UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)*
Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
10567B109
(CUSIP Number)
James L. Wolfe
TAC Capital LLC
One Momentum Blvd., Suite 1000
College Station, Texas 77845
(979) 776-1111
with a copy to:
Michael G. Keeley
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 3600
Dallas, Texas 75201
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
March 14, 2017
(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. ☒
* | The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons 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. 10567B109 |
1 | Name of Reporting Person
TAC Capital LLC | |||||
2 | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC Use Only
| |||||
4 | Source of Funds
WC | |||||
5 | Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 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
0 | ||||
8 | Shared Voting Power
2,200,459 | |||||
9 | Sole Dispositive Power
0 | |||||
10 | Shared Dispositive Power
2,200,459 | |||||
11 |
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
2,200,459 | |||||
12 | Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
☐ | |||||
13 | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11
14.5% (1) | |||||
14 | Type of Reporting Person
OO |
(1) | Based on 15,142,340 common shares, no par value per share, of the Issuer issued and outstanding as of March 6, 2017, as reported by the Issuer in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 6, 2017. |
2
CUSIP No. 10567B109 |
1 | Name of Reporting Person
TAC Financial Corporation | |||||
2 | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC Use Only
| |||||
4 | Source of Funds
N/A | |||||
5 | Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 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
0 | ||||
8 | Shared Voting Power
2,200,459 | |||||
9 | Sole Dispositive Power
0 | |||||
10 | Shared Dispositive Power
2,200,459 | |||||
11 |
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
2,200,459 | |||||
12 | Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
☐ | |||||
13 | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11
14.5% (1) | |||||
14 | Type of Reporting Person
CO |
(1) | Based on 15,142,340 common shares, no par value per share, of the Issuer issued and outstanding as of March 6, 2017, as reported by the Issuer in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2016 filed with the SEC on March 6, 2017. |
3
CUSIP No. 10567B109 |
1 | Name of Reporting Person
The Adam Corporation/Group | |||||
2 | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC Use Only
| |||||
4 | Source of Funds
N/A | |||||
5 | Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 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
0 | ||||
8 | Shared Voting Power
2,200,459 | |||||
9 | Sole Dispositive Power
0 | |||||
10 | Shared Dispositive Power
2,200,459 | |||||
11 |
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
2,200,459 | |||||
12 | Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
☐ | |||||
13 | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11
14.5% (1) | |||||
14 | Type of Reporting Person
CO |
(1) | Based on 15,142,340 common shares, no par value per share, of the Issuer issued and outstanding as of March 6, 2017, as reported by the Issuer in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2016 filed with the SEC on March 6, 2017. |
4
CUSIP No. 10567B109 |
1 | Name of Reporting Person
Donald A. Adam | |||||
2 | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC Use Only
| |||||
4 | Source of Funds
N/A | |||||
5 | Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States of America | |||||
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With
|
7 | Sole Voting Power
0 | ||||
8 | Shared Voting Power
2,200,459 | |||||
9 | Sole Dispositive Power
0 | |||||
10 | Shared Dispositive Power
2,200,459 | |||||
11 |
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
2,200,459 | |||||
12 | Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
☐ | |||||
13 | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 11
14.5% (1) | |||||
14 | Type of Reporting Person
IN |
(1) | Based on 15,142,340 common shares, no par value per share, of the Issuer issued and outstanding as of March 6, 2017, as reported by the Issuer in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2016 filed with the SEC on March 6, 2017. |
5
Explanatory Note
This Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D (this Amendment No. 1) amends the Schedule 13D (the Schedule 13D) filed by TAC Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on January 19, 2017 with respect to common shares, no par value per share, of Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the Issuer).
On March 14, 2017, Mr. Adam sent an open letter to the Issuers board of directors, highlighting recent poor performance and shareholder value destruction, identifying current corporate governance issues, and raising concerns about the recently announced decisions to engage investment bankers and delay the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders.
This Amendment No. 1 amends Item 4 and Item 7, as specifically set forth herein. Unless amended or supplemented by this Amendment No. 1, all information previously reported on the Schedule 13D remains in effect.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
Item 4 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended by the addition of the following sentences at the end of the third paragraph:
On March 14, 2017, Mr. Adam sent an open letter to the Issuers board of directors, highlighting recent poor performance and shareholder value destruction, identifying current corporate governance issues, and raising concerns about the recently announced decisions to engage investment bankers and delay the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders. A copy of the letter is attached as Exhibit 99.3.
