Form 424(b)(5)
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration Statement No. 333-214908

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be
Registered(1)

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share
 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee(2)

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

  4,025,000   $25.00   $100,625,000   $12,527.82

 

 

(1)

Includes 525,000 shares of common stock, issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock from the registrant.

(2)

Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The fee payable in connection with the offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement has been paid in accordance with Rule 456(b) under the Securities Act.


Table of Contents

 

Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated December 5, 2016)

3,500,000 Shares

 

 

LOGO

Common stock

We are offering for sale 3,500,000 shares of our common stock.

Our shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “FCPT.” On August 1, 2018, the last sale price of our shares of common stock as reported on the NYSE was $25.13 per share.

Our charter imposes certain restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our common stock and our other securities, in each case as may be appropriate to, among other purposes, assist in maintaining our status as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. You should read the information under the section entitled “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” beginning on page 24 of the accompanying prospectus for a description of these restrictions.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before buying any of these shares, you should carefully read the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

       Per share        Total(1)  

Public offering price

     $ 25.00        $ 87,500,000.00  

Underwriting discount

     $ 1.00        $ 3,500,000.00  

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

     $ 24.00        $ 84,000,000.00  

 

(1)

Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares as described below.

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 525,000 additional shares of common stock from us, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to which it relates is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We expect to deliver the shares on or about August 7, 2018 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

Joint book-running managers

 

J.P. Morgan   Barclays   Morgan Stanley

Co-manager

Raymond James

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 2, 2018.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

About this Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus

     S-iii  

Forward-Looking Statements

     S-iv  

Summary

     S-1  

The Offering

     S-3  

Risk Factors

     S-5  

Use of Proceeds

     S-9  

Capitalization

     S-10  

Underwriting

     S-11  

Legal Matters

     S-17  

Experts

     S-17  

Incorporation by Reference

     S-17  
Prospectus  

About This Prospectus

     1  

Forward-Looking Statements

     2  

Our Company

     4  

Risk Factors

     5  

Use of Proceeds

     6  

Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

     7  

Description of Capital Stock

     8  

Description of Common Stock

     9  

Description of Preferred Stock

     11  

Description of Depositary Shares

     13  

Description of Warrants

     17  

Description of Rights

     18  

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws

     19  

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

     24  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

     27  

Book-entry Securities

     57  

Plan of Distribution

     59  

Legal Matters

     61  

Experts

     61  

Where to Find Additional Information

     61  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     62  


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You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any applicable free writing prospectus in making a decision about whether to invest in our common stock. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any applicable free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates that are specified in such documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference from a filing we made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering.

To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or documents incorporated by reference from a filing we made with the SEC under the Exchange Act, prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, the information in this prospectus supplement will supersede such information. In addition, to the extent any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus from a filing we make with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement adds to, updates or changes information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or an earlier filing we made with the SEC that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, the information in such later filing shall be deemed to modify, update and, where applicable, supersede such information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the earlier filing with the SEC.

This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read the accompanying prospectus as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See “Incorporation by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and “Where to Find Additional Information” in the accompanying prospectus. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Four Corners Property Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Four Corners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to as the “Operating Partnership.” References to our “common stock” refer to the common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, results of operations, and pending acquisitions or dispositions contain forward-looking statements. We do not guarantee that the transactions or events described in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). In particular, our statements regarding the pending Acquisition (as defined below) and anticipated market conditions include forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You also can identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.

The forward-looking statements contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus reflect our views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in or contemplated by any forward-looking statement. We believe these factors include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2018, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC (which documents are incorporated by reference herein), as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, or in any documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-5 and in our other filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. We urge you to read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein carefully, including the financial statements and notes to those financial statements incorporated by reference herein and therein. Please read “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein for more information about important risks that you should consider before investing in our common stock.

Our Company

We are a Maryland corporation and a REIT that owns, acquires and leases properties for use in the restaurant and food-service related industries. We operate our business in two segments: real estate operations and restaurant operations. Our revenues from our real estate operations segment are primarily generated by leasing properties to tenants through net lease arrangements under which the tenants are primarily responsible for ongoing costs relating to the properties, including utilities, property taxes, insurance, common area maintenance charges, and maintenance and repair costs. We focus on income-producing properties leased to high quality tenants in major markets across the United States. In addition to managing our existing properties, our strategy includes investing in additional restaurant and food service real estate properties to grow and diversify our existing restaurant portfolio. We also generate revenues through our restaurant operations segment pursuant to franchise agreements with Darden Restaurants, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Darden”) related to six LongHorn SteakHouse® restaurant properties located in the San Antonio, Texas area. As of June 30, 2018, we owned 535 properties located in 44 states and representing an aggregate leasable area of 3.7 million square feet.

We were incorporated as a Maryland corporation on July 2, 2015. Our shares of common stock are listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “FCPT.” Substantially all of our business is conducted through the Operating Partnership, of which our wholly owned subsidiary, Four Corners GP, LLC, is the sole general partner. As of June 30, 2018, we owned 99.34% of the outstanding partnership units of the Operating Partnership.

We believe that we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2016, and we intend to continue to operate in a manner that will enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT.

Our executive offices are located at 591 Redwood Highway, Suite 1150, Mill Valley, California 94941, and our telephone number is (415) 965-8030. Our web address is www.fcpt.com. The information on or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or any other applicable document.

Recent Developments

Pending Acquisition of Up to 48 Chili’s Restaurants from Brinker

On August 1, 2018, we entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “PSA”) with Brinker Property Corporation and Brinker Propco Florida, Inc., both subsidiaries of Brinker International, Inc. (“Brinker”), for the purchase of up to 48 Chili’s restaurant properties (the “Properties”) for a cash purchase price of up to $155.7 million (the “Acquisition”). Upon closing, we will enter into individual triple-net lease agreements with Brinker Property Corporation and Brinker Propco Florida, Inc. for the Properties, each of which will have an initial lease term of 15 years subject to between two and six consecutive five-year renewal options, depending on the property, by Brinker, with all of the leases guaranteed by Brinker. The aggregate annual rent for the



 

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Properties is expected to initially be up to approximately $9.9 million, subject to 10% rent escalations every five years during the initial term. The Properties are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

We intend to fund the Acquisition through a combination of cash on hand, including a portion of the proceeds of this offering, and borrowings under our undrawn $250 million revolving credit facility. We currently expect to close the Acquisition in August 2018. The Acquisition, however, is subject to due diligence and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. In addition, we may terminate the PSA prior to closing and not consummate the Acquisition. We will continue to examine, inspect and investigate the Properties as well as all records and other documentation provided by Brinker. We cannot provide any assurances that we will purchase any or all of the Properties or that the Acquisition will close on the terms described herein, or at all.



 

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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer

Four Corners Property Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation

 

Common stock offered by us

3,500,000 shares (or 4,025,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full)

 

Common stock and OP units (on an as- converted to common stock basis) outstanding prior to completion of the offering

63,339,690(1) shares and units

 

Common stock and OP units (on an as- converted to common stock basis) to be outstanding after the offering

66,839,690(1) shares and units (or 67,364,690 shares and units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full)

 

Use of proceeds

We expect that the net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $83.8 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses (and approximately $96.4 million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares). We intend to contribute the net proceeds of this offering to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP units. The Operating Partnership will use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes and to fund the purchase price of previously disclosed pending acquisitions, including the Acquisition. Pending application of cash proceeds, the Operating Partnership will invest the net proceeds from this offering in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities in a manner that is consistent with our intention to continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Risk factors

You should carefully read the information contained under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and in our other filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

 

Federal Income Tax Considerations

Certain federal income tax considerations in connection with purchasing, owning and disposing of shares our common stock are summarized under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 30, 2018, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompany prospectus and supersedes and replaces in its entirety the information in the accompanying prospectus under the same caption.

 

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “FCPT.”


 

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(1)

Based upon 62,930,370 shares of common stock and 409,320 common limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership (the “OP units”) outstanding as of August 1, 2018 and excluding common stock available for future issuance under our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The OP units may, subject to certain limitations, be redeemed by the holder thereof for cash or, at our option, exchanged for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis.



 

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in the shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the risks discussed below and the other information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, before deciding to purchase these shares. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered shares. Please also refer to the section above entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to Pending Acquisition of Up to 48 Chili’s Restaurants from Brinker

We may fail to consummate the Acquisition, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may use some or all of the net proceeds of this offering to fund the purchase price of the Properties in the Acquisition and otherwise for general corporate purposes. The Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and there can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the Acquisition will close on the terms described herein, or at all.

In the event that we fail to consummate the pending Acquisition, we will have issued a significant number of additional shares of our common stock without realizing a corresponding increase in earnings and cash flow from acquiring the Properties. In addition, we will have broad authority to use the net proceeds of this offering for other purposes, which may not be initially accretive to our results of operations. As a result, failure to consummate the Acquisition could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Upon closing of the pending Acquisition of up to 48 Chili’s restaurants from Brinker, we will become dependent on Brinker successfully operating its business.

Upon closing of the pending Acquisition, we will own up to 49 Chili’s restaurant properties. We expect the net lease payments from Brinker will constitute a meaningful percentage of our annual base rent and therefore we will become dependent on Brinker successfully operating its business and fulfilling its obligations to us. If Brinker were to experience a material and adverse effect on its business, financial position or results of operations, our business, financial position or results of operations could also be materially and adversely affected. Factors that may impact the business, financial position or results of operations of Brinker include, but are not limited to, the factors listed with respect to Darden under “Risk Factors—We are dependent on Darden successfully operating its business, and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Any declines in customer preferences for the Chili’s brand, or casual dining in general, could adversely affect the performance of the up to 49 Chili’s restaurants we will own upon closing of the pending Acquisition.

Upon closing of the pending Acquisition, we will own up to 49 Chili’s restaurant properties and therefore we will become dependent on the continued success of the Chili’s brand. Any declines in customer preferences for the Chili’s brand, or casual dining in general, could adversely affect the performance of the up to 49 Chili’s restaurant properties we will own upon the closing of the Acquisition, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to this Offering

The closing of this offering is not conditioned on the closing of the pending Acquisition.

We expect the closing of the pending Acquisition to occur in August 2018, but the closing is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions set forth in the PSA. In addition, we may terminate the PSA prior to

 

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closing and not complete the Acquisition. If the closing conditions are not satisfied or waived or if the PSA is otherwise terminated in accordance with its terms, then the closing will not occur. The closing of this offering is not conditioned on the closing of the pending Acquisition. Therefore, upon the closing of this offering, you will become a holder of our common stock irrespective of whether the pending Acquisition is consummated, delayed or terminated. If the pending Acquisition is delayed or terminated, the price of our common stock may decline to the extent that the current market price of our common stock reflects a market assumption that the pending Acquisition will be consummated and that we will realize certain anticipated benefits of acquiring the assets in connection with the pending Acquisition. In addition, if the pending Acquisition is not consummated, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering and could apply the proceeds in ways that you or other stockholders may not approve, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Future sales of shares of our common stock may depress the price of our shares.

We cannot predict whether future issuances of shares of our common stock or the availability of shares of our common stock for resale in the open market will decrease the market price of our common stock. Any sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, including upon the redemption of OP units, or the perception that such sales might occur, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Upon completion of this offering, the shares of our common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction (other than any restrictions set forth in our charter relating to our qualification as a REIT).

The exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, the redemption of OP units in exchange for our common stock or the vesting of any restricted stock granted to directors, officers and other employees under our stock incentive plans, the issuance of our common stock or OP units in connection with property, portfolio or business acquisitions and other issuances of our common stock (including by means of our currently effective shelf registration statement) could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, the existence of OP units and shares of our common stock reserved for issuance as restricted stock or upon redemption of OP units may adversely affect the terms upon which we may be able to obtain additional capital through the sale of equity securities. In addition, future sales of shares of our common stock may be dilutive to our existing stockholders.

In connection with this offering, we and our directors and certain of our officers have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters restricting the sale of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of common stock for no less than, in our case, 60 days, and in the case of our officers and directors, 90 days following the date of this prospectus supplement, subject, in each case, to certain exceptions. The underwriters, in their sole discretion, may permit early release of shares of our common stock, subject to certain restrictions, prior to the expiration of these lock-up periods and without public notice. If the restrictions under such agreements are waived, the affected common stock may be available for sale into the market, which could reduce the market price of our common stock. See “Underwriting” for a more detailed description of the lock-up agreements entered into with the underwriters.

From time to time, we also may issue shares of our common stock or OP units in connection with property, portfolio or business acquisitions. We may grant demand or piggyback registration rights in connection with these issuances. The sale or issuance of substantial amounts of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of our common stock, or the perception that these sales or issuances could occur, may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock or may adversely affect the terms upon which we may be able to obtain additional capital through the sale of equity securities.

Our share price could be volatile and could decline, resulting in a substantial or complete loss on our stockholders’ investment.

The stock markets (including the NYSE on which we list our common stock) have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the market price of our common stock could be similarly volatile, and

 

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investors in our common stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. The price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including:

 

    our operating performance and the performance of similar companies;

 

    actual or anticipated differences in our operating results;

 

    failure to close pending acquisitions, including the pending Acquisition;

 

    changes in our revenue or earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts, or our failure to meet such estimates;

 

    publication of research reports about us or our industry by securities analysts;

 

    changes in market valuations of similar companies;

 

    adverse market reaction to any debt or equity securities we may issue or additional debt we may incur in the future;

 

    additions and departures of key personnel;

 

    strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestments, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic investments or changes in business strategy;

 

    the passage of legislation or other regulatory developments that adversely affect us or our industry;

 

    speculation in the press or investment community;

 

    the realization of any of the other risk factors presented or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement;

 

    actions by institutional stockholders;

 

    changes in accounting principles;

 

    terrorist acts; and

 

    general market conditions, including factors unrelated to our performance.

In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources.

Future offerings of debt, which would be senior to our common stock upon liquidation, and/or preferred equity securities which may be senior to our common stock for purposes of dividend distributions or upon liquidation, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

In the future, we may increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or preferred equity securities, including senior or subordinated notes and preferred stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their stock holdings in us.

 

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Our business operations may not generate the cash needed to make distributions on our capital stock or to service our indebtedness, and we may adjust our common stock dividend policy.

Our ability to make distributions on our common stock and payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to make distributions on our common stock, to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

The decision to declare and pay dividends on shares of our common stock in the future, as well as the timing, amount and composition of any such future dividends, will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors in light of conditions then existing, including our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, debt maturities, the availability of debt and equity capital, applicable REIT and legal restrictions, general overall economic conditions and other factors. Any change in our dividend policy could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $83.8 million. If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, our net proceeds will be approximately $96.4 million.

