Morgan's Foods, Inc. DEF 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment
No. )
Filed by the
Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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o Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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o Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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þ Definitive
Proxy Statement
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o Definitive
Additional Materials
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o Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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MORGANS FOODS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if
other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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þ |
No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of
transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined):
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(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or
Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1) |
Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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MORGANS FOODS, INC.
4829 Galaxy Parkway, Suite S
Cleveland, Ohio 44128
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 22, 2007
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
You are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Morgans Foods, Inc., an
Ohio corporation (the Company), will be held at the Hilton Cleveland East, 3663 Park East Dr.,
Beachwood, Ohio, on Friday, June 22, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, for the following
purposes:
1. To elect the Board of Directors of the Company.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on May 11, 2007 will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KENNETH L. HIGNETT
Secretary
June 1, 2007
SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE TO ENSURE THAT THEIR SHARES
ARE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MORGANS FOODS, INC.
4829 Galaxy Parkway, Suite S
Cleveland, Ohio 44128
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on
behalf of the Board of Directors of Morgans Foods, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the Company), for
use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the Meeting) to be held at the Hilton
Cleveland East, 3663 Park East Dr., Beachwood, Ohio, on Friday June 22, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern
Daylight Time, and at any adjournment thereof.
This proxy statement and accompanying notice and form of proxy are being mailed to
shareholders on or about June 1, 2007. A copy of the Companys Annual Report to Shareholders,
including financial statements, for the fiscal year ended February 25, 2007 (the 2007 fiscal
year) is enclosed with this proxy statement.
The presence of any shareholder at the Meeting will not operate to revoke his proxy. Any
proxy may be revoked, at any time before it is exercised, in open meeting, or by giving notice to
the Company in writing, or by filing a duly executed proxy bearing a later date.
If the enclosed proxy is executed and returned to the Company, the persons named therein will
vote the shares represented by it at the Meeting. The proxy permits specification of a vote for
the election of directors, or the withholding of authority to vote in the election of directors, or
the withholding of authority to vote for one or more specified nominees.
Where a choice is specified in the proxy, the shares represented thereby will be voted in
accordance with such specification. If no specification is made, such shares will be voted at the
Meeting FOR the election as directors of the nominees set forth herein under Election of
Directors.
Under Ohio law and the Companys Articles of Incorporation, broker non-votes and abstaining
votes will not be counted in favor of or against election of any nominee.
The close of business on May 11, 2007, has been fixed as the record date for the determination
of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of May 11, 2007, the
Companys outstanding voting securities consisted of 2,880,995 Common Shares, without par value,
each of which is entitled to one vote on all matters to be presented to the shareholders at the
Meeting.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Meeting, shares represented by proxies will be voted, unless otherwise specified in
such proxies, for the election of the seven nominees for directors named in this proxy statement
and the enclosed proxy. These nominees will, if elected, serve as directors of the Company until
the next annual meeting of the shareholders and until their successors are elected and shall
qualify. All of the nominees are currently members of the Board of Directors and all nominees have
consented to be nominated and to serve if elected. If, for any reason, any one or more nominees
becomes unavailable for election, it is expected that proxies will be voted for the election of
such substitute nominees as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
If notice in writing is given by any shareholder to the President or the Secretary of the
Company, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for holding the Meeting, that such
shareholder desires that the voting for the election of directors shall be cumulative, and if an announcement of the giving of such notice
is made upon the convening of the Meeting by the President or Secretary or by or on behalf of the
shareholder giving
1
such notice, each shareholder shall have the right to cumulate such voting power
as he possesses at such election and to give one candidate an amount of votes equal to the number
of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of his shares, or to distribute his votes on
the same principle among two or more candidates, as he sees fit.
If voting for the election of directors is cumulative, the persons named in the enclosed proxy
will vote the shares represented by proxies given to them in such fashion as to elect as many of
the nominees as possible.
The table below sets forth, as of May 11, 2007, certain information about each of the nominees
for director.
