ALEXANDERS J CORP
10-Q, 1999-11-17
EATING PLACES
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<PAGE>   1
                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

[X]      QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
         ACT OF 1934

For quarterly period ended October 3, 1999
                           ---------------

                                       OR

         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from                      to
                               --------------------    ----------------------

Commission file number    1-8766
                      --------------

                           J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

           Tennessee                                    62-0854056
- -------------------------------             ------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

   3401 West End Avenue, Suite 260, P.O. Box 24300, Nashville, Tennessee 37202
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                  (615)269-1900
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

       Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

       Common Stock Outstanding - 6,772,216 shares at November 17, 1999.


Page 1 of 15 pages.


<PAGE>   2


                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNT)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          OCTOBER 3     January 3
                                                                            1999          1999
                                                                          --------      --------
                                                                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>
                               ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
   Cash and cash equivalents ........................................     $    792      $  1,022
   Accounts and notes receivable, including current portion of
     direct financing leases ........................................          115            77
   Inventories ......................................................          654           800
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets ........................          527           324
                                                                          --------      --------
     TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS ...........................................        2,088         2,223

OTHER ASSETS ........................................................          804           887

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost, less allowances for
   depreciation and amortization of $13,666 and $11,053 at
   October 3, 1999, and January 3, 1999, respectively ...............       61,368        61,440

DEFERRED CHARGES, less amortization .................................          507           570
                                                                          --------      --------
                                                                          $ 64,767      $ 65,120
                                                                          ========      ========
</TABLE>







                                       -2-


<PAGE>   3





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          OCTOBER 3     January 3
                                                                            1999          1999
                                                                          --------      --------
                                                                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
   Accounts payable .................................................     $  3,569      $  3,491
   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities ...................        3,175         3,893
   Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under
     capital leases .................................................        1,205         1,917
                                                                          --------      --------
     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES ......................................        7,949         9,301

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL
   LEASES, net of portion classified as current .....................       18,065        21,361

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES .........................................          973           727

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Common Stock, par value $.05 per share:  Authorized 10,000,000
     shares; issued and outstanding 6,772,216 and 5,431,335 shares at
     October 3, 1999, and January 3, 1999, respectively .............          339           272
   Preferred Stock, no par value: Authorized 1,000,000 shares; none
     issued .........................................................           --            --
   Additional paid-in capital .......................................       34,731        30,007
   Retained earnings ................................................        3,530         4,272
                                                                          --------      --------
                                                                            38,600        34,551
   Note receivable - Employee Stock Ownership Plan ..................         (820)         (820)
                                                                          --------      --------
     TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .....................................       37,780        33,731
                                                                          --------      --------
                                                                          $ 64,767      $ 65,120
                                                                          ========      ========
</TABLE>




See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



                                       -3-


<PAGE>   4


J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Nine Months Ended          Quarter Ended
                                                  -----------------          -------------
                                             OCTOBER 3   September 27   OCTOBER 3    September 27
                                               1999          1998          1999          1998
                                             --------      --------      --------      --------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Net sales ..............................     $ 57,011      $ 53,694      $ 19,041      $ 18,087

Costs and expenses:
   Cost of sales .......................       18,819        18,651         6,574         6,141
   Restaurant labor and related costs ..       19,357        18,002         6,486         6,033
   Depreciation and amortization of
     restaurant property and equipment .        2,733         2,707           913           929
   Other operating expenses ............       10,681        10,043         3,566         3,296
                                             --------      --------      --------      --------
     Total restaurant operating expenses       51,590        49,403        17,539        16,399

General and administrative expenses ....        5,059         4,065         1,951         1,282
Pre-opening expense ....................           35           660            35           296
                                             --------      --------      --------      --------
Operating income (loss) ................          327          (434)         (484)          110
Other income (expense):
   Interest expense ....................       (1,172)       (1,405)         (349)         (498)
   Other, net ..........................          136           (13)           13             5
                                             --------      --------      --------      --------
     Total other expense ...............       (1,036)       (1,418)         (336)         (493)
                                             --------      --------      --------      --------
Loss before income taxes ...............         (709)       (1,852)         (820)         (383)
Income tax benefit .....................           33            --            --            --
                                             --------      --------      --------      --------
Net loss ...............................     $   (742)     $ (1,852)     $   (820)     $   (383)
                                             ========      ========      ========      ========
Basic loss per share ...................     $   (.11)     $   (.34)     $   (.12)     $   (.07)
                                             ========      ========      ========      ========
Diluted loss per share .................     $   (.11)     $   (.34)     $   (.12)     $   (.07)
                                             ========      ========      ========      ========
</TABLE>





