-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, C8OJ4xYJ+X8IdIWoZyz4sLC8vuKgKbtChDLv55Q9uAprUU0QT+Hf+6JtOi2MR002 X1b7b1Dr1QJDGMdBcjAmEg== 0000068270-11-000011.txt : 20110107 0000068270-11-000011.hdr.sgml : 20110107 20110107164953 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000068270-11-000011 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20101130 FILED AS OF DATE: 20110107 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110107 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RUBY TUESDAY INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000068270 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812] IRS NUMBER: 630475239 STATE OF INCORPORATION: GA FISCAL YEAR END: 1007 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12454 FILM NUMBER: 11518025 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 150 W CHURCH ST CITY: MARYVILLE STATE: TN ZIP: 37801 BUSINESS PHONE: 2053443000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 150 W CHURCH ST CITY: MARYVILLE STATE: TN ZIP: 37801 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MORRISON RESTAURANTS INC/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930923 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MORRISON RESTAURANTS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930923 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MORRISON INC /DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 10-Q 1 form10-q_2ndqtr11.htm 2ND QTR FY11 10-Q form10-q_2ndqtr11.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
______________
 
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from __________ to _________
 
 
______________
 
 
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 


GEORGIA
 
63-0475239
(State of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer identification no.)

150 West Church Avenue, Maryville, Tennessee 37801
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)
 
        Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (865) 379-5700
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  o  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o    Accelerated filer x    Non-accelerated filer o    Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

64,953,832
(Number of shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of January 3, 2011)
 
 

 
 
 
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
 
 
 
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
     ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF
 
                NOVEMBER 30, 2010 AND JUNE 1, 2010
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                FOR THE THIRTEEN AND TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED
 
                NOVEMBER 30, 2010 AND DECEMBER 1, 2009
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH
 
                FLOWS FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED
 
                NOVEMBER 30, 2010 AND DECEMBER 1, 2009
 
                NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
 
                STATEMENTS
 
 
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
 
                OF OPERATIONS
 
 
                MARKET RISK
 
 
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
     SIGNATURES

 
2

 
 
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains various forward-looking statements, which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including one or more of the following:  future financial performance and restaurant growth (both Company-owned and franchised), future capital expenditures, future borrowings and repayments of debt, availability of debt financing on terms attractive to the Company, payment of dividends, stock repurchases, and restaurant and franchise acquisitions and refranchises.  We caution the reader that a number of important factors and uncertainties could, individually or in the aggregate, cause our actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements (such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to cost savings that we est imate may result from any programs we implement, our estimates of future capital spending and free cash flow, our targets for annual growth in same-restaurant sales and average annual sales per restaurant), including, without limitation, the following:

·  
general economic conditions;

·  
changes in promotional, couponing and advertising strategies;

·  
changes in our guests’ disposable income;

·  
consumer spending trends and habits;

·  
increased competition in the restaurant market;

·  
laws and regulations affecting labor and employee benefit costs, including further potential increases in state and federally mandated minimum wages;

·  
guests’ acceptance of changes in menu items;

·  
guests’ acceptance of our development prototypes, remodeled restaurants, and conversion strategy;

·  
mall-traffic trends;

·  
changes in the availability and cost of capital;

·  
weather conditions in the regions in which Company-owned and franchised restaurants are operated;

·  
costs and availability of food and beverage inventory;

·  
our ability to attract and retain qualified managers, franchisees and team members;

·  
impact of adoption of new accounting standards;

·  
impact of food-borne illnesses resulting from an outbreak at either Ruby Tuesday or other restaurant concepts;

·  
effects of actual or threatened future terrorist attacks in the United States; and

·  
significant fluctuations in energy prices.
 

 
 
3

 
 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA)
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
   
NOVEMBER 30,
   
JUNE 1,
 
   
2010
   
2010
 
       
Assets
 
(NOTE A)
 
Current assets:
           
      Cash and short-term investments
  $ 8,198     $ 9,569  
      Accounts and notes receivable, net
    8,636       9,746  
      Inventories:
               
        Merchandise
    34,528       21,145  
        China, silver and supplies
    8,177       7,668  
      Income tax receivable
    2,707          
      Deferred income taxes
    10,952       13,794  
      Prepaid rent and other expenses
    11,458       11,154  
      Assets held for sale
    4,381        3,234  
          Total current assets
    89,037       76,310  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    947,456       943,486  
Goodwill
    1,495          
Notes receivable, net
    278       269  
Other assets
    47,152       43,964  
          Total assets
  $ 1,085,418     $ 1,064,029  
 
Liabilities & shareholders’ equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
      Accounts payable
  $ 20,321     $ 22,951  
      Accrued liabilities:
               
        Taxes, other than income taxes
    17,934       19,905  
        Payroll and related costs
    19,027       22,425  
        Insurance
    8,045       8,219  
        Deferred revenue – gift cards
    8,670       8,473  
        Rent and other
    19,573       18,983  
      Current portion of long-term debt, including capital leases
    7,639       12,776  
      Income tax payable
            1,049  
          Total current liabilities
    101,209       114,781  
                 
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities
    283,255       276,490  
Deferred income taxes
    40,591       40,010  
Deferred escalating minimum rent
    43,110       42,305  
Other deferred liabilities
    54,590       52,343  
          Total liabilities
    522,755       525,929  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
      Common stock, $0.01 par value; (authorized: 100,000 shares;
               
        issued: 64,954 shares at 11/30/10; 64,492 shares at 6/01/10)
    650       645  
      Capital in excess of par value
    105,338       98,337  
      Retained earnings
    469,257       452,295  
      Deferred compensation liability payable in
               
        Company stock
    2,002       2,036  
      Company stock held by Deferred Compensation Plan
    (2,002 )     (2,036 )
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (12,582 )     (13,177 )
      562,663       538,100  
                 
          Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,085,418     $ 1,064,029  
 
                   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
4

 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER-SHARE DATA)
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
   
THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
   
TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED
 
   
NOVEMBER 30,
   
DECEMBER 1,
   
NOVEMBER 30,
   
DECEMBER 1,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(NOTE A)
   
(NOTE A)
 
Revenue:
                       
                         
     Restaurant sales and operating revenue
  $ 288,955     $ 271,882     $ 589,587     $ 571,183  
     Franchise revenue
    1,496       1,582       3,550       2,893  
      290,451       273,464       593,137       574,076  
Operating costs and expenses:
                               
     Cost of merchandise
    84,537       78,555       169,630       168,882  
     Payroll and related costs
    99,756       95,784       199,965       196,243  
     Other restaurant operating costs
    61,157       60,323       120,800       121,200  
     Depreciation and amortization
    15,619       16,285       30,741       32,566  
     Selling, general and administrative,
                               
        net of support service fee income
                               
        for the thirteen and twenty-six week
                               
        periods totaling $362 and $1,821
                               
        in fiscal 2011 and $836 and $2,064
                               
        in fiscal 2010, respectively
    21,237       16,388       43,780       35,408  
     Closures and impairments
    348       (52 )     2,087       538  
     Equity in (earnings)/losses of
                               
        unconsolidated franchises
    (27 )     760       (230     988  
     Interest expense, net
    2,556       4,601       5,019       9,989  
      285,183       272,644       571,792       565,814  
Income before income taxes
    5,268       820       21,345       8,262  
Provision for income taxes
    703       389       4,383       1,687  
                                 
Net income
  $ 4,565     $ 431     $ 16,962     $ 6,575  
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
                                 
      Basic
  $ 0.07     $ 0.01     $ 0.27     $ 0.11  
                                 
      Diluted
  $ 0.07     $ 0.01     $ 0.26     $ 0.11  
                                 
Weighted average shares:
                               
                                 
      Basic
    64,011       63,319       63,846       59,723  
                                 
      Diluted
    64,898       63,482       64,655       59,889  
                                 
Cash dividends declared per share
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                 
 
                 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 


 
5

 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
  
 
TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED
 
  
 
NOVEMBER 30,
2010
   
DECEMBER 1,
2009
 
   
 
       
   
(NOTE A)
 
Operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 16,962     $ 6,575  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
               
  provided by operating activities:
               
  Depreciation and amortization
    30,741       32,566  
  Amortization of intangibles
    393       331  
  Provision for bad debts
    (318 )     1,070  
  Deferred income taxes
    1,023       11,102  
  Loss on impairments, including disposition of assets
    1,529       233  
  Equity in (earnings)/losses of unconsolidated franchises
    (230 )     988  
  Share-based compensation expense
    5,615       5,631  
  Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
    (186 )        
  Gain on franchise partnership acquisitions, net of settlement losses
    (1,660 )        
  Other
    (2     1,158  
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
     Receivables
    647       (5,481 )
     Inventories
    (13,218 )     (3,650 )
     Income taxes
    (3,756 )     5,787  
     Prepaid and other assets
    (121 )     (1,155 )
     Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities
    (4,626 )     3,078  
  Net cash provided by operating activities
    32,793       58,233  
                 
Investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (13,266 )     (9,891 )
Acquisition of franchise and other entities
    (1,832 )        
Proceeds from disposal of assets
    959       3,510  
Reductions in Deferred Compensation Plan assets
    62       205  
Other, net
    (49 )     (951 )
  Net cash used by investing activities
    (14,126 )     (7,127 )
                 
Financing activities:
               
Net payments on revolving credit facility
    (14,600 )     (117,800 )
Principal payments on other long-term debt
    (6,420 )     (10,148 )
Proceeds from issuance of stock, net of fees
            73,125  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    796          
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
    186          
  Net cash used by financing activities
    (20,038 )     (54,823 )
                 
Decrease in cash and short-term investments
    (1,371 )     (3,717 )
Cash and short-term investments:
               
  Beginning of year
    9,569       9,760  
  End of year
  $ 8,198     $ 6,043  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
      Cash paid/(received) for:
               
        Interest, net of amount capitalized
  $ 5,132     $ 10,949  
        Income taxes, net
  $ 6,061     $ (15,194
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
        Retirement of fully depreciated assets
  $ 5,120     $ 3,262  
        Reclassification of properties to/(from) assets held for sale or
               
           receivables
  $ 2,464     $ (4,525 )
        Assumption of debt and capital leases related to franchise
               
           partnership acquisitions
  $ 22,670          
        Liability for claim settlements and insurance receivables
  $ (2,171 )   $ 287  
 
                 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6

 
 
 
NOTE A – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
Ruby Tuesday, Inc., including its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“RTI,” “we” or the “Company”), owns and operates Ruby Tuesday®, Wok Hay, and Jim ‘N Nick’s casual dining restaurants.  We also franchise the Ruby Tuesday concept in select domestic and international markets.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring entries) considered nece ssary for a fair presentation have been included.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Operating results for the 13- and 26-week periods ended November 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending May 31, 2011.
 
The condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 1, 2010 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
 
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in RTI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 1, 2010.
 
 
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period presented.  Diluted earnings per share gives effect to stock options and restricted stock outstanding during the applicable periods.  The following table is the calculation of weighted-average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding as presented in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands):
 
   
Thirteen weeks ended
   
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
   
November 30,
2010
   
December 1,
2009
   
November 30,
2010
   
December 1,
2009
 
  Net income
  $ 4,565     $ 431     $ 16,962     $ 6,575  
                                 
  Weighted-average common
                               
    shares outstanding
    64,011       63,319       63,846       59,723  
  Dilutive effect of stock
                               
    options and restricted stock
    887       163       809       166  
  Weighted average common
                               
    and dilutive potential
                               
    common shares outstanding
    64,898       63,482       64,655       59,889  
  Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.07     $ 0.01     $ 0.27     $ 0.11  
  Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.07     $ 0.01     $ 0.26     $ 0.11  
 
 
7

 
 
Stock options with an exercise price greater than the average market price of our common stock and certain options with unrecognized compensation expense do not impact the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.  The following table summarizes stock options and restricted shares that did not impact the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands):
 
   
Thirteen weeks ended
   
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
   
November 30,
2010
   
December 1,
2009
   
November 30,
2010
   
December 1,
2009
 
  Stock options
    3,284       5,069       3,052       5,088  
  Restricted shares
    443       1,000       465       939  
  Total
    3,727       6,069       3,517       6,027  
On July 28, 2009, we sold 11.5 million shares of Ruby Tuesday, Inc. common stock in an underwritten public offering at $6.75 per share, less underwriting discounts.  The amount sold included 1.5 million shares sold in connection with the exercise of an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.  We received approximately $73.1 million in net proceeds from the sale of the shares, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses.  The net proceeds were used to repay indebtedness under our then outstanding five-year revolving credit agreement (the “Prior Credit Facility”).
 
 
As of November 30, 2010, we held a 50% equity interest in each of five franchise partnerships which collectively operate 60 Ruby Tuesday restaurants.  We apply the equity method of accounting to all 50%-owned franchise partnerships.  Also, as of November 30, 2010, we held a 1% equity interest in each of six franchise partnerships, which collectively operate 37 restaurants, and no equity interest in various traditional domestic and international franchises, which collectively operate 101 Ruby Tuesday restaurants.
 
Under the terms of the franchise operating agreements, we require all domestic franchisees to contribute a percentage, currently 0.5%, of monthly gross sales to a national advertising fund formed to cover their pro rata portion of the costs associated with our national advertising campaign.  Under the terms of those agreements, we can charge up to 3.0% of monthly gross sales for this national advertising fund.
 
Advertising amounts received from domestic franchisees are considered by RTI to be reimbursements, recorded on an accrual basis as earned, and have been netted against selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
See Note N to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our franchise partnership working capital credit facility and our related guarantees.
 
NOTE D – BUSINESS AND LICENSE ACQUISITIONS
 
On October 13, 2010, we acquired three Ruby Tuesday restaurants from a traditional domestic franchise for $1.6 million in cash.  As part of our strategy to further strengthen and grow our business, we acquired these restaurants due to their geographic proximity to our core markets.
 
On August 4, 2010, for the same reason as noted above, RTI acquired the remaining 99% and 50% of the membership interests of RT Long Island Franchise, LLC (“RT Long Island”) and RT New England Franchise, LLC (“RT New England”), respectively, thereby increasing its ownership to 100% of these companies.  RT Long Island and RT New England, previously franchise partnerships with 10 Ruby Tuesday restaurants each, were acquired for $0.2 million plus assumed debt.  As further consideration for the RT Long Island transaction, RTI surrendered collection of its note receivable and line of credit due from the franchise.  The note and line of credit, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and unearned revenue, totaled $0.4 million at the time of the transaction. RT Long Island and RT New England had total debt of $24.3 million at the time of acquisition, $1.9 million of which was payable to RTI.
 
Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the results of operations of these acquired restaurants subsequent to the date of acquisition.
 
 
8

 
 
The purchase prices of acquisitions during the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 have preliminarily been allocated based on initial fair value estimates as follows (in thousands):
 
Property and equipment
  $ 25,080  
Reacquired franchise rights
    1,835  
Goodwill
    1,495  
Other intangible assets, net of liabilities of $481
    1,171  
Long-term debt and capital leases
    (22,670 )
Deferred income taxes
    (1,866 )
Other net liabilities
    (1,121 )
Notes receivable, net of unearned income
    (432 )
   Net impact on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
    3,492  
         
Loss on settlement of preexisting contracts
    982  
Gain on acquisitions
    (2,642 )
   Net impact on Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
    (1,660 )
Aggregate purchase prices
  $ 1,832  
 
The RT Long Island and RT New England acquisitions were considered bargain purchases as the purchase prices were less than the values assigned to the assets and liabilities acquired.  For the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, the gain of $2.6 million on these acquisitions, as well as the $0.9 million loss on settlement of preexisting contracts, is included in Other restaurant operating costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Other intangible assets consist of assets and liabilities resulting from the terms of acquired operating lease contracts being favorable or unfavorable relative to market terms of comparable leases on the acquisition date.  These assets and liabilities totaled $1.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, at the time of acquisition and will be amortized over the remaining lives of the leases, which are seven to 31 years.  Amortization expense for the above assets and liabilities was negligible for both the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010.
 
On July 22, 2010, following the approval of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, we entered into a licensing agreement with Gourmet Market, Inc. which is owned by our Chief Executive Officer’s brother, Price Beall.  The licensing agreement allows us to operate multiple restaurants under the Truffles® name.  Truffles is an upscale café concept that currently operates three restaurants in the vicinity of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  The Truffles concept offers a diverse menu featuring soups, salads, and sandwiches, a signature chicken pot pie, house-breaded fried shrimp, pasta, ribs, steaks, and a variety of desserts.

Under the terms of the agreement, we will pay a licensing fee to Gourmet Market, Inc. of 2.0% of gross sales of any Truffles we open.  Additionally, we will pay Gourmet Market, Inc. a monthly fee for up to two years for consulting services to be provided by Price Beall to assist us in developing and opening Truffles restaurants under the terms of the licensing agreement.  During the first 12 months of the agreement we will pay $20,833 per month for such services.  During the second 12 months of the agreement we will pay either $20,833 per month if we have a communicated plan to develop three or more Truffles restaurants or $10,417 per month if we have a communicated plan to develop two or fewer Truffles restaurants.  Gourmet Market, Inc. has the option to terminate future development rights if we do not operate 18 or more Truffles restaurants within five years or 40 or more Truffles within 10 years of the effective date of the agreement.  Management has yet to determine if it will open 18 or more Truffles restaurants within five years or 40 or more Truffles within 10 years.  During the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, we paid Gourmet Market, Inc. $62,500 and $83,333, respectively, under the terms of the agreement.  We opened our first Truffles in Atlanta, Georgia subsequent to November 30, 2010.
 
 
9

 
 
NOTE E – ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
 
Accounts and notes receivable – current consist of the following (in thousands):
 
   
November 30, 2010
   
June 1, 2010
 
             
Rebates receivable
  $ 882     $ 643  
Amounts due from franchisees
    5,007       5,439  
Other receivables
    3,292       3,508  
Current portion of notes receivable
    1,794       4,603  
      10,975       14,193  
Less allowances for doubtful notes and equity
               
       method losses
    2,339       4,447  
    $ 8,636     $ 9,746  
 
We negotiate purchase arrangements, including price terms, with designated and approved suppliers on behalf of us and our franchise system.  We receive various volume discounts and rebates based on purchases for our Company-owned restaurants from numerous suppliers.
 
Amounts due from franchisees consist of royalties, license and other miscellaneous fees, a substantial portion of which represents current and recently-invoiced billings.  Also included in this amount is the current portion of the straight-lined rent receivable from franchise sublessees and the amount to be collected in exchange for our guarantees of certain franchise partnership debt.
 
We defer recognition of franchise fee revenue for any franchise partnership with negative cash flows at times when the negative cash flows are deemed to be anything other than temporary and the franchise has either borrowed directly from us or through a facility for which we provide a guarantee.  We also do not recognize franchise fee revenue from franchises with fees in excess of 60 days past due.  Accordingly, we have deferred recognition of a portion of franchise revenue from certain franchisees.  Unearned income for franchise fees was $2.1 million and $2.4 million as of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, respectively, which are included in Other deferred liabilities and/or Accrued liabilities – rent and other in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, other receivables consisted primarily of amounts due for third-party gift card sales ($1.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively) and amounts due from our distributor for purchases of lobster ($1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively).  See Note F to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our lobster inventory.

Notes receivable consist of the following (in thousands):

   
November 30, 2010
   
June 1, 2010
 
             
Notes receivable from domestic franchisees
  $ 3,884     $ 7,026  
Less current maturities (included in accounts and
               
       notes receivable)
    1,794       4,603  
      2,090       2,423  
Less allowances for doubtful notes and equity
               
       method losses, noncurrent
    1,812       2,154  
Total notes receivable, net - noncurrent 
  $ 278     $ 269  

Notes receivable from domestic franchisees generally arose between fiscal 1997 and fiscal 2002 when Company-owned restaurants were sold to new franchise partnerships (“refranchised”).  These notes, when issued at the time of commencement of the franchise partnership’s operations, generally allowed for    deferral of interest during the first one to three years and required only the payment of interest for up to six years from the inception of the note.

