DEF 14A 1 ddef14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT Definitive Proxy Statement

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section (s)240.14a-11(c) or Section (s)240.14a-12

 

FRISCH'S RESTAURANTS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Frisch's Restaurants, Inc.
2800 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held October 1, 2001


Dear Shareholders:

        The annual meeting of the shareholders of Frisch's Restaurants, Inc., an Ohio corporation, will be held at the Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront, 668 W. Fifth Street, Covington, Kentucky 41011 on Monday, October 1, 2001 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, for the following purposes:

         1.     Election of five Directors.
  
2. Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent auditors.
  
3. Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

        Your Board of Directors recommends a vote of "AUTHORITY GIVEN" on Proposal 1 and a vote "FOR" on Proposal 2.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on August 9, 2001 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

  By Order of the Board of Directors
   
  W. GARY KING
  Secretary

Cincinnati, Ohio
August 24, 2001

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

To assure your representation at the meeting, please vote promptly whether or not you expect to be present at the meeting. You can vote your shares (1) via a toll free telephone call, (2) via the Internet, or (3) by signing and dating the enclosed proxy and returning it in the accompanying envelope. You will find specific instructions for voting via telephone or the Internet on the proxy card. If you attend the meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.

FRISCH'S RESTAURANTS, INC.
2800 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206


PROXY STATEMENT


ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held October 1, 2001


INTRODUCTION

        This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting"), and at any and all adjournments thereof. The Meeting will be held at the Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront, 668 W. Fifth Street, Covington, Kentucky 41011 on Monday, October 1, 2001 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are first being sent to shareholders on or about August 24, 2001.

THE PROXY

Proxy

        The Board of Directors solicits proxies so that each shareholder has the opportunity to vote on the proposals to be considered at the Meeting. A form of proxy for voting your shares at the Meeting is enclosed. When you properly execute and return your proxy, the shares it represents will be voted at the meeting as specified on your proxy. If no specification is made, the shares represented by your duly executed proxy will be voted (i) for the election as Directors of each of the five nominees listed thereon; and (ii) for the ratification of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent auditors. The proxy will be voted at the discretion of the proxy holders, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, on any other matter that may properly come before the meeting, including, in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any matter which the Company did not have notice of by August 15, 2001.

Revocability of Proxies

        You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (i) submitting a proxy bearing a later date using the voting method used when the revoked proxy was cast; (ii) filing a written notice of revocation with the President of the Company; or (iii) by attending and voting in person at the Meeting.

VOTING SECURITIES AND VOTING

Record Date

        The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on August 9, 2001 as the record date for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof (the "Record Date"). There were 4,993,032 shares of the Company's common stock ("Common Stock") issued and outstanding on the Record Date.

Voting

        You are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock you owned of record on the Record Date on any matter submitted to a vote at the Meeting. However, in connection with the election of directors, shares may be voted cumulatively if written notice that cumulative voting for the election of Directors is desired is given by any shareholder to the President, a Vice President or the Secretary of the Company not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time fixed for holding the Meeting. The Chairman will announce the giving of any such notice upon the convening of the Meeting and all shareholders may then cumulate their votes for director nominees. Cumulative voting means that you have the right to vote the number of shares you owned as of the Record Date, multiplied by the number of Directors to be elected (five). You may cast this total number of votes for one nominee or distribute the votes among some or all of the nominees in any manner you desire. If cumulative voting is declared at the Meeting, votes represented by proxies may be cumulated in the discretion of the proxy holders, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, and discretionary authority to do so is included in the proxy.

Quorum Requirement

        The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Meeting.

Vote Required

        At the Meeting, directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Therefore, the five nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected as Directors. Each other matter presented at the Meeting will be decided by a majority of the votes cast on that matter.

Method of Counting Votes

        Shares represented by proxies which are voted "Withhold Authority" or on which a broker has indicated the absence of discretionary authority to vote the shares will be counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum, but will not be voted in the election of Directors. Shares voted on one proposal but not all proposals on the proxies returned by brokers will be counted for the purpose of determining the number of shares represented at the meeting, but will not be considered as a vote for or against any matter not voted on. Abstentions will also be counted for the purpose of determining the number of shares represented at the meeting, but will not be considered as a vote for or against any matter as to which the abstention is effective.

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PROPOSALS

PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        Article II, Section 1 of the Company's Code of Regulations provides that the business of the Company shall be managed and conducted by a Board of Directors consisting of not less than five nor more than nine members. The shareholders previously set the number of Directors at nine. The Code of Regulations also requires that a majority of the Directors be independent.

        At the Meeting, five Directors are to be elected for a two-year term, to serve until the 2003 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Your Board of Directors has unanimously nominated the five persons named below (all of whom are currently serving as Directors) for election as Directors at the Meeting. The principal occupations and certain other information about the nominees are set forth below.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote of "AUTHORITY GIVEN" for all Director nominees.

Name

 

Positions with the Company,
Business Experience
And Other Directorships

 

Director
Since

     

Malcolm M. Knapp
(Age 61)

 

Director of the Company; President of Malcolm M. Knapp, Inc. (restaurant business consulting)

 

1997

     

Blanche F. Maier
(Age 74)

 

Director of the Company; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Cincinnati Ballet

 

1961

     

Dale P. Brown
(Age 54)

 

Director of the Company; Writer (since January 1999); President and Chief Executive Officer, Sive/Young & Rubicam (advertising agency) (July 1990 to December 1998); Board of Trustees, University of Richmond; Director of Ohio National Financial Services, Cincinnati 2012 Inc., Metropolitan Growth Alliance and the Queen City Club; Recipient of Two Silver Medals, American Advertising Federation; Chair, Women's Initiative for Deloitte & Touche

 

1999

     

Craig F. Maier
(Age 51)

 

President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company

 

1984

     

Daniel W. Geeding
(Age 59)

 

Director of the Company; Professor of management and entrepreneurship (since 1969) and Director of the Center for International Business (since June 1997), and formerly Dean, College of Business Administration (April 1988 to June 1997), Xavier University; Chief Financial Officer, The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati (since 1999)

 

1992

        Votes represented by proxies will be cast by the proxy holders in such a way as to effect the election of all five nominees, or as many thereof as possible under the rules of cumulative voting in accordance with the recommendation of the Board. All nominees have consented to serve as directors if elected. However, in the event that any nominee shall become unable to serve prior to the Meeting, it is intended that the proxies will be voted for the balance of those nominees named and for such substitute nominee, if any, as shall be designated by the Board.

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Directors and Executive Officers

        The following tables set forth the names and certain information concerning the current Directors whose terms expire at the 2002 Annual Shareholders Meeting and the executive officers of the Company.

Name

 

DIRECTORS

Positions with the Company,
Business Experience
And Other Directorships

 

Director
Since

Jack C. Maier
(Age 76)

 

Chairman of the Board of the Company

 

1961

     

William A. Mauch
(Age 80)

 

Director of the Company; Administrator of the Cincinnati office of the law firm of Thompson, Hine, L.L.P.

 

1992

     

William J. Reik, Jr.
(Age 63)

 

Director of the Company, Managing Director, William D. Witter, Inc. (investment counseling firm); Managing Director, Mitchell Hutchins Asset Management, Inc. (until February 1991)

 

1998

     

Lorrence T. Kellar
(Age 64)

 

Director of the Company, Vice President - Real Estate, Kmart Corporation (from April 1996); Group Vice President - Finance and Real Estate, The Kroger Co. (until April 1996); Chairman of the Board, Multi-Color Corporation

 

1998

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Name

  

Positions with the Company,
Business Experience
And Other Directorships

 

Donald H. Walker
(Age 55)

Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer (since October 1996) and Treasurer (since June 1982) of the Company

 

W. Gary King
(Age 64)

Counsel (since June 1986), Secretary (since October 1996) and formerly Assistant Secretary (September 1972 to October 1996) of the Company

 

Paul F. McFarland
(Age 55)

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company (since September 1998); Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Long John Silver's Restaurants, Inc. (October 1992 until March 1997)1

 

Kenneth C. Hull
(Age 45)

Vice President-Real Estate and Franchising (since July 2000) and formerly Director of Real Estate and Franchising (April 1999 to July 2000) of the Company; Director of International Development, McDonald's Corporation (August 1997 to January 1999); Staff Director, International Real Estate, McDonald's Corporation, London, U.K. (March 1994 to August 1997)

 

1   Long John Silver's Restaurants, Inc. filed a Voluntary Petition under Chapter 11 with a bankruptcy court in Delaware on June 1, 1998. The case is still pending.

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PROPOSAL 2 - RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS

        The Board of Directors has unanimously selected the firm of Grant Thornton LLP as auditors to make an examination of the accounts of the Company and serve as the Company's independent public accountants for the fiscal year commencing June 4, 2001. This firm of independent certified public accountants has made the audits of the Company's accounts since 1952.

        Shareholder ratification of the selection of auditors is not required by law, however, the Board nevertheless decided to ascertain the views of the shareholders in this regard. If the selection of Grant Thornton LLP is not ratified at the Meeting, the Board of Directors will consider the selection of other auditors.

        Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to be present at the annual meeting of shareholders. They will be afforded an opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from the shareholders.

A.     Audit Fees

        The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Grant Thornton LLP for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001 and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company's Forms 10-Q during the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, were $168,235.

B.     Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees

        No professional services were rendered by Grant Thornton LLP during the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, for (i) directly or indirectly operating, or supervising the operation of, the Company's information system or managing the Company's local area network and/or (ii) designing or implementing a hardware or software system that aggregates source data underlying the financial statements or generates information that is significant to the Company's financial statements taken as a whole.

C.   All Other Fees

        The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Grant Thornton LLP for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, for services other than those set forth above, were $84,373. These other services included audits of the Company's Medical Plans and 401(k) Plan and consulting services on a few matters.

        The Audit Committee considered the services of Grant Thornton LLP referenced in subparagraphs B and C above and determined those services were compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton LLP's independence.

        The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as auditors.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        The following information is furnished with respect to each of the five most highly compensated executive officers of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer, for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001.

Summary Compensation Table

   
                    Annual Compensation                     
 
Long-Term
 
Name and Title
Year
Salary
Bonus(a)
Other
Annual
Compensation
Compensation
Awards
Options
All Other
Compensation
Craig F. Maier  
2001
 
$234,423
 
$362,185
 
(b)
 
  40,000(c)
 
  1,218(e)
President and Chief  
2000
 
 142,085
 
294,904
 
(b)
 
  61,478(d)
 
  1,218(e)
Executive Officer  
1999
 
140,592
 
104,399
 
(b)
 
0
 
 1,218(e)
     
 
 
 
 
 
Jack C. Maier  
2001
 
152,885
 
0
 
31,559(f)
 
0
 
0
Chairman of the Board  
2000
 
300,000
 
0
 
(b)
 
0
 
0
 
1999
 
300,000
 
0
 
(b)
 
0
 
0
    
 
 
 
 
 
Paul F. McFarland  
2001
 
195,935
 
 30,387
 
(b)
 
   7,000(c)
 
1,179(i)
Vice President and Chief  
2000
 
183,072
 
18,375
 
(b)
 
   7,000(d)
 
1,043(i)
Operating Officer  
1999
 
107,689
 
 6,595
 
43,367(g)
 
 13,500(h)
 
   606(i)
    
 
 
 
 
 
Donald H. Walker  
2001
 
128,916
 
28,542
 
44,371(j)
 
   3,500(c)
 
2,896(l)
Vice President and Chief  
2000
 
121,612
 
18,296
 
(b)
 
   3,500(d)
 
 2,305(l)
Financial Officer  
1999
 
116,934
 
 7,037
 
(b)
 
   1,750(k)
 
1,895(l)
   
 
 
 
 
 
Kenneth C. Hull  
2001
 
102,508
 
23,400
 
119,921(m)
 
   3,500(c)
 
0
Vice President-Real  
2000
 
  95,000
 
10,688
 
 37,943(m)
 
   1,000(d)
 
0
Estate  
 
 
 
 
 

(a)    Bonuses paid in 2001 were paid 90% in cash and 10% in shares of the Company's Common Stock. Bonuses paid in 1999 and 2000 were paid 80% in cash and 20% in shares of the Company's Common Stock.

(b)    The value of perquisites and other personal benefits received by the officer did not exceed an amount equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the sum of such officer's salary and bonus for such year.

(c)    Represents stock options for 40,000 shares earned by Mr. Maier, 7,000 earned by Mr. McFarland, 3,500 earned by Mr. Walker and 3,500 earned by Mr. Hull in the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, but which were granted in July 2001.

(d)    Represents stock options for 61,478 shares earned by Mr. Maier, 7,000 earned by Mr. McFarland, 3,500 earned by Mr. Walker and 1,000 earned by Mr. Hull in the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000, but which were granted in July 2000.

(e)    Represents the premium paid by the Company on split dollar life insurance policies.

(f)   Represents $11,992 paid by the Company as an auto allowance and $19,567 paid by the Company under the medical reimbursement plan.

(g)   Represents reimbursement of relocation expenses.

(h)    Represents stock options for 10,000 shares granted during the fiscal year ended May 30, 1999, and options for 3,500 shares which were earned in the fiscal year ended May 30, 1999 but were granted in July, 1999.

(i)     Represents Company matching contributions to the Frisch's Executive Savings Plan.

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(j)     Includes $28,163 paid by the Company under the Nondeferred Cash Balance Plan and $13,550 paid by the Company under the medical reimbursement plan.

(k)    Represents stock options for 1,750 shares which were earned by Mr. Walker in the fiscal year ended May 30, 1999, but were granted in July 1999.

(l)     Represents premiums paid by the Company on split dollar life insurance policies of $1,276 in 2001, 2000 and 1999 and Company matching contributions to the Frisch's Executive Savings Plan of $1,620 in 2001, $1,029 in 2000 and $619 in 1999.

(m)    Mr. Hull began employment with the Company on April 12, 1999. Represents reimbursement of relocation expenses of $102,894 in 2001 and $27,245 in 2000.

        The following table sets forth information regarding stock options granted to the named executive officers of the Company during the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001.

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

Individual Grants

Potential realizable value
at assumed annual rates of
stock price appreciation
for option term

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
Granted

 

Percent of
Total Options
Granted to
Employees in
Fiscal Year

 

Exercise or
Base Price Per
Share

 

Expiration
Date

 

5%

 

10%

Craig F. Maier

 

61,478

 

57%

 

$10.62

 

7/6/10

 

$410,673

 

$1,040,823

Jack C. Maier

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

Paul F. McFarland

 

  7,000

 

  7%

 

$9.94

 

6/6/10

 

$43,750

 

$110,880

Donald H. Walker

 

  3,500

 

  3%

 

$9.94

 

6/6/10

 

$21,875

 

$55,440

Kenneth C. Hull

 

  1,000

 

  1%

 

$9.94

 

6/6/10

 

$6,250

 

$15,840

The foregoing options were granted under the 1993 Stock Option Plan, which was recommended by the Compensation Committee, adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the shareholders. Pursuant to the Plan, options for shares of the Common Stock of the Company are granted to officers and key management personnel. Under the 1993 Plan, options with terms not in excess of ten years from the date of grant and stock appreciation rights may be granted until May 8, 2004. See "Employment Contracts and Changes-in-Control Arrangements." In addition to the options listed in the table above, on June 6, 2000, certain other key employees were granted options to purchase an aggregate of 24,000 shares at $9.94 per share. All of the options granted to key employees vest in three equal annual installments, except the options granted to Craig F. Maier.

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        The following table sets forth information regarding the exercise of stock options by each of the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, and the value of all unexercised options at June 3, 2001.

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
And Fiscal Year-End Option Values

Name

 

Shares
Acquired
On
Exercise

 

Net
Value
Realized

 

1993 Plan Number
of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
Exercisable/
Unexercisable at
6/3/01

 

1984 Plan Number
of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
Exercisable at
6/3/01

 

Value of
Unexercised
In-the-Money
Options Exercisable/
Unexercisable at
6/3/01

 

Craig F. Maier

0

0E/61,478U

28,488

$0E/$134,022U

 

Jack C. Maier

0

0

0

0

 

Paul F. McFarland

0

7,833E/12,667U

0

$13,308E/$31,137U

 

Donald H. Walker

0

5,250E/5,250U

0

$4,766E/$13,889U

 

Kenneth C. Hull

0

1,833E/2,167U

0

$3,008E/$5,002U

Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Executive Retirement Plan

        The Pension Plan adopted by the Board of Directors, in which executive officers of the Company participated through December 31, 1999, provides payments of annual benefits upon the retirement of employees covered by the Plan. Commencing in the year 2000, the executive officers of the Company began receiving comparable pension benefits through a Nondeferred Cash Balance Plan instead of accruing additional benefits under the Pension Plan. These benefits are determined each year, converted to a lump sum, paid into the officer's individual trust and reported as W-2 compensation.

        Under the qualified Pension Plan, an individual's monthly Pension Plan benefit equals 51% of his or her average monthly compensation minus 50% of monthly Social Security benefits. The benefit of an individual who has less than 28 years of service with the Company is reduced by 1/28 for each year less than 28.

        Average monthly compensation is based upon the participant's five highest consecutive compensation periods. For years prior to 1982, the compensation period is the month of September. For years 1982 through 1991, the compensation period is the month of July. For years after 1991, the compensation period is the entire calendar year; therefore, the monthly compensation for the period is 1/12 of the annual compensation.

        Compensation that is taken into consideration for periods through 1991 consists of regular wages, excluding overtime, bonuses, commissions, special pay, severance pay and expense reimbursements, but including elective contributions to employee benefit plans. Compensation that is taken into consideration for periods after 1991 includes all compensation reported on the participant's W-2 and all elective contributions to a Section 125 or 401(k) plan.

        Under the Internal Revenue Code, there is an annual limitation on the amount of compensation of each employee that may be taken into account, which through 1999 was set at $160,000. The annual limitation for some of the years prior to 1994 was substantially higher. For 1999 and earlier, the Company had an unfunded Executive Retirement Plan which provides a supplemental retirement benefit to qualified employees equal to the reduction in their benefits under the qualified Pension Plan that results when compensation exceeds the Internal Revenue Code limitation, or when elective salary deferrals are made to the non-qualified Frisch's Executive Savings Plan. Currently, Messrs. Craig F. Maier, Paul F. McFarland, Donald H. Walker and Kenneth C. Hull are eligible, at their normal retirement ages, to receive supplemental annual benefits under the Executive Retirement Plan as shown in the table below.

        Amounts set aside under the Pension Plan are computed on an actuarial basis using an aggregate funding method. No contribution was made to the Pension Plan during the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001.

        Estimated annual retirement benefits under the Pension Plan, Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) and Nondeferred Cash Balance Plan, assuming retirement at age 65 for Messrs. Craig F. Maier, Paul F. McFarland, Donald H. Walker and Kenneth C. Hull, would be as follows:

8

Name

 

Total
Projected Benefit at
Age 65
(1)

 

Qualified
Pension Plan
Benefit
thru 1999
(2)

 

Non Qualified
Executive
Retirement
Plan (SERP)
Benefit thru 1999
(3)

 

Nondeferred
Cash Balance
Plan Benefit
to Date Placed
in Trust
(4)*

 

Cash Balance
Plan Benefit For
Future
Service
[=(1)-(2)-(3)-(4)]


Craig F. Maier

 

$245,242

 

$43,608

 

$21,372

 

$3,106

 

$177,156

Paul F. McFarland

 

     41,981

 

   2,604

 

   1,164

 

  3,698

 

    34,515

Donald H. Walker

 

    68,672

 

 30,180

 

   1,572

 

  5,341

 

    31,579

Kenneth C. Hull

 

     36,781

 

   1,560

 

         0

 

  1,678

 

    33,543

*  The benefit amounts shown in this column are the amounts referred to in the first paragraph above and have previously been included in the executives' compensation.

Board of Directors Information

Board and Committee Meetings and Compensation

        The Board of Directors of the Company held six meetings during the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001. Each Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board held during the year and all committees of the Board on which the director served (during the period he or she was a committee member during the year). The Company pays non-employee Directors an annual fee of $20,000 plus $800 for each Board meeting and Committee meeting attended. During the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, each non-employee director was also granted options to purchase 1,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.38 per share. Non-employee Directors consist of Mrs. Maier, Ms. Brown and Messrs. Geeding, Kellar, Knapp, Mauch and Reik.

Nominating Committee

        The Board of Directors established a Nominating Committee in June 1999, which is currently comprised of Jack C. Maier (Chair), William A. Mauch and Lorrence T. Kellar. The Nominating Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001. The Nominating Committee's function is to search for and recommend qualified, experienced candidates to the Board to be nominated for election as Directors at annual shareholder meetings and to fill any vacancies on the Board. The Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Any recommendations should be mailed to Jack C. Maier as Chairman of the Nominating Committee.

Strategic Planning Committee

        The Board has a Strategic Planning Committee that is currently comprised of Craig F. Maier, Co-Chair, Malcolm M. Knapp, CO-Chair, Dale P. Brown and William J. Reik, Jr. The Strategic Planning Committee's function is to develop, monitor and revise, as necessary, the Company's strategic plan.

Audit Committee

        The Board of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee composed of William A. Mauch (Chair), Daniel W. Geeding and Lorrence T. Kellar. All members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined in Section 121(A) of the American Stock Exchange's Listing Standards, as applicable and as modified or supplemented. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee and a copy of that charter is attached hereto as Appendix A. During the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, the committee held four meetings. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities of ensuring that management is maintaining an adequate system of internal controls such that there is reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and that financial reports are properly prepared; that there is consistent application of generally accepted accounting principles; and that there is compliance with management's policies and procedures. In performing these functions, the Audit Committee meets periodically with the independent auditors, management, and internal auditors to review their work and confirm that they are properly discharging their respective responsibilities. In addition, the Audit Committee recommends the independent auditors for appointment by the Board of Directors.

9

Audit Committee Report

        The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, with management of the Company and Grant Thornton LLP, the Company's independent auditors. The Audit Committee discussed with Grant Thornton LLP the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380), as modified or supplemented. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as modified or supplemented, and has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP its independence. Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

William A. Mauch, Chair
Daniel W. Geeding
Lorrence T. Kellar

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        The Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee comprised of three independent directors, Daniel W. Geeding (Chair), William A. Mauch and Malcolm M. Knapp. During the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, the committee held three meetings. The Compensation Committee recommends policies for the Company with respect to the compensation of executive officers and directors and administers the Company's benefit and stock option plans.

Compensation Committee Report

        The compensation of Jack C. Maier and Craig F. Maier for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001 was determined in accordance with the terms of employment agreements approved by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee believes that these agreements are consistent with the Company's executive compensation policies. See "Employment Contract and Changes-in-Control Arrangements" below.

        The compensation of all other executive officers for the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001 was determined in accordance with salary merit increase guidelines and incentive compensation formulas established prior to the commencement of the fiscal year.

        The policies with respect to the Company's other executive officers are: (1) to pay salaries generally in the middle of the range of salaries paid to executives of comparable levels of responsibility by comparable restaurant companies; (2) to grant merit increases in salary, within the salary range, based primarily on job performance as measured by specific, pre-determined individual goals; and (3) to award bonuses based on how well individual goals are achieved and how well the Company performs.

        To determine the salaries of the Company's other executive officers, the Company establishes a series of salary ranges which correspond to levels of executive responsibility. The basis for the establishment of the ranges is data provided by an independent consultant that is derived from an annual survey of approximately 74 comparable restaurant companies, including some of the members of the peer group used for the Corporate Performance Graph. The Committee sets the Company's salary ranges to fall generally in the middle of the competitive ranges. Individual salaries are set within the applicable salary range and are reevaluated annually. Merit increases are granted within the salary range based on job performance as measured against one or more individual performance goals established annually for each executive.

        Under the Company's incentive compensation program, other executive officers are entitled to earn annual bonuses of up to 22.5% of each officer's salary. Each individual executive officer's bonus is determined by a formula that takes into account (1) the extent to which individual performance goals established prior to the beginning of the fiscal year are met and (2) the Company's pre-tax consolidated earnings for the fiscal year, as a percentage of total revenue (adjusted to exclude certain revenue not related to the Company's food service and lodging operations). No incentive bonus is paid unless pretax consolidated earnings of the Company are at least 4% of revenues. In order to receive the maximum bonus, an executive must fully meet the individual performance goals and pretax consolidated earnings of the Company must equal or exceed 6% of revenues. Of the total bonus earned, 10% is paid in shares of the Company's Common Stock and the remainder is paid in cash.

10

        Bonuses were awarded under the incentive compensation program equal to a percentage of salary, adjusted in accordance with a formula which took into account the extent to which individual goals were met, the Company's pretax earnings for the fiscal year as a percentage of total revenue, and the salary range maximum.

Daniel W. Geeding, Chair
William A. Mauch
Malcolm M. Knapp

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

        Under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), the Directors, certain of the Company's officers and persons owning more than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock are required to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the American Stock Exchange and to furnish copies of such reports to the Company. The Company is required to set forth in this Proxy Statement the number of late reports, transactions not reported and any known failure to file a report. Based solely on a review of the reports which were furnished to it and certain written representations of each reporting person, to the Company's knowledge, the aforesaid filing requirements were satisfied by the persons subject thereto.

Employment Contracts and Change-in-Control Arrangements

        Jack C. Maier is currently employed by the Company pursuant to an employment agreement effective May 29, 2000. The agreement has an initial term of one fiscal year from May 29, 2000 until June 3, 2001, and is renewable at the option of the Company for up to six additional one-year terms. The Company has renewed the agreement for an additional one-year term. Mr. Maier was paid an annual base salary of $150,000 during the initial year term, and will be paid an annual base salary of $100,000 for each additional year the contract is renewed. Mr. Maier may reduce his employment from full time to part time (defined as three days or less per week), in which case he will receive 50% of his base salary. In addition, the agreement provides that upon its expiration or upon Mr. Maier's retirement, disability, death or other termination of employment, the Company will pay to Mr. Maier or to his survivors for each of the next ten years the sum of $214,050, adjusted annually to reflect 50% of the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. Alternatively, the recipient may elect at any time to receive in a lump sum the present value of all remaining payments.

        Craig F. Maier is currently employed by the Company pursuant to a three-year employment agreement effective June 4, 2000. For serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company paid Mr. Maier an annual base salary of $230,000 for the first year of the agreement and such base salary will be adjusted at the beginning of the second and third fiscal year of the agreement to reflect 50% of the latest annual change in the Consumer Price Index. Accordingly, for the fiscal year beginning June 4, 2001, Mr. Maier will be paid an annual base salary of $233,795. The agreement also provides that the Company will pay Mr. Maier incentive compensation for each fiscal year that the Company's pretax earnings equal or exceed 4% of the Company's total revenue. The incentive compensation will be equal to (a) 1.5% of the Company's pretax earnings if in such year pretax earnings equal or exceed 4% (but are less than 5%) of the Company's total revenue, and (b) an additional 1.5% of the Company's pretax earnings if in such year the Company's pretax earnings equal or exceed 5% of the Company's total revenue. However, the incentive compensation will be reduced to the extent that the payment of the incentive compensation would reduce the Company's pretax earnings to below 4% of the Company's total revenue. Incentive compensation is paid 90% in cash and 10% in Common Stock. The agreement also provides that Mr. Maier will be granted stock options in any year in which the Company's pretax earnings equal or exceed 4%, based on the following schedule:

Pretax Earnings As
a Percentage of Total Revenue
Stock Option Available
At least 4%, but less than 5% 12,500 shares
At least 5%, but less than 6% 25,000 shares
At least 6% 40,000 shares

All stock options are awarded under the terms of the stock option plan of the Company in effect at the time the options are awarded. The agreement also provides that in the event of Mr. Maier's disability, the Company will pay him (for up to 120 months while he is alive and remains disabled) an annual sum equal to 75% of his average compensation (total compensation including incentive compensation) over the three preceding calendar years (reduced by any disability benefits received under any disability income plans maintained by the Company), adjusted annually after the first year to reflect 75% of the latest annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.

11

        Mr. Craig F. Maier's employment agreement reaffirms the Company's obligations to Mr. Maier under an agreement dated November 21, 1989, which provides that, if there is a change in control of the Company that has not been approved by existing management, the Company shall either (a) continue Mr. Maier's employment for up to three years with compensation and perquisites equal to that which he would have received had there not been such a change, (b) employ him on such other terms as he and the Company agree, or (c) terminate his employment and make lump sum payments to him equal to the present value, based on a certain discount rate, of such compensation and continue such perquisites until the end of the period for which his employment would have continued. The maximum aggregate lump sum payment that would be payable to Maier under the agreement if he were terminated on the date of filing of this Proxy Statement would be approximately $1,468,000, using a discount rate of 3.4%, in accordance with provisions of the agreement.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

        During the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, a franchised restaurant owned by children of Jack C. Maier, an officer and Director of the Company, and Blanche F. Maier, a Director of the Company, made purchases from the Company's commissary totaling $506,454 and paid to the Company advertising fees of $48,790 employee leasing fees of $749,932, payroll and accounting fees of $22,592 and franchise fees of $73,185. Other members of Mr. and Mrs. Maier's family are the owners of a franchised restaurant which during such fiscal year made purchases from the Company's commissary totaling $669,987 and paid to the Company advertising fees of $67,637, employee leasing fees of $948,322, payroll and accounting fees of $26,329 and franchise fees of $101,456. During the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, a franchised restaurant owned by Craig F. Maier, an officer and Director of the Company, made purchases from the Company's commissary totaling $343,592 and paid to the Company advertising fees of $33,359, employee leasing fees of $500,840, payroll and accounting fees of $24,461 and franchise fees of $50,038. The above-described transactions were effected on substantially similar terms as transactions with persons having no relationship with the Company.

        Karen F. Maier, Vice President - Marketing of the Company, is the daughter of Jack C. Maier and Blanche F. Maier and the sister of Craig F. Maier. During the fiscal year ended June 3, 2001, Ms. Maier received total compensation of $115,814 from the Company and earned options to purchase 3,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $13.43 per share.

12

Corporate Performance Graph

        The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the Company's cumulative total stockholder return on its Common Stock over the five year period ending June 3, 2001 with the Russell 2000 Index and a group of the Company's peer issuers, selected by the Company in good faith. The graph assumes an investment of $100 in the Company's Common Stock, in the Index and in the common stock of the peer group on June 2, 1996, and reinvestment of all dividends.

        The Peer Group consists of the following issuers: Bob Evans Farms, Steak n Shake Co. (formerly Consolidated Products, Inc.), CBRL Group, Inc., Phoenix Restaurant Group, Inc.; Furrs/Bishops, Inc., IHOP Corp., Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc., Shoney's, Inc. and Friendly Ice Cream Corp.

13

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

        The following table sets forth information, as of August 9, 2001 (unless a different date is specified in the notes to the table), with respect to each person (including any "group" as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.

Name and Address of
  Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership

 

Percent
of Class

         

Blanche F. Maier
2800 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206

 

 1,765,980(1)(5)

 

  35.3%

         

Jack C. Maier
2800 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206

 

1,006,856(2)(5)

 

  20.2%

         

Craig F. Maier
2800 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206

 

1,046,105(3)(5)

 

  20.4%

         

Karen F. Maier
2800 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206

 

    843,767(4)(5)

 

  16.9%

         

William D. Witter, Inc.
153 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022

 

550,402(6)

 

  10.7%

         

Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401

 

437,483(7)

 

    8.4%

(1)    Includes 756,124 shares over which Mrs. Maier has sole voting and investment power, 89,170 shares over which she has sole voting but shared investment power, 917,686 shares over which she has sole voting power only and 3,000 shares which she has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options. The amounts shown above include 1,006,856 shares over which she has sole voting power as Voting Trustee pursuant to a Voting Trust Agreement dated June 26, 1997, with the following: Jack C. Maier and herself as Co-Trustees of the Trust established under the Will of Shirley Heinichen, deceased as to 89,170 shares; Jack C. Maier, Craig F. Maier and Karen F. Maier, as CO-Trustees of the Trust established under the Will of David Frisch, deceased as to 764,197 shares; and Jack C. Maier, as Trustee under the Annette Frisch Amended and Restated Trust Agreement as to 153,489 shares. See footnotes (2), (3), (4) and (5).

(2)    Includes 153,489 shares over which he has sole investment power only, and 853,367 shares over which he shares investment power. The amount shown above includes 764,197 shares over which Mr. Maier, Craig F. Maier and Karen F. Maier share investment power only as CO-Trustees of the Trust established under the will of David Frisch, deceased, and 89,170 shares over which Mr. Maier and Blanche F. Maier share investment power only as CO-Trustees of the Trust established under the Will of Shirley Heinichen, deceased. See footnotes (1), (3), (4) and (5). Not included in this amount are 7,150 shares owned by Blanche F. Maier as to which Mr. Maier disclaims beneficial ownership.

(3)    Includes 151,942 shares over which Mr. Maier has sole voting and investment power, 764,197 shares over which Mr. Maier, Jack C. Maier and Karen F. Maier share investment power only as CO-Trustees of the Trust established under the will of David Frisch, deceased, and 129,966 shares which he has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options. See footnotes (1), (2), (4) and (5).

14

(4)    Includes 65,570 shares over which Ms. Maier has sole voting and investment power, 764,197 shares over which Ms. Maier, Jack C. Maier and Craig F. Maier share investment power only as CO-Trustees of the Trust established under the will of David Frisch, deceased, and 14,000 shares which she has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options. See footnotes (1), (2), (3) and (5).

(5)    Blanche F. Maier is the wife of Jack C. Maier. Craig F. Maier is the son of Jack C. Maier and Blanche F. Maier and the brother of Karen F. Maier. Karen F. Maier is the daughter of Jack C. Maier and Blanche F. Maier and the sister of Craig F. Maier.

(6)    The information given is as of January 22, 2001, as reported in an amended Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(7)    The information given is as of February 2, 2001, as reported in an amended Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment advisor, is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 437,483 shares of Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. stock as of December 31, 2000, all of which shares are held in portfolios of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., a registered open-end investment company, or in series of the DFA Investment Trust Company, a Delaware business trust, or the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation Group Trust, investment vehicles for qualified employee benefit plans, all of which Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. serves as investment manager. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares.

15

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information, as of August 9, 2001, with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) each Director, including each nominee for election as a Director, of the Company, (ii) each executive officer of the Company named in the Summary Compensation Table, and (iii) all Directors and named executive officers of the Company as a group.

Name

Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership

Percent
of Class

  

Jack C. Maier

1,006,856(1)

 

20.2%

  

Daniel W. Geeding

7,757(2)

 

*

  

Malcolm M. Knapp

7,000(3)

 

*

  

Blanche F. Maier

1,765,980(1)

 

35.3%

  

Craig F. Maier

1,046,105(1)

 

20.4%

  

William A. Mauch

15,350(4)

 

*

  

Dale P. Brown

3,940(5)

 

*

  

Lorrence T. Kellar

11,000(6)

 

*

  

William J. Reik, Jr.

212,060(7)

 

4.2%

  

Kenneth C. Hull

7,910(8)

 

*

  

Paul F. McFarland

29,722(9)

 

*

  

Donald H. Walker

       18,069(10)

*

  

All Directors and named executive
officers as a group (12 persons)

   2,360,696(11)

45.5%

    *      Less than 1% of class.

  (1)      See footnotes (1), (2), (3) and (5) on the preceding page.

  (2)      Includes 4,757 shares over which he has sole voting and investment power and 3,000 shares that he has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

  (3)      Includes 4,000 shares over which he has sole voting and investment power and 3,000 shares that he has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

  (4)      Includes 12,350 shares over which he has sole voting and investment power and 3,000 shares that he has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

  (5)      Includes 1,940 shares over which she has sole voting and investment power and 2,000 shares that she has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

  (6)      Includes 8,000 shares over which he has sole voting and investment power and 3,000 shares that he has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

  (7)      Includes 209,060 shares over which he has sole voting and investment power and 3,000 shares that he has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

  (8)      Includes 410 shares over which he has sole voting and investment power and 7,500 shares that he has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

  (9)      Includes 2,222 shares over which he has sole voting and investment power and 27,500 shares that he has the right to acquire/pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

16

(10)      Includes 4,069 shares over which he has sole voting and investment power and 14,000 shares that he has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

(11)      Includes 212,966 shares that the group has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

        Any shareholder who wishes a proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is currently scheduled for October 7, 2002, must submit the proposal to the Company on or before May 1, 2002. Proposals should be addressed to W. Gary King, Secretary, Frisch's Restaurants, Inc., 2800 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Any such proposal must satisfy the conditions for shareholder proposals established by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Rule 14a-8 promulgated pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

        Any shareholder who intends to directly present a proposal at the 2001 Annual Shareholders Meeting (outside of the Rule 14a-8 process) must notify the Company of the proposal on or before August 15, 2002. If the Company is not notified by such date, the Company will have the right to exercise discretionary voting authority for the proxies it obtains with respect to such proposal, if presented at the meeting, without including information regarding such proposal in its proxy materials. Notices of any intention to present a proposal at the 2001 Annual Shareholders Meeting should be addressed to the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth in the foregoing paragraph.

COST OF SOLICITATION

        The cost of preparing and mailing this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and proxy and any additional material relating to the Meeting and the cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail, the Company will request banks, brokers and other custodial nominees and fiduciaries to supply proxy material to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock of whom they have knowledge, and will reimburse them for their expenses in so doing. Certain officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, facsimile transmission or mail, for which they will not receive any special compensation.

OTHER MATTERS

        The Company's Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented at the Meeting other than those set forth above. However, if any other matters come before the meeting, the holders of the proxy will vote the shares represented by the proxy on such matters in accordance with their discretion, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, and discretionary authority to do so is included in the proxy.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 
W. GARY KING
Dated August 24, 2001
Secretary

The Company will supply without cost, upon written request, a copy of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including financial statements and schedules. Such request should be directed to Mr. Donald H. Walker, Chief Financial Officer, Frisch's Restaurants, Inc., 2800 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206.

17

PROXY

FRISCH'S RESTAURANTS, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
October 1, 2001

        The undersigned shareholder of Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. (the "Company") hereby nominates, constitutes and appoints Jack C. Maier and Craig F. Maier, and each of them, the attorney, agent and proxy of the undersigned, with full powers of substitution, to vote all the stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at the Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront, 668 W. Fifth Street, Covington, Kentucky 41011, on Monday, October 1, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof, as fully and with the same force and effect as the undersigned might or could do if personally present as set forth below.

        The Board of Directors recommends a vote of "AUTHORITY GIVEN" on proposal 1 and "FOR" on proposal 2. The Proxy shall be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors unless a contrary instruction is indicated, in which case the Proxy shall be voted in accordance with such instructions. If cumulative voting is properly declared, the votes will be cast in such a way as to effect the election of all five nominees, or as many thereof as possible, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. On other matters, if any, presented at the meeting, this Proxy shall be voted in the discretion of the proxy holders, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors, if any.

Please sign and date on the reverse side


*Fold and Detach Here*

PROXY BY MAIL

  Please mark     x
  your votes
  like this

This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Company's Board of Directors, and may be revoked prior to its exercise by filing with the President of the Company a written instrument revoking this Proxy or a duly executed Proxy bearing a later date, or by appearing in person and voting at the meeting.

       AUTHORITY
GIVEN
   AUTHORITY
WITHHELD
              FOR   AGAINST    ABSTAIN
1.   ELECTION OF FIVE DIRECTORS  
o
o
  2.   RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT
OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
 
o
o
o
                                 
To elect the five persons below to serve
as directors until the 2003 Annual
Shareholders Meeting and until their
Successors are elected and qualified
:
             

IF YOU WISH TO VOTE ELECTRONICALLY PLEASE READ THE
INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

                   
01.   Dale P. Brown   02. Daniel W. Geeding      
03.   Malcolm M. Knapp   04. Blanche F. Maier      
05.   Craig F. Maier              
                   

If you wish to withhold authority to vote for some but not all of the nominees named above, you should check the box marked "AUTHORITY GIVEN" and you should enter the name(s) of the nominee(s) with respect to whom you wish to withhold authority to vote in the space provided below:

                   

                   
       
COMPANY NUMBER:
       
PROXY NUMBER:
       
ACCOUNT NUMBER:
                     

SIGNATURE
   SIGNATURE
  DATE

(Please date this proxy and sign your name as it appears on the stock certificates. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. should give their full titles. All joint owners should sign.)

Please mark, sign, date and mail this Proxy promptly.


FOLD AND DETACH HERE AND READ THE REVERSE SIDE

[Graphic] 
VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET
 [Graphic]
QUICK      EASY       IMMEDIATE

 

FRISCH'S RESTAURANTS, INC.

V You can now vote your shares electronically through the Internet or the telephone.
V This eliminates the need to return the proxy card.
V Your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card.

TO VOTE YOUR PROXY BY INTERNET
www.continentalstock.com

Have your proxy card in hand when you access the above web site. You will be prompted to enter the company number, proxy number and account number to create an electronic ballot. Follow the prompts to vote your shares.

TO VOTE YOUR PROXY BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card above, detach it and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

TO VOTE YOUR PROXY BY PHONE
1-800-293-8533

Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. You will be prompted to enter the company number, proxy number and account number. Follow the voting instructions to vote your shares.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE ABOVE CARD IF VOTED ELECTRONICALLY

APPENDIX A

FRISCH'S RESTAURANTS, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

PURPOSE

The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial information provided by the Corporation, the Corporation's systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, compliance and ethics that management and the Board have established. Consistent with this function, the Audit Committee should encourage continuous improvement of, and should foster adherence to, the Corporation's policies, procedures and practices at all levels.

COMPOSITION

The Audit Committee consists of three independent members of the Board of Directors. All of the members will be directors independent of management and free from any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgement as a committee member. All members of the Committee shall be financially literate by possessing a working knowledge of basic finance and accounting practices. At least one member of the Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise, as the Board interprets such qualifications. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of the members Committee Chairman.

AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Audit Committee will hold a meeting prior to the public release of each quarterly financial report. It will also meet at other times deemed necessary to fulfill the responsibilities enumerated in this document. The minutes of each meeting are to be prepared and sent to Committee members for approval.

RESPONSIBILITY

The Audit Committee is to serve as a focal point for communication between the Board of Directors, the Director of Internal Auditing, the independent auditors, and the Company's management as their duties relate to financial accounting, reporting, and controls. The Audit Committee is the Board's principal agent for evaluating the quality of Internal Auditing, the independence of the Company's independent auditors, and the adequacy of disclosures to shareholders. The Committee shall have a clear understanding with management and the independent auditors that the Independent Auditors are ultimately accountable to the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee.

ROLES AND DUTIES

Corporate Control Environment

Understand and assess the "tone at the top" - the message that management and the Board send to the organization.

Understand, assess and monitor the financial planning and control function.

Understand the role and assess the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function.

Understand and assess the Company's Corporate Compliance Committee.

Independent Auditors

1.    Recommend the selection, retention, or discharge of the independent auditors for the ensuing year and recommend nomination of the independent auditors to the full Board of Directors.
2.   Discuss with the independent auditor matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards 61 relating to the conduct of the audit.
3.   Obtain from the independent auditors a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditors and the Company. The Committee shall also actively engage in a dialogue with the auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditors.
4.   Periodically consult with the independent auditors out of the presence of management about the adequacy of internal controls and the accuracy of the Company's financial statements.
5.   Ensure the independent auditors complete a review of interim financial statements before the Company's Form 10-Q is filed with the SEC.
6.    Review, prior to the annual audit, the scope and general extent of the independent auditors' audit examination. Review the extent of non-audit services provided by the independent auditors in relation to the objectivity and independence needed in the audit. The independent auditors' fees are to be arranged with management and summarized for Committee review and approval.

Internal Auditing

1.    Assess and approve the Internal Audit mission, annual audit plan and areas of audit emphasis.
2.   Review and assess the performance appraisals for the Director of Internal Auditing.

Financial Reporting

1.   Review the Company's annual financial statements with management and the independent auditors, and recommend to the Board that the statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2.   Review with the Company's management, the Director of Internal Auditing, and the independent auditors, the Company's general policies and procedures to reasonably assure the adequacy of internal accounting and financial reporting controls.
3.   Confirm with the Company's management, the Director of Internal Auditing, and the independent auditors that tests of compliance with significant Company policies including the Company's process of assessing the risk of fraudulent financial reporting and the program established to monitor compliance with conflict of interest and other Code of Conduct guidelines.
4.   Review, in advance of implementation, any major accounting policy change.

Audit Committee Report and Charter

1.   The Audit Committee will prepare a letter to be included in the proxy statement for the annual meeting which specifically states that the Audit Committee has: (1) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management; (2) discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards 61; and (3) received and discussed with the independent auditors the matters required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee report will also include a statement whether, based on the procedures performed, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year. The name of each member of the Audit Committee will appear below the report.
2.   The Audit Committee will review the Audit Committee Charter annually and include a copy of the Charter in the Company's proxy statement at least once every three years.

Board of Directors

1.   Report to the Board of Directors on the results of performing the foregoing duties and submit to the Board any recommendations the Audit Committee may have.
2.   Review any other relevant matters at the discretion of the Board of Directors or the Committee.

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