See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



                                       -4-


<PAGE>   5


J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                 -----------------
                                                              OCTOBER 3    September 27
                                                                 1999          1998
                                                               --------      --------
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>
Net cash provided by operating activities ................     $  1,921      $  1,635

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities:
   Purchase of property and equipment ....................       (2,983)       (4,437)
   Other investing activities ............................           51           324
                                                               --------      --------
                                                                 (2,932)       (4,113)
Net cash provided (used) provided by financing activities:
   Payments on debt and obligations under capital leases .       (2,690)       (1,909)
   Proceeds under bank line of credit agreement ..........       22,113        22,242
   Payments under bank line of credit agreement ..........      (23,433)      (17,029)
   Sale of stock and exercise of stock options ...........        4,791            21
                                                               --------      --------
                                                                    781         3,325

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents .........         (230)          847

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period .........        1,022           134
                                                               --------      --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ...............     $    792      $    981
                                                               ========      ========
</TABLE>





See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



                                       -5-


<PAGE>   6


J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and
Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for complete financial statements. Certain reclassifications have been made in
the prior year's consolidated condensed financial statements to conform to the
1999 presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of
normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended October 3,
1999, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
fiscal year ending January 2, 2000. For further information, refer to the
consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999,
as amended.

NOTE B - EARNINGS PER SHARE

         The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted
earnings per share:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                                        Nine Months Ended           Quarter Ended
                                                        -----------------           -------------
                                                     OCTOBER 3   September 27   OCTOBER 3  September 27
                                                        1999         1998         1999         1998
                                                       -------      -------      -------      -------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
NUMERATOR:
Net loss (numerator for basic earnings per share)      $  (742)     $(1,852)     $  (820)     $  (383)
Effect of dilutive securities ....................          --           --           --
                                                       -------      -------      -------      -------
Net loss after assumed conversions (numerator
     for diluted earnings per share) .............     $  (742)     $(1,852)     $  (820)     $  (383)
                                                       =======      =======      =======      =======
DENOMINATOR:
Weighted average shares (denominator for basic
     earnings per share) .........................       6,313        5,431        6,772        5,431
Effect of dilutive securities:
     Employee stock options ......................          --           --           --           --
                                                       -------      -------      -------      -------
Adjusted weighted average shares and assumed
     conversions (denominator for diluted earnings
     per share) ..................................       6,313        5,431        6,772        5,431
                                                       =======      =======      =======      =======
Basic loss per share .............................     $  (.11)     $  (.34)     $  (.12)     $  (.07)
                                                       =======      =======      =======      =======
Diluted loss per share ...........................     $  (.11)     $  (.34)     $  (.12)     $  (.07)
                                                       =======      =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>



                                       -6-


<PAGE>   7

In situations where the exercise price of outstanding options is greater than
the average market price of common shares, such options are excluded from the
computation of diluted earnings per share because of their antidilutive impact.
Due to the net losses incurred during the first nine months of 1999 and 1998, as
well as the third quarter of both 1999 and 1998, all outstanding options were
excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for these periods.

NOTE C - SALE OF STOCK

         On March 22, 1999, the Company completed a private sale of 1,086,266
shares of common stock for approximately $4.1 million to Solidus, LLC
("Solidus"). E. Townes Duncan, a director of the Company, is a minority owner of
and manages the investments of Solidus. In addition, on June 21, 1999 the
Company completed a rights offering wherein shareholders of the Company
purchased an additional 240,615 shares of common stock at a price of $3.75 per
share, which was the same price per share as stock sold in the private sale.
When combined with the proceeds from the private sale noted above, the rights
offering raised net proceeds to the Company of approximately $4.8 million, which
was used to repay a portion of the debt outstanding under the Company's
revolving credit facility. Amounts repaid can be reborrowed in accordance with
the terms of the line of credit agreement.

