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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. _____)
Filed by the Registrant [ ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [x]
Check the appropriate box:
[x] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11 (C) or
Section 240.14a-12
FURR'S/BISHOP'S, INCORPORATED
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
(Name of Person(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:
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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:
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] 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:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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PRELIMINARY COPIES
PROXY STATEMENT OF TEACHERS
INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA IN OPPOSITION TO THE CURRENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FURR'S/BISHOP'S,
INCORPORATED
1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SCHEDULED FOR MAY 28, 1998
Dear Fellow Stockholders of Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated:
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying BLUE proxy card are being
furnished by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, a New York
corporation ("Teachers"), to holders of the common stock (the "Stockholders"),
par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation of
proxies (the "Proxy Solicitation") to be used at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on Thursday, May 28, 1998, at 10:00 o'clock a.m., local
time, at the Holiday Inn Civic Center at 801 Avenue Q, Lubbock, Texas, or at any
adjournment or postponement thereof (collectively, the "Annual Meeting"). As of
April 22, 1998, the record date for the Annual Meeting (the "Annual Meeting
Record Date"), Teachers beneficially owned an aggregate of 8,607,637 shares, or
approximately 17.7% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.
The Company has indicated, as set forth in its proxy materials dated April
28, 1998 (the "Company Proxy Materials"), that it intends to nominate at the
Annual Meeting a slate of nine candidates (the "Company Nominees") for the
Company's Board of Directors. Teachers is opposed to that slate and is
soliciting your proxy in support of the following six nominees: Jacob C. Baum,
Suzanne Hopgood, Damien W. Kovary, William J. Nightingale, Gilbert C. Osnos and
Barry W. Ridings (the "Teachers Nominees") to the Company's Board of Directors
in opposition to the Company's slate. Teachers is not soliciting proxies for
the other three positions on the Board of Directors, but Teachers also intends
to vote the shares of Common Stock it beneficially owns for William C. Hale, one
of the Company Nominees. Teachers believes that a seven member Board of
Directors would function more efficiently and cooperatively. Teachers does not
see the need to have a nine member Board of Directors for a company of this size
and believes a large Board would not be able to work as cooperatively, openly
and efficiently as a seven member board. As a result, Teachers is also proposing
that the Stockholders adopt an amendment to the Bylaws or otherwise authorize
and recommend the reduction in the size of the Board of Directors to seven
members (the "Teachers Bylaw Proposal"). See "Voting and Proxy Procedures."
Although Teachers is soliciting proxies for only six nominees, Teachers
also intends to vote for William C. Hale, one of the Company Nominees. If you
only want to vote for the Teachers Nominees, complete, sign, date and submit the
enclosed BLUE proxy card in the enclosed postage pre-paid envelope that is
addressed to Teachers. If you want to vote for the Teachers Nominees and William
C. Hale or any other Company Nominee you must submit the enclosed BLUE proxy
card together with the Company's [WHITE] proxy card. Remember: your last dated
proxy is the only one that counts, so you must (i) submit the enclosed BLUE
proxy card indicating your grant of authority to vote FOR the Teachers Nominees
and to vote FOR the Teachers Bylaw Proposal, (ii) submit the Company's [WHITE]
proxy card indicating that you WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for at least eight of
the Company Nominees by writing the names of each of the nominees that you do
not desire to vote for in the space indicated on such proxy card, (iii) staple
Teachers' and the Company's proxy cards together, (iv) date both proxy cards the
same date and (v) submit both proxy cards in the enclosed postage pre-paid
envelope that is addressed to Teachers. There can be no assurance that William
C. Hale or any other Company Nominee will agree to serve as a Director of the
Company if the Teachers Nominees are elected. If you only want to vote for the
six Teachers Nominees, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed BLUE
proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope and do not complete or submit
a Company proxy card. See "Voting and Proxy Procedures."
This Proxy Statement and BLUE proxy card are first being mailed or
furnished to Stockholders on or about May ___, 1998.
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The election of the Teachers Nominees and the reduction in the size of
the Board of Directors will allow the Teachers Nominees, to the extent they vote
in the same manner on matters presented to the Board, to make decisions
consistent with maximizing Stockholder value. Teachers is seeking a change on
the Company's Board of Directors because of its disappointment with the current
poor performance of the Company as evidenced by the overall decline in share
price while the current Board has been in office, and its belief that the
current Board of Directors has been unable to implement an effective strategic
plan (or plans) to maximize Stockholder value. Teachers also believes that a
change is necessary to restore confidence in the Board and ensure its ability to
act effectively, cooperatively and as appropriately to accomplish this goal. If
elected, the Teachers Nominees, acting independently of Teachers in accordance
with their fiduciary duties, would work effectively and cooperatively to
maximize Stockholder value. Maximizing Stockholder value may include, but is
not limited to, a sale of the Company, exploration of merger and acquisition
opportunities, a change in the senior management and/or a successful
implementation of a well structured strategic plan. However, the Teachers
Nominees are open to considering all alternatives. See "Reasons for Electing a
New Board."
