<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
G&K SERVICES, INC.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
G&K SERVICES, INC.
5995 Opus Parkway, Suite 500
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55343
------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OCTOBER 31, 1996
---------------------
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF G&K SERVICES, INC.:
Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of G&K Services,
Inc. (the "Company") will be held, pursuant to due call by the Board of
Directors of the Company, in the Mississippi Room of the Marquette Hotel,
Seventh and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday, October 31, 1996, at
10:00 a.m., or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, for the purpose of
considering and taking appropriate action with respect to the following:
1. To elect seven directors;
2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the G&K Services, Inc.
1996 Director Stock Option Plan; and
3. To transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
Pursuant to due action of the Board of Directors, stockholders of record on
September 26, 1996, will be entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
A PROXY FOR THE MEETING IS ENCLOSED HEREWITH. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO FILL IN
AND SIGN THE PROXY, WHICH IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND MAIL IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
By Order of the Board of Directors
G&K SERVICES, INC.
Stephen F. LaBelle, SECRETARY
October 9, 1996
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
OF
G&K SERVICES, INC.
5995 OPUS PARKWAY, SUITE 500
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55343
------------------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD
OCTOBER 31, 1996
---------------------
PROXIES AND VOTING
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of G&K Services, Inc. (the "Company") to be
used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held October 31,
1996. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying
proxy were first sent or given to stockholders was October 9, 1996. Each
stockholder who signs and returns a proxy in the form enclosed with this Proxy
Statement may revoke the same at any time prior to its use by giving notice of
such revocation to the Company in writing, in open meeting or by executing and
delivering a new proxy to the Secretary of the Company. Unless so revoked, the
shares represented by each proxy will be voted at the meeting and at any
adjournments thereof. Presence at the meeting of a stockholder who has signed a
proxy does not alone revoke that proxy. Only stockholders of record at the close
of business on September 26, 1996 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to vote
at the meeting or any adjournments thereof. All shares which are entitled to
vote and are represented at the Annual Meeting by properly executed proxies
received prior to or at the Meeting, and not revoked will be voted at the
Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on such proxies.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The Company has outstanding two classes of voting securities, Class A Common
Stock, $0.50 par value, and Class B Common Stock, $0.50 par value, of which
18,919,725 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,521,121 shares of Class B Common
Stock were outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date. Each
share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B
Common Stock is entitled to ten votes on all matters put to a vote of
stockholders.
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, certain information
with regard to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A and Class B
Common Stock and the voting power resulting from the ownership of such stock by
(i) all persons known by the Company to be the owner, of record or beneficially,
of more than 5% of the outstanding Class A or Class B Common Stock of the
Company,
1
<PAGE>
(ii) each of the directors and nominees for election to the Board of Directors
of the Company, (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation
Table, and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A COMMON STOCK(2) CLASS B COMMON STOCK
------------------------- ------------------------- PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF NUMBER OF PERCENT OF VOTING
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) SHARES CLASS SHARES CLASS POWER(3)
- ------------------------------------------------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard Fink(4)(5)............................... 340,461 1.8 1,315,135 86.5 39.5
5995 Opus Parkway, Suite 500
Minneapolis, MN 55343
RCM Capital Management(6)........................ 1,254,600 6.6 -- -- 3.7
Four Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111
Wellington Management Company(7)................. 1,245,800 6.5 -- -- 3.6
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
William Hope(4).................................. 260,096 1.4 -- -- *
Thomas Moberly(8)................................ 46,540 * -- -- *
Bernard Sweet(4)................................. 16,705 * -- -- *
Stephen F. LaBelle............................... 14,653 * 46,125 3.0 1.4
Bruce G. Allbright(4)............................ 4,282 * -- -- *
Donald W. Goldfus(4)............................. 750 * -- -- *
Paul Baszucki(4)................................. 500 * -- -- *
Wayne M. Fortun(4)............................... 300 * -- -- *
All executive officers and directors
as a group (9 persons).......................... 684,287 3.6 1,361,260 89.5 41.9
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
*Less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise noted, each person or group identified possesses sole
voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown opposite the
name of such person or group.
(2) Does not include shares of Class A Common Stock which may be acquired by
holders of Class B Common Stock upon conversion of their shares of Class B
Common Stock by the holders thereof at any time on the basis of one share of
Class A Common Stock for each share of Class B Common Stock converted.
(3) Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes for each share on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of Class A Common
Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote
of stockholders.
(4) Each of these persons is currently a director and nominee for election to
the Board of Directors of the Company. Messrs. Fink, Hope, LaBelle and
Moberly are also executive officers of the Company.