NOTE D - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

         Effective as of January 4, 1999, the Company changed the estimated
useful life of its buildings from 25 years to 30 years. Also, the estimated life
of leasehold improvements was changed to include an amortization period based on
the lesser of the lease term, generally including renewal options, or the useful
life of the asset, including the longer 30 year life for structures. The effect
of these changes was to increase net income for the quarter and nine month
periods ended October 3, 1999 by approximately $69,000 and $220,000,
respectively, representing a decrease to diluted loss per share of $.01 and $.03
for the respective periods.

NOTE E - COMPREHENSIVE  INCOME

         In 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive Income". The Company has no items of
comprehensive income and, accordingly, adoption of the Statement has had no
effect on the consolidated financial statements.



                                       -7-


<PAGE>   8

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

           The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, (i) the
percentages which the items in the Company's Consolidated Statements of
Operations bear to total net sales, and (ii) other selected operating data:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Nine Months Ended           Quarter Ended
                                                OCTOBER 3  September 27   OCTOBER 3  September 27
                                                  1999         1998         1999         1998
                                                 ------       ------       ------       ------
<S>                                             <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
Net sales ..................................      100.0%       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%
Costs and expenses:
     Cost of sales .........................       33.0         34.7         34.5         34.0
     Restaurant labor and related costs ....       34.0         33.5         34.1         33.4
     Depreciation and amortization of
         restaurant property and equipment .        4.8          5.0          4.8          5.1
     Other operating expenses ..............       18.7         18.7         18.7         18.2
                                                 ------       ------       ------       ------
         Total restaurant operating expenses       90.5         92.0         92.1         90.7

General and administrative expenses ........        8.9          7.6         10.3          7.1
Pre-opening expense ........................        0.1          1.2          0.2          1.6
                                                 ------       ------       ------       ------
Operating income (loss) ....................        0.6         (0.8)        (2.5)         0.6
Other income (expense):

     Interest expense ......................       (2.1)        (2.6)        (1.8)        (2.7)
     Other, net ............................        0.2           --           --           --
                                                 ------       ------       ------       ------
         Total other income (expense) ......       (1.8)        (2.6)        (1.8)        (2.7)

Loss before income taxes ...................       (1.2)        (3.4)        (4.3)        (2.1)
Income tax provision .......................       (0.1)          --           --           --
                                                 ------       ------       ------       ------
Net loss ...................................       (1.3)%       (3.4)%       (4.3)%       (2.1)%
                                                 ======       ======       ======       ======
Restaurants open at end of period ..........         20           20

Weighted average weekly sales per restaurant:
     All restaurants........................    $73,100      $73,300      $73,300      $72,600
     Same store restaurants.................    $75,100      $73,400      $74,700      $72,800
</TABLE>





                                       -8-


<PAGE>   9


NET SALES

         Net sales increased 6.2% and 5.3% for the first nine months and third
quarter of 1999, as compared to the same periods of 1998, due primarily to the
opening of new restaurants. Same store sales, which include comparable sales for
the 19 restaurants open for more than 12 months, averaged $75,100 and $74,700
for the first nine months and third quarter of 1999, representing increases of
2.3% and 2.6% over the $73,400 and $72,800 recorded during the corresponding
periods of 1998. The increases in same store sales during the 1999 periods are
primarily attributed to three separate menu price increases of approximately 3%
each which were implemented in the months of March, May and July of 1998. The
average guest check, excluding alcoholic beverage sales, increased by
approximately 1% during the third quarter of 1999 compared to the same period
in 1998. Weighted average weekly sales for all restaurants, which reflect the
full impact of lower sales volumes in new restaurants opened in 1998, were
$73,100 and $73,300 for the first nine months and third quarter of 1999,
compared to $73,300 and $72,600 for the corresponding periods of 1998.