Nine current franchisees received acquisition financing from RTI as part of refranchising transactions in prior years.  The amounts financed by RTI approximated 35% of the original purchase prices.  Three of these nine franchisees have a balance remaining on their acquisition notes as of November 30, 2010.
 
 
10

 
 
Notes receivable from domestic franchisees as of November 30, 2010 also include amounts advanced to two of our franchise partnerships under short-term line of credit arrangements in order to assist the franchises with operating cash flow needs during the current economic downturn.  These arrangements are not required by our franchise operating agreements and may be discontinued in the future.
 
While certain of our domestic franchisees are in arrears concerning their franchise fees as previously discussed, as of November 30, 2010, all the domestic franchisees were making interest and/or principal payments on a monthly basis in accordance with the current terms of their notes.  All of the refranchising notes accrue interest at 10.0% per annum.
 
The allowance for doubtful notes represents our best estimate of losses inherent in the notes receivable at the balance sheet date.  During the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, we decreased our bad debt expense $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, based on our estimate of the extent of those losses.  During the 13 and 26 weeks ended December 1, 2009, we recorded bad debt expense of $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
 
Also included in the allowance for doubtful notes at November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010 are $1.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively, which represents our portion of the equity method losses of certain of our 50%-owned franchise partnerships which was in excess of our recorded investment in those partnerships.
 
NOTE F – INVENTORIES
 
Our merchandise inventory was $34.5 million and $21.1 million as of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, respectively.  The increase from the end of the prior fiscal year is due primarily to advance purchases of lobster, as described below.
 
Beginning in fiscal 2010, we have purchased lobster in advance of our needs and stored it in third-party facilities prior to our distributor taking possession of the inventory.  Once the lobster is moved to our distributor’s facilities, we transfer ownership to the distributor.  We later reacquire the inventory from our distributor upon its subsequent delivery to our restaurants.
 
NOTE G – PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, AND OPERATING LEASES
 
Property and equipment, net, is comprised of the following (in thousands):
 
   
November 30, 2010
   
June 1, 2010
 
Land
  $ 222,292     $ 218,806  
Buildings
    465,966       461,159  
Improvements
    415,890       399,874  
Restaurant equipment
    272,648       268,071  
Other equipment
    90,584       90,411  
Construction in progress and other*
    27,196       27,898  
      1,494,576       1,466,219  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    547,120       522,733  
    $ 947,456     $ 943,486  
 
* Included in Construction in progress and other as of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010 are $23.5 million and $24.8 million, respectively, of assets held for sale that are not classified as such in the  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as we do not expect to sell these assets within the next 12 months.  These assets primarily consist of parcels of land upon which we have no intention to build restaurants.
 
Amounts included in assets held for sale at November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010 totaled $4.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively, primarily consisting of parcels of land upon which we have no intention to build restaurants, land and buildings of closed restaurants, and various liquor licenses.  During the 26 weeks
 
 
11

 
 
ended November 30, 2010, we sold surplus properties with carrying values of $0.9 million, respectively, at net gains of $0.1 million.  Cash proceeds, net of broker fees, from these sales totaled $1.0 million.  None of these surplus properties were sold during the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010.    During the 13 and 26 weeks ended December 1, 2009, we sold surplus properties with carrying values of $0.7 million and $2.7 million, respectively, at net gains that were negligible and $0.8 million, respectively.  Cash proceeds, net of broker fees, from these sales during the 13 and 26 weeks ended December 1, 2009 totaled $0.8 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
 
Approximately 52% of our 676 Ruby Tuesday restaurants are located on leased properties.  Of these, approximately 64% are land leases only; the other 36% are for both land and building.  The initial terms of these leases expire at various dates over the next 25 years.  These leases may also contain required increases in minimum rent at varying times during the lease term and have options to extend the terms of the leases at a rate that is included in the original lease agreement.  Most of our leases require the payment of additional (contingent) rent that is based upon a percentage of restaurant sales above agreed upon sales levels for the year.  These sales levels vary for each restaurant and are established in the lease agreements.  We recognize contingent rental expense (in annual as well as interim periods) prior to the achievement of the specified target that triggers the contingent rental expense, provided that achievement of that target is considered probable.
 
NOTE H – LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES
 
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following (in thousands):
 
   
November 30, 2010
   
June 1, 2010
 
             
Revolving credit facility
  $ 198,800     $ 203,800  
Series B senior notes,
               
due April 2013
    44,442       48,442  
Mortgage loan obligations
    47,442       36,834  
Capital lease obligations
    210       190  
      290,894       289,266  
Less current maturities
    7,639       12,776  
    $ 283,255     $ 276,490  

On December 1, 2010, we entered into a five-year revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”), under which we may borrow up to $320.0 million with the option to increase our capacity by $50.0 million to $370.0 million.  The Credit Facility replaced both the existing credit agreement discussed below and the Franchise Facility discussed in Note N to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  See Note Q to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

On November 19, 2004, we entered into the Prior Credit Facility to provide capital for general corporate purposes.  On February 28, 2007, we amended and restated our Prior Credit Facility such that the aggregate amount we may borrow increased to $500.0 million.  This amount included a $50.0 million subcommitment for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a $50.0 million subcommitment for swingline loans.
 
We entered into an additional amendment of the amended and restated Prior Credit Facility on May 21, 2008.  The May 21, 2008 amendment to the Prior Credit Facility, as well as a similarly-dated amendment and restatement of the notes issued in the Private Placement as discussed below, eased financial covenants regarding minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and maximum funded debt ratio.  We are currently in compliance with our debt covenants.
 
Following the May 21, 2008 amendment to the Prior Credit Facility, through a series of scheduled quarterly and other required reductions, our original $500.0 million capacity has been reduced, as of November 30, 2010, to $388.1 million.

Under the Prior Credit Facility, interest rates charged on borrowings varied depending on the interest rate option we chose to utilize.  Our options for the rate were the Base Rate or an adjusted LIBO Rate plus an applicable margin.  The Base Rate was defined to be the higher of the issuing bank’s prime lending rate or
 
 
12

 
 
the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%.  The applicable margin was zero to 2.5% for the Base Rate loans and a percentage ranging from 1.0% to 3.5% for the LIBO Rate-based option.  We paid commitment fees quarterly ranging from 0.2% to 0.5% on the unused portion of the Credit Facility.
 
Under the terms of the Prior Credit Facility, we had borrowings of $198.8 million with an associated floating rate of interest of 3.50% at November 30, 2010.  As of June 1, 2010, we had $203.8 million outstanding with an associated floating rate of interest of 1.63%.  After consideration of letters of credit outstanding, we had $169.3 million available under the Prior Credit Facility as of November 30, 2010.
 
On April 3, 2003, we issued notes totaling $150.0 million through a private placement of debt (the “Private Placement”).  On May 21, 2008, given similar circumstances as those with the Prior Credit Facility discussed above, we amended and restated the notes issued in the Private Placement.  The May 21, 2008 amendment requires us to offer quarterly and other prepayments, which predominantly consist of semi-annual prepayments to be determined based upon excess cash flows as defined in the Private Placement.

At November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, the Private Placement consisted of $44.4 million and $48.4 million, respectively, in notes with an interest rate of 7.17% (the “Series B Notes”).  The Series B Notes mature on April 1, 2013.  During the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, we offered, and our noteholders accepted, principal payments of $4.0 million on the Series B Notes.  As discussed in Note Q to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, under the terms of the December 1, 2010 amendment to the Private Placement we are no longer required to offer principal prepayments to our noteholders.  Accordingly, we have not classified any of the $44.4 million principal balance as current as of November 30, 2010.
 
NOTE I – CLOSURES AND IMPAIRMENTS EXPENSE
 
Closures and impairment expenses include the following for the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 and December 1, 2009 (in thousands):
 
   
Thirteen weeks ended
   
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
   
November 30,
2010
   
December 1,
2009
   
November 30,
2010
   
December 1,
2009
 
Impairments for:
                       
  Open restaurants
  $ 12     $     $ 349     $ 465  
  Surplus properties
          156       989       310  
 
    12       156       1,338       775  
  Closed restaurant lease reserves
    327       (255 )     663       397  
  Other closing costs
    9       85       83       184  
  Gain on sale of surplus properties
          (38 )     3       (818 )
 
  $ 348     $ (52 )   $ 2,087     $ 538  

A rollforward of our future lease obligations associated with closed properties is as follows (in thousands):

   
Lease Obligations
 
  Balance at June 1, 2010
  $ 4,969  
  Closing expense including rent and other lease charges
    663  
  Payments
    (1,162 )
  Balance at November 30, 2010
  $ 4,470  
 
For the remainder of fiscal 2011 and beyond, our focus will be on obtaining settlements on as many of these leases as possible and these settlements could be higher or lower than the amounts recorded.  The actual amount of any cash payments made by the Company for lease contract termination costs will be dependent upon ongoing negotiations with the landlords of the leased restaurant properties.
 
At November 30, 2010, we had 24 restaurants that had been open more than one year with rolling 12-month negative cash flows of which 16 have been impaired to salvage value.  Of the eight which remained, we reviewed the plans to improve cash flows at each of the restaurants and determined that no impairment was necessary.  The remaining net book value of these eight restaurants was $8.2 million at November 30, 2010.
 
 
13

 
 
Should sales at these restaurants not improve within a reasonable period of time, further impairment charges are possible.  Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future cash flows, including cash flows from continuing use, terminal value, closure costs, salvage value, and sublease income.  Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from our estimates.
 
NOTE J – RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
We sponsor three defined benefit pension plans for active employees and offer certain postretirement benefits for retirees.  A summary of each of these is presented below.
 
Retirement Plan
RTI sponsors the Morrison Restaurants Inc. Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”).  Effective December 31, 1987, the Retirement Plan was amended so that no additional benefits would accrue and no new participants may enter the Retirement Plan after that date.  Participants receive benefits based upon salary and length of service.
 