2
<PAGE>
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
(5) Includes 32,489 shares held by Richard Fink as co-trustee of the Israel D.
Fink Trust and 116,130 shares held by Richard Fink as co-trustee for the
benefit of one of his children. Also includes 8,850 shares held by Mr.
Fink's spouse.
(6) Based solely upon the most recent Schedule 13G on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned
by RCM Capital Management, RCM Limited L.P., RCM General Corporation and RCM
Capital Funds, Inc. are included in the aggregate beneficial ownership of
RCM Capital Management.
(7) Based solely upon the most recent Schedule 13G on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
(8) Includes 750 shares held as joint tenant with his spouse and 516 shares held
as guardian for his minor children.
The foregoing footnotes are provided for informational purposes only and
each person disclaims beneficial ownership of shares owned by any member of his
or her family or held in trust for any other person, including family members.
On June 14, 1985, Richard Fink, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, William Hope, President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company, and Stephen LaBelle, Secretary and Treasurer of the Company,
entered into a Stockholder Agreement which presently covers 1,361,260 shares of
Class B Common Stock, representing approximately 89.5% of the outstanding shares
of Class B Common Stock. On March 1, 1996, Mr. William Hope elected to convert
all shares of Class B Common Stock held by him into shares of Class A Common
Stock, thereby terminating his rights and obligations under the Stockholder
Agreement. The Stockholder Agreement provides for restrictions on the
transferability of the Class B Common Stock, in addition to certain restrictions
contained in the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation. The shares of
Class B Common Stock were acquired by such persons pursuant to an exchange offer
made by the Company in May 1985. The shares of Class B Common Stock owned by
such persons represent voting control of the Company. However, there can be no
assurance that such persons will vote their shares of Class B Common Stock
together.
3
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Seven directors are to be elected at the meeting, each director to hold
office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until his successor is
elected and qualified. All of the persons listed below are now serving as
directors of the Company and have consented to serve as a director, if elected.
The Board of Directors proposes for election the nominees listed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR
NAME AND AGE OF NOMINEE PAST FIVE YEARS AND DIRECTORSHIPS IN PUBLIC COMPANIES SINCE
- --------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Bruce G. Allbright (67) Retired since January 1990, formerly President of Dayton Hudson 1985
Corporation. Prior thereto, Mr. Allbright was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Target Stores, a Division of Dayton Hudson Corporation. Mr.
Allbright is a director of TCF Financial, Inc. and F.A., Hannaford Brothers
Company.
Paul Baszucki (56) Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of 1994
Norstan, Inc. Mr. Baszucki is also a director of Washington Scientific
Industries Inc.
Richard Fink (66) Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Fink 1968
is also a director of Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
Wayne M. Fortun (47) President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and a director 1994
of Hutchinson Technology Inc.
Donald W. Goldfus (62) Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Apogee Enterprises, 1989
Inc.
William Hope (63) President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since February 1993. 1983
Prior thereto Mr. Hope was Vice President of the Company.
Bernard Sweet (72) Retired since 1985, formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of 1975
Republic Airlines, Inc. Mr. Sweet is a director of Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
</TABLE>
All shares represented by proxies will be voted FOR the election of the
foregoing nominees unless a contrary choice is specified. If any nominee should
withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for reasons not presently known, the
proxies which would have otherwise been voted for such nominee will be voted for
such substitute nominee as may be selected by the Board of Directors.
The affirmative vote of the holders of the greater of (a) a majority of the
outstanding shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock present and entitled to
vote on the election of directors or (b) a majority of the voting power of the
minimum number of shares entitled to vote that would constitute a quorum for
transaction of business at the meeting, is required for election to the Board of
each of the seven (7) nominees named above. A stockholder who abstains with
respect to the election of directors is considered to be present and entitled to
vote on the election of directors at the meeting, and is in effect casting a
negative vote, but a stockholder (including a broker) who does not give
authority to a proxy to vote, or withholds authority to vote on the election of
directors, shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on the election
of directors.