         As noted in previous filings, the Company's newer restaurants continue
to significantly affect its overall financial performance. As an indication of
this, the Company's 14 restaurants opened prior to 1997 posted restaurant
operating margins of 13.7% for the first nine months of 1999, while averaging
weekly sales per restaurant of $79,300. Restaurant margins for the remaining six
restaurants were a negative 3.7% for this period on average weekly sales of
$58,700. The Company's three newest restaurants posted losses at the restaurant
level of approximately $998,000 for the first nine months of 1999. Management
believes that the primary issue faced by the Company in returning it to
consistent profitability is the improvement of sales and operating results in
its newer restaurants. In addition to its ongoing commitment to appropriate
levels of guest service support within each restaurant to ensure the highest
quality of operations, management intends to improve profitability in its newer
restaurants as well as the Company's more established restaurants through
implementation of a new menu migration program, which is designed to showcase
the Company's premium entrees and de-emphasize lower priced menu alternatives,
coupled with a reduction of between 10% and 15% of the menu offerings in each
restaurant. In addition, all in-restaurant marketing efforts are being
concentrated on such premium entree offerings. These efforts, combined with a
menu price increase of approximately 5%, have generated same store sales
increases of 6% to 9% on a weekly basis since they were implemented in late
September, 1999 and produced a restaurant operating margin in excess of 13% for
October, 1999, representing an increase of over 500 basis points compared to the
third quarter of 1999. Additionally, the losses incurred by the Company's three
newest restaurants were reduced to approximately $20,000 for October, 1999, with
two of the restaurants operating at approximately a break-even level. Management
believes that all or virtually all of the Company's restaurants have the
potential over time to reach satisfactory sales levels.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

         Restaurant costs and expenses for all restaurants decreased to 90.5% of
net sales for the first nine months of 1999 compared to 92.0% for the
corresponding period of 1998. This decrease was due to a reduction in restaurant
costs and expenses in the same store group of 19 restaurants from 91.8% for the
first nine months of 1998 to 89.0% for the comparable period of 1999, with such
reductions more than offsetting higher costs associated with the two new
restaurants opened during 1998. For both groups of restaurants, the decreases
were due primarily to lower cost of sales resulting from management's emphasis
on increased efficiencies in this area and the menu price increases noted above.



                                       -9-


<PAGE>   10

Restaurant costs and expenses increased from 90.7% in the third quarter of 1998
to 92.1% for the 1999 period primarily due to higher cost of sales and
additional labor costs due to increased labor rate pressures, emphasis on
staffing levels to ensure that appropriately high levels of service are
maintained, and special support programs in certain of the Company's newer
restaurants.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

         General and administrative costs, which include supervisory costs as
well as management training costs and all other costs above the restaurant
level, totaled 8.9% and 10.3% of sales during the first nine months and third
quarter of 1999, as compared to 7.6% and 7.1% of sales in the corresponding
periods of 1998. These increases were due primarily to lower than normal general
and administrative expenses in 1998 which were, in turn, principally due to
favorable experience under both the Company's workers' compensation program and
its self-insured group medical insurance program which allowed the Company to
reduce its level of accruals and expense related to these programs in 1998. As
anticipated and disclosed in previous filings, similar favorable experience is
not expected to occur on a going forward basis. In addition, increases in
management training and relocation costs contributed to higher general and
administrative costs during the third quarter of 1999 as compared to the
previous two quarters of 1999. Management anticipates that the level of general
and administrative expenses incurred during the third quarter of 1999 reasonably
approximates the Company's cost in this area on a going forward basis.

PRE-OPENING EXPENSE

         The Company expenses pre-opening costs as incurred. As a result of the
timing of new restaurant openings, there was nominal ($35,000) pre-opening
expense during the first nine months and third quarter of 1999. Significant
pre-opening costs will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 1999, however, due
to the opening of a new J. Alexander's restaurant in November. Pre-opening
expense of $660,000 and $296,000 during the first nine months and third quarter
of 1998 related to the two new restaurants which opened in March and September
of 1998.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

         Interest expense decreased by $233,000 and $149,000 during the first
nine months and third quarter of 1999 as compared to the corresponding periods
in 1998 due primarily to the impact of reduced balances associated with the
Company's convertible subordinated debentures and a reduction in the Company's
line of credit after applying proceeds from sales of stock in March and June,
1999, to the outstanding balance on the line.

         Other income increased $149,000 during the first nine months of 1999 as
compared to the same period in 1998 due primarily to a $148,000 gain associated
with the Company's purchase of a portion of its outstanding convertible
debentures.

INCOME TAXES

         The Company has recorded a tax provision for the first nine months of
1999 totaling $33,000. No income tax benefit was recorded on the pre-tax losses
for the first nine months and third quarter of 1998, as management was unable to
conclude that it was more likely than not that the carryforwards generated by
these and previous losses would be realized.



