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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
____________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
December 1, 1998
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SMART & FINAL INC.
(Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)
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Delaware Commission File Number 001-10811 95-4079584
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
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600 The Citadel Drive
City of Commerce, California 90040
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (323) 869-7500
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Item 5. Other Events.
On December 1, 1998 Smart & Final Inc. ("the Company") published a press
release announcing the retirement in January, 1999 of its Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Robert J. Emmons, and the appointment of Ross E. Roeder as
its new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. A press release relating to such
matters is attached as an exhibit to this report and is incorporated herein by
reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los
Angeles, State of California, on December 2, 1998.
Smart & Final Inc.
By: /s/ Martin A. Lynch
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Martin A. Lynch
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit Sequentially
Number Description of Exhibit Numbered Pages
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100 Press release relating to retirement of Robert J. Emmons.
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EXHIBIT 100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEANNE REYNOLDS LISA VAN VELTHUYZEN
(323)869-7607 (323)869-7608
SMART & FINAL ANNOUNCES
THE RETIREMENT OF CEO
DR. ROBERT J. EMMONS
Company Appoints Ross E. Roeder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
LOS ANGELES, CALIF., DECEMBER 1, 1998 -- Dr. Robert J. Emmons, 64,
chairman and chief executive officer of Smart & Final Inc. (NYSE-SMF) announced
today his intention to retire in January of 1999. Emmons, who originally served
as chief executive officer from April 1984 through December 1993, reassumed the
position in January of this year.
Emmons stated, "When I returned to the position of chief executive officer
in January, we had a number of objectives which we hoped to accomplish. With the
return to profitability, repositioning of our stores, restructuring of our bank
debt, acquisition of United Grocers Cash & Carry stores, construction of our new
state-of-the-art distribution center and relocation of our corporate offices, we
have accomplished those objectives."
Replacing Emmons in January of next year will be Ross E. Roeder, 60, a long
time director of Smart & Final Inc. and food industry executive. Roeder, is a
former executive vice president and chief operating officer of Denny's Inc., a
national restaurant chain, and served as chief executive officer of Fotomat.
Most recently, he served as chairman of the publishing company, Morgan Kaufmann,
and managing director of the marketing consulting company, Marketing Designs &
Research.
Emmons commented, "For twenty-one years, Ross Roeder has played an
important role in the growth and development of our Company. Ross' experience,
both in foodservice distribution and multi-unit operations, uniquely qualifies
him to lead our Company and to achieve its long term potential. We are indeed
fortunate to have him as our new chief executive officer."
Mr. Roeder, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State
University, and a Master of Business Administration from University of
California, Los Angeles, stated, "I am very excited to assume the chief
executive officer position at Smart & Final. Bob Emmons has done an exceptional
job of positioning the Company for the future. I am confident that we can make
our vision a reality during the decade ahead." Roeder will be relocating to Los
Angeles from his home in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Smart & Final operates 214 grocery warehouse stores in California,
Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Florida and Mexico, and two
foodservice distributors located in Northern California and Florida. For 1997,
Smart & Final reported sales of $1.45 billion. For additional Company
information, visit our Website at www.smartandfinal.com.
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