4
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the cash and noncash compensation for each of
the last three fiscal years awarded to or earned by the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of
the Company who were serving as executive officers at the end of fiscal 1996
(the "Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION AWARDS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION -------------------------------
------------------------------------- RESTRICTED
OTHER ANNUAL STOCK ALL OTHER
SALARY(1) BONUS COMPENSATION(2) AWARDS(3) COMPENSATION(4)
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION FISCAL YEAR ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
- ----------------------------------- ----------- --------- --------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard Fink 1996 306,731 0 16,184 -- 21,929
Chairman of the Board and 1995 300,750 0 -- -- 22,338
Chief Executive Officer 1994 285,615 82,157 -- 239,841 17,001
William Hope 1996 279,731 0 23,242 -- 20,447
President and Chief 1995 273,788 0 22,525 -- 20,563
Operating Officer 1994 256,923 13,032 15,090 -- 16,062
Thomas Moberly 1996 174,808 0 11,791 -- 10,421
Vice President 1995 170,192 0 10,029 9,582
1994 157,769 -- 6,674 -- 8,399
Stephen F. LaBelle 1996 146,923 0 17,644 -- 6,332
Treasurer and 1995 145,635 0 17,099 5,793
Secretary 1994 138,846 3,034 11,432 -- 5,630
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Includes cash compensation deferred at the election of the executive officer
under the terms of the Company's 401(k) Savings Incentive Plan and the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
(2) Amounts reimbursed for the payment of taxes resulting from the vesting of
restricted stock.
(3) In fiscal 1994, Mr. Fink was awarded 15,309 shares of restricted stock. The
value of this award (net of the consideration paid by Mr. Fink) is based on
the last sale price of the Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market on January 3, 1994, the grant date. Restricted stock awards vest in
seven equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the
date of grant. Based on the last sale price of the Class A Common Stock on
the Nasdaq National Market on June 28, 1996, the last trading day for fiscal
1996, the value of Mr. Fink's 15,309 restricted stock holdings at the end of
fiscal 1996 (net of the consideration paid by him) was $428,652. Dividends
are paid on restricted stock at the times and in the same amounts as
dividend paid to all stockholders. The Company has agreed to make certain
payments to the recipients of restricted stock to cover the taxes payable by
such persons upon the vesting of such shares. See footnote 2 above.
(4) Represents matching contributions by the Company under the Company's 401(k)
Savings Incentive Plan and the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and term
life insurance premiums.
5
<PAGE>
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
----------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION 15 20 25 30 35
- ------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 125,000 $ 31,250 $ 41,666 $ 52,083 $ 62,500 $ 62,500
150,000 37,500 50,000 62,500 75,000 75,000
175,000 43,750 58,333 72,917 87,500 87,500
200,000 50,000 66,667 83,333 100,000 100,000
225,000 56,250 75,000 93,750 112,500 112,500
250,000 62,500 83,333 104,167 125,000 125,000
300,000 75,000 100,000 125,000 150,000 150,000
350,000 87,500 116,667 145,833 175,000 175,000
400,000 100,000 133,333 166,667 200,000 200,000
450,000 112,500 150,000 187,500 225,000 225,000
</TABLE>
The foregoing table sets forth the estimated annual straight life annuity
benefits payable upon an executive's retirement at age 65 under both the
Company's Pension Plan and its Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, for
various compensation and years of service categories, without any reduction for
Social Security benefits. These Plans take into account the average annual
salary and bonus shown in the Summary Compensation Table, paid during the five
consecutive calendar years in which such amounts were highest (within the past
10 years). The number of years of service credited for Messrs. Fink, Hope,
Moberly and LaBelle as of June 29, 1996, were 31 years, 30 years, 22 years, and
18 years, respectively.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company has employment agreements with each of Messrs. Fink, Moberly and
LaBelle that are not for definite terms. Each agreement will terminate upon the
death, disability or retirement of the respective Named Executive Officer and
provides that employment may be terminated at any time by the Company or by such
employee. Each such Named Executive Officer also covenants and agrees that for a
period of eighteen (18) months following the date their employment with the
Company terminates, they will not (i) compete against the Company, (ii) obtain
any ownership interest in any competitor, (iii) encourage any employees of the
Company to terminate their employment with the Company or (iv) disclose any
confidential Company information.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Company pays each director who is not otherwise employed by the Company
an annual fee of $14,000. The Company also pays each director not otherwise
employed by the Company $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors and
$500 for each committee meeting of the Board of Directors attended.
Additionally, eligible directors also participate, subject to stockholder
approval at this Annual Meeting, in the G&K Services, Inc. 1996 Director Stock
Option Plan (the "1996 Plan") which provides for an annual grant to non-employee
directors of options to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock at an option
exercise price equal to the average of the closing prices of the Company's
Common Stock during the ten business days preceding the Company's Annual Meeting
for a given year. Each such option has a ten year term and generally becomes
exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date. Assuming
6
<PAGE>
stockholder adoption of the 1996 Plan, each of Messrs. Allbright, Baszucki,
Fortun, Goldfus and Sweet will also receive a one-time grant of options to
purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock following this Annual Meeting. These
options have ten year terms and vest in three equal installments on the
anniversary of the grant date. See "Proposal to Adopt the G&K Services, Inc.
