle
Partners, L.P., Newcastle Capital Management, L.P., Newcastle Capital
Group, L.L.C., Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Pully are members of a Section
13d
reporting group and may be deemed to beneficially own shares of Common
Stock owned by the other members of the group. Newcastle
Partners, L.P., Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Pully also directly own shares
of
Common Stock. Mr. Pully disclaims beneficial ownership of the
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Newcastle Partners,
L.P. Mr. Schwarz directly owns 15,000 shares of Common Stock,
including options to acquire 30,000 shares of Common
Stock.
|
(b)
|
Hoak
Fund Management, L.P. is the general partner of Hoak Public Equities,
L.P., James M. Hoak & Co. is the general partner of Hoak Fund
Management, L.P., and J. Hale Hoak is the President of James M. Hoak
&
Co. Accordingly, each of Hoak Fund Management, L.P., Hoak
Public Equities, L.P, James M. Hoak & Co., and Mr. Hoak may be deemed
to own the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Hoak Public
Equities, L.P. Dorothy Tyson Hoak, the spouse of J. Hale Hoak,
beneficially owns 5,000 shares of Common Stock as to which beneficial
ownership is disclaimed by Hoak Public Equities,
L.P.
|
(c)
|
Includes
vested options and options vesting as of January 4, 2008 (60 days
after
November 5, 2007) under the Company’s stock option plans, as follows:
30,000 shares for Mr. Schwarz, and 17,858 shares for Mr.
Pully
|
(d)
|
Mr.
Phillips shares voting and investment power for 5,333 shares with
the
other shareholders of Wholesale Software International,
Inc.
|
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s executive officers and
directors and the persons who own more than ten percent of the Common Stock
to
file initial reports of ownership of Common Stock and reports of changes of
ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and to furnish the Company with copies
of such reports. The Company believes that, during the preceding
fiscal year, all of the Company’s executive officers, directors and holders of
more than 10% of Common Stock timely filed all reports required by Section
16(a)
of the Act, except as noted. In making these statements, the Company
has relied upon examination of its records, copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5, and
amendments thereto, provided to the Company and the representations of its
directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Company
Policies. It is our policy that all employees must avoid any
activity that is or has the appearance of being hostile, adverse or competitive
with the Company, or that interferes with the proper performance of their
duties, responsibilities or loyalty to the Company. These policies
are included in our Code of Business Conduct described above. The
Code of Business Conduct can be viewed at the Company’s website at
http://www.pizzainn.com. Each director and executive officer
is instructed to always inform the Board when confronted with any situation
that
may be perceived as a conflict of interest, even if the person does not believe
that the situation would violate the Company’s guidelines. If in a
particular circumstance it is concluded that there is or may be a perceived
conflict of interest, the Board will instruct the Company’s legal department to
work with the relevant departments within the Company to determine if there
is a
conflict of interest. Any waivers of these conflict rules with regard
to a director or executive officer require the prior approval of the Board
or
the Audit Committee.
NASDAQ
Rules. Conflict of interest situations are also governed by
the NASDAQ rules defining “independent” director status. Each of our directors
qualify as “independent” in accordance with the NASDAQ rules. The
NASDAQ rules include a series of objective tests that would not allow a director
to be considered independent if the director had certain employment, business
or
family relationships with the Company. The NASDAQ independence
definition includes a requirement that the Board also review the relations
of
each independent director to the Company on a subjective basis. In
accordance with that review, the Board has made a subjective determination
as to
each independent director that no relationships exist that, in the opinion
of
the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying
out the responsibilities of a director. In making these
determinations, the directors reviewed and discussed information provided by
the
directors and the Company with regard to each director’s business and personal
activities as they may relate to the Company and the Company’s
management.
SEC
Rules. In addition to the Company and NASDAQ
policies and rules described above, the SEC has specific disclosure requirements
covering certain types of transactions involving the Company and a director,
executive officer or other specified party. Specifically, other
than described herein, we have not participated in any transaction
since the beginning of fiscal year 2007, or any currently proposed transaction,
to which the Company was or is to be a party, in which the amount involved
exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person had, or will have, a direct
or
indirect material interest.