We intend to contribute the net proceeds of this offering to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP units. The Operating Partnership will use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes and to fund the purchase price of previously disclosed pending acquisitions, including the Acquisition. Pending application of cash proceeds, the Operating Partnership will invest the net proceeds from this offering in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities in a manner that is consistent with our intention to continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2018:

 

   

on an actual basis; and

 

   

on an as adjusted basis to give the effect to the application of the estimated net proceeds of this offering as described above under the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     As of June 30, 2018  
     Actual      As adjusted(1)  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

     88,371        172,171  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs:

     516,449        516,449  

Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 62,930,370 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018, actual, and 66,430,370 shares issued and outstanding on an as adjusted basis

     6        7  

Additional paid-in capital

     510,235        594,034  

Retained earnings

     45,418        45,418  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     12,185        12,185  

Noncontrolling interest

     7,896        7,896  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     575,740        659,540  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

     1,092,189        1,175,989  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amount does not reflect adjustments for the pending Acquisition or any other previously announced pending acquisition. Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

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UNDERWRITING

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. are acting as the representatives of the underwriters and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as the joint book-running managers of this offering. Under the terms of an underwriting agreement, which will be filed with the SEC, each of the underwriters named below has severally agreed to purchase from us the respective number of shares of our common stock shown opposite its name below:

 

Underwriters

   Number of
shares
 

J. P. Morgan Securities LLC

     1,225,000  

Barclays Capital Inc.

     1,225,000  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     612,500  

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

     437,500  
  

 

 

 

Total

     3,500,00  
  

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters’ obligation to purchase shares of our common stock depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement including:

 

   

the obligation to purchase all of the shares of our common stock offered hereby (other than those shares of our common stock covered by their option to purchase additional shares as described below), if any of the shares are purchased;

 

   

the representations and warranties made by us to the underwriters are true;

 

   

there is no material change in our business or the financial markets; and

 

   

we deliver customary closing documents to the underwriters.

Discounts and Expenses

The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and commissions we will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The underwriting fee is the difference between the initial price to the public and the amount the underwriters pay to us for the shares of our common stock.

 

     No exercise      Full exercise  

Per Share

   $ 1.00      $ 1.00  

Total

   $ 3,500,000.00      $ 4,025,000.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the shares of our common stock directly to the public at the public offering price on the cover of this prospectus supplement and to selected dealers, which may include the underwriters, at such offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $0.60 per share. After the initial offering of the shares, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.

The expenses of the offering that are payable by us are estimated to be approximately $200,000 (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions). Sales of shares of our common stock made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted the underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of 525,000 additional shares from

 

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us at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. To the extent that this option is exercised, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase its pro rata portion of these additional shares based on such underwriter’s percentage underwriting commitment in the offering as indicated in the table at the beginning of this Underwriting Section.

Lock-up Agreements

We have agreed that, for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to certain limited exceptions, we will not directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of each of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc., (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock (other than (i) shares of our common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date hereof that are described in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, (ii) to effect any issuances of shares of our common stock in connection with a redemption of OP units outstanding on the date hereof or (iii) commencing on the 45th day after the date hereof, offers and sales of shares of our common stock under our at-the-market equity program pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement, dated December 5, 2016, between us, the Operating Partnership and the sales agents named therein (the “ATM Program”) and the issuance of OP units to us in connection with the issuance of our common stock under the ATM Program), or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such shares of our common stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of our common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any shares of our common stock or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into our common stock or any of our other securities (other than any registration statement on Form S-8), or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.

In addition, all of our directors and executive officers have agreed that, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to certain limited exceptions, they will not directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of each of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc., (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of our common stock (including, without limitation, shares of our common stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by them in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and shares of our common stock that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of shares of our common stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of our common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right or file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any shares of our common stock or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into our common stock or any of our other securities, or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.

The restrictions in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply to:

 

   

transactions by our executive officers or directors relating to our common stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering; provided that such executive officer or director is not required to report such transaction in any public report or filing with the SEC

 

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under the Exchange Act during the restricted period and does not otherwise voluntarily effect any such public filing or report regarding such transaction;

 

   

transfers of our common stock or any security convertible into our common stock by our executive officers or directors as a bona fide gift, sale or other disposition, in each case made exclusively to such executive officer’s or director’s family or affiliates, including his partners (if a partnership) or members (if a limited liability company); provided that each donee or distributee, as the case may be, (i) agrees to be bound by the same restrictions as contained in the lock-up agreements and (ii) each party shall not be required by law to make, and agrees not to voluntarily make, any filing or public announcement of the transfer or disposition during the restricted period;

 

   

the grant by us of restricted shares, options or other securities to our executive officers or directors pursuant to an equity compensation plan existing on the date hereof that is described herein or incorporated by reference herein;

 

   

the issuance by us of shares of our common stock upon the exercise of an option or a warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of this prospectus supplement; provided, that the restrictions shall apply to the shares of our common stock issued upon such exercise or conversion;

 

   

the establishment by our executive officers or directors of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of our common stock; provided, however, that (i) no sales of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, our common stock, shall be made pursuant to such trading plan prior to the expiration of the restricted period and (ii) we are not required to report the establishment of such trading plan in any public report or filing with the SEC under the Exchange Act during the restricted period and do not otherwise voluntarily effect any such public filing or report regarding such trading plan; and

 

   

the transfer of our common stock to us in respect of tax withholding payments due upon the vesting of restricted stock or restricted stock unit grants pursuant to any of our employee equity incentive plans outstanding on the date hereof, provided, that any filings required to be made with the SEC or other publicity made regarding the same will indicate that such transactions have been net share settled.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc., in their sole discretion, may release our common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time. When determining whether or not to release our common stock and other securities from lock-up agreements, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares of our common stock and other securities for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

The representatives may engage in stabilizing transactions, short sales and purchases to cover positions created by short sales, and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of our common stock, in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

 

   

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

   

A short position involves a sale by the underwriters of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase in the offering, which creates the syndicate short position. This

 

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short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares involved in the sales made by the underwriters in excess of the number of shares they are obligated to purchase is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase by exercising their option to purchase additional shares. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in their option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters may close out any short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares and/or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through their option to purchase additional shares. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

   

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of our common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

 

   

Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the common stock originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters and/or selling group members participating in this offering, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular underwriter or selling group member, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the representatives on the same basis as other allocations.

Other than this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s or selling group member’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter or selling group member is not part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.

Listing on the New York Stock Exchange

Our common stock has been approved for listing on the NYSE under the symbol “FCPT.”

 

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Stamp Taxes

If you purchase shares of common stock offered in this prospectus supplement, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or may in the future receive customary fees and expenses. In addition, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and certain of the other underwriters and/or the underwriters’ affiliates are lenders and/or agents under our $250.0 million revolving credit facility and/or our $400.0 million term loan, for which they received and may in the future receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve our or our affiliates’ securities and/or instruments. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy from, anyone in any country or jurisdiction (i) in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized, (ii) in which any person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or (iii) in which any such offer or solicitation would otherwise be unlawful. No action has been taken that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the shares of our common stock or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement or any other offering or publicity material relating to the shares of our common stock in any country or jurisdiction (other than the United States) where any such action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, each underwriter has undertaken that it will not, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any shares of our common stock or have in its possession, distribute or publish any prospectus, form of application, advertisement or other document or information in any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will, to the best of its knowledge and belief, result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and all offers and sales of shares of our common stock by it will be made on the same terms.

Notice to Residents of Canada

Shares of our common stock may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of our common stock must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment hereto or thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are

 

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exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

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Legal Matters

Hogan Lovells US LLP will pass upon the legality of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Vinson  & Elkins L.L.P.

Experts

The consolidated and combined financial statements and related financial statement schedule of Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Incorporation by Reference

SEC rules allow us to incorporate information into this prospectus supplement by reference, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus supplement, except to the extent superseded by information contained herein or by information contained in documents filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017;

 

   

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018;

 

   

the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 27, 2018 incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2018, April 30, 2018, June 15, 2018 and August 1, 2018; and

 

   

our registration statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC on August 11, 2015, as amended and declared effective on October 21, 2015, including, without limitation, the description of capital stock contained in such registration statement, and all reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus supplement until we have sold all of the securities to which this prospectus supplement relates or the offering is otherwise terminated. These documents may include, among others, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. We are not, however, incorporating any information furnished under either Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K.

You may obtain copies of the documents we incorporate by reference, at no cost, upon written or oral request, by contacting us as described below, or through contacting the SEC or accessing its website as described above. Documents incorporated by reference are available without charge, excluding all exhibits unless an exhibit has been specifically incorporated by reference into those documents, by requesting them in writing or by telephone at:

Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.

591 Redwood Highway, Suite 1150

Mill Valley, California

(415) 965-8030

Attn: Investor Relations

 

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Our reports and documents incorporated by reference herein may also be found in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.fcpt.com. Our website and the information contained in it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any registration statement of which they form a part.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

FOUR CORNERS PROPERTY TRUST, INC.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Rights

 

 

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more series or classes, separately or together, and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus, the following securities:

 

    Shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

 

    Shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

 

    Depositary shares representing an interest in our preferred stock;

 

    Warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares representing an interest in our preferred stock; and

 

    Rights to purchase our common stock.

We refer to our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, and rights collectively as the “securities.” This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The prices and terms of any securities to be offered, the net proceeds that we expect to receive from the sale of such securities and the specific manner in which such securities may be offered will be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

We will deliver this prospectus together with an applicable prospectus supplement setting forth the specific terms of the securities we are offering. The applicable prospectus supplement also will contain information, where applicable, about U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by such prospectus supplement.

We may offer the securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time by them or us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, underwriters, or dealers are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with, between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying prospectus supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 57. No securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “FCPT.” On December 2, 2016, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $18.96 per share. Our principal executive offices are located at 591 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, California 94941 and our telephone number is (415) 965-8030.

 

 

You should carefully read this entire prospectus, the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors ” on page 5 of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making a decision to invest in our securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated December 5, 2016.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     2  

OUR COMPANY

     4  

RISK FACTORS

     5  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

     9  

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     11  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     13  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     17  

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

     18  

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

     19  

RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

     24  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     27  

BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

     57  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     59  

LEGAL MATTERS

     61  

EXPERTS

     61  

WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     61  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

     62  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer and is not meant to provide a complete description of each security. As a result, each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of those securities, which we will attach to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should rely only on the information provided or information to which we have referred you, including any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any free writing prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement prepared by us or the other documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates that are specified in these documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

You should carefully read this entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, which we have referred you to in “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below, before making an investment decision. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Statements contained or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement as to the content of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Any information in such subsequent filings and any applicable prospectus supplement that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Four Corners Property Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Four Corners Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to as the “Operating Partnership.”

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, all of our statements regarding anticipated growth in our funds from operations and anticipated market conditions are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You also can identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.

The forward-looking statements contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in or contemplated by any forward-looking statement. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth in or contemplated by any forward-looking statements:

 

    adverse economic or real estate developments in our markets or the restaurant industry;

 

    global, national and local economic conditions;

 

    difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions;

 

    our failure to successfully develop, redevelop and operate acquired properties or lines of business;

 

    the increasingly competitive environment in which we operate;

 

    the ability and willingness of our tenants, including Darden Restaurants, Inc. (“Darden”), to perform under leases and to renew the leases with us upon their expiration, and our ability to reposition our properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event we replace an existing tenant;

 

    obligations, including indemnification obligations, we may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant;

 

    increased interest rates and operating costs, including increased energy costs;

 

    financing risks, including our failure to obtain necessary outside financing;

 

    decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates;

 

    our failure to qualify and maintain qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”);

 

    the ability to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;

 

    environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters;

 

    financial market fluctuations;

 

    the ability to retain our key management personnel;

 

    other risks inherent in our properties, including illiquidity of real estate investments and restrictions on our ability to sell these properties;

 

    changes in real estate and zoning laws, revaluations for tax purposes and increases in real property tax rates; and

 

    changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or other applicable accounting policies.

 

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While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” and the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our subsequent filings.

 

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OUR COMPANY

We are a REIT that owns, acquires and leases restaurant and other food service-related properties on a triple-net basis. Our primary goal is to create long-term stockholder value through the payment of consistent cash dividends and the growth of our cash flow and asset base. To achieve this goal, we are pursuing a business strategy focused on opportunistic acquisitions and asset and tenant diversification.

We operate our business in two segments: real estate operations and restaurant operations. As of September 30, 2016, we owned 440 properties, all within the continental United States. Our revenues from our real estate operations segment are primarily generated by leasing restaurant properties to Darden and other tenants through triple-net lease arrangements under which the lessee is primarily responsible for ongoing costs relating to the properties, including utilities, property taxes, insurance, common area maintenance charges, and maintenance and repair costs. We also generate revenues through our restaurant operations segment pursuant to franchise agreements with Darden related to six LongHorn SteakHouse® restaurant properties located in the San Antonio, Texas area.

We were incorporated as a Maryland corporation on July 2, 2015 as a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Darden. On November 9, 2015, Darden completed a spin-off of Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. (the “Spin-Off”) whereby we became an independent, publicly traded, self-administered company. Substantially all of our business is conducted through the Operating Partnership, of which our wholly owned subsidiary, Four Corners GP, LLC, is the sole general partner. As of December 2, 2016, we owned 99.54% of the outstanding partnership units of the Operating Partnership.

We intend to elect to be taxed, and have operated and intend to continue to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify, as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2016. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we distribute at least 90% of our adjusted taxable income to our stockholders, subject to certain adjustments and excluding any net capital gain. As a REIT, we will not be subject to federal corporate income tax on that portion of net income that is distributed to our stockholders. However, our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”) will generally be subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. We will make our REIT election upon the filing of our 2016 tax return.

Our shares of common stock are listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “FCPT”.

Our executive offices are located at 591 Redwood Highway, Suite 1150, Mill Valley, California 94941, and our telephone number is (415) 965-8030. Our web address is www.fourcornerspropertytrust.com. The information on or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which are incorporated by reference herein, together with all other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the risk factors and other information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of the events described could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions to our stockholders, which could cause you to lose all or a significant part of your investment in our securities. Some statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus used to offer specific securities, we intend to contribute the net proceeds from any sale of the securities pursuant to this prospectus to the Operating Partnership in exchange for operating partnership units. The Operating Partnership will use the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, the acquisition of additional properties, capital expenditures, the redevelopment of properties in our portfolio, working capital and other general purposes.

Pending application of cash proceeds, we will invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities that are consistent with our intention to continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods presented. For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consist of net income before income taxes, adjustment for noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, fixed charges and distributed income of equity investees, less capitalized interest and noncontrolling interest in pre-tax earnings of consolidated subsidiaries with no fixed charges. “Fixed charges” consist of interest costs, whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of debt issuance costs and the portion of rent expense deemed to be the equivalent of interest.

