FURRS BISHOPS INC
POS AM, 1997-10-27
EATING PLACES
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<PAGE>   1
 
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 27, 1997
 
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-4576
 
PURSUANT TO RULE 401(E) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE PROSPECTUS
CONTAINED IN THIS POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE REQUIREMENTS OF FORM S-3.
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
                       POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                                    FORM S-1
 
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
                         FURR'S/BISHOP'S, INCORPORATED
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                             ---------------------
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                <C>                                <C>
          DELAWARE                             5812                            75-2350724
(State or other jurisdiction       (Primary Standard Industrial             (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation or           Classification Code Number)            Identification No.)
       organization)
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
                               6901 QUAKER AVENUE
                              LUBBOCK, TEXAS 79413
                                 (806) 792-7151
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                               THEODORE J. PAPIT
                         FURR'S/BISHOP'S, INCORPORATED
                               6901 QUAKER AVENUE
                              LUBBOCK, TEXAS 79413
                                 (806) 792-7151
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                             ---------------------
                                with a copy to:
 
                            KENNETH L. STEWART, ESQ.
                          FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.
                          2200 ROSS AVENUE, SUITE 2800
                              DALLAS, TEXAS 75201
                                 (214) 855-8000
                             ---------------------
 APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES TO THE PUBLIC:
     From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
     If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box:  [X]
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
      SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 27, 1997
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                         FURR'S/BISHOP'S, INCORPORATED
                       42,060,043 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                             ---------------------
 
     This Prospectus relates to the public offering by the selling security
holders (the "Selling Security Holders") of 42,060,043 shares (the "Shares") of
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of Furr's/Bishop's,
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
 
     On October 24, 1997, the last reported sale price of a share of Common
Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $ 13/16.
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 4 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS
INVOLVED IN THE PURCHASE OF THE SHARES.
 
                             ---------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR
  ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
     PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                             ---------------------
 
     The Selling Security Holders directly or through agents, dealers or
underwriters may sell the Shares from time to time on terms to be determined at
the time of sale. To the extent required, the specific Shares to be sold, the
names of the Selling Security Holders, the respective purchase prices and public
offering prices, the names of any agent, dealer or underwriter and applicable
commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offering will be set forth
in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. See
"Plan of Distribution." Each of the Selling Security Holders reserves the sole
right to accept or to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of the
Shares.
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from this offering but, by
agreement, will pay substantially all expenses of this offering, other than the
commissions or discounts of underwriters, dealers or agents, but including the
fees and disbursements of one counsel to certain of the Selling Security
Holders. The Selling Security Holders, and any underwriters, dealers or agents
that participate with the Selling Security Holders in the distribution of the
Shares, may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any commissions received by
them and any profit on the resale of the Shares purchased by them may be deemed
to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. See "Plan
of Distribution" for a description of indemnification arrangements between the
Company and the Selling Security Holders and indemnification arrangements for
underwriters.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                The date of this Prospectus is October 27, 1997.
<PAGE>   3
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE ANY
SECURITY OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES OFFERED
HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO MAKE
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO SUCH PERSON. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY DISTRIBUTION OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN
IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements, and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Registration
Statement, the exhibits and schedules forming a part thereof, and the reports,
proxy statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission
in accordance with the Exchange Act can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024 Judiciary Plaza,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of
the Commission at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661 and Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and are
available at http://www.sec.gov on the world wide web. Copies of such material
also can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at its
public reference facilities in New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois at
prescribed rates. In addition, material filed by the Company can also be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), 20 Broad
Street, Seventh Floor, New York, New York 10005.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement (of
which this Prospectus is a part) on Form S-1 (together with any amendments
thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to
the Shares. Pursuant to Rule 401(e) under the Securities Act, this Prospectus
has been prepared in accordance with the requirements for a Registration
Statement on Form S-3. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules relating thereto, certain portions of which have been
omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits
filed or incorporated as a part thereof, which are on file at the offices of the
Commission and may be obtained upon payment of the fee prescribed by the
Commission, or may be examined without charge at the offices of the Commission.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of other documents
referred to herein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference
is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement or such other document, and each such statement is
qualified in all respects by such reference.
 
                                AFFILIATE FILING
 
     Cafeteria Operators, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and direct and
indirect wholly owned partnership subsidiary of the Company ("Cafeteria
Operators"), intends to file an amendment to a separate Registration Statement
(File No. 333-4578) with the Commission with respect to up to $34,169,907.84
aggregate principal amount of 12% Senior Secured Notes ("12% Notes"), which may
be offered from time to time for the accounts of certain holders of the 12%
Notes. Such holders include certain of the Selling Security Holders.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   4
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents, which have been filed with the Commission by the
Company, are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof:
 
     (i)   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996;
 
     (ii)  Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
           year ended December 31, 1996;
 
     (iii) Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
           year ended December 31, 1996;
 
     (iv) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 13 weeks ended April 1, 1997;
 
     (v)  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 13 weeks ended July 1, 1997; and
 