STOCK
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The
following graph compares the cumulative annual total shareholder return (change
in share price plus reinvestment of any dividends) on the Common Stock versus
two indexes for the past five fiscal years. The graph assumes $100
was invested on the last trading day of the fiscal year ending June 30,
2002. Prior to the first quarter of fiscal year 1998 and subsequent
to the second quarter of fiscal year 2001, the Company did not pay cash
dividends on its Common Stock during the applicable period. The Dow
Jones Equity Market Index is a published broad equity market
index. The Dow Jones Travel and Leisure U.S. Restaurants and Bars
Index is compiled by Dow Jones and Company, Inc., and replaces the Dow Jones
Entertainment and Leisure Restaurant Index charted in this graph in previous
years. The Dow Jones U.S. Restaurants and Bars Index is composed of
104 public companies, including the Company, engaged in restaurant or related
businesses.
MISCELLANEOUS
Annual
Report and Form 10-K and 10-K/A
A
copy of
our 2007 Annual Report, which includes our 2007 Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A,
is
enclosed. Shareholders may request another free copy of our 2007
Annual Report from:
Pizza
Inn, Inc.
Attn:
Investor Relations
3551
Plano Parkway
The
Colony, TX 75056
(800)
880-9955
http://www.pizzainn.com
Alternative,
current and prospective investors can access the 2007 Annual Report on the
Investor Relations page of our web site at:
http://www.pizzainn.com
We
will
also furnish any exhibit to the 2007 Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A as specifically
requested.
YOU
SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT OR ANNEXED
HERETO TO VOTE ON THE MATTERS SET FORTH ABOVE. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE
TO
PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT. THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2007. YOU
SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS
ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE AND THE MAILING OF THIS PROXY
STATEMENT TO SHAREHOLDERS SHALL NOT CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE
CONTRARY.
Appendix
B
This
Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted by the Proxies in the
manner
designated below.
If
this Proxy is returned signed but without a clear voting designation,
the
Proxies will vote FOR Item 1 and Item 2.
|
Please
mark Your votes as indicated
in
this example. x
|
|
Item
1.
|
|
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
|
|
Nominees:
Steven M. Johnson, James K. Zielke, Jr., Robert B. Page, Ramon
D.
Phillips, Mark E. Schwarz, Clinton Coleman, W.C. Hammett, Jr.
(or any substitute nominee or substitute nominees, if any of the
foregoing
persons is unable to serve or for good cause will not
serve)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
WITHHELD
FOR
ALL
|
|
|
|
WITHHELD
FOR: (Write that nominee’s name in the space provided
below).
|
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
|
RATIFICATION
OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
|
|
If
you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting, please mark the WILL ATTEND block.
WILL
ATTEND
o
Date
_____________________________________________________, 2007
______________________________________________________
Signature
______________________________________________________
Signature
if held jointly
NOTE:
Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign.
When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or
guardian, please
give full title.
∆ ∆
FOLD
AND DETACH HERE
PROXY
(1)
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
PIZZA
INN, INC.
3551
Plano Parkway
The
Colony, Texas 75056
Annual
Meeting of Shareholders on December 13, 2007
The
undersigned, revoking all proxies heretofore given, hereby appoints Danny
Meisenheimer and Ward Olgreen, or either of them, as proxies of the
undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote
on
behalf of the undersigned the shares of Pizza Inn, Inc. (the “Company”) that the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to
be held
at 10:00 a.m., Dallas time, on Wednesday, December 13, 2007, at the Company’s
corporate offices, 3551 Plano Parkway, The Colony, Texas 75056, and at all
adjournments thereof, as fully as the undersigned would be entitled to vote
if
personally present, as specified on the reverse side of this card and on
such
other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments
thereof. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
This
Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted by the Proxies in the manner
designated below. If this Proxy is
returned signed but without a clear voting designation, the Proxies will
vote
FOR Item 1 and Item 2.
Please
mark your votes as indicated in this example. x
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Item 1 and Item
2.