 

    Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
2015
    Year Ended
December 31,
2014
    Year Ended
December 31,
2013
    Year Ended
December 31,
2012
 

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(1)(2)

    6.05x       6.46x       N/A (3)      N/A (3)      N/A (3) 

 

(1) Due to the timing of the Spin-Off, the Company presents herein consolidated financial data for (i) the Company from November 9, 2015, the date of consummation of the Spin-Off, through September 30, 2016 and (ii) the Kerrow Restaurant Operating Business for all periods. Our real estate operations segment was not operated by Darden as a stand-alone business and, accordingly, there are no historical results of operations related to that business prior to November 9, 2015.
(2) No shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding for any of the periods presented.
(3) For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company did not incur fixed charges. Therefore, the ratio is not applicable.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our articles of amendment and restatement (“our charter”) provides that we may issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“common stock”), and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“preferred stock”). Our charter authorizes our board of directors to amend our charter to increase or decrease the 525,000,000 aggregate number of authorized shares of common stock or preferred stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series without stockholder approval.

As of December 2, 2016, 59,888,447 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations solely as a result of their status as stockholders.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

Authorization and Issuance

All shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Voting Rights

Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares of our common stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of common stock, each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of capital stock, the holders of shares of common stock vote together as a single class and possess exclusive voting power. Nominees for director in an election in which the number of nominees is equal to the number of open board seats are elected by a majority of the votes cast. If the number of nominees in an election exceeds the number of open board seats, directors are elected by a plurality vote, as provided in our bylaws. A majority of the votes cast by stockholders is sufficient to approve any other matter, unless a different vote is required by our bylaws, rule, regulation or statute, or by our charter.

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless declared advisable by a majority of its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation’s charter. Our charter provides that these actions may be taken if declared advisable by a majority of our board of directors and approved by the vote of stockholders holding at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter (other than certain amendments to the provisions of our charter related to the removal of directors and the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares of stock, which require a vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter). However, Maryland law permits a corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. In addition, because operating assets may be held by a corporation’s subsidiaries, as in our situation, these subsidiaries may be able to transfer all or substantially all of such assets without a vote of our stockholders.

Dividends, Distributions, Liquidation and Other Rights

Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of shares of stock, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such shares of common stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available therefor. Such holders also are entitled to share ratably in the assets of our company legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment or establishment of reserves for all of our debts and liabilities and any shares with preferential rights thereto.

Holders of shares of common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights, have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of our company and have no appraisal rights. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of shares of stock, shares of common stock have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

 

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Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Shares of Stock

Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock into other classes or series of shares of stock and to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock that have priority over the shares of common stock with respect to dividends, distributions and rights upon liquidation and with other terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of shares of our common stock or otherwise might be in their best interest. As of December 2, 2016, no shares of preferred stock are outstanding, and we do not have present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Common Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common and Preferred Stock

We believe that the power of our board of directors, without prior stockholder approval (subject to certain exceptions), to amend our charter to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock, to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise. The additional classes or series will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our securities or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

Holders of common stock will be subject to the ownership restrictions of our charter. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws

For a description of certain provision of Maryland law and our charter and bylaws that may affect the rights and restrictions related to our common stock, see “Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws.”

Exchange Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “FCPT.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our shares of common stock is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

General

Subject to the limitations prescribed by Maryland law and our charter and bylaws, our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify or reclassify and issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. Our board of directors may determine the relative preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions and limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of each class or series of preferred stock so issued, which may be more beneficial than the rights, preferences and privileges attributable to our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our securities or otherwise might be in their best interest. The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

Any prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock will describe the specific terms of such securities, which may include:

 

    the title and stated value of such preferred stock;

 

    the number of shares of such preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such shares;

 

    the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such preferred stock;

 

    whether dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on such preferred stock shall accumulate;

 

    the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such preferred stock;

 

    the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for such preferred stock;

 

    the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of such preferred stock;

 

    any listing of such preferred stock on any securities exchange;

 

    the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which shares of such preferred stock will be convertible into shares of our common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof) and conversion period;

 

    a discussion of additional material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

    any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

    in addition to those limitations described below, any other limitations on actual or constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our status as a REIT; and

 

    any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of such preferred stock.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

Holders of preferred stock will be subject to the ownership restrictions of our charter. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws

See “Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws.”

 

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

The registrar and transfer agent for the shares of preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Preferred stock of each series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement among us, the depositary named therein and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares (including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of the shares of preferred stock by us to a preferred shares depositary, we will cause such preferred shares depositary to issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from us upon request, and the statements made herein relating to the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The preferred shares depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the shares of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of such depositary receipts owned by such holders, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred shares depositary.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred shares depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred shares depositary, unless the preferred shares depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the preferred shares depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any shares of preferred stock converted into other securities.

Withdrawal of Shares

Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the applicable preferred shares depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such holder’s order, of the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of preferred stock represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of such preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred shares depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.

 

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Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the preferred shares depositary, the preferred shares depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock so redeemed, provided we shall have paid in full to the preferred shares depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares) or by any other equitable method determined by us that will not result in a violation of the ownership restrictions in our charter.

From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of the preferred stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such depositary receipts were entitled upon such redemption and surrender thereof to the preferred shares depositary. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

Voting of the Shares of Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the applicable shares of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred shares depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares which represent such shares of preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the preferred shares depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The preferred shares depositary will vote the amount of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the preferred shares depositary in order to enable the preferred shares depositary to do so. The preferred shares depositary will abstain from voting the amount of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing such depositary shares. The preferred shares depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from negligence or willful misconduct of the preferred shares depositary.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to a fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion of Shares of Preferred Stock

The depositary shares, as such, are not convertible into common stock or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the preferred shares depositary with written instructions to the preferred shares depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole

 

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shares of common stock or other shares of preferred stock, and we agree that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of shares of preferred stock to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by us equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.

Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred stock and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the preferred shares depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related preferred stock will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least two-thirds of the applicable depositary shares evidenced by the applicable depositary receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.

The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the preferred shares depositary if (i) such termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT or (ii) a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by such termination consents to such termination, whereupon the preferred shares depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by the preferred shares depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. We have agreed that if the deposit agreement is terminated to preserve our status as a REIT, then we will use our best efforts to list the preferred stock issued upon surrender of the related depositary shares on a national securities exchange. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding depositary shares shall have been redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred stock or (iii) each related share of preferred stock shall have been converted into our securities not so represented by depositary shares.

Charges of Preferred Shares Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred shares depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred shares depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The preferred shares depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the preferred shares depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred shares depositary. A successor preferred shares depositary must be

 

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appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and that meets certain combined capital and surplus requirements.

Miscellaneous

The preferred shares depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from us which are received by the preferred shares depositary with respect to the related preferred stock.

Neither we nor the preferred shares depositary will be liable if we or it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond our or its control, performing our or its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of us and the preferred shares depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct, and we and the preferred shares depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or shares of preferred stock represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preferred shares depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock represented thereby for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.

In the event the preferred shares depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the preferred shares depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.

Restrictions on Ownership

Holders of depositary receipts will be subject to the ownership restrictions of our charter. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may offer by means of this prospectus warrants for the purchase of any of the types of securities offered by this prospectus. We may issue warrants separately or together with any other securities offered by means of this prospectus, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified therein or the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

Any prospectus supplement relating to warrants will describe the specific terms of such securities, which may include:

 

    the title of such warrants;

 

    the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

    the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

    the currencies in which the price or prices of such warrants may be payable;

 

    the price or prices at which and currency or currencies in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

    the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

    the designation and terms of the other securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;

 

    if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants will be separately transferable;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

    the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

    information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

    a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

    any other material terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to our stockholders for the purchase of shares of common stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of rights. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Any prospectus supplement relating to a series of rights will describe the specific terms of such securities, which may include:

 

    the date for determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

    the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of such rights and the exercise price;

 

    the aggregate number of rights being issued;

 

    the date, if any, on and after which such rights may be transferable separately;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise such rights shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

    a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

    any other terms of such rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of such rights.

 

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

The following is a summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and our charter and bylaws.

Our Board of Directors

Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of directors of our company may be established by our board of directors, but may not be fewer than the minimum number required under Maryland law nor more than 15 directors. Our charter and bylaws provide that any vacancy that results from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the board of directors and any other vacancy may be filled by a majority of the board of directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Any individual elected to fill such vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term and until a successor is duly elected and qualified.

Pursuant to our bylaws, each of our directors is elected by our stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies under Maryland law. Holders of shares of our common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Nominees for director in an election in which the number of nominees is equal to the number of open board seats are elected by a majority of the votes cast. If the number of nominees in an election exceeds the number of open board seats, directors are elected by a plurality vote, as provided in our bylaws.

Removal of Directors

Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of our then outstanding capital stock entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors and that, subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock, our board of directors has the exclusive power to fill vacant directorships.

Business Combinations

We have a charter provision specifying that the Maryland Business Combination Act does not apply to any business combination between us and any person. This charter provision can be amended only upon the recommendation of our board of directors and with the approval of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of our outstanding stock. If it were not for this election, under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” between us and any interested stockholder or affiliate of an interested stockholder would be prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of a supermajority of stockholders.

Control Share Acquisitions

We have a charter provision exempting all of our shares from the application of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. This charter provision can be amended only upon the recommendation of our board of directors and with the approval of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of our outstanding stock. If it were not for this exemption, Maryland law would provide that issued and outstanding shares of our stock acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter.

 

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Subtitle 8

We are prohibited by our charter from electing to be subject to the “unsolicited takeover” provisions of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL. Such provisions permit a Maryland corporation with (i) a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and (ii) at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or by a resolution of its board of directors (notwithstanding any contrary provision in its charter or bylaws), to any or all of five provisions:

 

    a classified board;

 

    a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;

 

    a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors;

 

    a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office and such director shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualified; and

 

    a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.

This prohibition may be rescinded or amended only with the approval of at least a majority in voting power of our outstanding stock.

Amendment of Our Charter and Bylaws and Approval of Extraordinary Transactions

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter, merge, consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or dissolve unless the action is advised by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these actions by a lesser percentage of stockholders, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of our outstanding stock will be required to approve all charter amendments or the other extraordinary actions listed above. However, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation.

Our charter requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of our outstanding stock to amend any provision of the charter other than those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder vote by law or specific provision of the charter. Accordingly, at least a majority in voting power of our outstanding stock is required in order to amend provisions in our charter relating to restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, our election to opt-out of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, amendment of our bylaws by the stockholders and the stockholder action voting requirements described above.

Our board of directors has the authority, without any action by our stockholders, to amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue, including by effecting a reverse stock split.

Our charter provides that our bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the board of directors. All such amendments must be approved by either the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of our outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon or by a majority of the entire board of directors then in office, as applicable.

Meetings of Stockholders

Under our bylaws, annual meetings of stockholders are to be held each year at a date and time as determined by our board of directors. Special meetings of stockholders may be called only by a majority of the directors then

 

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in office, by the chairman of our board of directors, our president or our chief executive officer. Additionally, subject to the provisions of our bylaws, special meetings of the stockholders shall be called by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than ten percent of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Only matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered and acted upon at such a meeting. Maryland law and our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting by unanimous written consent, if that consent sets forth that action and is signed by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter.

Special Meetings of the Stockholders; Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Our charter provides that special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time upon the written request of the holders of not less than ten percent in voting power of our outstanding stock. Our charter provides that the procedure for calling special meetings can be amended only with the approval of at least a majority in voting power of our outstanding stock. In addition, our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by a majority of the directors then in office, by the chairman of our board of directors, our president or our chief executive officer. Under Maryland law, any written consent of our stockholders must be unanimous.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

Our bylaws provide that, at any annual meeting of stockholders, proposals of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the time of provision of notice and at the time of the meeting, is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of directors or on such other proposed business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our bylaws. The stockholder generally must provide notice to the secretary not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of preceding year’s annual meeting.

Only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before any special meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws provide that nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors at a meeting of stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (2) by any stockholder of record at the time of provision of the notice and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws. Such stockholder will be entitled to nominate one or more individuals, as the case may be, for election as a director if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by our bylaws, is delivered to the secretary (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary of our preceding year’s annual meeting; provided that in the case of the first annual meeting or if the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than twenty-five days from such anniversary date, notice must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made, or (ii) in the case of a special meeting, not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, which first occurs.

The purpose of requiring stockholders to give advance notice of nominations and other proposals is to afford our board of directors the opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the advisability of the other proposals and, to the extent considered necessary by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations regarding the nominations or other proposals. The advance notice procedures also permit a more orderly procedure for conducting stockholder meetings.

Indemnification and Limitation of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision that limits the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting

 

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from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active or deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and that is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision that limits, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, the liability of our directors, but not our officers, to us and our stockholders for money damages.

Maryland law requires a Maryland corporation (unless otherwise provided in its charter, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in that capacity unless it is established that:

 

    the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

 

    the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

 

    in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by the corporation or in its right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, will be limited to expenses.

In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon receipt of (1) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (2) a written undertaking by him or her, or on his or her behalf, to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

Our charter requires that we indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by Maryland law, in effect from time to time. Such right to indemnification continues as to our former directors or officers and also inures to the benefit of the heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives of our directors and officers. We are not obligated to indemnify any director or officer (or his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by director or officer unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification. Our directors and officers also have a right to be advanced by us any expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon our receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer receiving advancement to repay the amount advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by us under our charter and a written affirmation by the director or officer of the director’s or officer’s good faith belief that the standard necessary for indemnification has been met.

In respect to our obligations to provide indemnification to directors and officers for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

We maintain insurance on behalf of our directors and officers, insuring them against liabilities that they may incur in such capacities or arising from this status.

 

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Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws

The restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock will prohibit any person from acquiring more than 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock or more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of our stock, without the prior consent of our board of directors. Because our board of directors will be able to approve exceptions to the ownership limits, the ownership limits will not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

The provisions described above, along with other provisions of the MGCL and our charter and bylaws discussed above and the advance notice provisions and the procedures that stockholders will be required to follow to request a special meeting, alone or in combination, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or other change in control of us that might involve a premium price for our securities or otherwise be in the best interest of our securityholders, and could increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

REIT Qualification

Our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

 

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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

In order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of our outstanding stock (after taking into account any options to acquire shares) may be owned, directly or indirectly, or through attribution, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year.

Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to, among other purposes, assist us in complying with these requirements. Our charter provides that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of our outstanding stock, referred to as the “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit,” or more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of our outstanding common stock, referred to as the “Common Stock Ownership Limit.” The Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit are referred to collectively as the “Ownership Limits.”

The charter further prohibits (a) any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares that would result in the Company’s being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to beneficial or constructive ownership that would result in us owning (actually or constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by us (either directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships or limited liability companies) from such tenant would cause us to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code) and (b) any person from transferring shares if such transfer would result in stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons. Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, or any person who would have owned shares that resulted in a transfer of shares to the charitable trust (as described below), is required to give notice immediately to us or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, provide us at least 15 days prior notice, and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer, if any, on our status as a REIT.