Minimum funding for the Retirement Plan is determined in accordance with the guidelines set forth in employee benefit and tax laws.  From time to time we may contribute additional amounts as we deem appropriate.  We estimate that we will be required to make contributions totaling $0.1 million to the Retirement Plan during the remainder of fiscal 2011.
 
Executive Supplemental Pension Plan and Management Retirement Plan
Under these unfunded defined benefit pension plans, eligible employees earn supplemental retirement income based upon salary and length of service, reduced by social security benefits and amounts otherwise receivable under other specified Company retirement plans.  Effective June 1, 2001, the Management Retirement Plan was amended so that no additional benefits would accrue and no new participants may enter the plan after that date.

As discussed further in Note N to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we are contingently liable for retirement benefits accrued through March 1996 for certain employees of two companies formerly owned by RTI.

Because our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is currently retirement-eligible and would be entitled to receive his entire pension payment in a lump sum six months following his retirement, we have classified an amount representing that pension payment ($8.1 million) into Accrued liabilities – payroll and related costs in our November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits
Our Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits plans provide medical and life insurance benefits to certain retirees.  The medical plan requires retiree cost sharing provisions that are more substantial for employees who retire after January 1, 1990.
 
The following tables detail the components of net periodic benefit costs and the amounts recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the Retirement Plan, Management Retirement Plan, and the Executive Supplemental Pension Plan (collectively, the “Pension Plans”) and the Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits plans (in thousands):
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
Service cost
  $ 129     $ 113     $ 258     $ 226  
Interest cost
    573       623       1,146       1,246  
Expected return on plan assets
    (98 )     (106 )     (196 )     (212 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    82       82       164       164  
Recognized actuarial loss
    398       346       796       692  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 1,084     $ 1,058     $ 2,168     $ 2,116  
 
 
14

 
 
 
Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits
 
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
Service cost
  $ 2     $ 3     $ 4     $ 6  
Interest cost
    19       21       38       42  
Amortization of prior service cost
    (15 )     (16 )     (30 )     (32 )
Recognized actuarial loss
    28       25       56       50  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 34     $ 33     $ 68     $ 66  
 
We also sponsor two defined contribution retirement savings plans. Information regarding these plans is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 1, 2010.
 
NOTE K – INCOME TAXES
 
We had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $3.6 million and $3.4 million as of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, respectively.  As of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate was $2.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively.  We do not expect that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next twelve months.
 
Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as components of income tax expense.  As of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, we had accrued $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for the payment of interest and penalties.  During the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2011, accrued interest and penalties increased by $0.2 million, of which $0.2 million affected the effective tax rate for the same time period.

The effective tax rate for the 13- and 26- week periods ended November 30, 2010 was 13.3% and 20.5%, respectively, as compared to 47.4% and 20.4%, respectively, for the same periods of the prior year.  The change in the effective tax rate for the 13-week period ended November 30, 2010 is attributable to an increase in the amount of FICA Tip Credit and Work Opportunity Tax Credit in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to the prior year coupled with smaller increases in our income tax reserve in the current year.

At November 30, 2010, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for fiscal years prior to 2007, and with few exceptions, state and local examinations by tax authorities prior to fiscal year 2007.
 
 
U.S. GAAP require the disclosure of certain revenue, expenses, gains and losses that are excluded from net income.  Items that currently impact our other comprehensive income are the pension liability adjustments and payments received in settlement of the Piccadilly divestiture guarantee.  See Note N to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Piccadilly settlement.  Amounts shown in the table below are in thousands.

 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
Net income
  $ 4,565     $ 431     $ 16,962     $ 6,575  
Pension liability reclassification, net of tax
    298       264       595       528  
Piccadilly settlement, net of tax
                      4  
Comprehensive income
  $ 4,863     $ 695     $ 17,557     $ 7,107  
 
 
15

 
 
 
We compensate our employees and Directors using share-based compensation through the following plans:

The Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Stock Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
Under the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Stock Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (the “Directors’ Plan”), non-employee directors are eligible for awards of share-based incentives.  Restricted shares granted under the Directors’ Plan vest in equal amounts after one, two, and three years provided the Director continually serves on the Board.  Options issued under the Plan become vested after 30 months and are exercisable until five years after the grant date.  Stock option exercises are settled with the issuance of new shares of common stock.

All options and restricted shares awarded under the Directors’ Plan have been at the fair market value at the time of grant.  A Committee, appointed by the Board, administers the Directors’ Plan.  At November 30, 2010, we had reserved 233,000 shares of common stock under this Plan, 138,000 of which were subject to options outstanding, for a net of 95,000 shares of common stock currently available for issuance under the Directors’ Plan.
 
The Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan and the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan
A Committee, appointed by the Board, administers the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (“2003 SIP”) and the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (“1996 SIP”), and has full authority in its discretion to determine the key employees and officers to whom share-based incentives are granted and the terms and provisions of share-based incentives.  Option grants under the 2003 SIP and 1996 SIP can have varying vesting provisions and exercise periods as determined by such Committee.  Options granted under the 2003 SIP and 1996 SIP vest in periods ranging from immediate to fiscal 2013, with the majority vesting within three years following the date of grant, and the majority expiring five or seven (but some up to 10) years after grant.  All of the restricted shares granted during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 are service-based and were awarded under the 1996 SIP.  The majority of restricted shares granted under the 2003 SIP and 1996 SIP in fiscal 2010, 2009, and 2008 are performance-based.  The 2003 SIP and 1996 SIP permit the Committee to make awards of shares of common stock, awards of stock options or other derivative securities related to the value of the common stock, and certain cash awards to eligible persons.  These discretionary awards may be made on an individual basis or for the benefit of a group of eligible persons.  All options awarded under the 2003 SIP and 1996 SIP have been awarded with an exercise price equal to the fair market value at the time of grant.
 
At November 30, 2010, we had reserved a total of 5,480,000 and 1,349,000 shares of common stock for the 2003 SIP and 1996 SIP, respectively.  Of the reserved shares at November 30, 2010, 3,505,000 and 1,151,000 were subject to options outstanding for the 2003 SIP and 1996 SIP, respectively.  Stock option exercises are settled with the issuance of new shares.  Net shares of common stock available for issuance at November 30, 2010 under the 2003 SIP and 1996 SIP were 1,975,000 and 198,000, respectively.
 
Stock Options
The following table summarizes the activity in options for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 under these stock option plans (in thousands, except per-share data):
 
         
Weighted-
 
         
Average
 
   
Options
   
Exercise Price
 
Balance at June 1, 2010
    4,046     $ 19.70  
Granted
    927       9.39  
Exercised
    (103 )     7.71  
Forfeited
    (76 )     21.95  
Balance at November 30, 2010
    4,794     $ 17.93  
                 
Exercisable at November 30, 2010
    3,183     $ 22.87  
 
Included in the outstanding balance shown above are approximately 2,326,000 of out-of-the money options.  Many of these options are expected to expire out-of-the money during the remainder of the current and next two fiscal years.
 
 
16

 
 
At November 30, 2010, there was approximately $2.3 million of unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense related to non-vested stock options.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we granted approximately 927,000 stock options to certain employees under the terms of the 2003 SIP.  These stock options vest in equal annual installments over a three year period following grant of the award, and have a maximum life of seven years.  These stock options do provide for immediate vesting if the optionee retires during the option period as well as if certain other events occur.  For employees meeting this criterion at the time of grant, the accelerated vesting provision renders the requisite service condition non-substantive under GAAP, and we therefore fully expense the fair value of stock options awarded to retirement-eligible employees on the date of grant.  As a result, we recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 an expense of $2 .3 million related to 430,000 stock options awarded on July 21, 2010 to our CEO.
 
Restricted Stock
The following table summarizes our restricted stock activity for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 (in thousands, except per-share data):

         
Weighted-Average
 
   
Restricted
   
Grant-Date
 
Performance-based vesting:
 
Stock
   
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at June 1, 2010
    721     $ 7.13  
Granted
           
Vested
    (421 )     7.05  
Forfeited
    (1 )     7.82  
Non-vested at November 30, 2010
    299     $ 7.24  
                 
           
Weighted-Average
 
   
Restricted
   
Grant-Date
 
Service-based vesting:
 
Stock
   
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at June 1, 2010
    427     $ 7.42  
Granted
    235       10.21  
Vested
    (108 )     9.44  
Forfeited
           
Non-vested at November 30, 2010
    554     $ 8.21  
 
The fair values of the restricted share awards reflected above were based on the fair market value of our common stock at the time of grant.  At November 30, 2010, unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock grants expected to vest totaled approximately $3.6 million and will be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of approximately 2.0 years.
 
During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, RTI granted approximately 61,000 restricted shares to non-employee directors.  These shares vest in equal annual installments over a three year period following grant of the award.
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we granted approximately 174,000 service-based restricted shares of our common stock to certain employees under the terms of the 1996 SIP.  The service-based restricted shares cliff vest over a three-year period.  Also during the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we awarded approximately 124,000 shares of our common stock to our retirement-eligible CEO and recognized an expense of $1.2 million on the grant date.
 
NOTE N – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Guarantees
 
At November 30, 2010, we had certain third-party guarantees, which primarily arose in connection with our franchising and divestiture activities.  The majority of these guarantees expire at various dates ending in fiscal 2013.  Generally, we are required to perform under these guarantees in the event that a third-party
 
 
17

 
 
fails to make contractual payments or, in the case of franchise partnership debt guarantees, to achieve certain performance measures.

Franchise Partnership Guarantees
On December 1, 2010, we entered into the Credit Facility, which replaced both the Prior Credit Facility discussed in Note H to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the $48.0 million credit facility discussed below.  See Note Q to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

As part of the franchise partnership program, we negotiated with various lenders a $48.0 million credit facility to assist the franchise partnerships with working capital needs and cash flows for operations (the “Franchise Facility”).  As sponsor of the Franchise Facility, we served as partial guarantor, and in certain circumstances full guarantor, of the draws made by the franchise partnerships on the Franchise Facility.  Although the Franchise Facility allowed for individual franchise partnership loan commitments to the end of the Franchise Facility term, all commitments as of November 30, 2010 were for 12 months.  On September 8, 2006, we entered into an amendment of the Franchise Facility which extended the term for an additional five years to October 5, 2011.
 