1996 Director Option Plan."
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Decisions on compensation of the Company's executives generally have been
made by the Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") of the Board.
Each member of the Compensation Committee is a non-employee director. All
decisions by the Compensation Committee relating to the compensation of the
Company's executive officers are reviewed by the full Board. Pursuant to rules
designed to enhance disclosure of the Company's policies toward executive
compensation, set forth below is a report prepared by the Board of Directors
addressing the Company's compensation policies for the fiscal year ended June
29, 1996 as they affected the Company's executive officers.
The Compensation Committee's executive compensation policies are designed to
provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with the Company's
annual objectives and long-term goals, reward above average corporate
performance, recognize individual initiative and achievements, and assist the
Company in attracting and retaining qualified executives. Executive compensation
is set at levels that the Compensation Committee believes to be competitive with
those offered by employers of comparable size, growth and profitability in the
Company's industry.
There are two elements in the Company's executive compensation program, all
determined by individual and corporate performance: base salary compensation and
stock grants. Base salary compensation is determined by the potential impact the
individual may have on the Company, the skills and experiences required by the
job, and the performance and potential of the incumbent in the job.
Awards of grants of restricted stock under the Company's 1989 Stock Option
and Compensation Plan (the "Plan") are designed to promote the identity of
long-term interests between the Company's executives and its stockholders and
assist in the retention of executives. The Plan also permits the Committee to
grant stock options to key personnel. The Compensation Committee makes
recommendations to the Board regarding the granting of stock grants and options
to executives and key personnel. Grants vest and options become exercisable
based upon criteria established by the Company. During fiscal 1996, the
Compensation Committee did not recommend any grants of restricted stock to any
of the Named Executive Officers, but did recommend that grants of restricted
stock be made to certain other non-executive officers of the Company. The fiscal
1996 cash compensation of Mr. Fink was $306,731 which represented an
approximately 1.9% increase from his fiscal 1995 cash compensation.
The Compensation Committee does not anticipate that any of the compensation
payable to executive officers of the Company in the coming year will exceed the
limits and deductibilities set forth in section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. The Compensation Committee has not established a
policy regarding compensation in excess of these limits, but will continue to
monitor this issue.
Bruce G. Allbright
Paul Baszucki
Bernard Sweet
7
<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The Securities and Exchange Commission requires that the Company include in
its proxy statement a line graph presentation comparing cumulative, five-year
stockholders' returns on an indexed basis in the Standard & Poors ("S & P") 500
Stock Index and a nationally recognized group of companies in the uniform
services industry (the "Peer Index"). The companies included in the Peer Index
are Angelica Corporation, Cintas Corp, National Services Industries, Inc.,
Unifirst Corporation and Unitog Corporation. The following chart assumes three
hypothetical $100 investments over the five-year period ended June 29, 1996, and
shows the cumulative values at the end of each succeeding year resulting from
appreciation or depreciation in the stock market price, assuming dividend
reinvestment.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG G&K SERVICES, INC., THE S & P 500 INDEX AND A PEER GROUP
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
G&K SERVICES INC. PEER GROUP S&P 500
<S> <C> <C> <C>
6/29/91 100 100 100
6/27/92 94 103 113
7/3/93 130 113 129
7/2/94 166 129 131
7/1/95 210 144 165
6/29/96 307 205 208
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE G&K SERVICES, INC.
1996 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Board of Directors has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, the G&K
Services, 1996 Director Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Plan"). The Board of
Directors believes that the grant of stock options is a desirable and useful
means to strengthen further the non-employee directors' linkage with stockholder
interests.
The 1996 Plan provides that each director who is not an employee of the
Company or one or its subsidiaries (a "Non-Employee Director") shall
automatically receive, as of the date of each annual meeting of stockholders,
beginning with this Annual Meeting, a non-qualified option to purchase 1,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock. Each such option will have a ten-year term
and will generally become exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date
at an option exercise price equal to the "Average Market Value" of the Common
Stock on the date the Option is granted. Average Market Value under the 1996
Plan is defined as the average of the closing prices of the Company's Common
Stock during the ten business days preceding the Company's Annual Meeting for a
given year, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market. In addition, each
Non-Employee Director who is to continue as a director following this Annual
Meeting will also receive, subject to stockholder approval, a one-time
non-qualified option to purchase 3,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
Such option has a ten-year term and is generally exercisable in three equal
annual installments at an option exercise price equal to the Average Market
Value. The options will not be transferable except by will or the laws of
descent and distribution and may be exercised during the option holder's
lifetime only by him or her.