Item 7. Materials to be Filed as Exhibits
Item 7 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended to add the following exhibit:
Exhibit 99.3: |
Open letter sent to the Board of Directors of Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc., dated March 14, 2017. |
6
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: March 14, 2017
TAC CAPITAL LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ James L. Wolfe | |
Name: James L. Wolfe | ||
Title: Vice President | ||
TAC FINANCIAL CORPORATION | ||
By: |
/s/ James L. Wolfe | |
Name: James L. Wolfe | ||
Title: Vice President | ||
THE ADAM CORPORATION/GROUP | ||
By: |
/s/ James L. Wolfe | |
Name: James L. Wolfe | ||
Title: President | ||
DONALD A. ADAM | ||
/s/ Donald A. Adam |
7
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
99.3 | Open letter sent to the Board of Directors of Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc., dated March 14, 2017. |
8
TAC CAPITAL LLC RELEASES OPEN LETTER TO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
BRAVO BRIO RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Shareholders Have Suffered through Poor Performance, Weak Corporate Governance,
and Substantial Value Destruction for Far Too Long
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Results and Recently Announced Decisions to Engage
Investment Bankers and Delay 2017 Annual Meeting Underscore the Need for Change
March 14, 2017
Gentlemen:
As the largest shareholder of Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBRG) (Bravo Brio or the Company), with an ownership position of nearly 15%, we are extremely disappointed with the Companys weak fourth quarter and full year 2016 results including, but certainly not limited to, the following:
| 2016 revenues were $410.3 million near the bottom of managements downward revised guidance and a decrease of $13.7 million, or 3.2%, compared to 2015; |
| Negative comparable restaurant sales growth of 5.5% in the fourth quarter, continuing an unbroken trend of negative growth that began in 2013 a dubious distinction which appears to be unrivaled among public restaurant companies; and |
| Declining restaurant level profitability as evidenced by a $24.4 million increase in restaurant level operating costs since 2012 to go along with slightly higher 2016 revenues (despite 14 additional restaurants) resulting in a decline in restaurant level operating margins to 12.7% in 2016 from 18.2% in 2012, highlighting managements ineffectiveness or unwillingness to curb costs in a declining traffic environment. |
We believe that the Companys latest results demonstrate that the current Board of Directors and management team have not made the proper strategic and operational decisions to unlock value for all shareholders. Indeed, hope that a new year would bring improved financial performance was frustrated when management noted on February 28 that comparable restaurant sales to-date had decreased by almost 2%.
The Companys habitual underperformance has not gone unnoticed. The Companys stock price has declined by more than 75% during the period commencing with the Companys IPO, when the closing market price per share on the first day of trading was $15.95, and ending on the trading day prior to the filing of our Schedule 13D. In fact, Bravo Brios stock has significantly underperformed over the past one, three and five-year periods when compared to its peer group and broader indices, as illustrated by the following chart included in the Companys own Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2016.
-1-
We attribute the markets substantial discount to the Companys misguided strategy, poor oversight by the Board of Directors and ineffective management. We have lost confidence that the current Board of Directors and executive team will be able to unilaterally effect a turnaround and deliver the value that Bravo Brio shareholders deserve.
We believe that the Board of Directors has continued to compound numerous mistakes that the Company has made over the years. For example, effective December 28, 2015, the Company appointed Mr. Brian OMalley as Chief Executive Officer and a director. Mr. OMalley was formerly President (since August 2014) and Chief Operating Officer (since October 2010). In our view, many of Bravo Brios numerous failings are operational in nature, and appointing the former officer partially responsible for these issues as Chief Executive Officer and a director ensures more of the same. We believe the Board of Directors has not offered any meaningful change to correct the serious issues negatively impacting shareholder value, and this appointment reflects the continued exercise of poor judgment by the Board of Directors in our opinion.
-2-
In addition, the Board of Directors has not improved the corporate governance of the Company in any way since its IPO. Of particular concern, the Companys governing documents provide for the following:
| a classified board structure, rather than the annual election of all directors; |
| plurality voting in director elections, rather than a majority voting standard; and |
| a restriction on the ability of shareholders to call a special meeting except by 50% of the shareholder voting power, rather than a more meaningful threshold such as 15%. |
We also note that Bravo Brio shareholders are currently disenfranchised from expressing their views on executive compensation packages on an annual basis because the Company holds a say-on-pay vote with respect to its executive compensation every three years, whereas 82% of Russell 3000 companies hold a say-on-pay vote every year, according to a recent survey published by Willis Towers Watson. The Board of Directors recommended to shareholders that three years was the appropriate frequency to hold the say-on-pay vote, in spite of the fact that compensation packages and the Companys performance can change from year to year. We regard this as one example of the many actions taken by the Board of Directors that have constrained the ability of the Companys shareholders to exercise their ownership rights, particularly as it relates to executive performance and related compensation.