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Principal Occupation |
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Director of the |
Name |
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Age |
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for the Past Five Years |
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Company Since |
Lawrence S. Dolin
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63 |
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Noteworthy Medical Systems, Inc. (electronic
health records software)
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1981 |
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Bahman Guyuron, M.D.,
F.A.C.S.
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61 |
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Kiehn-DesPrez Professor and Chief
Division of Plastic Surgery
University Hospitals Case Medical Center
and Case Western Reserve University
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2003 |
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Kenneth L. Hignett
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60 |
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Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary of the Company (March 1992 to
present); Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Company (January 1991 to
March 1992); Vice President and Treasurer of
the Company (June 1989 to January 1991)
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1993 |
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Steven S. Kaufman
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57 |
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Partner and Executive Committee Member,
Thompson Hine LLP (law firm)
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1989 |
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Bernard Lerner
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80 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer,
Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. (manufacturer
of packaging materials and machinery)
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1989 |
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James J. Liguori
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58 |
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President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company (July 1988 to present);
Executive Vice President of the Company
(August 1987 to July 1988); Vice President
of the Company (June 1979 to August 1987)
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1984 |
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Leonard R. Stein-Sapir
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68 |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company (April 1989 to present)
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1981 |
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2
Lawrence S. Dolin also serves as a director of FalconStor, Inc. a company in the business of
providing software IP storage.
The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Dolin, Guyuron, Kaufman, and Lerner
are independent as defined under Section 301of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The Company has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, and a Stock Option Plan Committee,
the members of each of which are appointed by the Board of Directors. The Company does not have a
nominating committee or a compensation committee.
The Executive Committee consists of James J. Liguori, Lawrence S. Dolin, Bernard Lerner and
Leonard R. Stein-Sapir. This committee has the authority, between meetings of the Board of
Directors, to exercise substantially all of the powers of the Board in the management of the
business of the Company.
The Audit Committee consists of Lawrence S. Dolin (Chairman), Steven S. Kaufman and Bernard
Lerner. This committee, as set forth in more detail in the Audit Committee Charter which is
attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A, approves the Companys retention of independent
auditors and pre-approves any audit or non-audit services performed by them. It reviews with such
accountants the arrangements for, and the scope of, the audit to be conducted by them. It also
reviews with the independent accountants and with management the results of audits and various
other financial and accounting matters affecting the Company. The Board has determined that
Lawrence S. Dolin qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as defined in the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The members of the Stock Option Committee are Steven S. Kaufman, Bernard Lerner (Chairman),
Bahman Guyuron and Lawrence S. Dolin. This committee administers the Companys stock option plans.
The Board of Directors met seven times, the Audit Committee met four times and the Stock
Option Committee and the Executive Committee did not meet, during the 2007 fiscal year. Each
director currently serving on the Board attended 75% or more of the meetings held during such year
by the Board and the committee(s) on which he served.
The Company encourages the attendance of all directors at the annual shareholders meetings.
At last years annual meeting, all directors were in attendance.
Nominations for Director are made by the Board as a whole. When selecting new Director
nominees, the Board considers any requirements of applicable law, as well as a candidates strength
of character, judgment, business experience, specific areas of expertise, and factors relating to
the composition of the Board (including its size and structure). The Board will review any
candidate recommended by shareholders of the Company in light of its criteria for selection of new
directors. If a shareholder wishes to recommend a candidate, he or she should send his or her
recommendation, with a description of the candidates qualifications, to the secretary of the
Company, Kenneth L. Hignett, 4826 Galaxy Pkwy., Suite S, Cleveland, Ohio 44128.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee is composed of three directors, all of whom are independent under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted on June 23, 2000,
reviewed annually and ratified most recently on July 10, 2006 (a copy of the charter is attached as
Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement). The Committees responsibilities include oversight of the
Companys independent auditors as well as oversight of managements conduct in the Companys
financial reporting process. The Committee
3
also approves the Companys retention of independent auditors and pre-approves any audit or
non-audit services performed by them. Management is responsible for the Companys internal
controls and the financial reporting process. The independent auditors are responsible for
performing an independent audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and
issuing a report thereon. For fiscal 2007, the Committee met and held discussions with management
and the independent auditors. Management represented to the Committee that the Companys
consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, and the Committee has reviewed and discussed the
consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors. The Committee
discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be discussed by auditing standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and by Rule 2-07 of Regulation S-X. The Companys
independent auditors also provided to the Committee the written disclosures required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and
the Committee discussed with the independent auditors their firms independence. The Audit
Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the independent auditors is
compatible with maintaining the auditors independence.
