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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2011
Sep 26, 2011
32232_psi_2011-09-26_b0196ca6-da1c-4445-9b2d-9b6ea45a01cd.zip
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant o
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant x
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule14a-6(e)(2))
¨ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
x Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
| CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. |
|---|
| (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
| BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. BIGLARI CAPITAL CORP. THE LION FUND, L.P. SARDAR BIGLARI |
| (Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x No fee required.
¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(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):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
¨ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
The following materials were posted by Biglari Holdings Inc. to http://www.enhancecrackerbarrel.com :
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BIGLARI HOLDINGS RESPONDS TO ADOPTION OF POISON PILL BY
CRACKER BARREL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SAN ANTONIO, TX — September 23, 2011 — Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BH), issued the following statement regarding the adoption of a poison pill by the Board of Directors of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBRL):
Today the Board of Cracker Barrel implemented a restriction that effectively prevents any shareholder from purchasing more than 10% of the Company. The Board has created this poison pill as a response to our nonexistent interest in buying up to 49.9% of the Company. To implement an entrenchment strategy is one thing. But to say the stratagem results from our trying to do something we have repeatedly stated we are not going to do is more than disingenuous — it is misleading.
We filed a regulatory requirement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice to give Biglari Holdings the option to purchase more than 10% of Cracker Barrel. But our intention was that even if we were to purchase additional stock, we would keep ownership well under 20%. (Besides, under Tennessee law, each share over an ownership of 20% cannot be voted by that stockholder.) In fact, as part of our FTC filing we specifically wrote to Cracker Barrel and provided a copy to the FTC stating that “Biglari Holdings is not seeking to acquire control of Cracker Barrel.” In meetings, we told Chairman Michael Woodhouse that we have purchased stock for investment purposes only.
Simply put, the 10% poison pill is part of the Board’s entrenchment scheme which must end because it affords Board members immunity, not accountability, and in doing so disenfranchises all shareholders. Because the Board cannot make a solid argument for the poison pill, its members are distorting our intentions even though we have told them and the regulatory authorities that we are not seeking control.
We are exposing the Board members ’ contradictory comments, and we will continue to do so until, with your support, we remove unfit leadership.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS
Biglari Holdings Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Biglari Holdings”), together with the other participants named herein, intends to make a preliminary filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of a proxy statement and accompanying proxy card to be used to solicit votes for the election of a director nominee at the 2011 annual meeting of shareholders of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”).
BIGLARI HOLDINGS STRONGLY ADVISES ALL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROXY SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR, INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, TOLL-FREE AT (888) 750-5834, BANKS AND BROKERS CALL COLLECT AT (212) 750-5833.
The participants in this proxy solicitation are Biglari Holdings, Biglari Capital Corp., a Texas corporation (“BCC”), The Lion Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Lion Fund”), and Sardar Biglari.
As of the date hereof, Biglari Holdings directly owns 1,996,034 shares of Common Stock of the Company. As of the date hereof, the Lion Fund directly owns 140,100 shares of Common Stock. Each of BCC, as the general partner of the Lion Fund, and Biglari Holdings, as the parent of BCC, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock directly owned by the Lion Fund. Mr. Biglari, as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of each of BCC and Biglari Holdings, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock directly owned by Biglari Holdings and the Lion Fund.
As members of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of the participants in this proxy solicitation is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned in the aggregate by the other participants. Each of the participants in this proxy solicitation disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant o
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant x
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule14a-6(e)(2))
¨ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
x Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
| CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. |
|---|
| (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
| BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. BIGLARI CAPITAL CORP. THE LION FUND, L.P. SARDAR BIGLARI |
| (Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x No fee required.
¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(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):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
¨ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
On September 23, 2011, Biglari Holdings Inc. issued the following press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BIGLARI HOLDINGS RESPONDS TO ADOPTION OF POISON PILL BY
CRACKER BARREL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SAN ANTONIO, TX — September 23, 2011 — Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BH), issued the following statement regarding the adoption of a poison pill by the Board of Directors of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBRL):
Today the Board of Cracker Barrel implemented a restriction that effectively prevents any shareholder from purchasing more than 10% of the Company. The Board has created this poison pill as a response to our nonexistent interest in buying up to 49.9% of the Company. To implement an entrenchment strategy is one thing. But to say the stratagem results from our trying to do something we have repeatedly stated we are not going to do is more than disingenuous — it is misleading.