                                      -10-


<PAGE>   11

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         The Company had cash flow from operations totaling $1,921,000 and
$1,635,000 during the first nine months of 1999 and 1998, respectively. Cash and
cash equivalents decreased from $1,022,000 at year end 1998 to $792,000 at
October 3, 1999.

         The Company's primary need for capital is expected to continue to be
capital expenditures for the development and maintenance of its J. Alexander's
restaurants. The Company also has an annual sinking fund requirement of
$1,875,000 in connection with its Convertible Subordinated Debentures which has
been met through June 1, 1999. In addition, the Company has purchased
approximately $840,000 principal amount of these bonds, of which approximately
$150,000 principal amount were purchased subsequent to the end of the third
quarter, in the open market to be used toward the 2000 sinking fund requirement.

         Management estimates that capital expenditures for 1999 for the
Company's West Bloomfield, Michigan restaurant which is located on leased land
and opened November 1, 1999; for partial completion of the Cincinnati, Ohio
restaurant (also to be located on leased land) for which construction is
expected to begin in 1999 to be completed in 2000; and for other additions and
improvements to existing restaurants will total approximately $4.5 million.

         While a working capital deficit of $5,861,000 existed as of October 3,
1999, the Company does not believe that this deficit impairs the overall
financial condition of the Company because it expects cash flow from operations
to be adequate to meet current obligations, including the annual sinking fund
payment noted above. Certain of the Company's expenses, particularly
depreciation and amortization, do not require current outlays of cash. Also,
requirements for funding accounts receivable and inventories are relatively
insignificant; thus virtually all cash generated by operations is available to
meet current obligations.

         The Company maintains a bank line of credit of $20 million which is
expected to be used as needed for funding of capital expenditures through its
expiration date of July 1, 2000 and which will also provide liquidity for
meeting working capital or other needs. At October 3, 1999, borrowings
outstanding under this line of credit were $7,950,000. The line of credit
agreement contains certain covenants which require the Company to achieve
specified levels of senior debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization) and to maintain certain other financial ratios.
The Company was in compliance with these covenants at October 3, 1999 and, based
on a current assessment of its business, believes it will continue to comply
with those covenants through July 1, 2000. The credit agreement also contains
certain limitations on capital expenditures and restaurant development by the
Company (generally limiting the Company to the development of two new
restaurants per year) and restricts the Company's ability to incur additional
debt outside the bank line of credit. The interest rate on borrowings under the
line of credit is currently based on LIBOR plus a spread of two to three
percent, depending on the ratio of senior debt to EBITDA. The line of credit
includes an option to convert outstanding borrowings to a term loan prior to
July 1, 2000. The Company is currently seeking an extension of the credit line.
Management believes that it has the ability to complete related negotiations
prior to July 1, 2000 and that the line of credit will provide adequate
liquidity for the Company through 2000; however, there can be no assurance that
the Company will be successful in obtaining modifications to its existing credit
agreement.


                                      -11-


<PAGE>   12

         In March 1999 the Company developed a plan for raising additional
equity capital to further strengthen its financial position and, as part of this
plan, completed a private sale of 1,086,266 shares of common stock for
approximately $4.1 million. In addition, on June 21, 1999, the Company completed
a rights offering wherein shareholders of the Company purchased an additional
240,615 shares of common stock at a price of $3.75 per share, which was the same
price per share as stock sold in the private sale. The private sale noted above
and the rights offering raised net proceeds to the Company of approximately $4.8
million which were used to repay a portion of the debt outstanding under the
Company's revolving credit facility. Amounts repaid can be reborrowed in
accordance with the terms of the line of credit agreement. The Company believes
that raising additional equity capital and repaying a portion of its outstanding
debt will benefit the Company by reducing its debt to equity ratio and reducing
interest expense and that it will provide greater flexibility to the Company in
providing for future financing needs.

YEAR 2000 ISSUE

         Many software applications and operational programs written in the past
were not designed to recognize calendar dates beginning in the Year 2000. The
failure of such applications or systems to properly recognize the dates
beginning in the Year 2000 could result in miscalculations or system failures
which could result in an adverse effect on the Company's operations. The Company
has instituted a Year 2000 task force which has initiated a comprehensive
project to prepare its information technology ("IT") systems and non-IT systems
for the Year 2000. The project includes identification and assessment of
software, hardware and equipment that could potentially be affected by the Year
2000 issue, remedial action and further testing procedures.