Prior to July 1, 2007, we had arrangements with two third-party lenders whereby we provided partial guarantees for specific loans for new franchisee restaurant development (the “Cancelled Facilities”).  Should payments be required under the Cancelled Facilities, we have certain rights to acquire the operating restaurants after the third-party debt is paid.  We have terminated the Cancelled Facilities and notified the third-party lenders that we would no longer enter into additional guarantee arrangements.
 
As of November 30, 2010, the amounts guaranteed under the Franchise Facility and the Cancelled Facilities were $39.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively.  The guarantees associated with one of the Cancelled Facilities are collateralized by a $3.6 million letter of credit.  As of June 1, 2010, the amounts guaranteed under the Franchise Facility and the Cancelled Facilities were $47.3 million and $4.4 million, respectively.  Unless extended, guarantees under these programs will expire at various dates from November 2011 through February 2013.  To our knowledge, despite certain of these franchises having reported coverage ratios below the required levels, all of the franchise partnerships are current in the payment of their obligations due under these credit facilities.  We have recorde d liabilities representing the estimated fair value of these guarantees totaling $1.4 million and $0.8 million as of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, respectively.  These amounts were determined based on amounts to be received from the franchise partnerships as consideration for the guarantees.  We believe these amounts approximate the fair value of the guarantees.
 
Divestiture Guarantees
During fiscal 1996, our shareholders approved the distribution of our family dining restaurant business (Morrison Fresh Cooking, Inc., “MFC”) and our health care food and nutrition services business (Morrison Health Care, Inc., “MHC”). Subsequently, Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc. (“Piccadilly”) acquired MFC and Compass acquired MHC. Prior to the Distribution, we entered into various guarantee agreements with both MFC and MHC, most of which have expired. As agreed upon at the time of the Distribution, we have been contingently liable for payments to MFC and MHC employees retiring under MFC’s and MHC’s versions of the Management Retirement Plan and the Executive Supplemental Pension Plan (the two non-qualified defined benefit plans) for the accrued benefits earned by those participants as of M arch 1996.

On October 29, 2003, Piccadilly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Following this, we have recorded, and begun to pay, our pro-rata share of the Piccadilly liabilities for which we have provided guarantees, including those for MFC employee benefit plans.  Our estimates of these liabilities were included within our petition before the bankruptcy court.

During fiscal 2010, we received our sixth, and final, distribution in settlement of the Piccadilly bankruptcy.  Including this final distribution, we received $2.0 million in settlement of our claim.

We estimated our divestiture guarantees related to MHC at November 30, 2010 to be $3.0 million for employee benefit plans.  In addition, we remain contingently liable for MHC’s portion (estimated to be $2.2 million) of the MFC employee benefit plan liability for which MHC is currently responsible under the
 
 
18

 
 
divestiture guarantee agreements.  We believe the likelihood of being required to make payments for MHC’s portion to be remote due to the size and financial strength of MHC and Compass.

Litigation
We are presently, and from time to time, subject to pending claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business.  We provide reserves for such claims when payment is probable and estimable in accordance with GAAP.  At this time, in the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of pending legal proceedings, including the matter referred to below, will not have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial position, or cash flows.

On March 19, 2010, the trial court in Dan Maddy v. Ruby Tuesday, Inc., a civil action in the Circuit Court for Rutherford County, Tennessee Circuit Court, Case No. 53641, affirmed the jury's verdict in favor of the plaintiff awarding damages in the amount of $10,035,000 plus interest.  The plaintiff alleged a personal injury claim caused by an intoxicated person who was served alcoholic beverages at one of our restaurants.  On November 8, 2010, the Maddy case was resolved through mediation and the matter was dismissed by the Tennessee Court of Appeals on December 23, 2010.  Given that we maintain primary and secondary insurance coverage for claims such as the Maddy case, and we had previously paid the amount required by our self-insured retention limit, no payment was made by us at settlement.

Included in the Maddy settlement was a payment made by our secondary insurance carrier of $2,750,000.  Despite making this payment our secondary insurance carrier continues to maintain a reservation of rights, claiming it did not receive timely notice of this matter in accordance with the terms of the policy.  We believe our secondary insurance carrier received timely notice in accordance with the policy and, on May 21, 2010, had filed a suit for coverage in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.  We are aware that the secondary insurance carrier may amend its pleadings in the coverage suit to seek to recoup from us the $2,750,000 it paid at settlement.  As of January 7, 2011, our secondary insurance carrier has not amended to assert a claim against us to recover the settlement payment.  Should we have to pay anything to our secondary insurance carrier as a result of its claims, our service agreement with one former third-party claims administrator provides that it will indemnify us against any liabilities, loss or damage we may suffer as a result of any claim, cost, or judgment against us arising out of the third-party claims administrator's negligence or willful misconduct.  Based on the information currently available, and acknowledging the uncertainty of litigation but assuming insurance coverage, our November 30, 2010 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects an insignificant accrual which represents estimates of the unpaid legal expenses.

We believe, and have obtained a similar opinion from outside counsel, that we have valid coverage under our insurance policies for any amounts in excess of our self-insured retention.  We further believe we have the right to the indemnification referred to above.  Despite the reservation of rights letter, and given that no claim has been asserted by our secondary insurance carrier, among other reasons, we believe this provides a basis for not recording a liability for any contingency associated with the Maddy settlement.  There can be no assurance, however, that we will prevail in our lawsuit against our insurance carrier regarding the issues raised in the reservation of rights letter should the secondary insurance carrier amend its pleadings to seek recoupme nt of the amount paid in settlement of the Maddy case.



 
19

 
 
NOTE O – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table presents the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of November 30, 2010 (in thousands):

   
Fair Value Measurements
 
   
Carrying
Value at
November
30, 2010
   
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Deferred compensation plan -
                       
   assets
  $ 8,443     $ 8,443     $     $  
Deferred compensation plan -
                               
   liabilities
    (8,443 )     (8,443 )            
   Total
  $     $     $     $  

During the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 there were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy.

The Ruby Tuesday, Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) and the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Restated Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Predecessor Plan”) are unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plans for eligible employees.  Assets earmarked to pay benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan and Predecessor Plan are held by a rabbi trust.  We report the accounts of the rabbi trust in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  With the exception of the investment in RTI common stock, the investments held by these plans are considered trading securities and are reported at fair value based on third-party broker statements.  The realized and unrealized holding gains and losses related to these investments, as well as the offsetting c ompensation expense, is recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The investment in RTI common stock and related liability payable in RTI common stock, which are reflected in Shareholders’ Equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, are excluded from the fair value table above as these are considered treasury shares and reported at cost.

The following table presents the fair values for those assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis and remaining on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 30, 2010 and the losses recognized from all such measurements during the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Carrying
Value at
November 30,
 
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
Losses/(Gains)
 
2010
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
13 weeks
26 weeks
Long-lived assets held for sale *
$
27,914
 
$
 
$
27,914
 
$
 
$
$
989
Long-lived assets held for use
 
830
   
   
830
   
   
12
 
349
   Total
$
28,744
 
$
 
$
28,744
 
$
 
$
12
$
1,338

* Included in the carrying value of long-lived assets held for sale are $23.5 million of assets included in Construction in progress in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as we do not expect to sell these assets within the next 12 months.

Long-lived assets held for sale are valued using Level 2 inputs, primarily information obtained through broker listings and sales agreements.  Costs to market and/or sell the assets are factored into the estimates of fair value for those assets included in Assets held for sale on our Condensed Consolidated Balance
 
 
20

 
 
Sheet.  During the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, long-lived assets held for sale were written down to their fair value, resulting in a loss of $1.0 million, which is included in Closures and impairments in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.  The fair value of these long-lived assets held for sale was $27.9 million as of November 30, 2010.

We review our long-lived assets (primarily property, equipment, and, as appropriate, reacquired franchise rights and favorable leases) related to each restaurant to be held and used in the business, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a restaurant may not be recoverable.  We evaluate restaurants based upon cash flows as our primary indicator of impairment.  Based on the best information available, we write down an impaired restaurant to its estimated fair market value, which becomes its new cost basis.  Fair value is determined primarily through analyses of relevant market broker listings.

Long-lived assets held for use presented in the table above include our company airplane and restaurants or groups of restaurants that were impaired as a result of our quarterly impairment review.  From time to time, the table will also include closed restaurants or surplus sites not meeting held for sale criteria that have been offered for sale at a price less than their carrying value.  

During the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, we recorded $0.3 million of impairments on our long-lived assets held for use, which is included with Closures and impairments expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  The Level 2 fair values of our long-lived assets held for use are based on broker estimates of the value of the land, building, leasehold improvements, and other residual assets.
 
Our financial instruments at November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010 consisted of cash and short-term investments, accounts receivable and payable, notes receivable, long-term debt, franchise partnership guarantees, letters of credit, and, as previously discussed, deferred compensation plan investments.  The fair values of cash and short-term investments and accounts receivable and payable approximated carrying value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.  The carrying amounts and fair values of our other financial instruments not measured on a recurring basis using fair value, however subject to fair value disclosures are as follows (in thousands):
 
   
November 30, 2010
   
June 1, 2010
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
 
Deferred Compensation Plan
                       
  investment in RTI common stock
  $ 2,002     $ 2,120     $ 2,036     $ 1,760  
Notes receivable, gross*
    3,884       3,918       7,026       7,016  
Long-term debt and capital leases
    290,894       291,328       289,266       291,512  
Franchise partnership guarantees
    1,422       1,436       791       817  
Letters of credit
          328             329  
 
* The allowance for doubtful notes on our notes receivable was $3.1 million and $5.1 million as of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, respectively.
 
We estimated the fair value of notes receivable, debt, franchise partnership guarantees, and letters of credit using market quotes and present value calculations based on market rates.
 