The Company will receive no consideration upon the grant of options under
the 1996 Plan. The exercise price of an option must be paid in full upon
exercise. Payment may be made in cash, check or, in whole or in part, in Common
Stock of the Company already owned by the person exercising the option, valued
at fair market value.
Additionally, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors and a
majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined below), all outstanding options
under the 1996 Plan will become exercisable immediately in the event: (i) any
person or group of persons becomes the beneficial owner of 30% or more of any
equity security of the Company entitled to vote for the election of directors;
(ii) a majority of the members of the Board of Directors is replaced within a
period of less than two years by directors not nominated and approved by the
Board of Directors; or (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve an
agreement to merge or consolidate with or into another corporation or an
agreement to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets (including a plan of liquidation). For purposes of the 1996
Plan, beneficial ownership by a person or group of persons will be determined in
accordance with Regulation 13D (or any similar successor regulation) promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. As used in the 1996 Plan, the term "Continuing
Directors" means directors (i) who were in office prior to the time any of
provisions (i), (ii) or (iii) occurred or any person publicly announced an
intention to acquire 20% or more of any equity security of the Company, (ii)
directors in office for a period of more than two years, and (iii) directors
nominated and approved by the Continuing Directors.
Under current law, the federal income tax consequences to Non-Employee
Directors and the Company under the proposed 1996 Plan should generally be as
follows: A director to whom a non-qualified stock option is granted will
recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the difference, if any, between
the exercise price paid and the fair market value of the Common Stock, as of the
date of option exercise, of the shares the director receives. The tax basis of
such shares to the director will equal
9
<PAGE>
the exercise price paid plus the amount includable in the director's gross
income as compensation, and the director's holding period for such shares will
commence on the day on which the director recognizes taxable income in respect
of such shares. Subject to applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and regulations thereunder, the Company will generally be
entitled to a federal income tax deduction in respect of non-qualified stock
options in an amount equal to the ordinary compensation income recognized by the
director as described above.
The discussion set forth above does not purport to be complete analysis of
the potential tax consequences relevant to recipients of options or to the
Company or to describe tax consequences based on particular circumstances. It is
based on federal income tax and interpretational authorities as of the date of
this Proxy Statement, which are subject to change at any time.
The total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to options
issued pursuant to the 1996 Plan is 50,000. The number and the terms of
outstanding options are subject to automatic adjustment in the event of
reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, stock splits,
combination or exchange of shares, stock dividends or other similar events. The
1996 Plan will have a ten-year term and will be administered by the Board of
Directors.
A complete copy of the 1996 Plan is set forth in Exhibit A to this Proxy
Statement, and the preceding discussion of the 1996 Plan is qualified in its
entirety by reference to it. The adoption of the 1996 Plan requires the approval
of the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, provided that the total
votes cast represent over fifty percent (50%) in interest of all shares of
Common Stock entitled to vote on this matter. Accordingly, the Board of
Directors recommends a vote FOR approval and the adoption of the 1996 Plan.
Unless instructed to the contrary, all proxies will be voted for the approval
and adoption of the 1996 Plan.
OTHER MATTERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held four meetings during fiscal 1996. The Company
has an audit committee and a compensation committee, but does not have a
nominating committee of the Board of Directors. No director attended fewer than
75% of Board or Committee meetings held.
The Company's audit committee, which consisted of Messrs. Donald W. Goldfus
and Wayne M. Fortun, held two meetings during fiscal 1996. The audit committee
recommends to the full Board the engagement of the independent accountants,
reviews the audit plan and results of the audit engagement, reviews the
independence of the auditors, and reviews the adequacy of the Company's system
of internal accounting controls.
The Company's compensation committee, which consisted of Messrs. Bruce G.
Allbright, Paul Baszucki and Bernard Sweet, held one meeting during fiscal 1996.