The board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a proposed transferee from the Ownership Limits, which transferee is referred to in this prospectus as an “Excepted Holder.” However, the board of directors may not grant such an exemption to any person if such exemption would result in Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise would result in us failing to qualify as a REIT. Also, in order to be considered by the board of directors as an Excepted Holder, a person must not own, directly or indirectly, an interest in one of our tenants (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by us) that would cause us to own, directly or indirectly, more than a 9.9% interest in such a tenant (other than a TRS). This restriction is designed to ensure that rents from a tenant will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income tests applicable to REITs under the Code. The person seeking an exemption must represent to the satisfaction of the board of directors that it will not violate the two foregoing restrictions. The person also must agree that any violation or attempted violation of any of the foregoing restrictions will result in the automatic transfer of the shares causing such violation to the charitable trust. The board of directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the board of directors, in its sole discretion, in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT. The board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such an exemption.

In connection with granting a waiver of the Ownership Limits or creating an excepted holder limit or at any other time, the board of directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Ownership Limits, unless, after giving effect to such decrease or increase, we would be “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or

 

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otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. A reduced ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership of our common stock or our shares of all classes and series of stock, as applicable, is, at the effective time of such reduction, in excess of such decreased ownership limit until such time as such person’s or entity’s percentage ownership of our common stock or our shares of all classes and series of stock, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of our common stock or shares of all classes or series of stock, as applicable, will violate the decreased ownership limit.

Pursuant to the charter, if any transfer of shares would result in shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons, such transfer will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares. In addition, if any transfer of shares occurs which, if effective, would result in any person beneficially or constructively owning shares in excess or in violation of the other transfer or ownership limitations described above (a “Prohibited Owner”), then that number of shares the beneficial or constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such person to violate such limitations (rounded up to the nearest whole share) will be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries (the “Charitable Beneficiary”), and the Prohibited Owner will not acquire any rights in such shares. Such automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of such violative transfer. Shares held in the charitable trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The Prohibited Owner will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in the charitable trust, will have no rights to dividends and will not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the charitable trust. The trustee of the charitable trust (the “Charitable Trustee”) will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the charitable trust, which rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee will be paid by the recipient of such dividend or other distribution to the Charitable Trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee. Any dividend or other distribution so paid to the Charitable Trustee will be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that such shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, the Charitable Trustee will have the authority (at the Charitable Trustee’s sole discretion) (a) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to our discovery that such shares have been transferred to the charitable trust and (b) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Charitable Trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.

Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, the Charitable Trustee must sell the shares held in the charitable trust to a person, designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in the charter. Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the Charitable Trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as follows. The Prohibited Owner will receive the lesser of (a) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price (as defined in our charter) of such shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust and (b) the price per share received by the Charitable Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the charitable trust. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner will be paid immediately to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to our discovery that shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (a) such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the charitable trust and (b) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to the aforementioned requirement, such excess will be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.

In addition, shares held in the charitable trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (a) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such

 

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transfer to the charitable trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (b) the Market Price on the date that we, or our designee, accepts such offer. We will have the right to accept such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the shares held in the charitable trust. Upon such a sale to us, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the Charitable Trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

All certificates evidencing our shares will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above. Instead of a legend, we may state that we will issue a full statement of certain restrictions on ownership and transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or value of all classes or series of stock, including common stock, will be required to give written notice to us within 30 days after the end of each taxable year stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of stock that the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner must provide to us such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limits. In addition, each stockholder will, upon demand, be required to provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, in order to determine our status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limits.

The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if the board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

The ownership limitations contained in the charter could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of us that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our qualification and taxation as a REIT and the acquisition, holding, and disposition of our common stock, preferred stock and depositary shares (together with common stock and preferred stock, the “Stock”) as well as our warrants and rights. For purposes of this discussion, references to “our Company,” “we” and “us” mean only Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. and not its subsidiaries or affiliates. This summary is based upon the Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury regulations”), rulings and other administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS (including administrative interpretations and practices expressed in private letter rulings which are binding on the IRS only with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. We have not sought and will not seek an advance ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this section. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we will operate the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities in accordance with their applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only, and does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances, or to investors subject to special tax rules, including:

 

    tax-exempt organizations, except to the extent discussed below in “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders—Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders,”

 

    broker-dealers,

 

    non-U.S. corporations, non-U.S. partnerships, non-U.S. trusts, non-U.S. estates, or individuals who are not taxed as citizens or residents of the United States, all of which may be referred to collectively as “non-U.S. persons,” except to the extent discussed below in “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders,”

 

    trusts and estates,

 

    regulated investment companies (“RICs”),

 

    REITs,

 

    financial institutions,

 

    insurance companies

 

    subchapter S corporations,

 

    foreign (non-U.S. governments),

 

    persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code,

 

    persons holding the Stock as part of a “hedge,” “straddle,” “conversion,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment,

 

    persons holding the Stock through a partnership or similar pass-through entity,

 

    persons with a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar,

 

    persons holding 10% or more (by vote or value) of the beneficial interest in us, except to the extent discussed below,

 

    persons who do not hold the Stock as a “capital asset,” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code,

 

    corporations subject to the provisions of Section 7874 of the Code,

 

    U.S. expatriates, or

 

    persons otherwise subject to special tax treatment under the Code.

 

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This summary does not address state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations. This summary also does not consider tax considerations that may be relevant with respect to securities we may issue other than our Stock described below. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that sale and may add to, modify or update the discussion below, as appropriate.

Each prospective investor is advised to consult his or her tax advisor to determine the impact of his or her personal tax situation on the anticipated tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and sale of our Stock, warrants and/or rights. This includes the U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and other tax considerations of the ownership and sale of our Stock, warrants and/or rights, and the potential changes in applicable tax laws.

Taxation of the Company as a REIT

We were incorporated as a Maryland corporation on July 2, 2015 as a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Darden. On November 9, 2015, Darden completed the Spin-Off whereby we became an independent, publicly traded, self-administered company, primarily engaged in the ownership, acquisition and leasing of restaurant properties. We intend to elect to be taxed, and have operated and intend to continue to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2016. We will make our REIT election upon the filing of our 2016 tax return. A REIT generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on the “REIT taxable income” (generally, taxable income of the REIT subject to specified adjustments, including a deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) that it distributes to stockholders, provided that the REIT meets the annual REIT distribution requirement and the other requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code. We believe that we are organized and have operated, and we intend to continue to operate, in a manner so as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code. However, qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, including (through our actual annual (or in some cases quarterly) operating results) requirements relating to income, asset ownership, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Given the complex nature of the REIT qualification requirements, the ongoing importance of factual determinations and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, we cannot provide any assurances that we will be organized or operated in a manner so as to satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, or that we will meet such requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify as a REIT.”

The sections of the Code that relate to our qualification and taxation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. This discussion sets forth the material aspects of the Code sections that govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, relevant rules and Treasury regulations, and related administrative and judicial interpretations.

Taxation of REITs in General

For each taxable year in which we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our “REIT taxable income” (generally, taxable income subject to specified adjustments, including a deduction for dividends paid and excluding our net capital gain) that is distributed currently to our stockholders. Qualification for taxation as a REIT enables the REIT and its stockholders to substantially eliminate the “double taxation” (that is, taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from an investment in a regular corporation, i.e., a non-REIT “C” corporation. Regular corporations are subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxation on their income, and stockholders of such corporations are subject to tax on dividends that are received. Except as described in the next sentence, dividends received from REITs are not eligible for taxation at the preferential dividend income rates currently available to individual U.S. stockholders who receive dividends from regular corporations, and corporate stockholders of a REIT are not eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate stockholders of regular corporations. However, designated capital gain dividends and dividends designated as “qualified dividend income” that are paid by a REIT are eligible for taxation at the preferential dividend income rates currently

 

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available to individual U.S. stockholders. Overall, income earned by a REIT and distributed currently to its stockholders will be subject to lower aggregate rates of U.S. federal income taxation than if such income were earned by a regular corporation, subjected to corporate income tax, and then distributed to stockholders and subjected to tax either at capital gain rates or at the effective rate paid by a corporate recipient entitled to the benefit of the dividends received deduction.

Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes of a REIT generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the net capital gain that we recognize.

Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the following circumstances:

 

    We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed “REIT taxable income,” including any undistributed net capital gain. REIT taxable income is the taxable income of the REIT subject to specified adjustments, including a deduction for dividends paid.

 

    We (or our stockholders) may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference, if any.

 

    If we have (1) net income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property” that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, or (2) other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, such income will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate.

 

    Our net income from “prohibited transactions” will be subject to a 100% tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property.

 

    If we fail to satisfy either the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy specified cure provisions, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (a) the greater of (1) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (2) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test, as the case may be, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

 

    We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required calendar year distribution over the sum of the amounts actually distributed, excess distributions from the preceding tax year and amounts retained for which U.S. federal income tax was paid. The required distribution for each calendar year is equal to the sum of:

 

    85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year;

 

    95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year, other than capital gains we elect to retain and pay tax on as described below; and

 

    any undistributed taxable income from prior taxable years.

 

    We will be subject to a 100% penalty tax on certain rental income we receive when a taxable REIT subsidiary provides services to our tenants, on certain expenses deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary on payments made to us and on income for services rendered to us by a taxable REIT subsidiary, if the arrangements among us, our tenants, and our taxable REIT subsidiaries do not reflect arm’s-length terms. See “— Effect of Subsidiary Entities — Ownership of Interests in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries.”

 

    If we recognize gain on the disposition of any asset held by us on January 1, 2016 (the effective date of our REIT election) during the five-year period thereafter, then we will owe tax at the highest corporate rate on the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the asset on the effective date of our REIT election over its basis in the asset at such time, and (ii) the gain recognized upon the disposition of such asset.

 

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    If, after the effective date of our REIT election, we acquire any assets from a regular corporation in a carry-over basis transaction, we would be liable for corporate income tax, at the highest applicable corporate rate, on the “built-in gain” inherent in those assets if we disposed of those assets within five years after they were acquired. To the extent that assets are transferred to us in a carry-over basis transaction by a partnership in which a regular corporation owns an interest, we will be subject to this tax in proportion to the regular corporation’s interest in the partnership. Built-in gain is the amount by which an asset’s fair market value exceeds its adjusted tax basis at the time we acquire the asset. The results described in this paragraph assume that the regular corporation or partnership transferor will not elect, in lieu of this treatment, to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us.

 

    We may elect to retain and pay U.S. federal income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a U.S. stockholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent that we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, would be deemed to have paid the tax we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, and an adjustment would be made to increase the basis of the U.S. stockholder in our common stock.

 

    If we violate an asset test (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nevertheless maintain our REIT qualification because we satisfy specified cure provisions, we will be subject to a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the amount determined by multiplying the net income generated by such non-qualifying assets by the highest rate of tax applicable to regular corporations during periods when owning such assets would have caused us to fail the relevant asset test.

 

    If we fail to satisfy a requirement under the Code and the failure would result in the loss of our REIT qualification, other than a failure to satisfy a gross income test or an asset test, as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because the requirements of certain relief provisions are satisfied, we will be subject to a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.

 

    If we fail to comply with the requirement to send annual letters to our stockholders requesting information regarding the actual ownership of our Stock and the failure was not due to reasonable cause or was due to willful neglect, we will be subject to a $25,000 penalty or, if the failure is intentional, a $50,000 penalty.

 

    The earnings of any subsidiaries that are regular corporations, including any taxable REIT subsidiaries, are subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

Notwithstanding our qualification as a REIT, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets, operations and/or net worth. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification as a REIT

The Code defines a “REIT” as a corporation, trust or association:

 

  (1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

  (2) that issues transferable shares or transferable certificates to evidence its beneficial ownership;

 

  (3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 859 of the Code;

 

  (4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company within the meaning of certain provisions of the Code;

 

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  (5) that is beneficially owned by 100 or more persons;

 

  (6) not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock or other beneficial interest of which is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities and as determined by applying certain attribution rules) during the last half of each taxable year;

 

  (7) that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year, or has made such an election for a previous taxable year that has not been revoked or terminated, and that satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the IRS that must be met to elect and maintain REIT status;

 

  (8) that uses a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

  (9) that meets other applicable tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions; and

 

  (10) that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year at the close of any taxable year.

The Code provides that conditions (1), (2), (3) and (4) above must be met during the entire taxable year and condition (5) above must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions (5) and (6) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. Condition (6) must be met during the last half of each taxable year. For purposes of determining stock ownership under condition (6) above, a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes generally is considered an individual. However, a trust that is a qualified trust under Code Section 401(a) generally is not considered an individual, and beneficiaries of a qualified trust are treated as holding stock of a REIT in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for purposes of condition (6) above.

We believe that we have been organized, have operated and have issued sufficient shares of Stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy the above conditions. In addition, our charter contains restrictions regarding the transfer of shares of Stock that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these stock ownership requirements, we will fail to qualify as a REIT unless we qualify for certain relief provisions described below under “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Relief from Violations; Reasonable Cause.”

To monitor our compliance with condition (6) above, we are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our Stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of specified percentages of our Stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the Stock (i.e., the persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid by us). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. A stockholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of our stock and other information. If we comply with the record-keeping requirement and we do not know or, exercising reasonable diligence, would not have known of our failure to meet condition (6) above, then we will be treated as having met condition (6) above.

As noted in condition (10) above, to qualify as a REIT, we cannot have at the end of any taxable year any undistributed earnings and profits that are attributable to a non-REIT taxable year. A REIT has until the close of its first REIT taxable year in which it has non-REIT earnings and profits to distribute all such earnings and profits. Our failure to comply with this rule would require that we pay a “deficiency dividend” to our stockholders and interest to the IRS to distribute any remaining earnings and profits. If we fail to make a deficiency dividend in those circumstances, we would fail to qualify as a REIT.

 

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In connection with our Spin-Off from Darden, Darden allocated its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off between Darden and us in a manner that, in Darden’s best judgment, was in accordance with provisions of the Code. In order to comply with the requirement that we distribute accumulated earnings and profits attributable to non-REIT years, we declared and paid a special dividend to our stockholders early in 2016 (the “Purging Distribution”). The Purging Distribution was designed to distribute our accumulated earnings and profits attributable to our non-REIT years, including the earnings and profits allocated to us by Darden in connection with the Spin-Off and the earnings and profits we generated in our short taxable year ended December 31, 2015. A holder of shares of our common stock was required to report dividend income as a result of the Purging Distribution even if such stockholder received no cash or only nominal amounts of cash in the distribution.

Relief from Violations; Reasonable Cause

The Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Gross Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax. If we did not have reasonable cause for a failure, we would fail to qualify as a REIT. Whether we would have reasonable cause for any such failure cannot be known with certainty, because the determination of whether reasonable cause exists depends on the facts and circumstances at the time and we cannot provide any assurance that we in fact would have reasonable cause for a particular failure or that the IRS would not successfully challenge our view that a failure was due to reasonable cause. Moreover, we may be unable to actually rectify a failure and restore asset test compliance within the required timeframe due to the inability to transfer or otherwise dispose of assets, including as a result of restrictions on transfer imposed by our lenders or undertakings with our co-investors and/or the inability to acquire additional qualifying assets due to transaction risks, access to additional capital or other considerations. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

Ownership of Partnership Interests. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as described below. A REIT’s proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on the REIT’s pro rata share of the capital interest in the partnership. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, the determination of a REIT’s interest in partnership assets is based on the REIT’s proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships, which include the assets, liabilities, and items of income of any partnership in which our subsidiary partnership holds an interest, are treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.

