0000921895-11-001689.txt : 20110901 0000921895-11-001689.hdr.sgml : 20110901 20110901165007 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000921895-11-001689 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20110901 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110901 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001067294 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812] IRS NUMBER: 621749513 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TN FISCAL YEAR END: 0731 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-60679 FILM NUMBER: 111071468 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: PO BOX 787 CITY: LEBANON STATE: TN ZIP: 370880787 BUSINESS PHONE: 6154439217 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: PO BOX 787 CITY: LEBANON STATE: TN ZIP: 37087 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CBRL GROUP INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980730 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000093859 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812] IRS NUMBER: 370684070 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IN FISCAL YEAR END: 0929 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 175 EAST HOUSTON STREET, SUITE 1300 CITY: SAN ANTONIO STATE: TX ZIP: 78205 BUSINESS PHONE: 2103443400 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 175 EAST HOUSTON STREET, SUITE 1300 CITY: SAN ANTONIO STATE: TX ZIP: 78205 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: STEAK & SHAKE CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20010322 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTS INC /IN/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: STEAK N SHAKE INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19840529 SC 13D/A 1 sc13da207428021_09012011.htm sc13da207428021_09012011.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. 2)1

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)

22410J106
(CUSIP Number)
 
Sardar Biglari
Biglari Holdings Inc.
175 East Houston Street, Suite 1300
San Antonio, Texas  78205
(210) 344-3400
 
with copies to:
 
Steven Wolosky, Esq.
Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP
Park Avenue Tower
65 East 55th Street
New York, New York 10022
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

September 1, 2011
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.


_______________
1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 
 
 

 
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Biglari Holdings Inc.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Indiana
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
2,136,134
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
-0-
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,136,134
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-0-
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,136,134
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
9.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
CO

 
2

 
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Biglari Capital Corp.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
OO
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Texas
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
140,100
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
-0-
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
140,100
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-0-
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
140,100
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0.6%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
CO

 
3

 
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
The Lion Fund, L.P.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
140,100
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
-0-
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
140,100
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-0-
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
140,100
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0.6%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN

 
4

 
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Sardar Biglari
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
OO
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
2,136,134
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
-0-
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,136,134
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-0-
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,136,134
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
9.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
5

 
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
 
The following constitutes Amendment No. 2 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned.  Such Schedule 13D is hereby amended as follows:

Item 4.    Purpose of Transaction.

Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:

On September 1, 2011, Biglari Holdings delivered a letter (the “Nomination Letter”) to the Secretary of the Issuer nominating Sardar Biglari for election to the Board of Directors of the Issuer at its 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.  

Concurrent with the delivery of the Nomination Letter, Mr. Biglari delivered a letter to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer.  A copy of Mr. Biglari’s letter is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.    Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

 
99.1
Letter, dated September 1, 2011.
 
 
6

 
CUSIP NO. 22410J106
 
SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
 
September 1, 2011
 
(Date)
   
   
   
 
BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Sardar Biglari
   
Name:
Sardar Biglari
   
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
BIGLARI CAPITAL CORP.
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Sardar Biglari
   
Name:
Sardar Biglari
   
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
THE LION FUND, L.P.
   
 
By:
BIGLARI CAPITAL CORP., its General Partner
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Sardar Biglari
   
Name:
Sardar Biglari
   
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
 
/s/ Sardar Biglari
 
 
SARDAR BIGLARI
 
 
 
7

 
EX-99.1 2 ex991to13da207428021_090111.htm ex991to13da207428021_090111.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
175 EAST HOUSTON STREET, SUITE 1300
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78205
TELEPHONE (210) 344-3400
FAX (210) 344-3411

 
SARDAR BIGLARI, CHAIRMAN
 

 
September 1, 2011
 

Mr. Michael A. Woodhouse
Chairman and CEO
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
P.O. Box 787
Hartmann Drive
Lebanon, Tennessee 37088

Dear Mike:
 
As of today, Biglari Holdings has submitted formal notice under Cracker Barrel’s Bylaws to nominate me to the Company’s Board of Directors at the upcoming annual meeting. We had wanted to avoid what would be a costly and distracting endeavor. Although we are the largest stockholder of Cracker Barrel with an ownership of 9.3% of the outstanding common stock — a multiple of the amount of stock owned by all the directors combined — you have been unwilling to address our concerns and unwilling to place us on the board. Not only did you not invite us, but you rejected the idea and then made an ersatz settlement offer so that others would perceive you as reasonable when in reality you have been unreasonable. In fact your offer was disingenuous. In your settlement offer you afforded us the opportunity to present names of individuals for consideration to the board…provided that these nominees were “unaffiliated with Biglari Holdings or any other restaurant company.”
 
Let’s contrast those stipulations to the three attributes that the Board laid out in the proxy statement regarding director qualifications that your Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assesses when nominating directors at the Company’s annual meeting:
 
Leadership Experience.  We believe that directors with experience in significant leadership positions over a long period of time, especially chief executive officer positions, provide the Company with strategic thinking and multiple perspectives.  

Financial Experience.  We believe that an understanding of finance and financial reporting processes is important for our directors.… In addition, accurate financial reporting and auditing are critical to our success and developing shareholder confidence in our reporting processes that are required by the U.S. federal securities laws.  

Industry Experience.  As a company that relies upon the strength of our brand, we seek directors who are familiar with the restaurant and retail industries. 

Let us attempt to reconcile the Board’s and your diametrically opposed statements on the requirements for board membership. The Board has decided and declared that the incoming directors should be conversant with the restaurant industry. On the other hand, your offer explicitly defined a telling restriction on prospective nominees that they be unaffiliated with “any other restaurant company.”  Either you are seeking directors retired from the restaurant industry who are under the age of 75 (per Cracker Barrel’s governance guidelines), or you are simply searching for excuses to avoid placing your largest stockholder on the Board and in the process contradicting yourself. After all, unlike all other directors on the Cracker Barrel Board, I am the only one who is a CEO of a NYSE-listed company (Leadership Experience), have an extensive professional investment record (Financial Experience), and have exhibited management and turnaround experience in the restaurant industry (Industry Experience). It would appear my qualifications do meet the Committee’s requirements and exceed those of any current member of the Board.
 
 
 

 
 
Yet the Board rejects us even though not a single one of its members has outlaid any considerable money in order to own substantial amounts of company stock; in other words, Board members have no real skin in the game. Their lack of ownership naturally explains why they’re spending our money on a proxy fight would not pain them. But it pains us because we are in effect paying over $9 for every $100 you spend. In fact, your actions prove to us that now is the hour to place real owners in the boardroom to deliver real value for all owners.

 
Sincerely,
 
 
/s/ Sardar Biglari
 
 
Sardar Biglari