8-K

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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): May 31, 2001 (May 23, 2001)


                           J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Tennessee                     1-08766                62-0854056
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(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File Number)    (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation)                                           Identification No.)

              P.O. Box 24300
           3401 West End Avenue
           Nashville, Tennessee                               37203
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 (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (615) 269-1900



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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



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Item 5.     Other Events
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         On May 23, 2001, J. Alexander's Corporation (the "Company") issued a
press release stating that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase
of up to $1 million worth of shares of the Company's common stock. The press
release is filed as an exhibit hereto and is incorporated by reference.

Item 7.     Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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       Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated May 23, 2001.






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                                   SIGNATURES

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.



                                   J. ALEXANDER'S CORPORATION


Date: May 31, 2001                 By: /s/ R. Gregory Lewis
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       R. Gregory Lewis
                                       Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                       and Secretary





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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX





No.          Exhibit
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99.1         Press release dated May 23, 2001.

EX-99.1

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         Contact: Lonnie J. Stout II
                                                       or R. Gregory Lewis
                                                       (615) 269-1900


                     J. ALEXANDER'S CORP. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                       AUTHORIZES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

         Nashville, Tenn.-- May 23, 2001 -- J. Alexander's Corporation, owner
and operator of 22 J. Alexander's in 11 states (AMEX: JAX) today announced that
its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $1 million worth
of shares of the Company's common stock in open market purchases or otherwise in
compliance with applicable securities laws. The amount and timing of any
repurchases will be at such prices as management of the Company from time to
time approves. The Company currently has approximately 6.9 million shares of
common stock outstanding. Banc of America Securities LLC will serve as the
Company's transaction agent for any shares repurchased.

         Lonnie J. Stout II, chairman, president and chief executive officer,
stated, "We believe that the stock, at its current valuation, represents an
attractive investment opportunity for the Company. The action by the Board
reflects its confidence in the Company's cash flows, which we expect will be
sufficient along with our available credit resources to support the stock
repurchase program and further expansion of our business."

         J. Alexander's Corporation operates its 22 J. Alexander's restaurants
in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. J. Alexander's is a contemporary American restaurant
placing a special emphasis on food quality and professional service. The Company
is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.


                                     -more-



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This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results, performance or developments could differ
materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements
as a result of known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors,
including those associated with the Company's ability to increase sales and
profitability in certain of its restaurants, and others described from time to
time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press
releases and other communications.




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