Any investment in partnerships involves special tax considerations, including the possibility of a challenge by the IRS of the status of any subsidiary partnership as a partnership, as opposed to an association taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any of these entities were treated as an association for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a corporation and therefore could be subject to an entity-level tax on its income. In such a situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and

 

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could preclude us from satisfying the REIT asset tests or the gross income tests as discussed in “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT —Asset Tests” and “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT —Gross Income Tests,” and in turn could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT, unless we are eligible for relief from the violation pursuant to relief provisions. See “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Relief from Violations; Reasonable Cause” above, and “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Gross Income Tests,” “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Asset Tests” and “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Failure to Qualify as a REIT,” below, for discussion of the effect of failure to satisfy the REIT tests for a taxable year, and of the relief provisions. In addition, any change in the status of any subsidiary partnership for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT distribution requirements without receiving any cash.

Recent legislation may alter who bears the liability in the event any subsidiary partnership is audited and an adjustment is assessed. Congress recently revised the rules applicable to U.S. federal income tax audits of partnerships (such as certain of our subsidiaries) and the collection of any tax resulting from any such audits or other tax proceedings, generally for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Under the new rules, the partnership itself may be liable for a hypothetical increase in partner-level taxes (including interest and penalties) resulting from an adjustment of partnership tax items on audit, regardless of changes in the composition of the partners (or their relative ownership) between the year under audit and the year of the adjustment. The new rules also include an elective alternative method under which the additional taxes resulting from the adjustment are assessed from the affected partners, subject to a higher rate of interest than otherwise would apply. Many questions remain as to how the new rules will apply, especially with respect to partners that are REITs, and it is not clear at this time what effect this new legislation will have on us. However, these changes could increase the U.S. federal income tax, interest, and/or penalties otherwise borne by us in the event of a U.S. federal income tax audit of a subsidiary partnership.

Ownership of Disregarded Subsidiaries. If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary (“QRS”), that subsidiary is generally disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs, as described below. A QRS is any corporation, other than a taxable REIT subsidiary that is directly or indirectly wholly owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly owned by us (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours) the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation unless it is a taxable REIT subsidiary, a QRS or another REIT. See “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Gross Income Tests” and “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Asset Tests.”

Ownership of Interests in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. A taxable REIT subsidiary of ours is a corporation other than a REIT in which we directly or indirectly hold stock, and that has made a joint election with us to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary under Section 856(l) of the Code. A taxable REIT subsidiary also includes any corporation other than a REIT in which a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours owns, directly or indirectly, securities (other than certain “straight debt” securities), which represent more than 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of such corporation. Other than some activities relating to lodging and

 

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health care facilities, a taxable REIT subsidiary may generally engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non-customary services to our tenants without causing us to receive impermissible tenant service income under the REIT gross income tests. A taxable REIT subsidiary is required to pay regular U.S. federal income tax, and state and local income tax where applicable, as a regular corporation. In addition, a taxable REIT subsidiary may be prevented from deducting interest on debt funded directly or indirectly by us if certain tests regarding the taxable REIT subsidiary’s debt to equity ratio and interest expense are not satisfied. If dividends are paid to us by one or more of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, then a portion of the dividends we distribute to stockholders who are taxed at individual rates will generally be eligible for taxation at lower capital gains rates, rather than at ordinary income rates. See “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Qualified Dividend Income.”

Generally, a taxable REIT subsidiary can perform impermissible tenant services without causing us to receive impermissible tenant services income under the REIT income tests. However, several provisions applicable to the arrangements between us and our taxable REIT subsidiaries ensure that such taxable REIT subsidiaries will be subject to an appropriate level of U.S. federal income taxation. For example, taxable REIT subsidiaries are limited in their ability to deduct interest payments in excess of a certain amount made directly or indirectly to us. In addition, we will be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments we receive or on certain expenses deducted by our taxable REIT subsidiaries, and on income earned by our taxable REIT subsidiaries for services provided to, or on behalf of, us, if the economic arrangements between us, our tenants and such taxable REIT subsidiaries are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties. Our taxable REIT subsidiaries, and any future taxable REIT subsidiaries acquired by us, may make interest and other payments to us and to third parties in connection with activities related to our properties. There can be no assurance that our taxable REIT subsidiaries will not be limited in their ability to deduct interest payments made to us. In addition, there can be no assurance that the IRS might not seek to impose the 100% excise tax on a portion of payments received by us from, or expenses deducted by, or service income imputed to, our taxable REIT subsidiaries.

We own subsidiaries that have elected to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each of our taxable REIT subsidiaries is taxable as a regular corporation and has elected, together with us, to be treated as our taxable REIT subsidiary or is treated as our taxable REIT subsidiary under the 35% subsidiary rule discussed above. We may elect, together with other corporations in which we may own directly or indirectly stock, for those corporations to be treated as our taxable REIT subsidiaries.

Gross Income Tests

To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income tests that are applied on an annual basis. First, in each taxable year, at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions, as described below, and certain foreign currency transactions) must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including:

 

    “rents from real property”;

 

    dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of, shares in other REITs;

 

    gain from the sale of real property or mortgages on real property, in either case, not held for sale to customers;

 

    interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property; and

 

    income attributable to temporary investments of new capital in stocks and debt instruments during the one-year period following our receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or issuance of debt obligations with at least a five-year term.

Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions, as described below, and certain foreign currency transactions) must be

 

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derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as (a) other dividends, (b) interest, and (c) gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, in either case, not held for sale to customers.

Gross income from certain hedging transactions and income from, and gain from the termination of, certain hedging transactions, where the property or indebtedness that was the subject of the prior hedging transaction was extinguished or disposed of, is excluded from gross income for purposes of either the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test. See “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Gross Income Tests—Income from Hedging Transactions.”

Rents from Real Property. Rents we receive will qualify as “rents from real property” for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if several conditions are met. These conditions relate to the identity of the tenant, the computation of the rent payable, and the nature of the property lease.

 

    First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales;

 

    Second, we, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the value of our Stock, must not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the interests in the tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation, 10% or more of the voting power or value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents received from such tenant that is a taxable REIT subsidiary, however, will not be excluded from the definition of “rents from real property” as a result of this condition if either (i) at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary are comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space or (ii) the property is a qualified lodging facility or a qualified health care property and such property is operated on behalf of the taxable REIT subsidiary by a person who is an “eligible independent contractor” (as described below) and certain other requirements are met;

 

    Third, rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, must not be greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this requirement is not met, then the portion of rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property”; and

 

    Fourth, for rents to qualify as rents from real property for the purpose of satisfying the gross income tests, we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” who is adequately compensated and from whom we derive no revenue or through a taxable REIT subsidiary. To the extent that impermissible services are provided by an independent contractor, the cost of the services generally must be borne by the independent contractor. We anticipate that any services we provide directly to tenants will be “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and not otherwise considered to be provided for the tenants’ convenience. We may provide a minimal amount of “non-customary” services to tenants of our properties, other than through an independent contractor or a taxable REIT subsidiary, but we intend that our income from these services will not exceed 1% of our total gross income from the property. If the impermissible tenant services income exceeds 1% of our total income from a property, then all of the income from that property will fail to qualify as rents from real property. If the total amount of impermissible tenant services income does not exceed 1% of our total income from the property, the services will not “taint” the other income from the property (that is, it will not cause the rent paid by tenants of that property to fail to qualify as rents from real property), but the impermissible tenant services income will not qualify as rents from real property. We will be deemed to have received income from the provision of impermissible services in an amount equal to at least 150% of our direct cost of providing the service.

We lease restaurant properties to one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, Kerrow Holdings, LLC. We have structured those leases and currently intend to structure future leases, if any, to qualify as true leases for U.S.

 

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federal income tax purposes. However, because we own 100% of the those subsidiaries and do not expect to qualify for the exception described above for rents received from taxable REIT subsidiaries, we expect that all of the rent received from those subsidiaries will not be treated as “rents from real property.”

We monitor (and intend to continue to monitor) the activities provided at, and the non-qualifying income arising from, our properties and believe that we have not provided services at levels that will cause us to fail to meet the income tests. We provide services and may provide access to third party service providers at some or all of our properties. Based upon our experience in the markets where the properties are located, we believe that all access to service providers and services provided to tenants by us (other than through an independent contractor or a taxable REIT subsidiary) either are usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of real property and not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant, or, if considered impermissible services, will not result in an amount of impermissible tenant service income that will cause us to fail to meet the income test requirements. However, we cannot provide any assurance that the IRS will agree with these positions.

Interest Income. “Interest” generally will be non-qualifying income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests if it depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, interest based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales may still qualify under the gross income tests. We do not expect to derive significant amounts of interest that will not qualify under the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

Dividend Income. Our share of any dividends received from any taxable REIT subsidiaries will qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. We do not anticipate that we will receive sufficient dividends from any taxable REIT subsidiaries to cause us to exceed the limit on non-qualifying income under the 75% gross income test. Dividends that we receive from other qualifying REITs will qualify for purposes of both REIT income tests.

Income from Hedging Transactions. From time to time we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap or cap agreements, option agreements, and futures or forward contracts. Income of a REIT, including income from a pass-through subsidiary, arising from “clearly identified” hedging transactions that are entered into to manage the risk of interest rate or price changes with respect to borrowings, including gain from the disposition of such hedging transactions, to the extent the hedging transactions hedge indebtedness incurred, or to be incurred, by the REIT to acquire or carry real estate assets (each such hedge, a “Borrowings Hedge”), will not be treated as gross income for purposes of either the 95% gross income test or the 75% gross income test. Income of a REIT arising from hedging transactions that are entered into to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to our investments (each such hedge, a “Currency Hedge”) will not be treated as gross income for purposes of either the 95% gross income test or the 75% gross income test provided that the transaction is “clearly identified.” This exclusion from the 95% and 75% gross income tests also applies if we previously entered into a Borrowings Hedge or a Currency Hedge, a portion of the hedged indebtedness or property is disposed of, and in connection with such extinguishment or disposition we enter into a new “clearly identified” hedging transaction to offset the prior hedging position. In general, for a hedging transaction to be “clearly identified,” (1) it must be identified as a hedging transaction before the end of the day on which it is acquired, originated, or entered into; and (2) the items of risks being hedged must be identified “substantially contemporaneously” with entering into the hedging transaction (generally not more than 35 days after entering into the hedging transaction). To the extent that we hedge with other types of financial instruments or in other situations, the resulting income will be treated as income that does not qualify under the 95% or 75% gross income tests unless the hedge meets certain requirements and we elect to integrate it with a specified asset and to treat the integrated position as a synthetic debt instrument. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT, but there can be no assurance we will be successful in this regard.

Income from Prohibited Transactions. Any gain that we realize on the sale of any property held as inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, either directly or through

 

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subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. Under existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. However, we will not be treated as a dealer in real property for purposes of the 100% tax with respect to a real estate asset that we sell if (i) we have held the property for at least two years for the production of rental income prior to the sale, (ii) capitalized expenditures on the property in the two years preceding the sale are less than 30% of the net selling price of the property, and (iii) we either (a) have seven or fewer sales of property (excluding certain property obtained through foreclosure) for the year of sale or (b) the aggregate adjusted basis of property sold during the year is 10% or less of the aggregate adjusted basis of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year or (c) the fair market value of property sold during the year is 10% or less of the aggregate fair market value of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year, or (d) the aggregate adjusted basis of property sold during the year is 20% or less of the aggregate adjusted basis of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year and the aggregate adjusted basis of property sold during the 3-year period ending with the year of sale is 10% or less of the aggregate tax basis of all of our assets as of the beginning of each of the 3 taxable years ending with the year of sale; or (e) the fair market value of property sold during the year is 20% or less of the aggregate fair market value of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year and the fair market value of property sold during the 3-year period ending with the year of sale is 10% or less of the aggregate fair market value of all of our assets as of the beginning of each of the 3 taxable years ending with the year of sale. If we rely on clauses (b), (c), (d), or (e) in the preceding sentence, substantially all of the marketing and development expenditures with respect to the property sold must be made through an independent contractor from whom we derive no income or our taxable REIT subsidiary. The sale of more than one property to one buyer as part of one transaction constitutes one sale for purposes of this “safe harbor.” We intend to hold our properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning our properties and to make occasional sales of the properties as are consistent with our investment objectives. However, the IRS may successfully contend that some or all of the sales made by us or subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies are prohibited transactions. In that case, we would be required to pay the 100% penalty tax on our allocable share of the gains resulting from any such sales.

Like-Kind Exchanges. We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

Income from Foreclosure Property. We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that constitutes qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid on the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made and remains in place generally will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. To the extent that we receive any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we intend to make an election to treat the related property as foreclosure property if the election is available (which may not be the case with respect to any acquired “distressed loans”).

Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for that year if we are entitled to relief under

 

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the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% and/or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth a description of each item of our gross income that satisfies the gross income tests for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations. It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will fail to qualify as a REIT. As discussed above, under “— Taxation of REITs in General,” even if these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed based on the amount of non-qualifying income. We intend to take advantage of any and all relief provisions that are available to us to cure any violation of the income tests applicable to REITs.

Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest, or redetermined TRS service income we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of services furnished by one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries to any of our tenants, redetermined deductions and excess interest represent amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s-length negotiations, and redetermined TRS service income is gross income (less deductions allocable thereto) of a taxable REIT subsidiary attributable to services provided to, or on behalf of, us that is less than the amounts that would have been paid by us to the taxable REIT subsidiary if based on arm’s length negotiations. Rents we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for the safe harbor provisions contained in the Code. Safe harbor provisions are provided where:

 

    amounts are excluded from the definition of impermissible tenant service income as a result of satisfying the 1% de minimis exception;

 

    a taxable REIT subsidiary renders a significant amount of similar services to unrelated parties and the charges for such services are substantially comparable;

 

    rents paid to us by tenants leasing at least 25% of the net leasable space of the REIT’s property who are not receiving services from the taxable REIT subsidiary are substantially comparable to the rents paid by the REIT’s tenants leasing comparable space who are receiving such services from the taxable REIT subsidiary and the charge for the service is separately stated; or

 

    the taxable REIT subsidiary’s gross income from the service is not less than 150% of the taxable REIT subsidiary’s direct cost of furnishing the service.

While we anticipate that any fees paid to a taxable REIT subsidiary for tenant services will reflect arm’s-length rates, a taxable REIT subsidiary may under certain circumstances provide tenant services which do not satisfy any of the safe-harbor provisions described above. Nevertheless, these determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the redetermined rent, redetermined deductions, excess interest or redetermined TRS service income, as applicable.