The Companys latest action, delaying its 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders until December 14, 2017, instead of holding it in the first week of May as it has for the past five years, also appears designed to thwart the efforts of the shareholders to hold the Board of Directors accountable for the Companys poor performance. We note that the Board of Directors took this action on the very next day after negotiations terminated between us and the Company regarding Board representation. We believe that this delay of the annual meeting does a serious disservice to the Companys shareholders who deserve the opportunity to voice, without delay, their frustration at the strategic missteps of the Companys leadership. By denying shareholders their right to elect directors on the same timetable as prior years, we believe the Company is simply perpetuating the pattern of self-serving actions and value destruction that have characterized Bravo Brios recent history. The incumbent directors, including Mr. OMalley whose term is set to expire at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, should not prioritize self-preservation over the rights of shareholders.
Furthermore, the Companys excuse that it has delayed the meeting in order to give shareholders the opportunity to evaluate the results of the Companys process with respect to alternatives appears disingenuous. The only thing that changed before the Companys announcement of this process was our public involvement. The directors demonstrated no urgency to improve performance until confronted by us and the prospect of shareholder accountability. Tellingly, only then did they commence the process of engaging investment bankers. Even then, the Company reported that it does not intend to provide updates regarding the process, denying shareholders information relevant to their investment in the Company. In our view, the Companys vague rationale and lack of transparency belie its stated intentions and suggest a desire to retain control without meaningful change.
-3-
Importantly, we are extremely concerned that management, in its need to show results before December, could make decisions that will ultimately prove detrimental to the Company and to all shareholders. This is particularly concerning because we have come to believe that the Board of Directors lacks the independent leadership necessary to effectively structure and negotiate a deal that creates shareholder value. Our experience with the Board is illustrative of their lack of engagement.
In late January, our director nominees flew to Ohio to be considered by the Company for positions on the Board of Directors. Not a single director serving on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee attended the meetings, either in person or by telephone. Instead, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, together with one independent director, conducted the meetings. This confirmed our fear that the Board of Directors has abdicated its responsibilities to the shareholders and has ceded control to the management team. The management team should answer to the Board of Directors, but this Board appears to have it exactly backwards.
Given the Companys recent performance, a fulsome evaluation of strategic alternatives is certainly warranted. We have serious doubts, however, that the current Board of Directors and management team have the appropriate perspective, expertise, and motivation to truly enhance shareholder value. Moreover, rushing this process without proper independent oversight and requisite expertise could cause shareholders yet further value destruction.
We call on the Board of Directors to provide greater transparency regarding the exploration of strategic alternatives, as well as more accountability to the Companys shareholders with respect to enhancing shareholder value, corporate governance practices and strategic direction.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Donald A. Adam |
Donald A. Adam Chairman |
Investor Contacts:
William P. Fiske, Georgeson Inc.: +1 (212) 440-9128 or BFiske@georgeson.com
Rajeev Kumar, Georgeson Inc.: +1 (212) 440-9812 or RKumar@georgeson.com
About TAC Capital LLC
Headquartered in College Station, Texas, TAC Capital LLC is a privately owned investment firm affiliated with The Adam Corporation/Group, a privately owned holding company. Since its inception in 1969, The Adam Corporation/Group has acquired and built companies in such diverse industries as cable television, general contracting, real estate development, hospitality, and banking and financial services, including First American Bank, SSB, the largest privately held bank in Texas prior to its sale to Citibank in 2005.
-4-
*>F
MD6P.Z;?OYC^M:5%9^R:^!V_$5NQ!!=V]RNZ&57'L:GJI/IEI.Q=H@LG]]#M
M;\Q4'V2^M_\ CWN_,4?P3#/ZBCGJ1^)7] NS2HK-_M*:#B\M)$']]/G7]*M0
M7MMD7DFE)87US!+&R/',$A"AE/3 [8%/U#1C>Z%J&GK,$
M:\1T,FW.T$;1^0Q0 Z?5S#?:3;^3D7[,N[/W,1E_Z8K5K(GT>2:]T>X\]1_9
M[,Q&W[^8RGX=