We filed a regulatory requirement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice to give Biglari Holdings the option to purchase more than 10% of Cracker Barrel. But our intention was that even if we were to purchase additional stock, we would keep ownership well under 20%. (Besides, under Tennessee law, each share over an ownership of 20% cannot be voted by that stockholder.) In fact, as part of our FTC filing we specifically wrote to Cracker Barrel and provided a copy to the FTC stating that “Biglari Holdings is not seeking to acquire control of Cracker Barrel.” In meetings, we told Chairman Michael Woodhouse that we have purchased stock for investment purposes only.
Simply put, the 10% poison pill is part of the Board’s entrenchment scheme which must end because it affords Board members immunity, not accountability, and in doing so disenfranchises all shareholders. Because the Board cannot make a solid argument for the poison pill, its members are distorting our intentions even though we have told them and the regulatory authorities that we are not seeking control.
We are exposing the Board members ’ contradictory comments, and we will continue to do so until, with your support, we remove unfit leadership.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS
Biglari Holdings Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Biglari Holdings”), together with the other participants named herein, intends to make a preliminary filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of a proxy statement and accompanying proxy card to be used to solicit votes for the election of a director nominee at the 2011 annual meeting of shareholders of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”).
BIGLARI HOLDINGS STRONGLY ADVISES ALL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROXY SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR, INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, TOLL-FREE AT (888) 750-5834, BANKS AND BROKERS CALL COLLECT AT (212) 750-5833.
The participants in this proxy solicitation are Biglari Holdings, Biglari Capital Corp., a Texas corporation (“BCC”), The Lion Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Lion Fund”), and Sardar Biglari.
As of the date hereof, Biglari Holdings directly owns 1,996,034 shares of Common Stock of the Company. As of the date hereof, the Lion Fund directly owns 140,100 shares of Common Stock. Each of BCC, as the general partner of the Lion Fund, and Biglari Holdings, as the parent of BCC, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock directly owned by the Lion Fund. Mr. Biglari, as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of each of BCC and Biglari Holdings, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock directly owned by Biglari Holdings and the Lion Fund.
As members of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of the participants in this proxy solicitation is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned in the aggregate by the other participants. Each of the participants in this proxy solicitation disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)
(Amendment No. 4) 1
CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
22410J106
(CUSIP Number)
SARDAR BIGLARI
BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
175 East Houston Street, Suite 1300
San Antonio, Texas 78205
(210) 344-3400
with copies to:
STEVEN WOLOSKY, ESQ.
OLSHAN GRUNDMAN FROME ROSENZWEIG & WOLOSKY LLP
Park Avenue Tower
65 East 55th Street
New York, New York 10022
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
September 23, 2011
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨ .
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
1 The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes ).
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
| 1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Biglari Holdings Inc. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) o (b) o |
| 3 | SEC USE ONLY | |
| 4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS WC | |
| 5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ¨ |
| 6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Indiana | |
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 2,136,134 |
| 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER -0- | |
| 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,136,134 | |
| 10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- | |
| 11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,136,134 | |
| 12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | o |
| 13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.3% | |
| 14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO |
2
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
| 1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Biglari Capital Corp. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) o (b) o |
| 3 | SEC USE ONLY | |
| 4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS OO | |
| 5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ¨ |
| 6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Texas | |
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 140,100 |
| 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER -0- | |
| 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 140,100 | |
| 10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- | |
| 11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 140,100 | |
| 12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | o |
| 13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0.6% | |
| 14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO |
3
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
| 1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON The Lion Fund, L.P. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) o (b) o |
| 3 | SEC USE ONLY | |
| 4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS WC | |
| 5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ¨ |
| 6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware | |
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 140,100 |
| 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER -0- | |
| 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 140,100 | |
| 10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- | |
| 11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 140,100 | |
| 12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | o |
| 13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0.6% | |
| 14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN |
4
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
| 1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Sardar Biglari | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP | (a) o (b) o |
| 3 | SEC USE ONLY | |
| 4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS OO | |
| 5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) | ¨ |
| 6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA | |
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 2,136,134 |
| 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER -0- | |
| 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,136,134 | |
| 10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- | |
| 11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,136,134 | |
| 12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES | o |
| 13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.3% | |
| 14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN |
5
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
The following constitutes Amendment No. 4 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned. Such Schedule 13D is hereby amended as follows:
ITEM 4. Purpose of Transaction.
Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:
On September 23, 2011, Biglari Holdings issued a press release regarding the adoption of a poison pill by the Board of Directors of the Issuer. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
99.1 Press release, dated September 23, 2011.
6
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
| September 23, 2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (Date) | ||
| BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Sardar Biglari | |
| Name: | Sardar Biglari | |
| Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
| /s/ Sardar Biglari | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Sardar Biglari |
| Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
| THE LION FUND, L.P. | ||
|---|---|---|
| By: BIGLARI CAPITAL CORP., its General Partner | ||
| By: | /s/ Sardar Biglari | |
| Name: | Sardar Biglari | |
| Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
| /s/ Sardar Biglari |
|---|
| SARDAR BIGLARI |
7
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BIGLARI HOLDINGS RESPONDS TO ADOPTION OF POISON PILL BY
CRACKER BARREL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SAN ANTONIO, TX — September 23, 2011 — Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BH), issued the following statement regarding the adoption of a poison pill by the Board of Directors of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBRL):
Today the Board of Cracker Barrel implemented a restriction that effectively prevents any shareholder from purchasing more than 10% of the Company. The Board has created this poison pill as a response to our nonexistent interest in buying up to 49.9% of the Company. To implement an entrenchment strategy is one thing. But to say the stratagem results from our trying to do something we have repeatedly stated we are not going to do is more than disingenuous — it is misleading.
We filed a regulatory requirement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice to give Biglari Holdings the option to purchase more than 10% of Cracker Barrel. But our intention was that even if we were to purchase additional stock, we would keep ownership well under 20%. (Besides, under Tennessee law, each share over an ownership of 20% cannot be voted by that stockholder.) In fact, as part of our FTC filing we specifically wrote to Cracker Barrel and provided a copy to the FTC stating that “Biglari Holdings is not seeking to acquire control of Cracker Barrel.” In meetings, we told Chairman Michael Woodhouse that we have purchased stock for investment purposes only.
Simply put, the 10% poison pill is part of the Board’s entrenchment scheme which must end because it affords Board members immunity, not accountability, and in doing so disenfranchises all shareholders. Because the Board cannot make a solid argument for the poison pill, its members are distorting our intentions even though we have told them and the regulatory authorities that we are not seeking control.
We are exposing the Board members ’ contradictory comments, and we will continue to do so until, with your support, we remove unfit leadership.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS
Biglari Holdings Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Biglari Holdings”), together with the other participants named herein, intends to make a preliminary filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of a proxy statement and accompanying proxy card to be used to solicit votes for the election of a director nominee at the 2011 annual meeting of shareholders of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”).
BIGLARI HOLDINGS STRONGLY ADVISES ALL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROXY SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR, INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, TOLL-FREE AT (888) 750-5834, BANKS AND BROKERS CALL COLLECT AT (212) 750-5833.
The participants in this proxy solicitation are Biglari Holdings, Biglari Capital Corp., a Texas corporation (“BCC”), The Lion Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Lion Fund”), and Sardar Biglari.
As of the date hereof, Biglari Holdings directly owns 1,996,034 shares of Common Stock of the Company. As of the date hereof, the Lion Fund directly owns 140,100 shares of Common Stock. Each of BCC, as the general partner of the Lion Fund, and Biglari Holdings, as the parent of BCC, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock directly owned by the Lion Fund. Mr. Biglari, as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of each of BCC and Biglari Holdings, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock directly owned by Biglari Holdings and the Lion Fund.
As members of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of the participants in this proxy solicitation is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned in the aggregate by the other participants. Each of the participants in this proxy solicitation disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS
Biglari Holdings Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Biglari Holdings”), together with the other participants named herein, intends to make a preliminary filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of a proxy statement and accompanying proxy card to be used to solicit votes for the election of a director nominee at the 2011 annual meeting of shareholders of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”).
BIGLARI HOLDINGS STRONGLY ADVISES ALL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROXY SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR, INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, TOLL-FREE AT (888) 750-5834, BANKS AND BROKERS CALL COLLECT AT (212) 750-5833.
The participants in this proxy solicitation are Biglari Holdings, Biglari Capital Corp., a Texas corporation (“BCC”), The Lion Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Lion Fund”), and Sardar Biglari.
As of the date hereof, Biglari Holdings directly owns 1,996,034 shares of Common Stock of the Company. As of the date hereof, the Lion Fund directly owns 140,100 shares of Common Stock. Each of BCC, as the general partner of the Lion Fund, and Biglari Holdings, as the parent of BCC, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock directly owned by the Lion Fund. Mr. Biglari, as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of each of BCC and Biglari Holdings, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock directly owned by Biglari Holdings and the Lion Fund.
As members of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of the participants in this proxy solicitation is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned in the aggregate by the other participants. Each of the participants in this proxy solicitation disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein.