EX-14 3 ex14-1.txt EXHIBIT 14.1 Exhibit 14.1 CODE OF ETHICS FOR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES OF ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. 1. TREAT IN AN ETHICAL MANNER THOSE TO WHOM ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. HAS AN OBLIGATION The officers, directors and employees of Ark Restaurants Corp. (the "Company") are committed to performing the business of the Company with the highest levels of honesty and ethical conduct. For the communities in which we live and work we are committed to acting as concerned and responsible neighbors, reflecting all aspects of good citizenship. For our shareholders we are committed to pursuing sound growth and earnings objectives and to exercising prudence in the use of our assets and resources. For our suppliers and partners we are committed to fair competition and the sense of responsibility required of a good customer and teammate. 2. OBEY THE LAW We will conduct our business in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Compliance with the law does not comprise our entire ethical responsibility. Rather, it is a minimum, absolutely essential condition for performance of our duties. In conducting business, we shall: A. STRICTLY ADHERE TO ALL ANTITRUST LAWS Officer, directors and employees must strictly adhere to all antitrust laws. These laws prohibit practices in restraint of trade such as price fixing and boycotting suppliers or customers. They also bar pricing intended to run a competitor out of business; disparaging, misrepresenting, or harassing a competitor; stealing trade secrets; bribery; and kickbacks. B. STRICTLY COMPLY WITH ALL SECURITIES LAWS In our role as a publicly owned company, we must always be alert to and comply with the security laws and regulations of the United States. I. DO NOT ENGAGE IN SPECULATIVE OR INSIDER TRADING Federal law and Company policy prohibits officers, directors and employees, directly or indirectly through their families or others, from purchasing or selling Company stock while in the possession of material, non-public information concerning the Company. This same prohibition applies to trading in the stock of other publicly held companies on the basis of material, non-public information. Material, non-public information is any information that could reasonably be expected to affect the price of a stock. If an officer, director or employee is considering buying or selling a stock because of inside information they possess, they should assume that such information is material. It is also important for the officer, director or employee to keep in mind that if any trade they make becomes the subject of an investigation by the government, the trade will be viewed after-the-fact with the benefit of hindsight. Consequently, officers, directors and employees should always carefully consider how their trades would look from this perspective. Two simple rules can help protect you in this area: (1) Do not use non-public information for personal gain. (2) Do not pass along such information to someone else who has no need to know. II. BE TIMELY AND ACCURATE IN ALL PUBLIC REPORTS As a public company, the Company must file disclosure reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. Officers, directors and management of the Company are responsible for ensuring that these reports and the other public communications made by the Company are accurate and fairly present the financial condition and operating results of the Company. Securities laws are vigorously enforced. Violations may result in severe penalties including forced sales of parts of the business and significant fines against the Company. There may also be sanctions against individual employees including substantial fines and prison sentences. The principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company will certify to the accuracy of reports filed with the SEC in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Officers and directors who knowingly or willingly make false certifications may be subject to criminal penalties or sanctions including fines and imprisonment. 3. AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Our officers, directors and employees have an obligation to give their complete loyalty to the best interests of the Company. They should avoid any action that may involve, or may appear to involve, a conflict of interest with the Company. Officers, directors and employees should not have any financial or other business relationships with suppliers, customers or competitors that might impair the independence of any judgment they may need to make on behalf of the Company. Officers, directors and employees are under a continuing obligation to disclose any situation that presents the possibility of a conflict or disparity of interest between the officer, director or employee and the Company. Disclosure of any potential conflict is the key to remaining in full compliance with this policy. 4. AVOID ILLEGAL AND QUESTIONABLE GIFTS OR FAVORS The sale and marketing of our products and services should always be free from even the perception that favorable treatment was sought, received, or given in exchange for the furnishing or receipt of business courtesies. Officers, directors and employees of the Company will neither give nor accept business courtesies that constitute, or could be reasonably perceived as constituting, unfair business inducements or that would violate law, regulation or policies of the Company, or could cause embarrassment to or reflect negatively on the Company's reputation. 5. KEEP ACCURATE AND COMPLETE RECORDS We must maintain accurate and complete Company records. Transactions between the Company and outside individuals and organizations must be promptly and accurately entered in our books in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and principles. No one should rationalize or even consider misrepresenting facts or falsifying records. It will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. 6. ENFORCEMENT The Company has empowered its Audit Committee to enforce this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. The Audit Committee will report to the Board of Directors at least once each year regarding the general effectiveness of this Code, the Company's controls and reporting procedures and the Company's business conduct. Officers, directors and employees of the Company who do not adhere to this Code will be held accountable for their actions. 7. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES The Company shall consistently enforce its Code of Ethics and Business Conduct through appropriate means of discipline. Violations of the Code shall be promptly reported to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall determine whether violations of the Code have occurred and, if so, shall determine the disciplinary measures to be taken against any employee or agent of the Company who has so violated the Code. The disciplinary measures, which may be invoked at the discretion of the Audit Committee, include, but are not limited to, counseling, oral or written reprimands, warnings, probation or suspension without pay, demotions, reductions in salary, termination of employment and restitution. Persons subject to disciplinary measures shall include, in addition to the violator, others involved in the wrongdoing such as (i) persons who fail to use reasonable care to detect a violation, (ii) persons who if requested to divulge information withhold material information regarding a violation, and (iii) supervisors who approve or condone the violations or attempt to retaliate against employees or agents for reporting violations or violators.