NOTE P – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in Fiscal 2011
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities.  The updated guidance eliminates the prior exceptions to consolidating qualifying special-purpose entities, contains new criteria for determining the primary beneficiary, and increases the frequency of required reassessments to determine whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity.  This guidance also contains a new requirement that any term, transaction, or arrangement that does not have a substantive effect on an entity’s status as a variable interest entity, a company’s power over a variable interest entity, or a company’s obligation to absorb losses or its right to receive benefits of an entity must be disregarded in applying the provisions of the pre-Codification gu idance.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 (fiscal 2011 for RTI).  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
21

 
 
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In January 2010, the FASB issued fair value guidance requiring new disclosures and clarification of existing disclosures for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis.  The guidance requires disclosure of transfer activity into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and also requires more detailed disclosure about the activity within Level 3 fair value measurements.  The majority of the requirements in this guidance were effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009 (our fiscal 2010 fourth quarter) and were adopted in our fiscal 2010 fourth quarter.  Requirements related to Level 3 disclosures are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010 (our fiscal 2011 fourth quarter).& #160; We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement disclosures.
 
NOTE Q – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On December 1, 2010 we entered into the Credit Facility, a five-year revolving credit agreement, under which we may borrow up to $320.0 million with the option to increase our capacity by $50.0 million to $370.0 million.  The Credit Facility replaced the Prior Credit Facility that was entered into on February 28, 2007.  Bank of America, N.A., will serve as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Servicer and Swingline Lender under the Credit Facility.

The terms of the Credit Facility provide for a $40.0 million swingline subcommitment and a $50.0 million letter of credit subcommitment.  The Credit Facility also includes a $50.0 million franchise facility subcommitment, which covers our guarantees of debt of the franchise partners (“Franchise Facility Commitment”) and replaces the Franchise Facility, which was dated as of November 19, 2004.

The interest rate charged on borrowings pursuant to the Credit Facility can vary depending on the interest rate option we choose to utilize.  Our Base Rate for borrowings is defined to be the higher of Bank of America’s prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, or an adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.25%.  The applicable margin for our Eurodollar Borrowings ranges from 1.25% to 2.25%.

The Credit Facility contains financial covenants relating to the maintenance of leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and minimum net worth.  The covenants, as well as the conditions to each borrowing, are substantially similar to those contained in the Prior Credit Facility.

On December 1, 2010, we drew down approximately $203.2 million under the Credit Facility to repay borrowings outstanding under the Prior Credit Facility.  Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the refinancing were paid from cash on hand.  Additionally, new letters of credit totaling $20.0 million were obtained to replace those outstanding under the Prior Credit Facility.

Also on December 1, 2010, we entered into an amendment of the amended and restated notes issued in the Private Placement (“Note Amendment”).  This amendment conformed the covenants in this agreement to the covenants contained in the Credit Facility discussed above.

In connection with the Credit Agreement and Note Amendment, on December 1, 2010, Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent, along with the lenders and institutional investors pursuant to the Credit Agreement and Note Amendment, issued a Notice of Direction and Termination effectively terminating the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement by and between such parties dated May 21, 2008, and also terminating the Pledge Agreement dated May 21, 2008 by and among Ruby Tuesday, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (together the “Pledgors”) and the creditors pursuant to the Credit Agreement and Note Amendment, by which the Pledgors had pledged certain subsidiary equity interests as security for the repayment of our obligations under the Credit Agreement and Note Amendment.

See Notes H and N to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the facilities superseded by the above Credit Facility.
 
 
22

 
 
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
General:
 
Ruby Tuesday, Inc., including its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“RTI,” the “Company,” “we” and/or “our”), owns and operates Ruby Tuesday®, two Wok Hay, and one Jim ‘N Nick’s casual dining restaurants.  We also franchise the Ruby Tuesday concept in selected domestic and international markets.  As of November 30, 2010 we owned and operated 676, and franchised 198, Ruby Tuesday restaurants.  Ruby Tuesday restaurants can now be found in 46 states, the District of Columbia, 15 foreign countries, and Guam.
 
Overview and Strategies

Casual dining, the segment of the industry in which we operate, is intensely competitive with respect to prices, services, convenience, locations, and the types and quality of food.  We compete with other food service operations, including locally-owned restaurants, and other national and regional restaurant chains that offer similar types of services and products as we do.  In 2005, our analysis of the bar and grill segment within casual dining indicated that many concepts, including Ruby Tuesday, were not clearly differentiated.  We believed that as the segment continued to mature, the lack of differentiation would make it increasingly difficult to attract new guests.  Consequently, we created brand reimaging initiatives to implement our strategy of clearly differentiating Ruby T uesday from our competitors.  We implemented our strategy in stages, first focusing on food, then service, and in 2007, we embarked on the most capital-intensive aspect of our reimaging program – the creation of a fresh new look for our restaurants.  In order to maximize sales in our newly-reimaged brand, our marketing strategy for the last two years has focused on the key pillars of print promotions, digital media, and local marketing programs to entice guests to see the new Ruby Tuesday, increase frequency of visits, and enhance visibility of the brand.  We believe this marketing strategy more effectively communicates our brand and value message.  We have the ability to customize our marketing to specific markets, down to the individual restaurant level, which enables us to respond quickly with a different program if a market or restaurant is not achieving desired results.

While we were in the process of implementing our brand reimaging, consumer spending came under pressure for a variety of reasons, and further weakened in the fourth quarter of calendar 2008.  As the economic environment deteriorated, operating results for other casual dining concepts, as well as our operating results, declined significantly.  In response, beginning in the second half of fiscal 2009, we implemented several initiatives intended to reduce costs to improve cash flow at no dilution to the overall guest experience.  These cost savings were the result of various labor savings initiatives, including new scheduling systems and the realignment of field supervisors, which together accounted for approximately half of the savings.  Disciplined food cost management, improved operating efficien cies, and the closing of certain underperforming restaurants accounted for the remainder.  These initiatives resulted in cost savings of approximately $20.0 million in the second half of fiscal 2009 alone.  Furthermore, our low level of management and labor turnover during fiscal 2010 and 2009 benefited us two-fold: first, a more experienced work force resulted in improved customer service, and second, training costs were greatly reduced.

The improvements we have actualized in sales, earnings growth, and strengthening our balance sheet, in particular with our new five-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), are enabling us to execute on our three-to-five year strategies to further strengthen and grow our business in a low-risk, high-return manner.  The key initiatives in our Long Range Plan are focused in the following four areas:

·  
Continue to Enhance Quality of Our Core Brand.  We have evolved our existing menu items to support our high-quality casual dining position, broaden our appeal with product extensions offering more variety and cravability, and provide our guests with compelling value.  Late in the 
 
 
23

 
 
      
second quarter of fiscal 2010, we introduced a menu which included an expanded appetizer line and new dinner entrees featuring a variety of lobster combinations.  Additionally, we launched a Tuesday Steak and Lobster program and a Sunday brunch offering, both of which have driven incremental sales and traffic, in addition to enhancing the overall perception of the Ruby Tuesday brand.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we rolled out a new menu, began offering a complimentary bread program, and enhanced our fresh garden bar and Sunday brunch.  Our new menu items include 10 new entrees; Fit & Trim offerings, which include 12 menu items that are 700 calories or less; and new side offerings which now include fresh grilled green beans, baked mac ‘n cheese, blue cheese coleslaw, and onion rings.  We enhanc ed our garden bar with more variety and freshness by adding over 10 new items.  The addition of our fresh baked garlic cheese biscuits should further increase the overall value perception of our brand, in line with other high quality casual dining restaurants.  Lastly, our Sunday brunch menu now includes 15 total items, and has been enhanced with the addition of French toast and new omelets.
 
From a labor standpoint, we deployed a new management structure which has our assistant managers now designated as either guest service managers or culinary managers, and this is enabling us to focus on delivering a more consistent guest experience.  We have also implemented smaller station sizes, increased bartender staffing levels, and added food runners to further enhance the overall guest experience.  Both the menu enhancements and the labor changes noted above are designed to enhance the overall experience for our guests in line with the leading high quality casual dining dinner houses.

·  
Increase Revenue and EBITDA Through New Concept Conversions and Franchise Partnership Acquisitions.  Part of our long-term plan is to get more out of existing restaurants by generating higher average restaurant volumes and thus more profit and cash flow with minimal capital investment.  Therefore, we will be converting certain underperforming Ruby Tuesday concept restaurants into other high-quality casual dining brands which might be better suited for success in selected markets.  To that end, on February 17, 2010, we entered into a licensing agreement with Jim N Nicks Barbq Riverchase, Inc. (“Jim ‘N Nick’s”) which allows us to operate multiple restaurants under the Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q® name.  Jim ‘N NickR 17;s is an Alabama-based barbeque concept that currently operates 27 restaurants in seven states.  Additionally, on July 22, 2010, we entered into a licensing agreement with Gourmet Market, Inc. which allows us to operate multiple restaurants under the Truffles® name.  Truffles is an upscale casual dining café featuring seafood and steaks which currently operates three restaurants in the vicinity of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  We are currently evaluating the conversion of certain underperforming Ruby Tuesday concept restaurants to these other concepts and anticipate converting five to seven Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants to the Jim ‘N Nick’s, Truffles, Wok Hay (an Asian bistro which we own), or internally-developed seafood, concepts during the remainder of fiscal 2011. We believe the low capital requirement for these conversions should provide attractive cash-on-cash returns for our shareholders.

A second component to this long-term plan is focused on the acquisition of our franchise partners in order to generate incremental revenue and EBITDA.  We closed on two acquisitions in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and are evaluating the potential acquisitions of the remaining franchise partnerships, some of whom may instead convert to traditional franchises over time.

·  
Focus on Low Risk, Low Capital-Intensive Growth.  In an effort to be prudent with our capital and in order to maximize returns for our shareholders, we are starting to slowly grow our Company in a low risk, low capital intensive manner.  Over time, we plan on opening Company-owned, smaller inline-type Ruby Tuesday restaurants.  Additionally, on September 13, 2010, we entered into a licensing agreement with LFMG International, LLC (“Lime”) which allows us to operate multiple restaurants under the Lime Fresh Mexican Grill® name.  Lime is a fast casual Mexican concept that currently operates several restaurants primarily in the vicinity of Miami, Florida.  Given that the fast casual segment of our industry is a proven and growing seg ment where demand exceeds supply, we believe opening smaller, inline locations under the Lime brand is a potential growth option for us.  We expect to open one or two inline Company-owned Lime restaurants during the remainder of fiscal 2011.  The ability to enter the growing fast casual segment with a strong brand such as Lime and further expand our Ruby Tuesday Company-owned brand provides a growth option that has the potential to create long-term value for our shareholders with relatively low risk.
 
 
24

 
·  
Generate Free Cash Flow and Improve Our Balance Sheet.  During the past year, we strengthened our balance sheet and entered into a new Credit Facility which provides us with greater flexibility.  We will, in the short term, continue to leverage our free cash flow to pay down debt.  We define “free cash flow” to be the net amount remaining when purchases of property and equipment are subtracted from net cash provided by operating activities.  If we are successful in continuing to stabilize same-restaurant sales and maintaining or lowering our cost structure, we have the opportunity to generate substantial levels of free cash flow.  Furthermore, our near-term capital requirements are relatively modest as we anticipate only opening one or two smaller prototype, inline Lime restaurants, and converting five to seven Ruby Tuesday concept restaurants into other concepts, in fiscal 2011.

We generated $19.5 million of free cash flow in the first two quarters of fiscal 2011, all of which was used to repay debt.  We estimate we will generate $70.0 to $80.0 million of free cash flow during the remainder of fiscal 2011.  Included in these estimates is anticipated capital spending of $16.0 to $20.0 million.  We currently intend to use a substantial portion of the free cash flow generated during the remainder of fiscal 2011 to reduce debt.  Our objective in the near term is to continue to reduce debt in order to further reduce the financial risk related to our leverage and to resume returning capital to our shareholders.  See further discussion in the Financing Activities section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operatio ns (“MD&A”).

Our success in the four key Long Range Plan initiatives outlined above should enable us to improve our return on assets and create additional shareholder value.

 
Results of Operations: 

 
The following is an overview of our results of operations for the 13- and 26-week periods ended November 30, 2010:
 
Net income increased to $4.6 million for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010 compared to $0.4 million for the same quarter of the previous year.  Diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2010 increased to $0.07 compared to $0.01 for the corresponding period of the prior year as a result of the increase in net income as discussed below.
 
During the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010:
 
 
·
Three Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants were acquired from a traditional domestic franchisee;
 
 
·
One Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurant was converted to a Jim ‘N Nick’s concept restaurant;
 
 
·
One Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurant was closed in anticipation of its conversion to another high-quality casual dining concept later in fiscal 2011;
 
 
·
Aside from the restaurants sold to the Company, two franchise restaurants were opened and four were closed.  Additionally, a traditional international franchisee opened one Wok Hay restaurant; and
 
 
·
Same-restaurant sales* at Company-owned restaurants increased 4.2%, while same-restaurant sales at domestic franchise Ruby Tuesday restaurants increased 1.6%.
 
Net income increased to $17.0 million for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 compared to $6.6 million for the same period of the previous year.  Diluted earnings per share for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 increased to $0.26 compared to $0.11 for the corresponding period of the prior year as a result of the increase in net income as discussed below.
 
 
25

 
 
During the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010:
 
 
·
23 Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants were acquired, including 10 purchased from each of our New England and Long Island franchise partnerships and three purchased from a traditional domestic franchisee;
 
 
·
Three Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants were closed in anticipation of their conversion into other high-quality casual dining concepts during fiscal 2011;
 
 
·
Aside from the restaurants sold to the Company, five franchise restaurants were opened and seven were closed.  Additionally, a traditional international franchisee opened one Wok Hay restaurant; and
 
 
·
Same-restaurant sales* at Company-owned restaurants increased 2.6%, while same-restaurant sales at domestic franchise Ruby Tuesday restaurants increased 0.9%.
 
* We define same-restaurant sales as a year-over-year comparison of sales volumes for restaurants that, in the current year have been open at least 18 months, in order to remove the impact of new openings in comparing the operations of existing restaurants.
 
The following table sets forth selected restaurant operating data as a percentage of total revenue, except where otherwise noted, for the periods indicated.  All information is derived from our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q.
 
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Revenue:
                     
       Restaurant sales and operating revenue
99
.5%
 
99
.4%
 
99
.4%
 
99
.5%
       Franchise revenue
0
.5
 
0
.6
 
0
.6
 
0
.5
           Total revenue
100
.0
 
100
.0
 
100
.0
 
100
.0
Operating costs and expenses:
                     
       Cost of merchandise (1)
29
.3
 
28
.9
 
28
.8
 
29
.6
       Payroll and related costs (1)
34
.5
 
35
.2
 
33
.9
 
34
.4
       Other restaurant operating costs (1)
21
.2
 
22
.2
 
20
.5
 
21
.2
       Depreciation and amortization (1)
5
.4
 
6
.0
 
5
.2
 
5
.7
       Selling, general and administrative, net
7
.3
 
6
.0
 
7
.4
 
6
.2
       Closures and impairments
0
.1
 
0
.0
 
0
.4
 
0
.1
       Equity in (earnings)/losses of
                     
         unconsolidated franchises
(0
.0)
 
0
.3
 
(0
.0)
 
0
.2
       Interest expense, net
0
.9
 
1
.7
 
0
.8
 
1
.7
Income before income taxes
1
.8
 
0
.3
 
3
.6
 
1
.4
Provision for income taxes
0
.2
 
0
.1
 
0
.7
 
0
.3
Net income
1
.6%
 
0
.2%
 
2
.9%
 
1
.1%
 
(1)     As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue.
 
The following table shows Company-owned Ruby Tuesday, Wok Hay, and Jim ‘N Nick’s concept restaurant activity for the 13- and 26-week periods ended November 30, 2010 and December 1, 2009.
 
   
Ruby Tuesday
   
Wok Hay
   
Jim ‘N Nick’s
   
Total
 
Company owned:
                       
13 weeks ended November 30, 2010
                       
     Beginning number
    674       2             676  
     Opened
                1       1  
     Acquired from franchisees
    3                   3  
     Closed
    (1 )                 (1 )
     Ending number
    676       2       1       679  
 
 
26

 
                                 
26 weeks ended November 30, 2010
                               
     Beginning number
    656       2             658  
     Opened
                1       1  
     Acquired from franchisees
    23                   23  
     Closed
    (3 )                 (3 )
     Ending number
    676       2       1       679  
                                 
13 weeks ended December 1, 2009
                               
     Beginning number
    670       2             672  
     Opened
                       
     Closed
                       
     Ending number
    670       2             672  
                                 
26 weeks ended December 1, 2009
                               
     Beginning number
    672       2             674  
     Opened
                       
     Closed
    (2 )                 (2 )
     Ending number
    670       2             672  
 
The following table shows franchised Ruby Tuesday concept restaurant activity for the 13- and 26-week periods ended November 30, 2010 and December 1, 2009.
 
   
Thirteen weeks ended
   
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
   
November 30,
2010
   
December 1,
2009
   
November 30,
2010
   
December 1,
2009
 
       Beginning number
    203       226       223       229  
          Opened
    2       3       5       3  
          Sold to RTI
    (3 )           (23 )      
          Closed
    (4 )     (2 )     (7 )     (5 )
       Ending number
    198       227       198       227  
 
In addition to the Ruby Tuesday concept restaurant activity in the table above, a traditional international franchisee opened one Wok Hay concept restaurant during our second quarter of fiscal 2011.
 
We expect our domestic and international franchisees to open approximately five to seven additional Ruby Tuesday restaurants during the remainder of fiscal 2011.  We currently anticipate converting four to six Company-owned Ruby Tuesday concept restaurants into other concepts during the remainder of fiscal 2011.  We expect to open one or two inline Company-owned Lime concept restaurants during the remainder of fiscal 2011.
 
 
RTI’s restaurant sales and operating revenue for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010 increased 6.3% to $289.0 million compared to the same period of the prior year.  This increase primarily resulted from a 4.2% increase in same-restaurant sales and the acquisition of 23 restaurants from franchisees during the current year.  The increase in same-restaurant sales is attributable to higher average net check in the current quarter compared to the same quarter in the prior year due primarily to a change in menu mix from the rollout of our new menu in August coupled with an increase in guest traffic.
 
Franchise revenue for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010 decreased 5.4% to $1.5 million compared to the same period of the prior year.  Franchise revenue is predominately comprised of domestic and international royalties, which totaled $1.3 million and $1.5 million for the 13-week periods ended November 30, 2010 and December 1, 2009, respectively.  This decrease is due to a decline in royalties from domestic franchisees as a result of temporarily reduced or deferred royalties for certain franchisees and the acquisition of two franchise partnerships since the same quarter of the prior year, offset by higher same-restaurant sales for domestic franchise Ruby Tuesday restaurants of 1.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.
 
 
27

 
 
For the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, sales at Company-owned restaurants increased 3.2% to $589.6 million compared to the same period of the prior year.  This increase primarily resulted from a 2.6% increase in same-restaurant sales and the acquisition of 23 restaurants from franchisees during the current year.  The increase in same-restaurant sales is attributable to higher average net check in the current year compared to the prior year due to a shift in our value positioning and print incentive strategy since the prior year and a change in menu mix from the rollout of our new menu in August, offset by a decrease in guest traffic in the first quarter of the current year.
 
For the 26-week period ended November 30, 2010, franchise revenues increased 22.7% to $3.6 million compared to $2.9 million for the same period in the prior year.  Domestic and international royalties totaled $3.2 million and $2.8 million for the 26-week periods ending November 30, 2010 and December 1, 2009, respectively.  This increase is due to an increase in royalties from our traditional domestic franchisees as we recognized royalty fees due from a traditional domestic franchisee who previously had been deferring payment in the current year, coupled with an increase in same-restaurant sales for domestic franchise Ruby Tuesday restaurants of 0.9% for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010.
 