     (vi) Registration Statement on Form 8-A (No. 1-10725), filed November 30,
          1995.
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the 1934 Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of Common Stock to be made hereunder shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing thereof. Any statement contained herein or in a document
incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for all purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
(other than exhibits and schedules thereto, unless such exhibits or schedules
are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this
Prospectus incorporates). Written or telephonic requests for copies should be
directed to the Company's principal office: Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated, 6901
Quaker Avenue, Lubbock, Texas 79413, Attention: Alton R. Smith (telephone: (806)
792-7151).
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Risk Factors..........................    4
Use of Proceeds.......................    6
Background; Restructuring.............    7
Selling Security Holders..............    8
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Plan of Distribution..................    9
Description of Capital Stock..........   10
Legal Matters.........................   12
Experts...............................   12
</TABLE>
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In considering the matters set forth in this Prospectus, prospective
investors should carefully consider, among other things, the significant factors
described below which are associated with the Shares before making an investment
in the Shares.
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
 
     The Company may make significant capital expenditures in each of the next
three fiscal years to remodel existing cafeterias, implement special programs to
enhance customer traffic and develop new restaurants. The Company believes that
its capital expenditure program is necessary to enable the Company and its
subsidiaries to increase revenues and attain profitability in order to service
their respective remaining obligations under outstanding debt instruments. Such
obligations and debt instruments limit the Company's ability to make future
capital expenditures. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
complete its capital expenditure program, service its financial obligations and
meet the financial covenants contained in outstanding debt instruments. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition," included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and
its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, if any, after such Annual Report
on Form 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference
herein (the "Latest 10-K" and the "Latest 10-Q," respectively).
 
LEVERAGE
 
     As of October 1, 1997, the Company's total consolidated indebtedness was
approximately $69.1 million (including approximately $23.4 million of interest
accrued through maturity). On July 1, 1997, the Company's stockholders' deficit
was approximately $35.4 million. At such date, the Company's consolidated total
assets were approximately $70.0 million.
 
     In addition to certain customary affirmative covenants, the Indenture
(hereinafter defined) contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the
ability of Cafeteria Operators and each of its subsidiaries, subject to certain
exceptions contained therein, to incur debt, make distributions to the Company
or transfer assets. The restrictions may limit the ability of the Company to
expand its business and take other actions that the Company considers to be in
its best interest.
 
     The Company and its subsidiaries presently have significant annual interest
expense payment obligations under outstanding debt instruments. The ability of
the Company and its subsidiaries to satisfy their respective obligations are
dependent upon their future performances, which will be subject to financial,
business and other factors affecting the business and operations of the Company,
including factors beyond the control of the Company and its subsidiaries, such
as prevailing economic conditions. Over the long term, the Company's performance
will depend on, among other things, the Company's ability to implement
successfully its expansion strategies and control costs. See
"Business -- Capital Expenditure Program" in the Latest 10-K and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition -- Liquidity and Capital Resources," included in the Latest 10-K and
the Latest 10-Q. If the Company is unable to comply with the terms of
outstanding debt instruments and any future debt instruments and fails to
generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, it may be required
to refinance all or a portion of its existing debt or to obtain additional
financing. There can be no assurance that any such refinancing would be possible
or that any additional financing could be obtained, particularly in view of the
Company's anticipated high levels of debt and the fact that a significant
portion of Cafeteria Operators' assets, representing substantially all of the
Company's consolidated tangible assets, have been pledged as collateral to
secure indebtedness. These factors could have a material adverse effect on the
marketability and value of the Shares.
 
OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY
 
     As a result of the Restructuring (hereinafter defined) and subsequent sales
of Common Stock by the Selling Security Holders, the Selling Security Holders
own approximately 86.5% of the outstanding Common Stock. The Selling Security
Holders, however, are 14 separate holders (or groups of affiliated holders) who
are entitled to, and who the Company believes intend to, vote separately upon
all matters submitted to a vote of
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
security holders of the Company (including any mergers, sales of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company or Cafeteria Operators and going
private transactions). To the Company's knowledge there are no agreements,
arrangements or understandings among any of the Selling Security Holders
concerning the voting or disposition of any of such Common Stock or any other
matter regarding the Company or which might be the subject of a vote of the
Company's stockholders. Also, no Selling Security Holder (or affiliated group of
Selling Security Holders) is a beneficial owner of more than 18% of the Common
Stock; accordingly, no single Selling Security Holder or affiliated group could
itself approve any matter regarding the Company or which might be the subject of
a vote of the stockholders. Certain of the Selling Security Holders, who
currently hold 12% Notes (hereinafter defined), were former 11% Noteholders
(hereinafter defined).
 