The compensation committee reviews the Company's remuneration policies and
practices, makes recommendations to the Board in connection with all
compensation matters affecting the Company and administers the 1989 Stock Option
and Compensation Plan.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP has been the independent public accountants for the
Company since 1976, and is expected to be retained for fiscal 1997. A
representative of Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to attend
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this year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders and have an opportunity to make a
statement and/or respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company loaned Thomas Moberly, Vice President of the Company, $200,000
in connection with his purchase of a residence in April 1994. This loan is
evidenced by a promissory note which accrues interest at the rate of 10% per
year. Interest only on the note is payable for five years. Thereafter, the note
continues to accrue interest at the rate of 10% and is repayable in full over a
term of five years. Pursuant to the terms of the note, the current balance owing
by Mr. Moberly is equal to the note's original principal amount. The note is
secured by a mortgage on Mr. Moberly's residence.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") and the Nasdaq National Market. Officers, directors and
greater-than-ten-percent shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish
the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on
review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company, or written
representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that during
the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996, all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to its officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial
owners were complied with.
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS
All proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company must be received by the Company at its
executive offices on or before June 11, 1997.
SOLICITATION
The Company will bear the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the
proxy, Proxy Statement, Annual Report and other material which may be sent to
the stockholders in connection with this solicitation. Brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries may be requested to forward
soliciting material to the beneficial owners of stock, in which case they will
be reimbursed by the Company for their expenses in doing so. Proxies are being
solicited primarily by mail, but, in addition officers and regular employees of
the Company may solicit proxies personally, by telephone, by telegram or by
special letter.
The Board of Directors does not intend to present to the meeting any other
matter not referred to above and does not presently know of any matters that may
be presented to the meeting by others. However, if other matters come before the
meeting, it is the intent of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the
proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
G&K SERVICES, INC.
Stephen F. LaBelle, SECRETARY
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EXHIBIT A
G&K SERVICES, INC.
1996 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. PURPOSE. The purpose of the G&K Services, Inc. 1996 Director Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan") is to advance the interests of G&K Services, Inc. (the
"Company") and its shareholders by encouraging increased share ownership by
members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") who are not
employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in order to promote
long-term shareholder value through continuing ownership of the Company's common
stock.
2. ADMINISTRATION. The plan shall be administered by the Board. The Board
shall have all the powers vested in it by the terms of the Plan, such powers to
include authority (within the limitations described herein) to prescribe the
form of the agreement embodying awards of nonqualified stock options made under
the Plan ("Options"). The Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Plan,
grant Options under the Plan and shall have the power to construe the Plan, to
determine all questions arising thereunder and to adopt and amend such rules and
regulations for the administration of the Plan as it may deem desirable. Any
decisions of the Board in the administration of the Plan, as described herein,
shall be final and conclusive. The Board may act only by a majority of its
members in office, except that the members thereof may authorize any one or more
of their number or any other officer of the Company to execute and deliver
documents on behalf of the Board. No member of the Board shall be liable for
anything done or omitted to be done by him or by any other member of the Board
in connection with the Plan, except for his own willful misconduct or as
expressly provided by statute.
3. PARTICIPATION. Each member of the Board who is not an employee of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries (a "Non-Employee Director") shall be eligible
to receive an Option in accordance with Paragraph 5 below.
4. AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN.
(a) Awards under the Plan shall include only Options, which are rights
to purchase Class A common stock of the Company having a par value of $0.50
per share (the "Common Stock"). Such Options are subject to the terms,
conditions and restrictions specified in Paragraph 5 below.
(b) There may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the exercise of
Options an aggregate of not more than 50,000 shares of Common Stock, subject
to adjustment as provided in Paragraph 6 below. If any Option is cancelled,
terminates or expires unexercised, in whole or in part, any shares of Common
Stock that would otherwise have been issuable pursuant thereto will be
available for issuance under new Options.
(c) A Non-Employee Director to whom an Option is granted (and any person
succeeding to such a Non-Employee Director's rights pursuant to the Plan)
shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any Common Stock
issuable pursuant to any such Option until the date of the issuance of a
stock certificate to him for such shares. Except as provided in Paragraph 6
below, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other
rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, securities
or other property) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock
certificate is issued.
<PAGE>
5. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be
evidenced by an agreement in such form as the Board shall prescribe from time to
time in accordance with the Plan and shall comply with the following terms and
conditions:
(a) The Option exercise price shall be the "Average Market Value" (as
herein defined) of the Common Stock subject to such Option on the date the
Option is granted. Average Market Value shall be the average of the closing
prices of the Company's Common Stock during the ten business days preceding
the Company's annual meeting of shareholders for a given year, as reported
on the Nasdaq National Market.