WE URGE YOU TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY
CARD(S) IN THE POSTAGE PRE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. BY SO DOING, YOU WILL GRANT
TEACHERS YOUR PROXY TO VOTE YOUR SHARES FOR THE ELECTION OF THE TEACHERS
NOMINEES AND FOR THE TEACHERS BYLAW PROPOSAL. Teachers is not soliciting your
proxy to vote for any Company Nominees and you cannot use Teachers' proxy card
to vote for any of the Company's Nominees. WE URGE THAT YOU DO NOT SIGN AND
RETURN ANY PROXY CARD PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY, UNLESS YOU INTEND TO VOTE FOR ONE
ADDITIONAL COMPANY NOMINEE. In order to vote FOR the Teachers Nominees and one
Company Nominee, you must (i) submit the enclosed BLUE proxy card indicating
your grant of authority to vote FOR the Teachers Nominees and to vote FOR the
Teachers Bylaw Proposal, (ii) submit the Company's [WHITE] proxy card indicating
that you WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for at least eight of the Company Nominees
by writing the names of each of the nominees that you do not desire to vote for
in the space indicated on such proxy card, (iii) staple Teachers' and the
Company's proxy cards together, (iv) date both proxy cards the same date and (v)
submit both proxy cards in the enclosed postage pre-paid envelope that is
addressed to Teachers. If you have already completed a [WHITE] proxy card, and
want to change your vote, you can either submit a BLUE proxy card if you want to
vote for only the six Teachers Nominees or if you want to vote FOR the Teachers
Nominees and one Company Nominee contact the Company at (806) 792-7151 to get an
additional WHITE proxy card and follow the procedures set forth above,
submitting later dated proxy cards.
Your vote is important, no matter how many or how few shares you hold.
We hope you will agree with Teachers' goal of electing members to the Company's
Board who will work to maximize Stockholder value, and that the election of the
Teachers Nominees can make a difference and benefit all of the Stockholders.
If you agree, complete, sign, date and return the BLUE proxy card.
If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or
nominee, only they can vote your shares and only upon receipt of your specific
instructions. Accordingly, please return the BLUE proxy card in the envelope
provided by your bank or broker or contact the person responsible for your
account and give instructions for such shares to be voted for the Teachers
Nominees.
If your shares are registered in more than one name, the BLUE proxy card
must be signed by all such persons to ensure that all shares are voted for the
Teachers Nominees.
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Holders of record of shares of Common Stock as of the Annual Meeting
Record Date, are urged to submit a proxy even if such shares have been sold
after that date. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the
Annual Meeting Record Date is stated in the Company's Proxy Materials. Each
share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting. Directors
are elected by a plurality of the votes cast with a quorum present. The person
who receives the greatest number of votes represented in person or by proxy at
the Annual Meeting will be elected a Director of the Company. The vote
required for the adoption of the Teachers Bylaw Proposal is a majority of the
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the Annual Meeting Record
Date.
Under applicable Delaware law, abstentions and broker non-votes are
treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum for the transaction of business.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are tabulated separately, with abstentions
counted in tabulations of the votes cast on a proposal for purposes of
determining whether a proposal has been approved, while broker non-votes
relating to a proposal are not counted as a vote cast with respect to that
proposal. See "Voting and Proxy Procedures."
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares,
please contact Clifford S. Haye at Teachers at (212) 916-4247.
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REASONS FOR ELECTING A NEW BOARD
POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Teachers is soliciting your proxy to enable the Company to have a highly
qualified and cohesive Board of Directors, which will work independently of
Teachers in a constructive manner for the benefit of all Stockholders. Teachers
seeks your help to elect these six Directors, who have substantial experience
either with the Company (two of the Teachers Nominees are current Directors), in
the restaurant industry or in the turnaround of troubled companies, such as the
Company. Teachers believes that the Teachers Nominees will work effectively,
cooperatively and proactively together to maximize Stockholder value. Teachers
believes the Teachers Nominees will also be responsive to Stockholder concerns
and will implement Board and management direction for the benefit of all of the
Stockholders.
Although the current Board of Directors (in recognizing the
dissatisfaction of certain Stockholders) has proposed a management slate which
consists of three new candidates (with no experience with the Company) and two
additional candidates (who were elected in March 1998 without Stockholder vote
by existing Board members), there can be no assurance that these candidates, if
elected, would serve together with the other Company Nominees in an effective
and cooperative manner and be responsive to Stockholder concerns.
Set forth below are a number of significant reasons why Teachers
believes a change is mandated at this time:
o Since the restructuring of the Company in 1996, the market price
of the Company's Common Stock has consistently declined and hit an
all time low in the period prior to the filing of Teachers'
Schedule 13D on March 6, 1998. From 1993 to 1997, the S&P 500
Index rose significantly. Even comparable companies used by the
Company in the Company Proxy Materials have increased their market
value for their stockholders by more than 150% from 1993 to 1997.
All any Stockholder needs to do is to review the performance graph
on page 15 of the Company's Proxy Materials to see why a change is
necessary to improve Stockholder value.
o Since 1996, in Teachers' view, the current Board of Directors has
not provided tangible evidence of any meaningful or sustained
growth or positive change in the Company's financial performance.