Based on the Committees discussion with management and the independent auditors and the
Committees review of the representations of management and the report of the independent auditors
to the Committee, the Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited
consolidated financial statements in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended February 25, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee
Lawrence S. Dolin, Chairman
Steven S. Kaufman
Bernard Lerner
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FEES
The aggregate audit fees billed or to be billed to the Company for the fiscal year ended
February 25, 2007 by the Companys independent auditors are $11,672 for Deloitte & Touche LLP and
$174,684 for Grant Thornton LLP and for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2006 by the Companys
independent auditors Deloitte & Touche LLP are $188,212. There were no tax, audit-related or other
fees paid to our independent auditors for the years ended February 25, 2007 and February 26, 2006.
4
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners. The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to all persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more
than 5% of the Companys outstanding Common Shares as of May 11, 2007.
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Name and Address |
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Percent of |
of Beneficial Owner |
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Number of Shares |
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Class |
Leonard R. Stein-Sapir (1)
4829 Galaxy Pkwy., Suite S
Cleveland, OH 44128 |
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855,281 |
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28.7 |
% |
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Moab Partners LP (2)
152 East 62nd Street
New York, NY 10021 |
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303,462 |
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10.5 |
% |
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Blackhorse Capital Advisors LLC (2)
45 Rockefeller Center, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10111 |
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335,600 |
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11.6 |
% |
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(1) |
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Includes 50,000 shares subject to exercisable options, 98 shares owned by Mr.
Stein-Sapirs children and 1,666 shares owned by his wife. Mr. Stein-Sapir disclaims any
beneficial interest in the shares owned by his wife and children. |
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(2) |
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Based on the most recent filings of SEC Form 4 by the reporting parties. |
Security Ownership of Management. The following table sets forth information as of May 11,
2007, with respect to Common Shares beneficially owned by all directors and nominees for election
as directors of the Company and by all officers and directors of the Company as a group. Each
person owns beneficially and of record the shares indicated and has sole voting and investment
power with respect thereto, except as otherwise set forth in the footnotes to the table.
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Percent of |
Name |
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Number of Shares |
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Class |
Lawrence S. Dolin (1) |
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106,125 |
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3.6 |
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Bahman Guyuron, MD |
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90,823 |
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3.0 |
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James J. Liguori (2) |
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81,539 |
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2.7 |
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Steven S. Kaufman |
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4,686 |
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* |
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Leonard R. Stein-Sapir (3) |
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855,281 |
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28.7 |
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Bernard Lerner |
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103,066 |
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3.5 |
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Kenneth L. Hignett |
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44,355 |
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1.5 |
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All officers and directors as a group
(11 persons) (4) |
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1,287,563 |
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43.1 |
% |
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* |
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Less than one percent of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company. |
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(1) |
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Includes 43,000 shares owned by a partnership of which Mr. Dolin is a general partner and 625
shares owned by Mr. Dolins wife. Mr. Dolin disclaims any beneficial interest in the shares
owned by his wife. |
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(2) |
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Includes 50,000 shares subject to exercisable options and 83 shares owned by his wife. Mr.
Liguori disclaims any beneficial interest in the shares owned by his wife. |
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(3) |
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Includes 50,000 shares subject to exercisable options, 98 shares owned by Mr. Stein-Sapirs
children and 1,666 shares owned by his wife. Mr. Stein-Sapir disclaims any beneficial
interest in the shares owned by his wife and children. |
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(4) |
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Includes 120,000 shares subject to exercisable options. |
5
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Administration of the Compensation Plan The disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission require the Company to provide certain information concerning the compensation of the
Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers of the Company. The Company does not have
a compensation committee of the Board of Directors. Decisions on the compensation of the Companys
Chief Executive Officer are made by the non-employee members of the Board and salaries of other
executive officers are set by the Chief Executive Officer.
Objectives of the Compensation Program The objective of the Board in administering the
Companys compensation program is to provide competitive compensation to retain key management and
to reward them for success in increasing shareholder value.
Principles of the Compensation Program The Companys compensation program is formulated to
recognize the abilities and experience which each executive brings to his position. The annual
review is expected to reward executives for the successful performance of their duties and to
provide an incentive for future performance.
Elements of Compensation Compensation of the Companys executive officers consists primarily
of base salary and stock option grants. The Company also provides a matching contribution to
deferred compensation under a 401(k) Plan described in a separate section of this proxy statement.
Stock options are used by the Company to align the interests of executives more closely with those
of the shareholders. The granting of stock options also aids in the retention of high quality
executives by providing long-term incentives. The Company has no formal bonus plan for executives.
The board has in the past authorized discretionary bonuses for executives. The Company does not
provide retirement benefits.
Base Salary. Since 1999, the Company has relied on its own informal surveys of compensation
levels to gauge the reasonableness of the compensation of Leonard Stein-Sapir, the Companys Chief
Executive Officer. Mr. Stein-Sapirs compensation was at an annual rate of $250,000 at the
beginning of the 2005 fiscal year which was unchanged since February 28, 2000 but was voluntarily
reduced at January 1, 2005 to an annual rate of $25,000, was raised to $50,000 in April 2006 and to
$125,000 in August 2006 has continued at that rate through the end of fiscal 2007.
All executive officer salaries are reviewed on an annual basis. In deciding on changes in the
annual base salary of the Chief Executive Officer the Board considers several performance factors.
Among these are operating and administrative efficiency and the maintenance of an appropriately
experienced management team. The Board also evaluates the Chief Executive Officers performance in
the area of finding and evaluating new business opportunities to establish the most productive
strategic direction for the Company. Salary changes for other executives are based primarily on
their performance in supporting the strategic initiatives of the Chief Executive Officer, meeting
individual goals and objectives set by the Chief Executive Officer, and improving the operating
efficiency of the Company. Also, where applicable, changes in the duties and responsibilities of
each other executive officer may be considered in deciding on changes in annual salary. Due to the
cash needs of the Company, the salaries of the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel were
also voluntarily reduced to an annual rate of $25,000 annually, effective January 1, 2005,
increased to $50,000 in April 2006 and then to $100,000 in August 2006.
Stock Options. Stock options have been administered by the Stock Option Committee of the
Board of Directors. In April 1999, the Board of Directors approved a non-qualified stock option
plan for executives and managers and a key employees non-qualified stock option plan. Options
were granted under the Non-qualified Stock Option Plan for Executives and Managers on April 2, 1999
for 145,150 shares of common stock and under the Key Employees Non-qualified Stock Option Plan for
129,850 shares on January 7, 2000 and for 11,500 shares on April 27, 2001. Options granted to
certain employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, are shown in the Exercisable Options
table below. No stock options have been granted since fiscal year 2001.
6
The Board of Directors
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Bahman Guyuron
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Leonard R. Stein-Sapir |
Lawrence S. Dolin
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Bernard Lerner |
James J. Liguori
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Kenneth L. Hignett |
Steven S. Kaufman |
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Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth for each of the Companys last three fiscal years the
compensation earned by or awarded or paid to the Companys Chief Executive Officer and each of the
Companys other most highly compensated executive officers earning more than $100,000 during one or
more of such years:
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Stock |
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Name and Principal |
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Option |
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All Other |
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Total |
Position |
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Year |
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Salary |
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Bonus |
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Awards |
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Compensation (1) |
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Compensation |
Leonard R. Stein-Sapir |
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2007 |
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89,423 |
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4,694 |
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94,117 |
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Chairman and Chief |
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2006 |
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25,000 |
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864 |
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25,864 |
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Executive Officer |
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2005 |
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170,192 |
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6,293 |
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176,485 |
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James J. Liguori |
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2007 |
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175,000 |
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16,215 |
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191,215 |
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President and Chief |
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2006 |
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175,000 |
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3,908 |
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178,908 |
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Operating Officer |
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2005 |
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213,077 |
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5,899 |
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218,976 |
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Kenneth L. Hignett |
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2007 |
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75,000 |
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3,215 |
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78,215 |
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Sr. Vice President, Chief |
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2006 |
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25,000 |
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1,183 |
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26,183 |
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Financial Officer & |
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2005 |
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82,885 |
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3,964 |
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86,849 |
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Secretary |
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(1) |
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Represents the value of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to term life
insurance for the benefit of the named executives, the matching contribution made by the
Company to the 401(k) Plan and expense allowances. |
OUTSTANDING OPTION AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END
AND OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 2007
The following table sets forth certain information about the number of options exercised
during the 2007 fiscal year and the number of unexercised nonqualified stock options held as of
February 25, 2007 by each executive named in the Summary Compensation Table.
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Unexercised Options as of |
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February 25, 2007 |
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Shares Acquired |
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Value |
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Exercise |
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Expiration |
Name |
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on Exercise |
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Realized |
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Exercisable |
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Unexercisable |
|
Price |
|
Date |
Leonard R. Stein-Sapir |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
346,483 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.125 |
|
|
April 1, 2009 |
James J. Liguori |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
342,272 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.125 |
|
|
April 1, 2009 |
Kenneth L. Hignett |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
157,494 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
Retirement and Savings Plan 401(k)
Since October 1, 1993, the Company has maintained a Retirement and Savings Plan under IRS Code
Section 401(k) (the 401(k) Plan). The 401(k) Plan allows eligible employees to defer a portion
of their compensation before federal income tax to a qualified trust. All employees who are at
least 21 years of age are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. The participants may choose
from sixteen investment options for the investment of their deferred compensation. In addition,
the Company matches 30% of each participants salary deferral, for the first 6% of their salary,
with a cash contribution. For the fiscal year ended February 25, 2007, the Company contributed
$89,451 to the 401(k) Plan and paid or accrued $12,344 in administrative fees.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Companys Board of Directors performs the functions of a compensation committee. The
Companys Board includes three members who are executive officers of the Company: James J. Liguori,
Kenneth L. Hignett and Leonard R. Stein-Sapir. During the fiscal year ended February 25, 2007, Mr.
Liguori was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, positions he has held since July
1988. From August 1987 to July 1988, he was Executive Vice President of the Company, and from June
1978 to August 1987 he was Vice President of the Company. During the fiscal year ended February
25, 2007, Mr. Hignett was Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the
Company, positions which he has held since March 1992. From January 1991 to March 1992, he was
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, and from June 1989 to January 1991 he was
Vice President and Treasurer of the Company. During the fiscal year ended February 25, 2007, Mr.
Stein-Sapir was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, positions he has
held since April 1989. Mr. Stein-Sapir serves as a director of Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.,
a privately held company of which Bernard Lerner, a director of the Company, is President and Chief
Executive Officer.