Asset Tests

At the close of each calendar quarter, we must satisfy the following tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets. For purposes of the asset tests, a REIT is not treated as owning the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary or an equity interest in any entity treated as a partnership otherwise disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, a REIT is treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets held by such entity.

 

   

At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, and U.S. government securities. For purposes of this test, real estate assets

 

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include interests in real property, such as land and buildings, leasehold interests in real property, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs (and debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs, interests in mortgages on interests in real property and personal property leased in connection with real property to the extent that rents attributable to such personal property are treated as “rents from real property”), some types of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans, and stock or debt instruments held for less than one year purchased with an offering of our shares or long term debt. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.

 

    Not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities other than those described in the first bullet above.

 

    Except for securities described in the first bullet above and the last bullet below and securities in qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT subsidiaries, the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

 

    Except for securities described in the first bullet above and the last bullet below and securities in qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT subsidiaries, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding voting securities.

 

    Except for securities described in the first bullet above and the last bullet below and securities in qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT subsidiaries, and certain types of indebtedness that are not treated as securities for purposes of this test, as discussed below, we may not own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer.

 

    Not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. For our tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, not more than 20% of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.

 

    Not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are “nonqualified” debt instruments (e.g., not secured by real property or interests in real property).

The 10% value test does not apply to certain “straight debt” and other excluded securities, as described in the Code, including (1) loans to individuals or estates; (2) obligations to pay rent from real property; (3) rental agreements described in Section 467 of the Code; (4) any security issued by other REITs; (5) certain securities issued by a state, the District of Columbia, a foreign government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and (6) any other arrangement as determined by the IRS. In addition, (1) a REIT’s interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security for purposes of the 10% value test; (2) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test; and (3) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by a partnership to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership.

For purposes of the 10% value test, debt will meet the “straight debt” safe harbor if (1) neither us, nor any of our controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries (i.e., taxable REIT subsidiaries more than 50% of the vote or value of the outstanding stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by us), own any securities not described in the preceding paragraph that have an aggregate value greater than one percent of the issuer’s outstanding securities, as calculated under the Code, (2) the debt is a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a sum certain in money, (3) the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, and (4) the interest rate and the interest payment dates of the debt are not contingent on the profits, the borrower’s discretion or similar factors. However, contingencies regarding time of payment and interest are permissible for purposes of qualifying as a straight debt security if either (1) such contingency does not have the effect of changing the

 

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effective yield of maturity, as determined under the Code, other than a change in the annual yield to maturity that does not exceed the greater of (i) 5% of the annual yield to maturity or (ii) 0.25%, or (2) neither the aggregate issue price nor the aggregate face amount of the issuer’s debt instruments held by the REIT exceeds $1,000,000 and not more than 12 months of unaccrued interest can be required to be prepaid thereunder. In addition, debt will not be disqualified from being treated as “straight debt” solely because the time or amount of payment is subject to a contingency upon a default or the exercise of a prepayment right by the issuer of the debt, provided that such contingency is consistent with customary commercial practice.

We own subsidiaries that have elected to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each of our taxable REIT subsidiaries is taxable as a regular “C” corporation and has elected, together with us, to be treated as our taxable REIT subsidiary or is treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary under the 35% subsidiary rule discussed above. So long as each taxable REIT subsidiary qualifies as such, we will not be subject to the 5% asset test, 10% voting securities limitation or 10% value limitation with respect to our ownership interest in each taxable REIT subsidiary. We may acquire securities in other taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. We believe that the aggregate value of our interests in our taxable REIT subsidiaries does not exceed, and believe that in the future it will not exceed, 25% (or 20%, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017) of the aggregate value of our gross assets. To the extent that we own an interest in an issuer that does not qualify as a REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary, or a taxable REIT subsidiary, we believe that our pro rata share of the value of the securities, including debt, of any such issuer does not exceed 5% of the total value of our assets. Moreover, with respect to each issuer in which we own an interest that does not qualify as a qualified REIT subsidiary or a taxable REIT subsidiary, we believe that our ownership of the securities of any such issuer complies with the 10% voting securities limitation and 10% value limitation.

No independent appraisals have been obtained to support these conclusions. In this regard, however, we cannot provide any assurance that the IRS might disagree with our determinations.

Failure to Satisfy the Asset Tests. The asset tests must be satisfied not only on the last day of the calendar quarter in which we, directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, acquire securities in the applicable issuer, but also on the last day of the calendar quarter in which we increase our ownership of securities of such issuer, including as a result of increasing our interest in pass-through subsidiaries. After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in the relative values of our assets (including a discrepancy caused solely by the change in the foreign currency exchange rate used to value a foreign asset). If failure to satisfy the asset tests results from an acquisition of securities or other property during a quarter, we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We intend to continue to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests and to take any available action within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests. Although we plan to take steps to ensure that we satisfy such tests for any quarter with respect to which testing is to occur, there can be no assurance that such steps will always be successful. If we fail to timely cure any noncompliance with the asset tests, we would cease to qualify as a REIT, unless we satisfy certain relief provisions.

The failure to satisfy the 5% asset test, or the 10% vote or value asset tests can be remedied even after the 30-day cure period under certain circumstances. Specifically, if we fail these asset tests at the end of any quarter and such failure is not cured within 30 days thereafter, we may dispose of sufficient assets (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy these asset tests occurred) to cure such a violation that does not exceed the lesser of 1% of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. If we fail any of the other asset tests or our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests is in excess of the de minimis amount described above, as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we are permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT, after the 30-day cure period, by taking steps including the disposing of sufficient assets to meet the asset test (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT asset test occurred), paying a tax equal to

 

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the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate income tax rate of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset test, and filing in accordance with applicable Treasury regulations a schedule with the IRS that describes the assets that caused us to fail to satisfy the asset test(s). We intend to take advantage of any and all relief provisions that are available to us to cure any violation of the asset tests applicable to REITs. In certain circumstances, utilization of such provisions could result in us being required to pay an excise or penalty tax, which could be significant in amount.

Annual Distribution Requirements

To qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders each year in an amount at least equal to:

 

    the sum of: (1) 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain; and (2) 90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property; minus

 

    the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid.

For purposes of this test, non-cash income means income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount included in our taxable income without the receipt of a corresponding payment, cancellation of indebtedness or income attributable to a like-kind exchange that is later determined to be taxable.

We generally must make dividend distributions in the taxable year to which they relate. Dividend distributions may be made in the following year in two circumstances. First, if we declare a dividend in October, November, or December of any year with a record date in one of these months and pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year, such distributions are treated as both paid by us and received by each stockholder on December 31 of the year in which they are declared. Second, distributions may be made in the following year if they are declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if made with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions are taxable to our stockholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.

In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirement for REITs, and to provide REITs with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in the REIT’s organizational documents. This requirement does not apply to publicly offered REITs, including us, but does apply to non-publicly offered subsidiary REITs, if any. We do not currently own an interest in any subsidiary REITs.

To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be required to pay tax on that amount at regular corporate tax rates. We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements. In certain circumstances we may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (1) the amount of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they included in their taxable income, minus (2) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT

 

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distribution requirements. Such losses, however, (1) will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains; and (2) cannot be passed through or used by our stockholders. See “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions Generally.”

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, and (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we paid corporate income tax.

We expect that our REIT taxable income (determined before our deduction for dividends paid) will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we will generally have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in arriving at our taxable income. If these timing differences occur, we may need to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings or need to pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends in order to meet the distribution requirements.

We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to our stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction claimed for deficiency dividends.

Record-Keeping Requirements

We are required to comply with applicable record-keeping requirements. Failure to comply could result in monetary fines.

Failure to Qualify as a REIT

If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than gross income and asset tests that have the specific savings clauses, we can avoid termination of our REIT qualification by paying a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure, provided that our noncompliance was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT, we will not be required to make any distributions to stockholders, and any distributions that are made to stockholders will not be deductible by us. As a result, our failure to qualify for taxation as a REIT would significantly reduce the cash available for distributions by us to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT, all distributions to stockholders, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, will be taxable as regular corporate dividends, which means that stockholders taxed as individuals would receive qualified dividend income that would be taxed at capital gains rates, and corporate stockholders generally would be entitled to a dividends received deduction with respect to such dividends. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we also will be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. In addition, if we merge with another REIT and we are the “successor” to the other REIT, the other REIT’s disqualification from taxation as a REIT would prevent us from being taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years

 

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following the year during which the other REIT’s qualification was lost. There can be no assurance that we would be entitled to any statutory relief. We intend to take advantage of any and all relief provisions that are available to us to cure any violation of the requirements applicable to REITs.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders

This section summarizes the taxation of U.S. stockholders that are not tax-exempt organizations. For these purposes, the term “U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of our securities that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

    a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia);

 

    an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

    any trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partner level. A partner of a partnership holding our Stock should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Stock by the partnership.

Distributions Generally. So long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that are not designated as capital gains dividends or “qualified dividend income” will be taxable to our taxable U.S. stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. stockholders that are corporations. For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of Stock are out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to any outstanding preferred stock and then to our outstanding common stock. Dividends received from REITs are generally not eligible to be taxed at the preferential qualified dividend income rates currently available to individual U.S. stockholders who receive dividends from taxable subchapter “C” corporations.

Capital Gain Dividends. We may elect to designate distributions of our net capital gain as “capital gain dividends.” Distributions that we properly designate as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to our taxable U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains without regard to the period for which the U.S. stockholder that receives such distribution has held its Stock. Designations made by us will only be effective to the extent that they comply with Revenue Ruling 89-81, which requires that distributions made to different classes of Stock be composed proportionately of dividends of a particular type. If we designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, a U.S. stockholder will receive an IRS Form 1099-DIV indicating the amount that will be taxable to the stockholder as capital gain. Corporate stockholders, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Recipients of capital gain dividends from us that are taxed at corporate income tax rates will be taxed at the normal corporate income tax rates on these dividends.

We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case U.S. stockholders will be treated as having received, solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains as well as a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for taxes that we paid on such

 

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undistributed capital gains. A U.S. stockholder will increase the basis in its Stock by the difference between the amount of capital gain included in its income and the amount of tax it is deemed to have paid. A U.S. stockholder that is a corporation will appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gain in accordance with Treasury regulations to be prescribed by the IRS. Our earnings and profits will be adjusted appropriately.

We will classify portions of any designated capital gain dividend or undistributed capital gain as either:

 

    a long-term capital gain distribution, which would be taxable to non-corporate U.S. stockholders at a maximum rate of 20% (excluding the 3.8% tax on “net investment income”), and taxable to U.S. stockholders that are corporations at a maximum rate of 35%; or

 

    an “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain” distribution, which would be taxable to non-corporate U.S. stockholders at a maximum rate of 25%, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

Distributions from us in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the U.S. stockholder’s Stock in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the Stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a U.S. stockholder’s shares of our Stock, the U.S. stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the Stock has been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “—Taxation of the Company as a REIT” and “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to U.S. stockholders and do not offset income of U.S. stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of U.S. stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

The maximum amount of dividends that we may designate as capital gain and as “qualified dividend income” (discussed below) with respect to any taxable year may not exceed the dividends actually paid by us with respect to such year, including dividends paid by us in the succeeding tax year that relate back to the prior tax year for purposes of determining our dividends paid deduction.

Qualified Dividend Income. We may elect to designate a portion of our distributions paid to stockholders as “qualified dividend income.” A portion of a distribution that is properly designated as qualified dividend income is taxable to non-corporate U.S. stockholders as capital gain, provided that the stockholder has held the Stock with respect to which the distribution is made for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such Stock become ex-dividend with respect to the relevant distribution. The maximum amount of our distributions eligible to be designated as qualified dividend income for a taxable year is equal to the sum of:

 

    income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax) (i.e., the Purging Distribution);

 

    the excess of any “undistributed” REIT taxable income recognized during the immediately preceding year over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such undistributed REIT taxable income;

 

    the qualified dividend income received by us during such taxable year from non-REIT corporations (including our taxable REIT subsidiaries); and

 

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    the excess of (i) any income recognized during the immediately preceding year attributable to the sale of a built-in-gain asset that was acquired in a carry-over basis transaction from a “C” corporation with respect to which the Company is required to pay U.S. federal income tax, over (ii) the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such built-in gain.

Generally, dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income for purposes of the first bullet above if (A) the dividends are received from (i) a U.S. corporation (other than a REIT or a RIC), (ii) any of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, or (iii) a “qualifying foreign corporation,” and (B) specified holding period requirements and other requirements are met. A foreign corporation (other than a “foreign personal holding company,” a “foreign investment company,” or “passive foreign investment company”) will be a qualifying foreign corporation if it is incorporated in a possession of the United States, the corporation is eligible for benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States that the Secretary of Treasury determines is satisfactory, or the stock of the foreign corporation on which the dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. We generally expect that an insignificant portion, if any, of our distributions from us will consist of qualified dividend income. If we designate any portion of a dividend as qualified dividend income, a U.S. stockholder will receive an IRS Form 1099-DIV indicating the amount that will be taxable to the stockholder as qualified dividend income.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our Stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. stockholders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against this income or gain. Distributions we make, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. A U.S. stockholder may elect, depending on its particular situation, to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of Stock and income designated as qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation, in which case the applicable capital gains will be taxed at ordinary income rates. We will notify stockholders regarding the portions of our distributions for each year that constitute ordinary income, return of capital and qualified dividend income.

Distributions to Holders of Depositary Shares. Owners of depositary shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of the underlying preferred stock represented by such depositary shares. Accordingly, such owners will be entitled to take into account, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, income and deductions to which they would be entitled if they were direct holders of underlying preferred stock. In addition, (i) no gain or loss will be recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the withdrawal of certificates evidencing the underlying preferred stock in exchange for depositary receipts, (ii) the tax basis of each share of the underlying preferred stock to an exchanging owner of depositary shares will, upon such exchange, be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the depositary shares exchanged therefor, and (iii) the holding period for the underlying preferred stock in the hands of an exchanging owner of depositary shares will include the period during which such person owned such depositary shares.

Dispositions of Stock. If a U.S. stockholder sells, redeems or otherwise disposes of its Stock in a taxable transaction, it will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the holder’s adjusted basis in the Stock for tax purposes. In general, a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted basis will equal the U.S. stockholder’s acquisition cost, increased by the excess for net capital gains deemed distributed to the U.S. stockholder (discussed above) less tax deemed paid on it and reduced by returns on capital.

In general, capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders upon the sale or disposition of shares of our Stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% (excluding the 3.8% tax on “net investment income”) if our Stock are held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates of up to 39.6% (excluding the 3.8% tax on “net investment income”) if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by U.S. stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal

 

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income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, Treasury regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is higher than the long-term capital gain tax rates for non-corporate U.S. stockholders) to a portion of capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. stockholder on the sale of the Company’s Stock that would correspond to the REIT’s “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.” U.S. stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability.

Capital losses recognized by a U.S. stockholder upon the disposition of our Stock that were held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our Stock by a U.S. stockholder who has held the Stock for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gain.