Overall, sales for fiscal year 1997 decreased from fiscal year
1996, resulting in a net loss to the Company. Although the
Company recently indicated an increase in net income for the
first quarter of 1998 as compared to the first quarter of 1997,
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an analysis of the results reveals that, after adjusting for
extraordinary items (i.e. write downs and a litigation award)
only a small part of this increase was attributable to actual
operating results.
o Notwithstanding the management's arguments that the Company is on
the verge of a turnaround, Kevin Lewis, as Chairman of the Board,
recently completed selling all of the shares he owned in the
Company.
o Teachers believes that the current Board is not PROACTIVE. The
Company's current Board of Directors has not created or
implemented any well-developed strategic plan to maximize
Stockholder value and has not considered the full range of other
alternatives. See "Lack of Full Consideration of All
Alternatives."
o Teachers believes that the current Board is also ineffective and
has been unable to provide DIRECTION, GUIDANCE OR EFFECTIVE
LEADERSHIP. See "Kmart Concessions and Related Fees." Teachers
believes that the Board has had significant problems in
implementing any meaningful proposals for growth. Management's
efforts to remodel restaurants has only resulted in a few
remodelings to date. The Company needs a Board that will
IMPLEMENT well-developed strategic plans. See "Elimination of
Board Dissension and Management Issues."
o The Company's current Board of Directors has approved high
consulting fees, executive compensation and golden parachutes to
certain members, notwithstanding the Company's poor performance.
See "High Executive Compensation."
THE CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY ARGUE THAT THEIR PROPOSED SLATE OF DIRECTORS
REPRESENTS A "NEW" DIRECTION FOR THE COMPANY. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW THE MAJORITY
OF THIS CURRENT BOARD OR A SELECTED FEW THEREOF TO NOMINATE REPLACEMENTS THEY
HAVE CHOSEN OR ADDITIONAL NEW MEMBERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISGUISE THEIR PRIOR
RESULTS AND POOR PERFORMANCE.
Two of the current Directors have recognized the problems with the
current Board of Directors and have agreed to serve as Teachers Nominees.
Teachers believes that these two current Board members, who have expressed
dissatisfaction with prior Board functioning, will provide continuity that can
enhance an effective implementation of a strategic plan to maximize Stockholder
value.
KMART CONCESSIONS AND RELATED FEES
In November 1993, the Company and Kevin Lewis negotiated an agreement
with Kmart to reduce the aggregate monthly rent for the period January 1, 1997
through December 31, 1999 by 20%, an agreement that conveniently includes a
provision that if Mr. Lewis ceases to be Chairman of the Board before 1999, the
rent reductions would be subject
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to termination. In addition, the current Board of Directors appears to have
paid Mr. Lewis significant consulting fees for rent concessions. Mr. Lewis
responded by selling his shares of Common Stock in the Company. Based on the
Company's Proxy Materials, the Company, after letting the situation continue for
a number of years, has now decided not to nominate Mr. Lewis to the Company's
Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. It is disappointing that the current
Board of Directors has not found a way to maintain the Kmart rent concessions
without having to maintain Kevin Lewis as Chairman of the Board. Teachers
believes that the Teachers Nominees, if elected, will be in a position to act
promptly and directly to address the issue.
LACK OF CONSIDERATION OF ALL ALTERNATIVES
Teachers also believes that the Company and its current Board of
Directors have not promptly or fully considered all alternatives available to
the Company to maximize Stockholder value. As an example, Teachers understands
that a potential acquiror in 1997 made acquisition/alliance overtures to certain
members of the current Board of Directors of the Company. It is Teachers'
belief that certain members of the Board of Directors of the Company initially
rebuffed the overtures made by such acquiror and delayed in such minimal
consideration as the Board eventually given by the Board. In addition, although
urged by stockholders to retain professional assistance to consider all
alternatives, the Board failed to act promptly and delayed retaining an
investment banker until late 1997, and only after stockholder correspondence.
Teachers believes that this failure to give due consideration to
alternatives for the Company and other non-action does not benefit the Company
and its Stockholders. Given the Company's refusal to consider such proposals
or seek other alternatives, Teachers is proposing the election of the Board of
Directors which it believes WOULD consider all strategic alternatives and WOULD
aggressively pursue creating alternatives to maximize stockholder value, in a
manner consistent with the duties owed to the Stockholders.
ELIMINATION OF BOARD DISSENSION AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES
Teachers believes that since 1996 there has been significant dissension
on the Board and a lack of leadership. Teachers believes that the Board has
been slow to install management and implement strategic plans for the Company
that would result in a significant turnaround in operating results or otherwise
maximize Stockholder value. Because of this, there have been a number of
director vacancies and management voids. As a result, the Company has faltered
and has not demonstrated any turnaround, as was initially expected in 1996.
Teachers believes that this is a direct result of the ineffectiveness of the
current Board of Directors.