Director Compensation
Annual Fee. Messrs. Dolin, Kaufman, Lerner and Dr. Guyuron each received $12,000 for serving
on the Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended February 25, 2007. Directors who are also
officers of the Company do not receive additional compensation as Directors. Additional
compensation of $2,000 per meeting was paid to Directors serving on the Audit Committee. No
additional compensation is paid to Directors for serving on other Committees of the Board. The
following table lists the compensation paid to directors in the fiscal year ended February 25,
2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Option |
|
All Other |
|
Total |
Name |
|
Fees Earned |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
Lawrence S. Dolin |
|
$ |
22,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
22,000 |
|
Bernard Lerner |
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
Stephen S. Kaufman |
|
$ |
22,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
22,000 |
|
Bahman Guyuron |
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
8
Shareholder Return Performance Graph
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative total return on the Companys Common
Shares, assuming a $100 investment as of March 3, 2002, and based on the market prices at the end
of each fiscal year, with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poors Midcap 400 Stock
Index and a restaurant peer group index composed of 19 restaurant companies each of which has a
market capitalization comparable to that of the Company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
MORGANS FOODS INC |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
233 |
|
|
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
RESTAURANT PEER GROUP |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
|
317 |
|
|
|
The companies in the peer group are AM-CH Inc., Avado Brands Inc., Boston Restaurant
Assoc. Inc., Brazil Fast Food Corp., Briazz Inc., Chefs International Inc., Creative Host Services
Inc., Eateries Inc., Elmers Restaurants Inc., Flanigans Enterprises Inc., Good Times Restaurants
Inc., Granite City Food & Brewery, Grill Concepts Inc., Health Express USA Inc., Mexican
Restaurants Inc., New World Restaurant Group, Star Buffet Inc., Tumbleweed Inc. and Western
Sizzlin Corp. The restaurant peer group index is weighted based on market capitalization. Some
of the companies do not currently exist as independent publicly traded entities but are included in
the calculation for the appropriate time periods. The companies included in the peer group index
were selected by the Board of Directors.
SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Grant Thornton LLP serves as the Companys independent auditors. The Board of Directors of
the Company has not selected independent auditors for the Company and its subsidiaries for the
fiscal year ending March 2, 2008. Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to be present
at the Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate
questions.
9
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any shareholder who intends to present a proposal for inclusion in the proxy
statement and form of proxy relating to the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is advised that the
proposal must be received by the Company at its principal executive offices not later than January
31, 2008. The Company is not required to include in its proxy statement or form of proxy a
shareholder proposal which is received after that date or which otherwise fails to meet
requirements for shareholder proposals established by regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
If a shareholder intends to raise, at the Companys annual meeting in 2008, a proposal that he
does not seek to have included in the Companys proxy statement, he must notify the Company of the
proposal on or before April 15, 2008. If the shareholder fails to notify the Company, the
Companys proxies will be permitted to use their discretionary voting authority with respect to
such proposal when and if it is raised at such annual meeting, whether or not there is any
discussion of such proposal in the proxy statement for that meeting.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys
directors and executive officers, and owners of more than ten percent of the Companys Common
Shares (10% stockholders), to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC)
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Shares of the Company.
Executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the
Company with copies of all forms they file pursuant to Section 16(a).
To the Companys knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to
the Company, and with respect to the officers and directors, representations that no other reports
were required, during the fiscal year ended February 25, 2007, all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders were complied
with.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition
to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by regular employees of the Company, either
personally or by telephone. The Company does not expect to pay any compensation for the
solicitation of proxies, but it may reimburse brokers and other persons holding shares in their
names or in the names of nominees for their expenses in sending proxy materials to beneficial
owners and obtaining proxies from such owners.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD
Shareholders may communicate with Board Members by addressing a letter to the Secretary of the
Company at 4829 Galaxy Pkwy., Suite S, Cleveland, OH 44128.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any matter to be presented for action at
the Meeting other than that shown in this document. Should any other matters be properly presented
for action at the Meeting, the enclosed proxy confers upon the proxy holders named therein the
authority to vote on such matters in accordance with their judgment.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KENNETH L. HIGNETT
Secretary
Cleveland, Ohio
June 1, 2007
10
Exhibit A
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
Organization
This charter governs the operations of the audit committee. The committee shall
review and reassess the charter at least annually and obtain the approval of the
board of directors. The committee shall be appointed by the board of directors and
shall comprise at least three directors, each of whom are independent of management
and the Company. Members of the committee shall be considered independent if they
have no relationship that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from
management and the Company. All committee members shall be financially literate, or
shall become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after
appointment to the committee and at least one member shall have accounting or
related financial management expertise. |
|
|
|
Statement of Policy
The audit committee shall provide assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling
their oversight responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, the
investment community, and others relating to the Companys financial statements and
the financial reporting process, the systems of internal accounting and financial
controls, the annual independent audit of the Companys financial statements, and
the legal compliance and ethics programs as established by management and the board.