     In addition, as a part of the Restructuring, certain 11% Noteholders
designated for nomination a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of
the Company. These directors were duly nominated and elected by holders of the
former classes of the Company's capital stock at a meeting of the stockholders
held prior to certain 11% Noteholders having exercised the Put Option
(hereinafter defined). Certain of these directors continue to serve on the Board
of Directors, and such directors will generally have the power to direct the
Company's operations. None of such directors, however, is affiliated with any
former 11% Noteholder and to the Company's knowledge there is no agreement,
understanding or arrangement among any of the former 11% Noteholders or any such
director concerning any matter regarding the governance of the Company. In
addition, E.W. Williams, Jr., a director of the Company, and KL Group, Inc., a
corporation controlled by Kevin E. Lewis, a director of the Company, are Selling
Security Holders.
 
HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES
 
     Through fiscal year 1995, the Company had not reported net income since its
inception in 1991. The Company has reported net losses from continuing
operations of approximately $2.4 million, $166.1 million and $21.3 million for
the fiscal years 1992, 1993 and 1994, respectively. After giving effect to the
Restructuring, but before the extraordinary credit associated therewith, the
Company reported net loss from continuing operations of approximately $38.9
million for fiscal year 1995. Although the Company reported net income from
continuing operations of $8.4 million for fiscal year 1996, the Company reported
net loss from continuing operations of $343 thousand for the 26-week period
ended July 1, 1997.
 
NO ANTICIPATED STOCKHOLDER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Company does not anticipate paying cash distributions to stockholders
in the foreseeable future. The Company's ability to pay cash dividends on the
Common Stock will depend on the future performance of the Company and its
subsidiaries. Such future performance will be subject to financial, business and
other factors affecting the business and operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, including factors beyond the control of the Company and its
subsidiaries, such as prevailing economic conditions. In addition, under terms
of the Indenture, Cafeteria Operators and its subsidiaries may not distribute
funds to the Company, unless, immediately after giving effect to such
distribution, (i) no default or event of default shall have occurred or be
continuing and (ii) the aggregate amount of all outstanding restricted payments
and restricted investments as of such date does not exceed the difference of (a)
fifty percent (50%) of consolidated net income for the period beginning January
2, 1996 and ending the last day of the last full fiscal quarter and (b)(x) one
hundred percent (100%) of consolidated net income for the last four full fiscal
quarters (or, under certain circumstances, a shorter period) if consolidated net
income for such period is a loss, or (y) zero, if consolidated net income for
such period is not a loss. The Company believes that any refinancing or other
indebtedness incurred by the Company or its subsidiaries would contain
restrictions on the payment of dividends and making of cash distributions on
equity securities generally similar to those in the Indenture. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources," included in the Latest 10-K and
the Latest 10-Q.
 
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
 
     The Company is a holding company with no operations, the principal assets
of which are general and limited partnership interests in and capital stock of
its subsidiaries. The operations of the Company are
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
conducted through its subsidiaries, including Cafeteria Operators and,
therefore, the Company is and will continue to be dependent on dividends,
distributions or other intercompany transfers of funds from its subsidiaries to
allow the Company to meet its obligations and pay dividends, if any, on the
Common Stock. The Indenture contains restrictions on the ability of Cafeteria
Operators to make distributions or other intercompany transfers to the Company,
and it is likely that any refinancing or other indebtedness incurred by
subsidiaries will contain similar restrictions. There can be no assurance that
funds generated from future operations of the Company and its subsidiaries will
be sufficient to meet debt service and other obligations or that the
performances of its subsidiaries will be sufficient to satisfy the financial
covenants contained in the Indenture or to allow the Company to pay dividends on
the Common Stock. In addition, the Company does not anticipate cash being
available to pay dividends in the foreseeable future because Cafeteria Operators
will retain its earnings to fund capital expenditures.
 
SHARES AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE ISSUANCE
 
     As part of the Restructuring, the Company issued to stockholders an
aggregate of approximately 40,527,933 five-year warrants, each whole warrant
being entitled to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$.074 per Share (the "Warrants"). The Warrants expire on January 2, 2001. After
giving effect to the fifteen-to-one reverse stock split on March 22, 1996, the
Warrants are exercisable into approximately 2,701,862 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price of $1.11 per share. In addition, the Company has 2,702,720
shares of Common Stock, after giving effect to the reverse stock split,
available for issuance pursuant to the 1995 Stock Option Plan of the Company. No
prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future issuances of
shares, the availability of shares for future issuance or the Warrants may have
on the prevailing market prices of the Common Stock from time to time.
 
     The Selling Security Holders own approximately 86.5% of the outstanding
Common Stock. Any of the Selling Security Holders may from time to time
determine to sell Shares for any reason, subject to compliance with federal
securities laws. Issuance or sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock, or
the perception that such sales or issuances could occur, could adversely effect
prevailing market prices for the Common Stock.
 
LEVENSON LITIGATION INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
 
     In July 1997, the Company reached a settlement of the litigation filed by
Michael J. Levenson, the former Chairman of the Board, and others. The
settlement involved a payment by the Company to the plaintiffs of a net amount
of approximately $275 thousand. All settling defendants, including the Company
and its subsidiaries, received mutual releases with respect to all matters
alleged in the litigation. The Company is required to indemnify certain of the
defendants originally named in the litigation (including certain of the Selling
Security Holders) (the "Levenson Indemnitees") for certain settlement costs and
reasonable expenses the Levenson Indemnitees incurred in connection with the
litigation. The Company is currently negotiating the amounts and terms of the
Company's obligations to the Levenson Indemnitees. The final resolution of such
negotiations may have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial
position of the Company.
 
RESIGNATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
     Theodore J. Papit has announced that he will resign his position as Chief
Executive Officer and President of the Company effective mid-December, 1997,
based on personal reasons and desire to pursue other long-term professional
opportunities. If the Company is unable to hire a full-time replacement for Mr.
Papit reasonably soon, the failure to have a full time Chief Executive Officer
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock
offered pursuant to this Prospectus. The Selling Security Holders will receive
all of the net proceeds from any sale of the Shares offered hereby.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
                           BACKGROUND; RESTRUCTURING
 
GENERAL
 
     In 1996, the Company continued to streamline its operating focus after
completing a major restructuring of its financial position in fiscal 1995 (the
"Restructuring"). On January 2, 1996, the Company received the approval of its
lenders and stockholders on a recapitalization resulting in a reduction of the
Company's debt and other obligations by over $200 million, a significant
reduction in interest expense and an increase in net worth. Approval of the
Restructuring concluded nearly three years of discussions aimed at providing the
Company with greater financial stability and the resources to compete in an
increasingly competitive industry.
 
     As part of the Restructuring, Cafeteria Operators executed the Amended and
Restated Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of November 15, 1995 between
Cafeteria Operators and Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts (f/k/a Shawmut
Bank, N.A.), as trustee, pursuant to which, among other things, the terms of
$40.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under Cafeteria Operators'
11% Senior Secured Notes due June 30, 1998 (the "11% Notes") issued pursuant to
the Indenture dated as of March 27, 1992 between the Company and Shawmut Bank,
N.A., as collateral agent (the "Old Indenture"), were amended, with the consent
of the holders of the 11% Notes at such time (the "Original 11% Noteholders"),
to constitute $40.0 million (subject to the issuance of additional notes in
payment of the first interest installment) aggregate principal amount of 12%
Senior Secured Notes ("12% Notes") issued pursuant to the Indenture. In
addition, Cafeteria Operators issued a 12% Note in the original principal amount
of $1.7 (plus interest) million to the Trustees of General Electric Pension
Trust ("GEPT") in settlement of a $5.4 million judgment against Furr's/Bishop's
Cafeterias, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and indirect wholly owned
partnership subsidiary of the Company ("FBLP"). As part of the Restructuring,
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo") received an option to
purchase 2.5% of the outstanding Common Stock (the "Wells Fargo Option") in
satisfaction of approximately $6.1 million principal amount (plus approximately
$1.6 million of accrued and unpaid interest) of indebtedness of a subsidiary of
the Company. State Street Bank and Trust Company is currently the trustee under
the Indenture.
 
     As a result of the Restructuring, indebtedness of Cafeteria Operators in
the amount of approximately $153 million aggregate principal amount (plus
approximately $46.6 million in accrued and unpaid interest) outstanding under
the Old Indenture was exchanged by holders on January 2, 1996 of the 11% Notes
(the "Exchanging 11% Noteholders" and together with the Original 11%
Noteholders, the "former 11% Noteholders") for an aggregate of 95% of the
limited partnership interests of Cafeteria Operators and the right to put to the
Company their 95% limited partnership interests in Cafeteria Operators in
exchange for 95% of the outstanding Common Stock (the "Put Option"). In
addition, outstanding warrants to purchase capital stock of the Company held by
certain of the Exchanging 11% Noteholders were cancelled.
 
     On March 12, 1996, a majority of the Exchanging 11% Noteholders exercised
the Put Option and, accordingly, all Exchanging 11% Noteholders put their
aggregate 95% limited partnership interests to the Company in exchange for 95%
of the outstanding Common Stock. On March 15, 1996, Wells Fargo exercised the
Wells Fargo Option thereby becoming the beneficial owner of 2.5% of the
outstanding Common Stock. On March 22, 1996, a fifteen-to-one reverse stock
split became effective upon the filing of an amendment to the Company's Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware.
 
CERTAIN INCOME TAX RAMIFICATIONS OF THE RESTRUCTURING
 
     As described above, the Restructuring was a complex series of transactions
which had a variety of federal income tax implications for the Company. The
Restructuring likely resulted in an ownership change (within the meaning of
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code), which is likely to substantially
restrict the ability of the Company to utilize existing net operating loss
carryovers to offset future income. In addition, although the Company believes
that such possibility is unlikely, no assurance can be given that the Internal
Revenue Service might not successfully recharacterize the Restructuring in a
manner which would reduce certain tax attributes of the Company and the other
partners of Cafeteria Operators (all of which are subsidiaries of the
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
Company) in an amount equal to the excess of the outstanding amount of 11% Notes
outstanding prior to the Restructuring over the fair market value of the 11%
Notes at such time.
 