On March 6, 1998, Teachers publicly announced that it might seek proxies
to elect candidates nominated by Teachers at the Annual Meeting. In response to
this perceived threat, the Company enlarged the Board from seven to nine members
and hastily elected two new Board members. Following Teachers' identification
in an amendment to its Schedule 13D of five persons it proposed to nominate for
election to the Board, the current Board of Directors proposed a separate
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slate and nominated three, additional, new candidates to the Board as
management's slate. These five individuals who are on management's slate, if
elected, would constitute a new majority for the Board. Who are these new
nominees and what do they stand for? Are the Company Nominees a committed,
cohesive group that have clear ideas about how the Company should be operated to
maximize Stockholder value? The Company does not answer any of these questions
in the Company Proxy Materials. In fact, Teachers now believes that this "new
and improved" composition of the Board of Directors was decided only after
realizing the actions Teachers might take. Teachers also believes this decision
was primarily made by a select few of the current Directors (Kevin Lewis, Ken
Reimer and E.W. Williams) without adequate input from certain other of the
current Board members. In what Teachers believes is all-too-customary operating
procedure for this Board, Teachers believes that the recomposition of the Board,
along with the purpose therefore, was not considered adequately by the whole
Board. Teachers believes that not all members of the current Board of Directors
had the opportunity to meet or interview the new nominees on the Company's slate
before they were nominated by the Board of Directors. In any event, this quickly
constructed response was too little, too late. Teachers believes that these
unilateral, defensive actions continue to cost the Company money and time, both
of which it cannot afford to lose.
Additionally, even existing management of the Company has also been
sporadic, at best. Although the Board attempted to fill CEO-level management
for the Company with the election of Mr. Papit as President in March 1998,
Teachers believes Mr. Papit's vacillation in making a full commitment to the
Company resulted in leadership voids. As disclosed by the Company, Mr. Papit
announced his resignation in September 1997, effective October 29, 1997, but
then decided to remain with the Company through the first quarter of 1998. Such
job indecision on the part of senior management leaves the Company in a high
state of uncertainty and cannot effectively serve the needs of the Stockholders.
It has belatedly come out that, in an attempt to solve the management
void expected in March 1998 and in response to Teachers' disclosure regarding a
potential proxy solicitation, a questionable new employment agreement was
executed by Mr. Papit. See "High Executive Compensation." That agreement was
entered into on March 23, 1998 but not disclosed until April 28, 1998. Mr.
Papit is not even required to spend his full efforts and energies managing the
Company; instead, he only has to spend half of his working time in Lubbock at
the Company's headquarters. Mr. Papit lives in Dallas, Texas and is free to
travel, look at restaurants or work in a potential new executive office in
Dallas during the other half of his working time. Teachers does not believe
that this Company can be effectively managed in this manner. The Stockholders
need a better arrangement from the Board, to have a full-time, on-site CEO to
effectively manage the Company.
HIGH EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
According to the Company's public filings, the Board paid certain Board
members and senior management over $1,320,561 for fiscal year 1997, including
some $250,000 to Kevin Lewis, just for being Chairman of the Board. In that
same year, the market price of the Company's Common Stock declined
significantly.
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In addition, the restructuring of Mr. Papit's employment relationship in
March 1998, after Teachers' Schedule 13D was filed, resulted in the Board's
questionable decision to increase Mr. Papit's compensation to include $30,000
per month base salary ($360,000 per year), participation in the Company's
executive bonus plan and other executive benefit programs, and a stock option to
purchase 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $.75 per share, vesting
over five years, with accelerated vesting in the event of a "change of control",
defined as, among other things, a change in the majority of the current Board of
Directors. Rather than aligning such options with improved performance, however,
the new agreement provides such options to Mr. Papit even if they are achieved
by others, including a new Board of Directors. In addition, in the face of
Teachers' public filings indicating its intent to go forward with this proxy
solicitation, the Board of Directors agreed to provide Mr. Papit with a "golden
parachute" under which, Mr. Papit would receive in one lump sum an amount equal
to eighteen times his monthly base salary then in effect, which, if enforceable,
could be as much as $540,000 (based on Mr. Papit's present salary), if a "change
of control" occurs (which, as defined, would include election of the Teachers
Nominees) and Mr. Papit's unilateral decision that he does not want to work for
the new Board. Obviously, the Company was a good investment opportunity for Mr.
Papit and senior management -- but not necessarily for the Stockholders.
Teachers believes that effective executives should be well compensated
and that such compensation should be tied directly to reasonable performance
expectations. However, Teachers also believes that it is entirely
inappropriate to reward executives while the Company's business is suffering.
And, in Teachers view, there is absolutely no justification for granting
significant severance benefits when termination is based on a failure to
perform or other "good cause." This Proxy Solicitation does not directly
address the issue of executive compensation. However, Teachers anticipates
that a newly constituted Board of Directors will revisit the Company's
executive compensation arrangements and will bring them into line with other
publicly held companies of comparable size.
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NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
According to the Company's proxy materials, nine Directors are to be
elected at the Annual Meeting. Teachers is proposing the election of the
Teachers Nominees to the Board of Directors who, if elected, will constitute
a majority of the Company's Board of Directors and each will hold office until
the 1999 Annual Stockholders Meeting and until a successor has been elected and
qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides that, except as
otherwise provided by law, any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting
from the removal of Directors or otherwise may be filled by a majority vote of
the Directors then in office, whether or not a quorum is present or by a sole
remaining Director. Each Director so chosen shall hold office until the next
annual meeting and until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified,
unless sooner displaced.