(b) Each Non-Employee Director shall receive, as of the date of initial
adoption of the Plan by the shareholders, or upon such Non-Employee
Director's initial election or appointment to the Board, a one-time only
Option for 3,000 shares of Common Stock (the "One-Time Option"). In
addition, for each year beginning in 1996, on the date of the annual meeting
of shareholders of the Company, each Non-Employee Director shall
automatically receive an Option for 1,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"Annual Option"), subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 6 below.
(c) The Option shall not be transferable by the optionee otherwise than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable
during his lifetime only by him.
(d) Options shall not be exercisable:
(i) before the expiration of one year from the date it is granted
and after the expiration of ten years from the date it is granted, and
(A) the One-Time Option may be exercised during such period as follows:
one-third (33 1/3%) of the total number of shares covered by the One-Time
Option shall become exercisable each year beginning with the first
anniversary of the date it is granted, and (B) the Annual Option shall
become exercisable in full upon the first anniversary of the date it is
granted; provided that a Non-Employee Director who does not stand for
re-election to the Board may exercise any otherwise unexercisable Annual
Options beginning on the date such director's successor is elected and
qualified, subject to all of the other terms and conditions of such
Annual Options. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, an
Option shall automatically become immediately exercisable in full upon
the death of a Non-Employee Director;
(ii) unless payment in full is made for the shares of Common Stock
being acquired thereunder at the time of exercise; such payment shall be
made in United States dollars by cash or check, or in lieu thereof, by
tendering to the Company Common Stock owned by the person exercising the
Option and having a fair market value (as evidenced by the closing sales
price of a share of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market or, if the
Nasdaq National Market is closed on that date, on the last preceding date
on which the Nasdaq National Market was open for trading) equal to the
cash exercise price applicable to such Option, or by a combination of
United States dollars and Common Stock as aforesaid; and
(iii) unless the person exercising the Option has been at all times
during the period beginning with the date of grant of the Option and
ending on the date of such exercise, a Non-Employee Director of the
Company, except that if such person shall cease to be such a Non-Employee
Director for any reason, including death, while holding an Option that
has not expired and has not been fully exercised, such person may, at any
time within one year of the date he ceased to be a Non-Employee Director
(but in no event after the Option has expired under the provisions of
subparagraph 5(d)(i) above), exercise the Option with respect to any
Common Stock as to which he could have exercised on the date he ceased to
be such a Non-Employee Director.
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(e) If, on any date on which Options are automatically granted, the
number of shares of Common Stock remaining available under the Plan is
insufficient for the grant to each Non-Employee Director of Options to
purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock, then Options to purchase a
proportionate amount of such available number of shares of Common Stock
(rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be granted to each Non-Employee
Director.
6. DILUTION AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of any change in the
outstanding Common Stock of the Company by reason of any stock split, stock
dividend, split-up, split-off, spin-off, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, rights offering, reorganization, combination or exchange of
shares, a sale by the Company of all or part of its assets, any distribution to
shareholders other than a normal cash dividend, or other extraordinary or
unusual event, the number or kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan
pursuant to subparagraph 4(b) above (specifically including the number of shares
thereafter subject to the One-Time and Annual Options), the number or kind of
shares subject to, and the Option price per share under, all outstanding Options
shall be automatically adjusted so that the proportionate interest of the
participant shall be maintained as before the occurrence of such event; such
adjustment in outstanding Options shall be made without change in the total
Option exercise price applicable to the unexercised portion of such Options and
with a corresponding adjustment in the Option exercise price per share, and such
adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of the Plan.
7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) Except as expressly provided for in the Plan, no Non-Employee
Director or other person shall have any claim or right to be granted an
Option under the Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall
be construed as giving any Non-Employee Director any right to be retained in
the service of the Company.
(b) A participant's rights and interest under the Plan may not be
assigned or transferred, hypothecated or encumbered in whole or in part
either directly or by operation of law or otherwise (except in the event of
a participant's death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution),
including, but not by way of limitation, execution, levy, garnishment,
attachment, pledge, bankruptcy or in any other manner, and no such right or
interest of any participant in the Plan shall be subject to any obligation
or liability of such participant.
(c) Common Stock shall not be issued hereunder unless counsel for the
Company shall be satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with
applicable federal, state, local and foreign securities, securities exchange
and other applicable laws and requirements.
(d) It shall be a condition to the obligation of the Company to issue
Common Stock upon exercise of an Option, that the participant (or any
beneficiary or person entitled to act under subparagraph 5(d)(iii)(B) above)
pay to the Company, upon its demand, such amount as may be requested by the
Company for the purpose of satisfying any liability to withhold federal,
state, local or foreign income or other taxes. If the amount requested is
not paid, the Company may refuse to issue such Common Stock.
