<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 25, 1997
BOSTON CHICKEN, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in this charter)
Delaware 0-22802 36-3904053
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File No.) Identification No.)
incorporation)
14103 Denver West Parkway, P.O. Box 4086, Golden, Colorado 80401-4086
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
(303) 278-9500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changes since last report)
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events.
On June 25, 1997, Boston Chicken, Inc. (the "Company") announced that the
Company and its area developers have completed their review of store development
plans and expect to open a total of 150 to 200 new Boston Market stores during
1997 and a total of 150 to 250 stores during 1998. The Company's original
objective was to open approximately 300 stores per year. The Company said fewer
than anticipated store openings will negatively impact earnings expectations for
1997 and 1998.
The Company also announced that it is transitioning its marketing strategy
to refocus on its core brand attributes by reemphasizing quality, convenience
and value at dinner and to reduce the amount of couponing and media spending.
The Company said it has begun to see sales weakness in Boston Market stores
during the second quarter of fiscal 1997 and that it expects that during the
period in which it transitions its marketing strategy, store performance will be
choppy.
Certain statements in this report constitute "forward-looking statements"
and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results and the performance of the Company, its area developers and franchisees,
and its and their Boston Market stores to be materially different from the
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements.
Such factors include, among others: availability and cost of capital to the
restaurant industry in general and the Company and its area developers in
particular; success of operating initiatives; development and operating costs;
area developers' adherence to development schedules; advertising and promotional
efforts; store performance; adverse publicity; changes in business strategy,
including the possible integration of fresh, ready-to-heat prepared foods in the
Boston Market concept; changes in development plans; availability, locations,
and terms of sites for store development; and other factors set forth in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: June 25, 1997
BOSTON CHICKEN, INC.
By: /s/ Mark W. Stephens
-------------------------------------
Mark W. Stephens
Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief
Financial Officer