In so doing, it is the responsibility of the committee to maintain free and open
communication between the committee, independent auditors and management of the
Company. In discharging its oversight role, the committee is empowered to
investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books,
records, facilities, and personnel of the Company and the power to retain outside
counsel, or other experts for this purpose. |
|
|
|
Responsibilities and Processes
The primary responsibility of the audit committee is to oversee the Companys
financial reporting process on behalf of the board and report the results of their
activities to the board. Management is responsible for preparing the Companys
financial statements, and the independent auditors are responsible for auditing
those financial statements. The committee in carrying out its responsibilities
believes its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react
to changing conditions and circumstances. The committee should take the appropriate
actions to set the overall corporate tone for quality financial reporting, sound
business risk practices, and ethical behavior. |
|
|
|
The following shall be the principal recurring processes of the audit committee in
carrying out its oversight responsibilities. The processes are set forth as a guide
with the understanding that the committee may supplement them as appropriate. |
|
|
|
The committee shall have a clear understanding with management and the
independent auditors that the independent auditors are ultimately accountable to
the board and the audit committee, as representatives of the Companys
shareholders. The committee shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility
to evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditors. The
committee shall discuss with the auditors their independence from management and
the Company and the matters included in the written disclosures required by the
Independence Standards Board. Annually, the committee shall review and recommend
to the board the selection of the Companys independent auditors, subject to
shareholders approval. |
|
|
|
The committee shall discuss with the independent auditors the overall scope and
plans for their respective audits including the adequacy of staffing and
compensation. Also, the committee shall discuss with management and the
independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls, including the Companys
system to monitor and manage business risk, and legal and ethical compliance
programs. Further, the |
11
|
|
committee shall meet separately with the independent auditors, with and without
management present, to discuss the results of their examinations. |
|
|
The committee shall review the interim financial statements with management and
the independent auditors prior to the filing of the Companys Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q. Also, the committee shall discuss the results of the quarterly review
and any other matters required to be communicated to the committee by the
independent auditors under generally accepted auditing standards. The chair of the
committee may represent the entire committee for the purposes of this review. |
|
|
|
The committee shall review with management and the independent auditors the
financial statements to be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K (or
the annual report to shareholders if distributed prior to the filing of Form 10-K),
including their judgment about the quality, not just acceptability, of accounting
principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of the
disclosures in the financial statements. Also, the committee shall discuss the
results of the annual audit and any other matters required to be communicated to
the committee by the independent auditors under generally accepted auditing
standards. |
12
MORGANS FOODS, INC.
The undersigned hereby
appoints Lawrence S. Dolin, Leonard R. Stein-Sapir and James J.
Liguori, and each of them, attorneys and proxies of the
undersigned with full power of substitution to attend the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Morgans Foods, Inc. (the
Company) at Hilton Cleveland East, 3663 Park East
Drive, Beachwood, Ohio, on Friday, June 22, 2007 at
10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, or any adjournment
thereof, and to vote the number of shares of the Company which
the undersigned would be entitled to vote and with all the power
the undersigned would possess, if personally present, as follows:
|
|
|
|
1. o FOR,
or
o WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY to vote for the following nominees for election as
directors: Leonard R. Stein-Sapir, Lawrence S. Dolin, James J.
Liguori, Steven S. Kaufman, Bernard Lerner, Kenneth L. Hignett
and Bahman Guyuron, M.D.
|
|
|
(INSTRUCTION: |
To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee, write that nominees name on the line
provided below.) |
|
|
|
|
|
2. On such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
|
(continued, and to be signed, on the other
side)
|
|
|
|
(Continued from other side) |
|
|
The proxies will vote
as specified above or if a choice is not specified they will
vote FOR the nominees listed in Item 1. |
|
|
|
Receipt of Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and Proxy State ment dated June 1, 2007, is
hereby acknowledged.
|
|
|
Dated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 2007 |
|
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
|
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
|
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
|
Signature(s) |
|
|
(Please sign exactly as your name or names
appear(s) hereon, indicating, where proper, official position or
representative capacity.) |
|
|
|
|
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY |
Proxy Card