If a stockholder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of Stock in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written, and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of Stock, or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly.

Redemption of Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares. Whenever we redeem any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The treatment accorded to any redemption by us for cash (as distinguished from a sale, exchange or other disposition) of our preferred stock to a holder of such preferred stock can only be determined on the basis of the particular facts as to each holder at the time of redemption. In general, a holder of our preferred stock will recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the amount received by the holder of such shares upon the redemption and such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the preferred stock redeemed (provided the preferred stock are held as a capital asset) if such redemption (i) is ‘‘not essentially equivalent to a dividend’’ with respect to the holder of the preferred stock under Section 302(b)(1) of the Code, (ii) is a “substantially disproportionate” redemption with respect to the stockholder under Section 302(b)(2) of the Code, or (iii) results in a ‘‘complete termination’’ of the holder’s interest in all classes of our Stock under Section 302(b)(3) of the Code. In applying these tests, there must be taken into account not only any series or class of the preferred stock being redeemed, but also such holder’s ownership of other classes of our Stock and any options (including stock purchase rights) to acquire any of the foregoing. The holder of our preferred stock also must take into account any such securities (including options) which are considered to be owned by such holder by reason of the constructive ownership rules set forth in Sections 318 and 302(c) of the Code.

If the holder of preferred stock or depository shares owns (actually or constructively) none of our voting stock, or owns an insubstantial amount of our voting stock, based upon current law, it is probable that the redemption of preferred stock or depository shares from such a holder would be considered to be ‘‘not essentially equivalent to a dividend.’’ However, whether a distribution is ‘‘not essentially equivalent to a dividend’’ depends on all of the facts and circumstances, and a holder of our preferred stock or depository shares intending to rely on any of these tests at the time of redemption should consult its tax advisor to determine their application to its particular situation.

Satisfaction of the “substantially disproportionate” and “complete termination” exceptions is dependent upon compliance with the respective objective tests set forth in Section 302(b)(2) and Section 302(b)(3) of the Code. A distribution to a holder of preferred stock or depository shares will be “substantially disproportionate” if

 

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the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the stockholder immediately following the redemption of preferred stock (treating preferred stock redeemed as not outstanding) is less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the stockholder immediately before the redemption, and immediately following the redemption the stockholder actually and constructively owns less than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company. Because the Company’s preferred stock and depositary shares are nonvoting stock, a stockholder would have to reduce such holder’s holdings (if any) in our classes of voting stock to satisfy this test.

If the redemption does not meet any of the tests under Section 302 of the Code, then the redemption proceeds received from our preferred stock or depository shares will be treated as a distribution on our Stock as described under ‘‘—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions Generally,’’ and ‘‘—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders—Distributions Generally.’’ If the redemption of a holder’s preferred stock or depository shares is taxed as a dividend, the adjusted basis of such holder’s redeemed preferred stock or depository shares will be transferred to any other Stock held by the holder. If the holder owns no other Stock, under certain circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related person, or it may be lost entirely.

With respect to a redemption of our preferred stock or depository shares that is treated as a distribution with respect to our Stock, which is not otherwise taxable as a dividend, the IRS has proposed Treasury regulations that would require any basis reduction associated with such a redemption to be applied on a share-by-share basis which could result in taxable gain with respect to some shares, even though the holder’s aggregate basis for the shares would be sufficient to absorb the entire amount of the redemption distribution (in excess of any amount of such distribution treated as a dividend). Additionally, these proposed Treasury regulations would not permit the transfer of basis in the redeemed shares of the preferred stock or depository shares to the remaining shares held (directly or indirectly) by the redeemed holder. Instead, the unrecovered basis in our preferred stock or depository shares would be treated as a deferred loss to be recognized when certain conditions are satisfied. These proposed Treasury regulations would be effective for transactions that occur after the date the regulations are published as final Treasury regulations. There can, however, be no assurance as to whether, when, and in what particular form such proposed Treasury regulations will ultimately be finalized.

Net Investment Income Tax. In certain circumstances, certain U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts are subject to a 3.8% tax on “net investment income,” which includes, among other things, dividends on and gains from the sale or other disposition of REIT stock. U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding this legislation.

Taxation of Tax Exempt Stockholders

U.S. tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. Such entities, however, may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity generally do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our Stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of our Stock is financed through a borrowing by the U.S. tax-exempt stockholder), (2) our Stock are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of a U.S. tax-exempt stockholder, and (3) we do not hold an asset that gives rise to “excess inclusion income,” distributions that we make and income from the sale of our Stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a U.S. tax-exempt stockholder.

Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, or qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) or (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, or single parent title-holding corporations exempt under Section 501(c)(2) and whose income is payable to any of the aforementioned tax-exempt organizations, are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to

 

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characterize distributions from us as UBTI unless the organization is able to properly claim a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for certain purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our Stock. These stockholders should consult with their tax advisors concerning these set aside and reserve requirements.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust (1) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Code, (2) is tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code, and (3) that owns more than 10% of the value of our Stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends as UBTI, if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless:

 

   

either (1) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (2) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our Stock, collectively own more than 50% of the value of our Stock; and

 

   

we would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code provides that stock owned by such trusts shall be treated, for purposes of the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding stock of a REIT is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include certain entities), as owned by the beneficiaries of such trusts.

The percentage of any REIT dividend from a “pension-held REIT” that is treated as UBTI is equal to the ratio of the UBTI earned by the REIT, treating the REIT as if it were a pension trust and therefore subject to tax on UBTI, to the total gross income of the REIT. An exception applies where the percentage is less than 5% for any year, in which case none of the dividends would be treated as UBTI. The provisions requiring pension trusts to treat a portion of REIT distributions as UBTI will not apply if the REIT is able to satisfy the “not closely held requirement” without relying upon the “look-through” exception with respect to pension trusts. As a result of certain limitations on the transfer and ownership of our common and preferred stock contained in our charter, we do not expect to be classified as a “pension-held REIT,” and accordingly, the tax treatment described above with respect to pension-held REITs should be inapplicable to our tax-exempt stockholders.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The following discussion addresses the rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of non-U.S. stockholders. For purposes of this summary, “non-U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of our Stock that is not a U.S. stockholder (as defined above under “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders”) or an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These rules are complex, and no attempt is made herein to provide more than a brief summary of such rules. Accordingly, the discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation and does not address state local or foreign tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. stockholder in light of its particular circumstances. Prospective non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax laws on their ownership of our common stock or preferred stock, including any reporting requirements.

Distributions Generally. As described in the discussion below, distributions paid by us with respect to our Stock will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as either:

 

   

ordinary income dividends;

 

   

long-term capital gain; or

 

   

return of capital distributions.

This discussion assumes that each class of our Stock will continue to be considered regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980

 

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(“FIRPTA”) provisions described below. If any class of Stock is no longer regularly traded on an established securities market, the tax considerations described below would materially differ.

Ordinary Income Dividends. A distribution paid by us to a non-U.S. stockholder will be treated as an ordinary income dividend if the distribution is payable out of our earnings and profits and:

 

    not attributable to our net capital gain; or

 

    the distribution is attributable to our net capital gain from the sale of U.S. Real Property Interests (“USRPI”) and the non-U.S. stockholder owns 10% or less of the value of the class of our Stock in respect of which the distributions are made at all times during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution.

In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our Stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our Stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. stockholder. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation.

Generally, we will withhold and remit to the IRS 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) of dividend distributions (including distributions that may later be determined to have been made in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits) that could not be treated as capital gain distributions with respect to the non-U.S. stockholder (and that are not deemed to be capital gain dividends for purposes of the FIRPTA withholding rules described below) unless:

 

    a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, evidencing eligibility for that reduced treaty rate with us; or

 

    the non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s trade or business; or

 

    the non-U.S. stockholder is a foreign sovereign or controlled entity of a foreign sovereign and also provides an IRS Form W-8EXP claiming an exemption from withholding under section 892 of the Code.

Return of Capital Distributions. Unless (A) any class of Stock constitutes a USRPI, as described in “—Dispositions of Our Stock” below, or (B) either (1) the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our Stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it subsequently is determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If any class of Stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (1) the non-U.S. stockholder’s proportionate share of our earnings and profits, and (2) the non-U.S. stockholder’s basis in its Stock, will be taxed under FIRPTA at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding tax at a rate of 15% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the non-U.S. stockholder’s share of our earnings and profits.

 

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Capital Gain Dividends. A distribution paid by us to a non-U.S. stockholder will be treated as long-term capital gain if the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits and:

 

    the distribution is attributable to our net capital gain (other than from the sale of USRPIs) and we timely designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend; or

 

    the distribution is attributable to our net capital gain from the sale of USRPIs and the non-U.S. common stockholder owns more than 10% of the value of common stock at any point during the one-year period ending on the date on which the distribution is paid.

Long-term capital gain that a non-U.S. stockholder is deemed to receive from a capital gain dividend that is not attributable to the sale of USRPIs generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the hands of the non-U.S. stockholder unless:

 

    the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our Stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to any gain, except that a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation also may be subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) branch profits tax; or

 

    the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on his capital gains.

Under FIRPTA, distributions that are attributable to net capital gain from the sale by us of USRPIs and paid to a non-U.S. stockholder that owns more than 10% of the value of the class of our Stock in respect of which the distributions are made at any time during the one-year period ending on the date on which the distribution is paid will be subject to U.S. tax as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. The FIRPTA tax will apply to these distributions whether or not the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend, and, in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation, such distributions also may be subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) branch profits tax.

Any distribution paid by us that is treated as a capital gain dividend or that could be treated as a capital gain dividend with respect to a particular non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to special withholding rules under FIRPTA. We will withhold and remit to the IRS 35% (or, to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations, 20%) of any distribution that could be treated as a capital gain dividend with respect to the non-U.S. stockholder, whether or not the distribution is attributable to the sale by us of USRPIs. The amount withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability or refundable when the non-U.S. stockholder properly and timely files a tax return with the IRS.

Qualified Stockholders. Subject to the exception discussed below, any distribution to a “qualified stockholder” who holds REIT stock directly (or indirectly through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to U.S. tax under FIRPTA with respect to that REIT stock and thus will not be subject to withholding rules under FIRPTA. If a foreign investor in a “qualified stockholder” directly or indirectly, whether or not by reason of such investor’s ownership interest in the “qualified stockholder,” holds more than 10% of the stock of the REIT, then a portion of the REIT stock held by the “qualified stockholder” (based on the foreign investor’s percentage ownership of the “qualified stockholder”) will be treated as a USRPI in the hands of the “qualified stockholder” and will be subject to FIRPTA.

A “qualified stockholder” is a foreign person that (i) either is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which includes an exchange of information program and whose principal class of interests is listed and regularly traded on one or more recognized stock exchanges (as defined in such comprehensive income tax treaty), or is a foreign partnership that is created or organized under foreign law as a limited partnership in a jurisdiction that has an agreement for the exchange of information with respect to taxes with the United States and has a class of limited partnership units representing greater than 50% of the

 

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value of all the partnership units that are regularly traded on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets, (ii) is a “qualified collective investment vehicle” (defined below), and (iii) maintains records on the identity of each person who, at any time during the foreign person’s taxable year, is the direct owner of 5% or more of the class of interests or units (as applicable) described in (i), above.

A “qualified collective investment vehicle” is a foreign person that (i) would be eligible for a reduced rate of withholding under the comprehensive income tax treaty described above, even if such entity holds more than 10% of the stock of such REIT, (ii) is publicly traded, is treated as a partnership under the Code, is a withholding foreign partnership, and would be treated as a USRPHC if it were a domestic corporation, or (iii) is designated as such by the Secretary of the Treasury and is either (a) fiscally transparent within the meaning of Section 894 of the Code, or (b) required to include dividends in its gross income, but is entitled to a deduction for distributions to its investors.

Qualified Foreign Pension Funds. Any distribution to a “qualified foreign pension fund” or an entity all of the interests of which are held by a “qualified foreign pension fund” who holds REIT stock directly (or indirectly through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to U.S. tax under FIRPTA and thus will not be subject to the withholding rules under FIRPTA.

A qualified foreign pension fund is any trust, corporation, or other organization or arrangement (A) which is created or organized under the law of a country other than the United States, (B) which is established to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (or persons designated by such employees) of one or more employers in consideration for services rendered, (C) which does not have a single participant or beneficiary with a right to more than 5% of its assets or income, (D) which is subject to government regulation and provides annual information reporting about its beneficiaries to the relevant tax authorities in the country in which it is established or operates, and (E) with respect to which, under the laws of the country in which it is established or operates, (i) contributions to such organization or arrangement that would otherwise be subject to tax under such laws are deductible or excluded from the gross income of such entity or taxed at a reduced rate, or (ii) taxation of any investment income of such organization or arrangement is deferred or such income is taxed at a reduced rate.

Undistributed Capital Gain. Although the law is not entirely clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as undistributed capital gains in respect of our Stock held by non-U.S. stockholders generally should be treated in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, the non-U.S. stockholder would be able to offset as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability resulting therefrom their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on the undistributed capital gains treated as long-term capital gains to the non-U.S. stockholder, and generally receive from the IRS a refund to the extent their proportionate share of the tax paid by us were to exceed the non-U.S. stockholder’s actual U.S. federal income tax liability on such long-term capital gain. If we were to designate any portion of our net capital gain as undistributed capital gain, a non-U.S. stockholder should consult its tax advisors regarding taxation of such undistributed capital gain.

Dispositions of Stock. Unless our Stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our Stock by a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA. Generally, subject to the discussion below regarding dispositions by “qualified stockholders” and “qualified foreign pension funds,” with respect to any particular stockholder, our Stock will constitute a USRPI only if each of the following three statements is true:

 

    Fifty percent or more of our assets on any of certain testing dates during a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as creditor;

 

   

We are not a “domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically-controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held directly or indirectly by

 

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non-U.S. stockholders at all times during a specified testing period. Our charter contains restrictions designed to protect our status as a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, and we believe that we are and will remain a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity. However, no assurance can be given that we are or will remain a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity; and

 

    Either (a) the class of our Stock that is sold is not “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market; or (b) the class of our Stock that is sold is “regularly traded” on an established securities market and the selling non-U.S. stockholder has held over 10% of the value of that class of our Stock at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale.

A sale of our Stock by a “qualified stockholder” or a “qualified foreign pension fund” that holds our Stock directly (or indirectly through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA. However, if a foreign investor in a “qualified stockholder” directly or indirectly, whether or not by reason of such investor’s ownership interest in the “qualified stockholder,” holds more than 10% of the stock of a REIT, then a portion of the REIT stock held by the “qualified stockholder” (based on the foreign investor’s percentage ownership of the “qualified stockholder”) would be treated as a USRPI in the hands of the “qualified stockholder” and will be subject to FIRPTA.

Specific wash sales rules applicable to sales of stock in a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity could result in gain recognition, taxable under FIRPTA, upon the sale of our Stock even if we are a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity. These rules would apply if a non-U.S. stockholder: (1) disposes of our Stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been taxable to such non-U.S. stockholder as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI; (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our Stock during the 61-day period that begins 30 days prior to such ex-dividend date; and (3) if the class of our Stock which is sold is “regularly traded” on an established securities market in the United States, such non-US stockholder has owned more than 10% of that class of our Stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of such distribution.