                            SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     The following table provides certain information with respect to the Shares
held by each Selling Security Holder. As a result of the restructuring and
subsequent sales of Common Stock by the Selling Security Holders, the Selling
Security Holders own approximately 86.5% of the outstanding Common Stock. Since
the Selling Security Holders may sell all or some of their Shares, no estimate
can be made of the aggregate amount of Shares that are to be offered hereby or
that will be owned by each Selling Security Holder upon completion of the
offering to which this Prospectus relates.
 
     The Selling Security Holders are 14 separate holders (or groups of
affiliated holders) who are entitled to, and who the Company believes intend to,
vote separately upon all matters submitted to a vote of security holders of the
Company (including any mergers, sales of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Parent or the Company and going private transactions). To the Company's
knowledge, there are no agreements, arrangements or understandings among any of
the Selling Security Holders concerning the voting or disposition of any of such
Common Stock or any other matter regarding the Company or which might be the
subject of a vote of the Company's stockholders. Also, no Selling Security
Holder (or affiliated group of Selling Security Holders) is a beneficial owner
of more than 18% of the Common Stock; accordingly, no single Selling Security
Holder or affiliated group could itself approve any matter regarding the Company
or which might be the subject of a vote of the stockholders. Certain of the
Selling Security Holders, who currently hold 12% Notes, were former 11%
Noteholders. See "Background; Restructuring."
 
     In addition, as a part of the Restructuring, certain 11% Noteholders
nominated a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Certain of these directors continue to serve on the Board of Directors, and such
directors will generally have the power to direct the Company's operations. None
of such directors, however, is affiliated with any former 11% Noteholder and to
the Company's knowledge there is no agreement, understanding or arrangement
among any of the former 11% Noteholders or any such director concerning any
matter regarding the governance of the Company. In addition, E.W. Williams, Jr.,
a director of the Company, and KL Group, Inc., a corporation controlled by Kevin
E. Lewis, a director of the Company, are Selling Security Holders.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
     The Shares offered by this Prospectus may be offered from time to time by
the Selling Security Holders named below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SHARES   SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                  ORIGINALLY BENEFICIALLY         OWNED AS OF
                     NAME                           OWNED AND REGISTERED        OCTOBER 8, 1997
                     ----                        --------------------------   -------------------
<S>                                              <C>                          <C>
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of
  America......................................          8,607,637                 8,607,637
EQ Asset Trust 1993............................          8,499,857                 8,499,857
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.....          5,477,994                 5,477,994
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
  Company......................................          5,471,679                 5,471,679
The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New
  York.........................................          4,105,339                 4,105,339
Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company........          3,286,701                 3,286,701
SC Fundamental Value Fund, L.P. ...............          2,949,620                 1,925,415
SC Fundamental Value BVI Ltd. .................          1,502,322                 1,148,427
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.........          1,216,224                 1,216,224
The Ohio National Life Insurance Company.......            984,240                   919,240
CUNA Mutual Life Insurance Company.............            956,271                   956,271
Cerberus Partners, L.P.........................            657,053                        --
The Copernicus Fund, L.P.......................            479,290                   419,090
KL Group, Inc..................................            301,205                    10,000
Mark Zucker....................................            239,646                        --
E.W. Williams, Jr..............................             16,169                    16,169
</TABLE>
 
     Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc. ("EREIMI"), a former
affiliate of EQ Asset Trust 1993, is the owner of six properties in Illinois and
Iowa which are leased by the Company. The aggregate amount paid by the Company
to EREIMI in respect of periodic rental installments during fiscal 1996 was
$537,034.75. Such lease was entered into by the Company and EREIMI prior to E Q
Asset Trust 1993's acquisition of an interest in the Company in connection with
the Restructuring. Such lease was negotiated at arm's length on terms no less
favorable than the Company would have obtained from an unrelated landlord.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company will receive none of the proceeds from this offering. The
Shares may be sold from time to time to purchasers on the NYSE, in privately
negotiated transactions or in the over-the-counter market. The Selling Security
Holders may from time to time offer the Shares directly or through underwriters,
brokers, dealers or agents, pursuant to (a) a block trade in which a broker or
dealer will attempt to sell the Shares as agent but may position and resell a
portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases
by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its
account pursuant to this Prospectus; (c) ordinary brokerage transactions and
transactions in which the broker or dealer solicits purchasers. In effecting
such sales, underwriters, brokers or dealers engaged by the Selling Security
Holders may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in the resales.
Such sales may be effected at market prices and on terms prevailing at the time
of sale, at prices related to such market prices, at negotiated prices or at
fixed prices. In addition, the Selling Security Holders may engage in hedging or
other similar transactions, and may pledge the Shares being offered, and, upon
default, the pledgee may effect sales of the pledged shares pursuant to this
Prospectus. In connection with any hedging transactions, broker-dealers may
engage in short sales of the Shares registered hereunder in the course of
hedging the positions they assume with Selling Security Holders. The Selling
Security Holders may also sell Common Stock short and redeliver the Shares to
close out such short positions. The Selling Security Holders may also enter into
option or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery to
the broker-dealer of the Shares registered hereunder. Underwriters, brokers,
dealers and agents may receive compensation in the form of underwriting
discounts, concessions or commissions from the Selling Security Holders or the
purchasers of Shares for whom they may act as agent. The Selling Security
Holders and any underwriters, dealers or agents that
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
participate in the distribution of Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on the sale of Shares by
them and any discounts, commissions or concessions received by any such
underwriters, dealers or agents might be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act.
 