The following information concerning age, principal occupation, business
experience and directorships during the last five years has been furnished to
Teachers by the Teachers Nominees:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Jacob C. Baum Jacob C. Baum (age 41) has served as President, Chief Executive Officer
Engles, Urso, Follmer and principal stockholder of Canyon Cafes, Inc. since its formation in 1989
Capital Corporation until its acquisition by Apple South, Inc., a publicly held company, in July
3811 Turtle Creek Blvd., 1997. Since the acquisition, Mr. Baum has continued to serve as President
Suite 1300 of the Canyon Cafes division of Apple South, Inc. until recently when he
Dallas, Texas 75219 became Chairman of the Board of this division and joined Engles, Urso,
Follmer Capital Corporation, a leveraged buy-out firm, as a principal. In his various
positions, Mr. Baum was principally responsible for growing Canyon Cafes to
over $50 million in annual sales. At various times, Mr. Baum has also been
the owner/president of Sam's Cafe, Hampton's Market, Newport's and Nickel
City Grill.
Suzanne Hopgood Suzanne Hopgood (age 49) has served as President of the Hopgood Group
The Hopgood Group since founding the company in 1985. Such company provides consulting,
100 Wells Street, Suite 210 development and brokerage services to hotel investors. Prior to founding
Hartford, Connecticut 06103 the Hopgood Group, she served as Second Vice President at Aetna Realty
Investors where she oversaw one-third of the corporation's multi-billion
dollar real estate equity portfolio. Before joining Aetna, she was Vice
President and Senior Loan Officer of the Lowell Institution for Savings in
Lowell, Massachusetts. Ms. Hopgood serves on the board of directors of the
Real Estate Finance Association, Greater Hartford Arts Council and is a
director emerita of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association.
Damien W. Kovary Damien W. Kovary (age 43) has served as a Managing Director of Heico
Heico Acquisitions Acquisitions, a subsidiary of Heico Companies, LLC, since 1997. Prior to
152 West 57th Street joining Heico Acquisitions, Mr. Kovary was the Managing Director of the
55th Floor Special Loan Unit at Teachers from 1986 to 1997. Before joining Teachers,
New York, New York 10015 Mr. Kovary was a Vice President in the Workout Department at Marine
Midland Bank from 1982 to 1986. While at Marine Midland Bank, Mr. Kovary
also served as President of MarMid Energy Corp. and TOMAR Energy Corp.
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
William J. Nightingale William J. Nightingale (age 68) has been a Senior Advisor of Nightingale &
Nightingale & Associates Associates, LLC since founding the company in 1975. Such company provides
195 Rowaytan Ave. general management consulting to clients who sell consumer and industrial
Rowaytan, Connecticut 08653 products, natural resource and financial and business services. Prior to
founding Nightingale & Associates, LLC, he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Bali Company, Inc., a manufacturer of women's
apparel. Before joining Bali, he was Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Hanes Corporation.
Gilbert C. Osnos Gilbert C. Osnos (age 67) has been President of Gilbert C. Osnos & Co.,
Osnos and Company Inc. since 1981, and a partner in Grisanti Galef & Osnos Associates since
230 Park Avenue, Suite C-301 1981. Mr. Osnos began with Grisanti Galef in 1979, and became a partner in
New York, New York 10169 1981. Gilbert C. Osnos & Co., Inc. was also formed in 1981 doing business
as Grisanti Galef & Osnos Associates. Mr. Osnos was a director of the
Turnaround Management Association from 1988 to 1993 and Chairman in 1990
to 1991 and a director of Trivest Financial Services Corporation and
Reprise Capital from 1989 to 1991. Mr. Osnos serves on the board of
directors of Mrs. Fields, Inc. and American Mirrex.
Barry W. Ridings Barry W. Ridings (age 45) has been a Managing Director of BT Alex. Brown
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated Incorporated, a major investment banking firm and wholly-owned subsidiary
1290 Avenue of the Americas of Bankers Trust Corporation, since 1990. Mr. Ridings manages BT Alex.
10th Floor Brown's Restructuring Group and is active in such firm's mergers and
New York, New York 10104 acquisitions and public debt activities. Before joining BT Alex. Brown
Incorporated, Mr. Ridings was a Managing Director at Drexel Burnham
Lambert. Mr. Ridings serves on the board of directors of Noodle Kidoodle
Inc., Norex Industries, Search Capital Group, SubMicron Systems, Telemundo
Group and TransCor Waste Services Corp.
</TABLE>
The Teachers Nominees have entered into an agreement with Teachers
whereby Teachers has agreed to bear all costs and expenses of, and indemnify
against any and all liability incurred by, the Teachers Nominees in connection
with the Teachers Nominees being a nominee in this Proxy Solicitation. The
Teachers Nominees will receive Directors'
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fees upon their election as a Director of the Company in accordance with the
Company's then practice.
None of the corporations or organizations in which the Teachers Nominees
have conducted their principal occupation or employment was a parent,
subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company and the Teachers Nominees do not
hold any position or office with the Company, have any family relationship with
any executive officer or Director of the Company or each other, or has been
involved in any legal proceedings of the type required to be disclosed by the
rules governing this solicitation.
TEACHERS BYLAW PROPOSAL
The Company's Bylaws, as filed with the SEC, state that the Board of
Directors shall consist of not less than one nor more than fifteen members, the
exact number of which shall initially be fixed by the incorporator and
thereafter from time to time by the Board of Directors. Effective April 1,
1998, the Board of Directors increased the size of the Board to nine members.
Teachers believes that this action was taken in response to Teachers
announcement that it intended to solicit proxies to elect the Teachers Nominees
at the Annual Meeting. Teachers also believes that a company of this size does
not need a nine member Board and that the Company and its Stockholders would be
better served by a Board that is a smaller and more cohesive group. Teachers,
therefore, proposes that the Stockholders approve adoption of an amendment to
the Bylaws to the effect that the following sentence replaces the first sentence
of Article III, Section 1 of the Company's Bylaws:
"The Board of Directors shall consist of seven members."
Pursuant to the Teachers Bylaw Proposal, the Stockholders are also being
asked to authorize and direct the Company's Board of Directors and management
to take all necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the foregoing
amendment.
Teachers intends to present the Teachers Bylaw Proposal at the Annual
Meeting before the votes are cast on election of Directors in order to
eliminate any question regarding the size of the Board and the casting of
ballots therefore. If Teachers is not recognized by management of the Company
for this purpose, it will still seek to take whatever legal action may be
appropriate to reduce the size of the Board of Directors by two, including
suggesting to the newly elected Board following the Annual Meeting that they
adopt an amendment to the Bylaws to effectuate this purpose.
Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, any amendment to the Bylaws must be
approved by holders of a majority of the outstanding capital stock entitled to
vote thereon. To the extent that the Company's constituent documents require
prior notice of a Bylaw change be given to Stockholders, the foregoing shall be
deemed notice of the Teachers
11
<PAGE> 13
Bylaw Proposal or a waiver of such notice provision. Likewise, a vote FOR
approval of the Bylaw amendment will be deemed an authorization or
recommendation to effect a reduction in the number of Directors to seven.
TEACHERS
Teachers owns in the aggregate 8,607,637 shares of Common Stock,
representing approximately 17.7% of the shares outstanding and is a New York
corporation organized to invest in securities, whose principal and executive
offices are located at 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Proxies may be solicited by Teachers by mail, advertisement, telephone,
facsimile, telegraph and personal solicitation. Teachers will be principally
responsible for soliciting proxies for the Teachers Nominees and certain of its
employees will perform secretarial work in connection with the solicitation of
proxies, for which no additional compensation will be paid. Banks, brokerage
houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to
forward Teachers' solicitation material to their customers for whom they hold
shares and Teachers will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
The entire expense of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this
Proxy Statement and related materials and the cost of soliciting proxies will
be borne by Teachers. Although no precise estimate can be made at the present
time, Teachers currently estimates that the total expenditures relating to the
Proxy Solicitation incurred by Teachers will be approximately $200,000 of which
$90,000 has been incurred to date. Teachers intends to seek reimbursement from
the Company for those expenses incurred by Teachers, if the Teachers Nominees
are elected to the Board of Directors, but does not intend to submit the
question of such reimbursement to a vote of the Stockholders.
VOTING AND PROXY PROCEDURES
Stockholders are urged to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed
BLUE proxy card in the postage-paid envelope in time to be voted at the Annual
Meeting. If you wish to vote for the six Teachers Nominees, you must submit the
enclosed BLUE proxy card. If you also want to vote for one of the Company
Nominees, you must (i) submit the enclosed BLUE proxy card indicating your grant
of authority to vote FOR the Teacher's Nominees and to vote FOR the Teachers
Bylaw Proposal, (ii) submit the Company's [WHITE] proxy card indicating that you
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for at least eight Company Nominees by writing the
names of each of the nominees that you do not desire to vote for in the space
indicated on such proxy card, (iii) staple Teachers' and the Company's proxy
cards together, (iv) date both proxy cards the same date and (v) submit both
proxy cards in the enclosed postage pre-paid envelope that is addressed to
Teachers.
If you have already returned the Company's proxy card, you have the right
to revoke it as to all matters covered thereby and may do so by subsequently
completing, signing, dating and mailing the enclosed BLUE proxy card. If you
have already completed a [WHITE] proxy card, and want to change your vote, you
can either submit a BLUE proxy card if you want to vote for only the six
Teachers Nominees or if you want to vote FOR the Teachers Nominees and one
Company Nominee contact the Company at (806) 792-7151 to get an additional WHITE
proxy card and follow the procedures set forth above, submitting later dated
proxy cards. ONLY YOUR LATEST DATED PROXY CARDS WILL COUNT AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING. Execution of a BLUE proxy card will not affect your right to attend the
Annual Meeting and to vote in person. Any proxy may be revoked as to all
matters covered thereby at any time prior to the time
12
<PAGE> 14
a vote is taken by (i) filing with the Secretary of the Company a later dated
written revocation, (ii) submitting a duly executed proxy being a later date to
the Company or (iii) attending and voting at the Annual Meeting in person.
Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a
revocation.
Election of the Teachers Nominees requires the affirmative vote of a
plurality of the votes cast with respect to each Director nominee at the Annual
Meeting, assuming a quorum is present or otherwise represented at the Annual
Meeting. Consequently, only shares of Common Stock that are voted in favor of
a particular Nominee will be counted toward such Nominee's attaining a majority
of votes. Shares of Common Stock present at the meeting that are not voted for
a particular Nominee (including broker non-votes) and shares of Common Stock
present by proxy where the Stockholder properly withheld authority to vote for
such Nominee will not be counted toward such Nominee's attainment of a
plurality.
Adoption of the Teachers Bylaw Proposal requires the affirmative vote of
a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the
Company.
Shares of Common Stock represented by a valid, unrevoked BLUE proxy card
will be voted as specified. You may vote FOR the election of the six Teachers
Nominees or withhold authority to vote for the election of the Teachers Nominees
by marking the proper box on the BLUE proxy card. You may also withhold your
vote from the Teachers Nominees by writing the same name of such nominees in the
space provided on the BLUE proxy card. You may also vote FOR, AGAINST or
ABSTAIN from the Teachers Bylaw Proposal. If no specification is made, such
shares will be voted FOR the election of the Teachers Nominees and FOR the
adoption of the Teachers Bylaw Proposal.
Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement, Teachers is not aware of
any other matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting. The grant of the
enclosed BLUE proxy card to Teachers however, will authorize Teachers to have
discretionary voting authority regarding any other business that may properly
come before the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other
nominee, only they can vote such shares and only upon receipt of your specific
instructions. Accordingly, please contact the person responsible for your
account and instruct that person to execute on your behalf the BLUE proxy card.
Only holders of record of Common Stock on the Annual Meeting Record Date
will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are a Stockholder of
record on the Annual Meeting Record Date, you will retain the voting rights in
connection with the Annual Meeting even if you sell such shares after the
Annual Meeting Record Date. Accordingly, it is important that you vote the
shares of Common Stock held by you on the Annual
13
<PAGE> 15
Meeting Record Date, or grant a proxy to vote such shares on the BLUE proxy
card, even if you sell such shares after such date.
Teachers believes that it is in your best interest to elect the Teachers
Nominees at the Annual Meeting. TEACHERS STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
ELECTION OF THE TEACHERS NOMINEES AND A VOTE FOR THE TEACHERS BYLAW PROPOSAL.
CERTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company Proxy Materials contain additional information with respect
to the number of shares outstanding at the close of business on the Annual
Meeting Record Date, the Company's Nominees for the election of directors and
other proposals, the beneficial owners of five percent (5%) or more of the
shares of the Common Stock, the share ownership of the Company's officers and
directors, filings made pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, the date by which stockholder proposals intended to be
submitted at the 1999 Annual Stockholders Meeting must be received by the
Company for inclusion in its proxy statement for such meeting, as well as
information relating to other matters. Such information, which the Company has
not and will not independently verify, is incorporated by reference in this
Proxy Statement in reliance on the Company, except to the extent that such
information contradicts information contained in this Proxy Statement or is
otherwise adverse. A copy of the Company's Proxy material will be provided,
without charge, upon written or oral request by first class mail or other
equally prompt means within one business day of receipt of such request.
YOUR VOTE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
1. Please COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE and MAIL YOUR BLUE proxy card in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope. If you wish to vote FOR the Teachers Nominees and
FOR the Teachers Bylaw Proposal, you must submit the enclosed BLUE proxy
card. If you wish to vote for one of the Company Nominees, you must (i)
submit the enclosed BLUE proxy card indicating your grant of authority to
vote FOR the Teacher's Nominees and to vote FOR the Teachers Bylaw
Proposal, (ii) submit the Company's [WHITE] proxy card indicating that
you WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for at least eight Company Nominees by
writing the names of each of the nominees that you do not desire to vote
for in the space indicated on such proxy card, (iii) staple Teachers' and
the Company's proxy cards together, (iv) date both proxy cards the same
date and (v) submit both proxy cards in the enclosed postage pre-paid
envelope that is addressed to Teachers.
2. If you have already voted the Company's proxy card, you have every legal
right to change your mind and vote FOR the Teachers Nominees and FOR the
Teachers Bylaw Proposal on the BLUE proxy card. Only your latest dated
proxy card will count.
3. If your shares are held for you by a bank or brokerage firm, only your
bank or broker can vote your shares and only after receiving your
instructions. Please call your bank or broker and instruct your
representative to vote FOR the Teachers Nominees and FOR the Teachers
Bylaw Proposal on the BLUE proxy card.
14
<PAGE> 16
4. Time is short. Please vote today!
If you have questions or need assistance in voting your shares or in
changing your vote, please contact Clifford S. Haye at (212) 916-4247.
May _____, 1998
15
<PAGE> 17
APPENDIX A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING
PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROXY SOLICITATION
The following table sets forth the name, business address, and the
number of shares of voting securities of the Company beneficially owned by each
of the participants in this Proxy Solicitation or their associates as of
____________, 1998.
Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement or in the Appendices hereto,
to the best knowledge of Teachers, none of the persons participating in this
solicitation on behalf of Teachers, the Teachers Nominees nor any associates of
any of the foregoing persons (I) owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, or
has the right to acquire, any securities of the Company or any parent or
subsidiary of the Company, (ii) owns any securities of the Company of record
but not beneficially, (iii) has purchased or sold any securities of the Company
within the pat two years, (iv) has incurred indebtedness for the purpose of
acquiring or holding securities of the Company, (v) is or has been a party to
any contract, arrangement of understanding with respect to any securities of
the Company within the past year, (vi) has been indebted to the Company or any
of its subsidiaries since the beginning of the Company's last fiscal year or
(vii) has any arrangement or understanding with respect to future employment by
the Company or with respect to any future transactions to which the Company or
any of its affiliates will or may be a party. In addition, except as set forth
in this Proxy Statement or in the Appendices hereto, to the best knowledge of
Teachers, none of the persons participating in this solicitation on behalf of
Teachers, the Teachers Nominees, nor any associate or immediate family member
of any of the foregoing persons has had or is to have a direct or indirect
material interest in any transaction with the Company since the beginning of
the Company's last fiscal year, or any proposed transaction, to which the
Company or any of its affiliates was or is a party.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount of Approximate
Name and Business Information Beneficial Ownership Percentage of Class(1)
----------------------------- -------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Teachers Insurance and Annuity 8,607,637 17.7%
Association of America
Jacob C. Baum 0 0
Suzanne Hopgood 4,222(2) *
Damien W. Kovary 0 0
William J. Nightingale 0 0
Gilbert C. Osnos 12,222(2) *
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE> 18
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Barry W. Ridings 0 0
</TABLE>
* Owns Less than 1%
(1) Based on 48,675,168 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 27,
1998, as listed in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended March 31, 1998.
(2) Includes options to purchase 2,222 shares at $1.00 per share.
17
<PAGE> 19
APPENDIX B
TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF FURR'S/BISHOP'S, INCORPORATED
The following table sets forth information with respect to all purchases
and sales of all securities of the Company by Teachers and its affiliates and
the Teachers Nominees during the past two years. No part of the purchase price
of any of the shares purchased by the participants as reflected below was
represented by borrowed funds or otherwise obtained for the purpose of
acquiring or holding such securities.
I. Transactions by Teachers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT OF 12% SENIOR SECURED
DATE NOTES DUE 2001 SOLD
---- ----------------------------
<S> <C>
November 24, 1997 $ 2,750,000
February 19, 1998 $ 1,150,000
March 19, 1998 $ 4,277,438.44
</TABLE>
II. Transactions by Suzanne Hopgood.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
DATE COMMON STOCK PURCHASED
---- ----------------------
<S> <C>
April 3, 1997 2,000
</TABLE>
III. Transactions by Gilbert Osnos.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
DATE COMMON STOCK PURCHASED
---- ----------------------
<S> <C>
April 3, 1997 10,000
</TABLE>
In consideration for indemnification obligations, the Company delivered
to Teachers, as payee, a promissory note dated January 14, 1998 in the principal
amount of $756,392.
18
<PAGE> 20
BLUE PROXY CARD
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF TEACHERS
INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ("TEACHERS")
FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
FURR'S/BISHOP'S, INCORPORATED
TO BE HELD ON MAY 28, 1998
The undersigned stockholder of Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated (the
"Company") hereby appoints ____________________________ and
____________________________, and each of them acting alone, as lawful
attorneys and proxies with several power of substitution, for and in the name
of the undersigned to represent, and vote, as designated on the reverse side,
all shares of the Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Company to be held on
May 28, 1998, 10:00 a.m. local time, or at any adjournment, postponement or
rescheduling thereof (collectively, the "Annual Meeting"). The undersigned
hereby revokes any and all previous proxies with respect to the matters covered
by this proxy and the voting of such shares at the Annual Meeting.
TEACHERS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING NOMINEES
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
( ) FOR all nominees listed to the right
(except as marked to the contrary below)
Jacob C. Baum
Suzanne Hopgood
Damien W. Kovary
William J. Nightingale
Gilbert C. Osnos
Barry W. Ridings
( ) WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
for all nominees listed to the right
INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL
NOMINEE, PRINT THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.
---------------------------------------------------------------
TEACHERS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL
2. BYLAW PROPOSAL OF TEACHERS: To adopt the following:
RESOLVED, that it is the best interests of the Company to approve an
amendment to the first sentence of Article III, Section 1 of the Company's
Bylaws as follows:
"The Board of Directors shall consist of seven members"; and
<PAGE> 21
RESOLVED FURTHER, it is the desire of the Stockholders that the Bylaws of
the Company shall be deemed amended as set forth above and the Board of
Directors of this Company is hereby authorized and directed to take any and
all action necessary to effectuate the foregoing.
For Against Abstain
---- ---- ----
3. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY:
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. If the
management of the Company refuses to bring the TEACHERS' NOMINEES or
the TEACHERS BYLAW PROPOSAL before the Annual Meeting, the proxies
are authorized to withhold, in their discretion, all votes.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERTY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO
INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" ALL OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE AND "FOR" THE TEACHERS BYLAW PROPOSAL,
AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS AS TO OTHER MATTERS.
TO THE EXTENT ANY NOTICE MAY BE REQUIRED UNDER THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION OF THE TEACHERS BYLAW PROPOSAL. YOUR
EXECUTION OF THIS PROXY SHALL BE DEEMED FOR ALL PURPOSES YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT
THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE TEACHERS BYLAW PROPOSAL OR, TO THE EXTENT
REQUIRED, YOU HAVE VALIDLY WAIVED ANY PRIOR NOTICE REQUIREMENT OF THE TEACHERS
BYLAW PROPOSAL.
IF STOCK IS JOINTLY HELD, EACH JOINT OWNER SHOULD SIGN, WHEN SIGNING AS
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE, GUARDIAN, CORPORATE OFFICER
OR PARTNER, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE OR CAPACITY.
PLEASE SIGN THIS PROXY EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS HEREIN.
Signature(s):
----------------------------------
Printed Name:
----------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------------------
Dated:
-----------------------------------------