If gain on the sale of our Stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to the applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and, if our common stock were not “regularly traded” on an established securities market, the purchaser of the stock generally would be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our Stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. stockholder as follows: (1) if the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our Stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder, the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gain.

Taxation of Holders of Our Warrants and Rights

Warrants. Holders of our warrants will not generally recognize gain or loss upon the exercise of a warrant. A holder’s basis in the preferred stock, depositary shares representing preferred stock or common stock, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of the warrant will be equal to the sum of the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the warrant and the exercise price paid. A holder’s holding period in the preferred stock, depositary shares representing preferred stock or common stock, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of the warrant will

 

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not include the period during which the warrant was held by the holder. Upon the expiration of a warrant, the holder will recognize a capital loss in an amount equal to the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the warrant. Upon the sale or exchange of a warrant to a person other than us, a holder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the warrant. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the warrant was held for more than one year. Upon the sale of the warrant to us, the IRS may argue that the holder should recognize ordinary income on the sale. Prospective holders of our warrants should consult their own tax advisors as to the consequences of a sale of a warrant to us.

Rights. In the event of a rights offering, the tax consequences of the receipt, expiration, and exercise of the rights we issue will be addressed in detail in a prospectus supplement. Prospective holders of our rights should review the applicable prospectus supplement in connection with the ownership of any rights, and consult their own tax advisors as to the consequences of investing in the rights.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax Applicable to Stockholders

U.S. Stockholders — Generally

In general, information-reporting requirements will apply to payments of distributions on our Stock and payments of the proceeds of the sale of our Stock to some U.S. stockholders, unless an exception applies. Further, the payer will be required to withhold backup withholding tax on such payments at the rate of 28% if:

 

  (1) the payee fails to furnish a taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), to the payer or to establish an exemption from backup withholding;

 

  (2) the IRS notifies the payer that the TIN furnished by the payee is incorrect;

 

  (3) there has been a notified payee under-reporting with respect to interest, dividends or original issue discount described in Section 3406(c) of the Code; or

 

  (4) there has been a failure of the payee to certify under the penalty of perjury that the payee is not subject to backup withholding under the Code.

Some stockholders may be exempt from backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a stockholder will be allowed as a credit against the stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the stockholder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

U.S. Stockholders — Withholding on Payments in Respect of Certain Foreign Accounts.

As described below, certain future payments made to “foreign financial institutions” and “non-financial foreign entities” may be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this withholding provision on their ownership and disposition of our common stock. See “— Non-U.S. Stockholders — Withholding on Payments to Certain Foreign Entities” below.

Non-U.S. Stockholders — Generally

Generally, information reporting will apply to payments or distributions on our Stock, and backup withholding described above for a U.S. stockholder will apply, unless the payee certifies that it is not a U.S. person or otherwise establishes an exemption. The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of our Stock to or through the U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting and, possibly, backup withholding as described above for U.S. stockholders, or the withholding tax for non-U.S. stockholders, as applicable, unless the non-U.S. stockholder certifies as to its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that the broker does not have actual knowledge that the stockholder is a U.S. person or that

 

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the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. The proceeds of the disposition by a non-U.S. stockholder of our Stock to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, if the broker is a U.S. person, a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for specified periods is from activities that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, a foreign partnership 50% or more of whose interests are held by partners who are U.S. persons, or a foreign partnership that is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, then information reporting generally will apply as though the payment was made through a U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker unless the broker has documentary evidence as to the non-U.S. stockholder’s foreign status and has no actual knowledge to the contrary.

Applicable Treasury regulations provide presumptions regarding the status of stockholders when payments to the stockholders cannot be reliably associated with appropriate documentation provided to the payor. If a non-U.S. stockholder fails to comply with the information reporting requirement, payments to such person may be subject to the full withholding tax even if such person might have been eligible for a reduced rate of withholding or no withholding under an applicable income tax treaty. Because the application of these Treasury regulations varies depending on the non-U.S. stockholder’s particular circumstances, non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisor regarding the information reporting requirements applicable to them.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts that we withhold under the backup withholding rules will be refunded or credited against the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding application of backup withholding in their particular circumstances and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding under current Treasury regulations.

Non-U.S. Stockholders — Withholding on Payments to Certain Foreign Entities

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) imposes a 30% withholding tax on certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” and certain other non-U.S. entities unless certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations requirements are satisfied.

As a general matter, FATCA imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our Stock if paid to a foreign entity unless either (i) the foreign entity is a “foreign financial institution” that undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations, or in the case of a foreign financial institution that is a resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement to implement FATCA, the entity complies with the diligence and reporting requirements of such agreement, (ii) the foreign entity is not a “foreign financial institution” and identifies certain of its U.S. investors, or (iii) the foreign entity otherwise is exempted under FATCA. Under delayed effective dates provided for in the regulations, the required withholding will not begin until January 1, 2019 with respect to gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our Stock.

If withholding is required under FATCA on a payment related to our Stock, investors that otherwise would not be subject to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled to a reduced rate of withholding) generally will be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction (provided that such benefit is available). Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of FATCA in their particular circumstances.

Other Tax Considerations

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We may be required to pay tax in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we transact business, and our stockholders may be required to pay tax in various state or local jurisdictions, including those

 

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in which they reside. Our state and local tax treatment may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed above. In addition, a stockholder’s state and local tax treatment may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective investors should consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our Stock.

A portion of our income is earned through our taxable REIT subsidiaries. The taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax at the full applicable corporate rates. In addition, a taxable REIT subsidiary will be limited in its ability to deduct interest payments in excess of a certain amount made directly or indirectly to us. To the extent that our taxable REIT subsidiaries and we are required to pay U.S. federal, state or local taxes, we will have less cash available for distribution to stockholders.

Reportable Transaction Reporting

If a holder recognizes a loss as a result of a transaction with respect to our Stock of at least (i) for a holder that is an individual, S corporation, trust or a partnership with at least one non-corporate partner, $2 million or more in a single taxable year or $4 million or more in a combination of taxable years, or (ii) for a holder that is either a corporation or a partnership with only corporate partners, $10 million or more in a single taxable year or $20 million or more in a combination of taxable years, such holder may be required to file a disclosure statement with the IRS on Form 8886. Direct stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempt from this reporting requirement, but stockholders of a REIT currently are not exempt. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. We cannot give you any assurances as to whether, or in what form, any proposals affecting REITs or their stockholders will be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our Stock. Several REIT rules were recently amended under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the “PATH Act”), which was enacted on December 18, 2015. These rules were enacted with varying effective dates, some of which are retroactive. Investors should consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of the PATH Act in their particular circumstances.

Tax Matters Agreement

In connection with the Spin-Off, we entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with Darden on November 9, 2015 (the “Tax Matters Agreement”) that governs our and Darden’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any, incurred as a result of any failure of the Spin-Off and certain related transactions to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes), tax attributes, tax returns, tax contests and certain other tax matters.

The Tax Matters Agreement imposes certain restrictions on us and our subsidiaries (including restrictions on share issuances, business combinations, sales of assets and similar transactions) that are designed to preserve the tax-free status of the Spin-Off and certain related transactions, including:

 

    generally, for two years after the Spin-Off, taking, or permitting any of its subsidiaries to take, an action that might be a disqualifying action without receiving the prior consent of Darden;

 

    for two years after the Spin-Off, entering into any agreement, understanding or arrangement or engaging in any substantial negotiations with respect to any transaction involving the acquisition of our Stock or the issuance of shares of our Stock, or options to acquire or other rights in respect of such stock, unless, generally, the shares are issued to qualifying Four Corners employees or retirement plans, each in accordance with “safe harbors” under regulations issued by the IRS;

 

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    for two years after the Spin-Off, repurchasing our shares, except to the extent consistent with guidance issued by the IRS; and

 

    for two years after the Spin-Off, voluntarily dissolving, liquidating, merging or consolidating with any other person.

Nevertheless, we will be permitted to take any of the actions described above in the event that the IRS has granted a favorable ruling to Darden or Four Corners or in the event that Darden or Four Corners has received an opinion from counsel as to the effect of such action on the tax-free status of the transactions described in this document.

The Tax Matters Agreement provides special rules allocating tax liabilities in the event the Spin-Off, together with certain related transactions, was not tax-free. In general, under the Tax Matters Agreement, each party is expected to be responsible for any taxes imposed on Darden that arise from the failure of the Spin-Off and certain related transactions to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, as applicable, and certain other relevant provisions of the Code, to the extent that the failure to qualify is attributable to actions taken by such party.

 

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BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

We may issue the securities offered by means of this prospectus in whole or in part in book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except in the event the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. If securities are issued in book-entry form, they will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository Trust Company is expected to serve as depository. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of such depository or by a nominee of such depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository or by the depository or any nominee of such depository to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described here will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depository for the global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depository, who are called “participants.” Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the securities or by us if the securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to the depository’s participants or persons that may hold interests through such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depository or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) and records of the participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.

So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depository or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable instrument defining the rights of a holder of the securities. Except as provided below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual securities of the series represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable instrument defining the rights of the holders of the securities.

Payments of amounts payable with respect to individual securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such securities. None of us, our officers and board members or any trustee, paying agent or security registrar for an individual series of securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depository for a series of securities offered by means of this prospectus or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest, dividend or other amount in respect of a permanent global security representing any of such securities, will immediately credit its participants’ accounts with

 

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payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security for such securities as shown on the records of such depository or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.

If a depository for a series of securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of securities. In addition, we may, at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such securities, determine not to have any securities of such series represented by one or more global securities and, in such event, will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security or securities representing such series of securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we may sell the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus to or through one or more underwriters or dealers, or we may sell the securities to investors directly or through agents. Any such underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may sell securities directly to investors on our own behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so.

Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize dealers or agents to offer and sell the securities upon such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of any of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.

Our securities, including our common stock, may also be sold in one or more of the following transactions: (i) block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of such shares as agent, but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (ii) purchases by any such broker-dealer as principal, and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; (iii) a special offering, an exchange distribution or a secondary distribution in accordance with applicable NYSE or other stock exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market rules; (iv) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which any such broker-dealer solicits purchasers; (v) sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for such shares; and (vi) sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers.

Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts or concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Unless otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the obligations of any underwriters to purchase any of the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such securities, if any are purchased.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

If indicated in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters or other agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which we may make these delayed delivery contracts include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. The obligations of any purchaser under any such delayed delivery contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility with regard to the validity or performance of these delayed delivery contracts.

 

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In connection with the offering of the securities hereby, certain underwriters and selling group members and their respective affiliates may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the applicable securities. Such transactions may include stabilization transactions effected in accordance with Rule 104 of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC pursuant to which such persons may bid for or purchase securities for the purpose of stabilizing their market price. The underwriters in an offering of securities may also create a “short position” for their account by selling more securities in connection with the offering than they are committed to purchase from us. In such case, the underwriters could cover all or a portion of such short position by either purchasing securities in the open market following completion of the offering of such securities or by exercising any over-allotment option granted to them by us. In addition, the managing underwriter may impose “penalty bids” under contractual arrangements with other underwriters, which means that they can reclaim from an underwriter (or any selling group member participating in the offering) for the account of the other underwriters, the selling concession with respect to securities that are distributed in the offering but subsequently purchased for the account of the underwriters in the open market. Any of the transactions described in this paragraph or comparable transactions that are described in any accompanying prospectus supplement may result in the maintenance of the price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. None of such transactions described in this paragraph or in an accompanying prospectus supplement are required to be taken by any underwriters and, if they are undertaken, may be discontinued at any time.

We may sell the securities in exchange in whole or part for consideration other than cash. This consideration may consist of services or products, whether tangible or intangible, and including services or products we may use in our business; outstanding debt or equity securities of our company or one or more of its subsidiaries; debt or equity securities or assets of other companies, including in connection with investments, joint ventures or other strategic transactions, or acquisitions; release of claims or settlement of disputes; and satisfaction of obligations, including obligations to make payments to distributors or other suppliers and payment of interest on outstanding obligations. We may sell the securities as part of a transaction in which outstanding debt or equity securities of our company or one or more of our subsidiaries are surrendered, converted, exercised, canceled or transferred.

Our shares of common stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “FCPT.” Any securities that we issue, other than our common stock, will be new issues of securities and, except with respect to our common stock, will have no established trading market and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market. Any underwriters or agents to or through which securities are sold by us may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and any of them may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or trading market for any securities sold by us.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered by means of this prospectus and certain U.S. federal income tax matters have been passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP.

EXPERTS

The consolidated and combined financial statements and related financial statement schedule of Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, the balance sheet of Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. as of July 16, 2015, the combined financial statements of the LongHorn San Antonio Business as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and the combined balance sheets of the Four Corners Properties as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related financial statement schedule have been incorporated by reference in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audit report covering the December 31, 2014 combined financial statements of the LongHorn San Antonio Business contains an explanatory paragraph related to the allocation of certain overhead costs that may not be reflective of the actual level of costs incurred had the LongHorn San Antonio Business operated as a separate entity.

WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Our website address is www.fourcornerspropertytrust.com. We make our SEC filings available on our website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are filed with, or furnished to the SEC. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and the securities to be registered, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits, schedules and information incorporated by reference into the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in this prospectus are not necessarily complete and, where that contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference into the registration statement, each statement in this prospectus is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates. Copies of the registration statement, and other documents that we file with the SEC, may be examined without charge at the public reference room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of all or a portion of the registration statement can be obtained from the public reference room of the SEC upon payment of prescribed fees. In addition, our SEC filings also are available electronically to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

SEC rules allow us to incorporate information into this prospectus by reference, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except to the extent superseded by information contained herein or by information contained in documents filed with or furnished to the SEC after the date of this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC:

 

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015;

 

    our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016;

 

    the portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2016 incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015;

 

    our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2016, June 20, 2016, August 4, 2016 and November 10, 2016; and

 

    our registration statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC on August 11, 2015, as amended and declared effective on October 21, 2015, including, without limitation, the description of capital stock contained in such registration statement, and all reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until we have sold all of the securities to which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated. These documents may include, among others, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. We are not, however, incorporating any information furnished under either Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K.

You may obtain copies of the documents we incorporate by reference, at no cost, upon written or oral request, by contacting us as described below, or through contacting the SEC or accessing its website as described above. Documents incorporated by reference are available without charge, excluding all exhibits unless an exhibit has been specifically incorporated by reference into those documents, by requesting them in writing or by telephone at:

Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.

591 Redwood Highway, Suite 1150

Mill Valley, California

(415) 965-8030

Attn: Investor Relations

 

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3,500,000 Shares

 

 

 

 

LOGO

Common stock

 

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

 

Joint book-running managers

J.P. Morgan

Barclays

Morgan Stanley

Co-manager

Raymond James

August 2, 2018