     At the time a particular offering of Shares is made, a Prospectus
Supplement or a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, if
required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount and type
of Shares being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or
names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and
other terms constituting compensation from the Selling Security Holders and any
discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
 
     To comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if applicable,
the Shares will be offered or sold in such jurisdictions only through registered
or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain jurisdictions the Shares
may not be offered or sold unless they have been registered or qualified for
sale in such jurisdictions or an exemption from registration or qualification is
available and is complied with.
 
     There is no assurance that the Selling Security Holders will sell any of
the Shares. In addition, any Shares covered by this prospectus which qualify for
sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold pursuant to Rule
144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
 
     Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") dated as of
November 15, 1995, between the Company and former 11% Noteholders, some of which
are Selling Security Holders, the Company will pay the expenses of former 11%
Noteholders incident to the offering and sale of the Shares to the public, other
than commissions, concessions and discounts of underwriters, dealers or agents,
but including the fees and disbursements of one counsel to such Selling Security
Holders. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Security
Holders, and, if requested, any underwriter they may utilize against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and, if such
indemnification is unavailable, to contribute to payments required to be made by
any of them in respect of such liabilities. The Exchange Agreement requires the
Company to keep the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part
continuously effective until the earlier of (a) August 6, 1999, and (b) the date
upon which all Shares have either (i) been disposed of under this Prospectus,
(ii) been distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the
Securities Act, (iii) been otherwise transferred and subsequent disposition of
them shall not require registration or qualification of them under the
Securities Act or any similar state law then in force, or (iv) ceased to be
outstanding.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
     Set forth below is a summary of the terms of the Common Stock. This summary
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company (as amended, the "Certificate of Incorporation") as currently in effect.
The Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes for issuance 70 million
shares of capital stock, consisting of 65 million shares of Common Stock and 5
million shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors may authorize
additional series of preferred stock and fix the voting powers, dividend rates,
preferences and rights thereof. The Board of Directors has not authorized the
issuance of any series of preferred stock.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company is presently authorized to issue 65 million shares of Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive
rights to purchase or subscribe for securities of the Company and the Common
Stock is not subject to redemption by the Company or convertible. The Common
Stock is listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol "CHI."
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
     Dividends. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such
dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor. The Company does not currently anticipate paying dividends
on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The Indenture restricts payments
from Cafeteria Operators to the Company under certain circumstances thereby
restricting the ability of the Company to issue dividends to its stockholders.
See "Risk Factors -- No Anticipated Stockholder Distributions." Before declaring
or paying any dividend on the Common Stock, the Board of Directors will consider
the effect of any such declaration or payment on the Company's expansion program
and the Company's ability to pay its other obligations in the future. See "Risk
Factors -- Capital Expenditures" and "Business -- Capital Expenditure Program."
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the
holders of Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in any assets of the
Company remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.
 
     Voting Rights. Except as provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law
("DGCL") as described below, holders of Common Stock will be entitled to one
vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.
The holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote shall constitute a
quorum at a meeting of stockholders. Cumulative voting for the election of
directors is not permitted; therefore, the holders of a majority of the
Company's voting securities can elect all members of the Board of Directors of
the Company. The DGCL provides that the holders of the outstanding shares of a
class of capital stock shall be entitled to vote as a class upon a proposed
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, whether or not entitled to vote
thereon by the Certificate of Incorporation, if the amendment would increase or
decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such class, increase or
decrease the par value of the shares of such class, or alter or change the
powers, preferences, or special rights of the shares of such class so as to
affect them adversely.
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is Chemical Mellon
Shareholder Services, 450 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Under Section 145 of the DGCL, a Delaware corporation has the power, under
specified circumstances, to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and
agents in connection with actions, suits or proceedings brought against them by
a third party or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that
they were or are such directors, officers, employees or agents, or against
expenses incurred in any such action, suit or proceedings. Article Fifth of the
Certificate of Incorporation provides the mandatory indemnification of directors
and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, including Section 145 of
the DGCL.
 
     Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a certificate of incorporation
may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director provided that such provision shall not eliminate
or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty
of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions
not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) under Section 174 (relating to liability for unauthorized
acquisitions or redemption of, or dividends on, capital stock) of the DGCL, or
(iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. Article Fifth of the Certificate of Incorporation contains such a
provision.
 