The Company believes that the majority of its operations are Year 2000 compliant
and currently estimates the total cost of its Year 2000 project will be
approximately $200,000. Upgrades relative to selected restaurants' point-of-sale
cash register systems are scheduled to be completed and tested for compliance
prior to December 1, 1999. At that point, the only remaining applications to be
addressed relate to software utilized by management to identify each
restaurant's efficiency with respect to food cost. Upgrades in this area are
scheduled to be implemented during December, 1999. The Company's aggregate cost
estimate above does not include time and costs that may be incurred by the
Company as a result of the failure of any third parties, including suppliers, to
become Year 2000 ready or costs to implement any contingency plans.

The Company's most significant third-party business partners consist of
restaurant food and supplies vendors who serve the Company. An inventory of
significant third-party partners has been completed and letters mailed
requesting information regarding each party's Year 2000 compliance status.
Virtually all responses received to date have indicated the vendor is now or
will be Year 2000 compliant prior to January 1, 2000. The Company is in the
process of developing contingency plans for completion by December 31, 1999 for
any vendors that appear to have substantial Year 2000 operational risks. Such
contingency plans may include a change of vendors to minimize the Company's
risk. The effect, if any, on the Company's results of operations from the
failure of such parties to be Year 2000 ready is not reasonably estimable.

Management believes that the Company has an effective plan in place to resolve
the Year 2000 issue in a timely manner. However, due to the unique nature of the
problem and lack of historical experience, it is difficult to predict with
certainty what will happen after December 31, 1999. The



                                      -12-


<PAGE>   13

Company may encounter unanticipated third party failures or a failure to have
successfully concluded system remediation efforts. Any of these unforeseen
events may have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows. Potential sources of risk include
the inability of principal suppliers to be Year 2000 ready, which could result
in delays in product deliveries from suppliers, and disruption of the
distribution channel, including transportation vendors. The amount of any
potential losses related to these occurrences cannot be reasonably estimated at
this time. The Company is in the process of developing a contingency plan
intended to mitigate the effects of problems experienced by the Company or key
vendors or service providers in the timely implementation of Year 2000 programs.
The Company expects to have the contingency plan developed by December 31, 1999.
The most likely worst case scenario for the Company is that a significant number
of restaurants will be temporarily unable to operate due to public
infrastructure failures and/or food supply problems. Some restaurants may have
problems for extended periods of time. The failure of restaurants to operate
would result in reduced revenues and cash flows for the Company during the
disruption period. Loss of restaurant sales would be partially mitigated by
reduced costs.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

         Certain information contained in this Form 10-Q, particularly
information regarding future economic performance and finances, development
plans, and objectives of management is forward-looking information that involves
risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.
Factors which could affect actual results include, but are not limited to, the
Company's ability to increase sales in certain of its restaurants, particularly
its newer restaurants; the Company's ability to recruit and train qualified
restaurant management personnel; competition within the casual dining industry,
which is very intense; changes in business and economic conditions; changes in
consumer tastes; and government regulations.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

         There have been no material changes in the disclosures set forth in
Item 7a of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, filed with the
Commission on May 14, 1999.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

              (a) Exhibits:

                  Exhibit (27)     Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)

              (b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed for the quarter ended
                  October 3, 1999.



                                      -13-


<PAGE>   14

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                      J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION



                                      /s/ Lonnie J. Stout II
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Lonnie J. Stout II
                                      Chairman, President and Chief Executive
                                      Officer (Principal Executive Officer)



                                      /s/ R. Gregory Lewis
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      R. Gregory Lewis
                                      Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
                                      (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 16, 1999



                                      -14-


<PAGE>   15




                   J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.                                                     Page No.
- -----------                                                     --------

    (27)            Financial Data Schedules               (For SEC Use Only)























                                      -15-

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE-MONTH PERIOD
ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1999
<CASH>                                             792
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      115
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        654
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,088
<PP&E>                                          75,034
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,666
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  64,767
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,949
<BONDS>                                         18,065
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           339
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,441
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    64,767
<SALES>                                         57,011
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                57,011
<CGS>                                           18,819
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   38,176
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,414
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,172
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (709)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        33
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (742)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (742)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.11)


</TABLE>


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