(e) The expenses of the Plan shall be borne by the Company.
(f) By accepting any Option or other benefit under the Plan, each
participant and each person claiming under or through him shall be
conclusively deemed to have indicated his acceptance and ratification of,
and consent to, any action taken under the Plan by the Company or the Board.
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<PAGE>
(g) The appropriate officers of the Company shall cause to be filed any
reports, returns or other information regarding Options hereunder or any
Common Stock issued pursuant hereto as may be required by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other
applicable statute, rule or regulation.
8. AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE. The Plan may be amended at any time and
from time to time by the Board as the Board shall deem advisable; provided,
however, that no amendment shall become effective without shareholder approval
if such shareholder approval is required by law, rule or regulation. No
amendment of the Plan shall materially and adversely affect any right of any
participant with respect to any Option theretofore granted without such
participant's written consent.
9. TERMINATION. This Plan shall terminate upon the earlier of the
following dates or events to occur:
(a) upon the adoption of a resolution of the Board terminating the Plan;
or
(b) ten years from the date the Plan is initially approved and adopted
by the shareholders of the Company.
No termination of the Plan shall materially and adversely affect any of the
rights or obligations of any person, without his consent, under any Option
theretofore granted under the Plan.
10. IMMEDIATE ACCELERATION OF OPTIONS. Notwithstanding any provision in
this Plan to the contrary, all outstanding Options will become exercisable
immediately if any of the following events occur unless otherwise determined by
the Board of Directors and a majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined
below):
(a) any person or group of persons becomes the beneficial owner of 30%
or more of any equity security of the Company entitled to vote for the
election of directors;
(b) a majority of the members of the Board of Directors is replaced
within the period of less than two years by directors not nominated and
approved by the Board of Directors; or
(c) the stockholders of the Company approve an agreement to merge or
consolidate with or into another corporation or an agreement to sell or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company's assets
(including a plan of liquidation).
For purposes of this Section 10, beneficial ownership by a person or group
of persons shall be determined in accordance with Regulation 13D (or any similar
successor regulation) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Beneficial
ownership of more than 30% of an equity security may be established by any
reasonable method, but shall be presumed conclusively as to any person who files
a Schedule 13D report with the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting such
ownership.
For purposes of this Section 10 "Continuing Directors" are directors (i) who
were in office prior to the time any of provisions (a), (b) or (c) occurred or
any person publicly announced an intention to acquire 20% or more of any equity
security of the Company, (ii) directors in office for a period of more than two
years, and (iii) directors nominated and approved by the Continuing Directors.
11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. The Plan will become effective on the date
that it is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the Company's 1996
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
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G&K SERVICES, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OCTOBER 31, 1996
The undersigned, a stockholder of G&K Services, Inc., hereby appoints
Richard Fink and Neil I. Sell, and each of them, as proxies, with full power
of substitution, to vote on behalf of the undersigned the number of
shares which the undersigned is then entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of G&K Services, Inc. to be held in the Mississippi Room,
Marquette Hotel, Seventh and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on
Thursday, October 31, 1996, at 10:00 A.M., and at any and all
adjournments thereof, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if
personally present, upon:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(1) Election of / / FOR all nominees (except as / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
Directors: marked to the contrary below) to vote for all
nominees listed
below
BRUCE G. ALLBRIGHT PAUL BASZUCKI RICHARD FINK WAYNE M.
FORTUN DONALD W. GOLDFUS WILLIAM HOPE BERNARD SWEET
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee
write that nominee's name on the space provided below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES
(2) Proposal to adopt the G&K Services, Inc. 1996 Director Stock Option Plan
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
(3) Upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof.
</TABLE>
(CONTINUED, AND TO BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
G&K SERVICES, INC.
Annual Meeting
The Marquette Hotel
Mississippi River Room
Third Floor
Seventh and Marquette
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
October 31, 1996
10:00 a.m.
The undersigned hereby revokes all previous proxies relating to the shares
covered hereby and acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement
relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. When properly
executed, this proxy will be voted on the proposals set forth herein as directed
by the stockholder, but if no direction is made in the space provided, this
proxy will be voted FOR the election of all nominees for director and FOR
adoption of the G&K Services, Inc. 1996 Director Stock Option Plan.
Dated _________________________________________________ , 1996
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(Stockholder must sign exactly as the name appears at left.
When signed as a corporate officer, executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian, etc., please give full title as such. Both
joint tenants must sign.)