THE DELAWARE BUSINESS COMBINATION ACT
 
     Section 203 of the DGCL (the "Delaware Business Combination Act") imposes a
three-year moratorium on business combinations (as defined in the Delaware
Business Combination Act) between a Delaware corporation and an "interested
stockholder" (in general, a stockholder owning 15% or more of a corporation's
outstanding voting stock) or an affiliate or associate thereof unless (i) prior
to an interested stockholder becoming such, the board of directors of the
corporation approved the business combination or the transactions resulting in
the interested stockholder becoming such, (ii) upon consummation of the
transaction resulting in an interested stockholder becoming such, the interested
stockholder owns 85% of the voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction
commenced (excluding from the calculation of outstanding shares
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
those shares beneficially owned by management, directors and certain employee
stock plans), or (iii) on or after the date an interested stockholder became an
interested stockholder, such combination is approved by (a) the board of
directors and (b) holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares (other
than those shares beneficially owned by the interested stockholder) at a meeting
of stockholders.
 
     The Delaware Business Combination Act provides that the term "business
combination" in general means (i) mergers or consolidations, (ii) sales, leases,
exchanges or other transfers of 10% or more of the aggregate assets of the
corporation, (iii) issuance or transfers by the corporation of any stock of the
corporation which would have the effect of increasing the interested
stockholder's proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the
corporation, (iv) any other transaction which has the effect of increasing the
proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation which
is owned by an interested stockholder, and (v) receipt by an interested
stockholder of the benefit (except proportionately as a stockholder) of loans,
advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by the
corporation.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the Shares offered hereby have
been passed upon for the Company by Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated balance sheet as of January 2, 1996 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity (deficit)
and cash flows for the 52-week year ended January 2, 1996, and the 53-week year
ended January 3, 1995, and appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent certified public accountants, as stated in their report thereon
incorporated by reference therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the
report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
     The consolidated financial statements and schedule of the Company as of and
for the 52-week year ended December 31, 1996 have been incorporated by reference
herein and in the Registration Statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by
reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid in connection with the sale
of the Shares being registered, all of which will be paid by the registrant. All
amounts are estimates except the registration fee.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Registration Fee............................................  $ 26,757
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................  $ 15,000
Legal Fees and Expenses.....................................  $ 75,000
Trustee Fees................................................  $  5,000
Printing and Engraving Fees and Expenses....................  $  5,000
Miscellaneous...............................................  $ 10,000
                                                              --------
Total.......................................................  $136,757
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law enables a
Delaware corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation, and the
Company has so provided in its Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, for the elimination or limitation of the personal liability of a
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director; provided, however, that a director's liability
is not eliminated or limited: (1) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve an intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law; (3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (which
imposes liability on directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful
stock purchases or redemptions); or (4) for any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit. The Certificate of Incorporation
further provides that if the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to
authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors,
then the liability of a director shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest
extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law empowers a corporation
to indemnify any person who was or is a party or witness or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation or enterprise. Depending on the character of the
proceeding, a corporation may indemnify against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person
indemnified acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or
her conduct was unlawful. If the person indemnified is not wholly successful in
such action, suit or proceeding, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise,
in one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such proceeding,
he or she may be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred
in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. In the
case of an action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, no
indemnification may be made in respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which
such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and
only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action
or suit was brought shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
which the court shall deem proper. Section 145 provides that to the extent a
director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful in the
defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above or in the
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   16
 
defense of any claim, issue or manner therein, he or she shall be indemnified
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
him or her in connection therewith.
 
     The By-laws of the Company provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by
the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company shall indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or
proceeding of the type described above by reason of the fact that he or she is
or was a director or officer of the Company or is or was serving at the request
of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. No expenses will be paid
in advance except, as authorized by the Board of Directors, to a director or
officer for expenses incurred while acting in his or her capacity as a director
or officer, who has delivered an undertaking to the Company to repay all amounts
advanced if it should be later determined that such director or officer was not
entitled to indemnification. The By-laws further provide that the above rights
of indemnification are not exclusive of any other rights of indemnification that
a director or officer may be entitled to from any other source.
 
     Each current director has entered into an Indemnification Agreement dated
as of January 2, 1996 by and between the Company and such director pursuant to
which the Company will indemnify such director and hold such director harmless
from any and all losses, expenses and fines to the fullest extent authorized,
permitted or not prohibited (i) by the Delaware General Corporation Law or any
other applicable law (including judicial, regulatory or administrative
interpretations or readings thereof), the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
or By-laws as in effect on the date of execution of the agreement or other
statutory provision authorizing such indemnification that is adopted after
January 2, 1996. In the event that after the date of the agreements the Company
provides that greater right of indemnification, in any respect, to any other
person serving as an officer or director of the Company, then such greater right
of indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the respective director and
shall be deemed to be incorporated in the relevant agreement as a basis for
indemnity, at each director's election, together with the indemnity expressly
set forth therein.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBITS                                 DESCRIPTION
        --------                                 -----------
<C>                      <S>
          *4.1           -- Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
                            Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated.
         **4.2           -- By-laws of Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated (as amended
                            September 17, 1996).
        ***4.3           -- Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated
                            Certificate of Incorporation of Furr's/Bishop's,
                            Incorporated.
          +4.3           -- Second Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and
                            Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Furr's/Bishop's,
                            Incorporated.
           5.1           -- Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
          23.1           -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent public
                            accountants.
          23.2           -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public
                            accountants.
          23.3           -- Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in their
                            opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
        ++24.1           -- Power of Attorney (included in the Signature Page to this
                            Registration Statement).
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
  * Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on
    Form S-4, File No. 33-38978.
 
 ** Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
    ended October 1, 1996.
 
*** Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on
    Form S-4, File No. 33-92236.
 
  + Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal
    year ended January 2, 1996.
 
 ++ Previously Filed.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   17
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the registration statement;
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
        or any material change to such information in the registration
        statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold as of the
     termination of the offering.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
     controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
     or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
     policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
     event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
     the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
     officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense
     of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
     controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
     Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
     settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
     jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
     public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
     adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned Registrant undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
     of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
     a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
     prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to
     the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   18
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Lubbock, State of Texas, on October 22, 1997.
 
                                            FURR'S/BISHOP'S INCORPORATED
 
                                            By:   /s/ THEODORE J. PAPIT
                                               ------------------------------
                                                
                                                      Theodore J. Papit
                                                President and Chief Executive
                                                            Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                        PAGE
                      ---------                                   -----                        ----
<C>                                                      <S>                         <C>
 
                /s/ THEODORE J. PAPIT                    President, Chief                October 22, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------      Executive Officer and
                  Theodore J. Papit                        Director
 
                          *                              Director                        October 22, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Kevin E. Lewis
 
                          *                              Director                        October 22, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 E.W. Williams, Jr.
 
                          *                              Director                        October 22, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Suzanne Hopgood
 
                          *                              Director                        October 22, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Gilbert C. Osnos
 
                          *                              Director                        October 22, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Kenneth R. Reimer
 
                          *                              Director                        October 22, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Sanjay Varma
 
                 /s/ ALTON R. SMITH                      Principal Accounting and        October 22, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------      Principal Financial
                   Alton R. Smith                          Officer
</TABLE>
 
By:      /s/ KEVIN E. LEWIS
    --------------------------------
             Kevin E. Lewis
            Attorney-in-Fact
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   19
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBITS                                 DESCRIPTION
        --------                                 -----------
<C>                      <S>
           *4.1          -- Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
                            Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated.
          **4.2          -- By-laws of Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated (as amended
                            September 17, 1996).
         ***4.3          -- Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated
                            Certificate of Incorporation of Furr's/Bishop's,
                            Incorporated.
           +4.3          -- Second Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and
                            Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Furr's/Bishop's,
                            Incorporated.
            5.1          -- Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
           23.1          -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent public
                            accountants.
           23.2          -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public
                            accountants.
           23.3          -- Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in their
                            opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
         ++24.1          -- Power of Attorney (included in the Signature Page to this
                            Registration Statement).
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
  * Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on
    Form S-4, File No. 33-38978.
 
 ** Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
    ended October 1, 1996.
 
*** Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on
    Form S-4, File No. 33-92236.
 
  + Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal
    year ended January 2, 1996.
 
 ++ Previously Filed.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 5.1

                    [FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P. LETTERHEAD]


October 27, 1997



Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated
6901 Quaker Avenue
Lubbock, Texas 79412

Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel for Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation (the"Company"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an aggregate of 42,060,043 shares of the
Company's common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), to be offered by
the selling security holders (as defined in post-effective Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-4576)(the
"Post-Effective Amendment")) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in the Post-Effective Amendment.

        In connection therewith, we have examined the Post-Effective Amendment,
originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws of the
Company, the corporate proceedings with respect to the offering of shares and
such other documents and instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate
for the expression of the opinions contained herein.

        We have assumed the authenticity and completeness of all records,
certificates and other instruments submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all records, certificates and other instruments
submitted to us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of the originals of
those records, certificates and other instruments submitted to us as copies and
the correctness of all statements of fact contained in all records,
certificates and other instruments that we have examined.

        Based on the foregoing, and having regard for such legal considerations
as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the 42,060,043 shares of
Common Stock proposed to be sold are duly and validly issued, fully paid and 
nonassessable.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Opinions" in the Prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement.


                                        Very truly yours



                                        /s/Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
The Board of Directors
Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated:
 
     We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus. The
report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP covering the December 31, 1996 consolidated
financial statements refers to a change in method of accounting, effective
January 2, 1996, for impairment of long-lived assets and for long-lived assets
to be disposed of to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
121.
 
                                            KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Dallas, Texas
October 27, 1997

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-4576 of Furr's/Bishop's,
Incorporated on Form S-1 of our report dated March 28, 1996, appearing in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Furr's/Bishop's, Incorporated for the 52 week year
ended December 31, 1996 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts"
in the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement.
 
                                            DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Dallas, Texas
October 27, 1997


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