Under our accounting policy, we do not recognize franchise fee revenue for any franchise with negative cash flows at times when the negative cash flows are deemed to be anything other than temporary and the franchise has either borrowed directly from us or through a facility for which we provide a guarantee.  We also do not recognize additional franchise fee revenue from franchisees with fees in excess of 60 days past due.  Accordingly, we have deferred recognition of a portion of franchise revenue from certain franchises.  Unearned income for franchise fees was $2.1 million and $2.4 million as of November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, respectively, which are included in Other deferred liabilities and/or Accrued liabilities – rent and other in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
 
Pre-tax income increased $4.4 million to $5.3 million for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010, from the same period of the prior year.  The higher pre-tax income is due to an increase in same-restaurant sales of 4.2% at Company-owned restaurants, lower interest expense ($2.0 million), and equity in losses of unconsolidated franchises ($0.8 million), and decreases, as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue or total revenue, as appropriate, of payroll and related costs, other restaurant operating costs, and depreciation.  These lower costs were partially offset by increases, as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue or total revenue, as appropriate, of cost of merchandise, selling, general, and administrative expense, net, and closures and impairments.
 
For the 26-week period ended November 30, 2010, pre-tax income increased $13.1 million to $21.3 million, from the same period of the prior year.  The higher pre-tax income is due to an increase in same-restaurant sales of 2.6% at Company-owned restaurants, lower interest expense ($5.0 million) and equity in losses of unconsolidated franchises ($1.2 million), and decreases, as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue or total revenue, as appropriate, of cost of merchandise, payroll and related costs, other restaurant operating costs, and depreciation.  These lower costs were partially offset by increases, as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue or total revenue, as appropriate, of selling, general, and administrative expense, net and closures and impairments.
 
In the paragraphs that follow, we discuss in more detail the components of the increase in pre-tax income for the 13- and 26-week periods ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the comparable periods in the prior year.  Because a significant portion of the costs recorded in the Cost of merchandise, Payroll and related costs, Other restaurant operating costs, and Depreciation and amortization categories are either variable or highly correlate with the number of restaurants we operate, we evaluate our trends by comparing the costs as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, as well as the absolute dollar change, to the comparable prior year period.
 
Cost of Merchandise
 
 
 
28

 
 
Cost of merchandise increased $0.7 million (0.4%) to $169.6 million for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, from the corresponding period of the prior year.  As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, cost of merchandise decreased from 29.6% to 28.8%.
 
For the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010, the increase in absolute dollars is primarily a result of increased food cost due to enhancing our guests’ experience by rolling out garlic cheese biscuits at all of our restaurants at the end of our first quarter of the current year and the acquisition of 23 restaurants from franchisees during the current year.  Wine and beer cost also increased as we expanded our wine list to include additional premium wines.
 
For the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, the increase in absolute dollars is primarily a result of the addition of garlic cheese biscuits as discussed above, increased wine and beer cost as we expanded our wine list to include additional premium wines, and the acquisition of 23 restaurants from franchisees during the current year.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in food costs attributable to lowered guest counts during the first quarter of the current year due to a shift in our value promotion strategy by changing the “Buy One Get One Free” promotion offered during the first quarter of the prior year to a “Buy One Get One Free Up to $10” or a “25% Off” on our Specialties, Fork-Tender Ribs, and Handcrafted Steaks.
 
As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, the increase for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010 is due primarily to the rollout of garlic cheese biscuits at all of our restaurants.  As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, the decrease for 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 is due to leveraging with higher sale volumes coupled with a shift of our value promotion strategy as discussed above.
 
Payroll and Related Costs
 
 
Payroll and related costs increased $3.7 million (1.9%) to $200.0 million for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.  As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, payroll and related costs decreased from 34.4% to 33.9%.
 
For the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, the increase in absolute dollars is primarily a result of higher shift leader labor due to more manager meetings, which resulted in an increase in shift leader coverage in the restaurants, rolling out the Guest Service Coordinator position and associated wage increases since the same periods of the prior year, and the acquisition of 23 restaurants from franchisees during the current year.  Additionally, for the 26-week period the increase was partially offset by favorable health claims experience primarily during the first quarter of fiscal 2011.
 
As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, the decrease in payroll and related costs for both the 13 and 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 is due to leveraging with higher sale volumes.
 
Other Restaurant Operating Costs
 
Other restaurant operating costs increased $0.8 million (1.4%) to $61.2 million for the 13-week period ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.  As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, these costs decreased from 22.2% to 21.2%.
 
Other restaurant operating costs decreased $0.4 million (0.3%) to $120.8 million for the 26-week period ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.  As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, these costs decreased from 21.2% to 20.5%.
 
 
29

 
 
For the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010, the increase in other restaurant operating costs is attributable to the following (in thousands):
 
Repairs
  $ 1,256  
Reduced Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement income
    838  
Utilities
    389  
Other increases
    136  
Bad debt expense
    (1,025 )
Insurance
    (760 )
Net increase
  $ 834  
 
In both absolute dollars and as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue for the 13-week period, the increase is primarily a result of higher repairs expense due to costs associated with upgrades to new flat screen televisions and upgrading the cable packages in the bar area of certain restaurants, higher credit card expense due to accrued income in the prior year relating to the net proceeds from the Visa/MasterCard antitrust class action litigation in which we were a class member, and higher utilities due to usage.  These were partially offset by lower bad debt expense due to larger prior year adjustments for notes due from certain franchisees, and lower general liability insurance expense due to favorable claims experience.
 
For the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, the decrease in other restaurant operating costs is attributable to the following (in thousands):
 
Net gain on franchise acquisitions
  $ (1,660 )
Bad debt expense
    (1,388 )
Insurance
    (1,236 )
Repairs
    2,059  
Reduced Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement income
    838  
Utilities
    767  
Other increases
    220  
Net reductions
  $ (400 )
 
In both absolute dollars and as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue for the 26-week period, the decrease is primarily due to a net gain on the acquisitions of our Long Island and New England franchise partnerships during the current year as further discussed in Note D to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, lower bad debt expense due to larger prior year adjustments for notes due from certain franchisees, and lower general liability insurance expense due to favorable claims experience.  These were partially offset by higher repairs expense due primarily to costs associated with upgrades to new flat screen televisions and upgrading the cable packages in the bar area of certain restaurants, higher credit card expense due to accrued income in the prior year relating to the net proceeds fr om the Visa/MasterCard antitrust class action litigation in which we were a class member, and higher utilities due to usage.
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.8 million (5.6%) to $30.7 million for the 26-week period ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.  As a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, this expense decreased from 5.7% to 5.2%.
 
In terms of both absolute dollars and as a percentage of restaurant sales and operating revenue, the decrease for the 13- and 26-week periods is primarily due to reduced depreciation for assets that became fully depreciated since the second quarter of the prior year, which was partially offset by increased depreciation on assets acquired since the same quarter of the prior year.
 
 
30

 
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Net
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses, net of support service fee income, increased $8.4 million (23.6%) to $43.8 million for the 26-week period ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
 
The increase for the 13- and 26-week periods is primarily due to higher advertising costs ($3.6 million and $5.5 million, respectively) as a result of testing a marketing initiative by inserting coupons in certain national magazines and an increase in internet advertising due to the implementation of digital media since the second quarter of the prior year.  Also contributing to the increase were higher consulting fees ($0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively), primarily relating to cost savings initiatives, and higher management labor and training payroll ($0.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively) due to an increase in number of team members since the same quarter of the prior year.
 
Closures and Impairments
 
Closures and impairments expense increased $0.4 million to $0.3 million for the 13-week period ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year.  The increase for the 13-week period is due primarily to higher closed restaurant lease reserve expense ($0.6 million) offset by reductions in impairment charges ($0.1 million) and other closing costs ($0.1 million).

Closures and impairments increased $1.5 million to $2.1 million for the 26-week period ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year.  The increase for the 26-week period is due primarily to higher restaurant impairment charges ($0.6 million) and closed restaurant lease reserve expense ($0.3 million) coupled with higher gains during the prior year period on the sale of surplus properties ($0.8 million).  These were partially offset by reductions in other closing costs ($0.1 million).

See Note I to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our closures and impairment charges recorded during the first two quarters of fiscal 2011 and 2010.
 
Equity in (Earnings)/Losses of Unconsolidated Franchises
 
 
Our equity in the earnings of unconsolidated franchises was $0.2 million for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 compared with $1.0 million in losses for the 26 weeks ended December 1, 2009.  The change is attributable to increased earnings from investments in four of our five 50%-owned franchise partnerships and decreased losses from investments in our other remaining 50%-owned franchise partnership, due in part to same-restaurant sales increases in the current year.
 
As of November 30, 2010, we held 50% equity investments in each of five franchise partnerships, which collectively operate 60 Ruby Tuesday restaurants.  As of December 1, 2009, we held 50% equity investments in each of six franchise partnerships which then collectively operated 70 Ruby Tuesday restaurants.
 
Interest Expense, Net
 
Net interest expense decreased $2.0 million to $2.6 million for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to lower average debt outstanding on the revolving credit agreement (the “Prior Credit Facility”) and the payoff of the Private Placement Series A Notes since the second quarter of the prior year.  Net interest expense decreased $5.0 million to $5.0
 
 
31

 
 
million for the 26-week period ended November 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily for the same reasons mentioned above.
 
Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the current quarter was 13.3% compared to 47.4% for the same period of the prior year.  The effective tax rate was 20.5% for the 26-week period ended November 30, 2010 compared to 20.4% for the corresponding period of the prior year.  The change in the effective tax rate for the 13-week period ended November 30, 2010 is attributable to an increase in the amount of FICA Tip Credit and Work Opportunity Tax Credit in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to the prior year coupled with smaller increases in our income tax reserve in the current year.
 
Critical Accounting Policies: 

 
Our MD&A is based upon our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make subjective or complex judgments that may affect the reported financial condition and results of operations.  We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable in the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  We continually evaluate the information used to make these estimat es as our business and the economic environment changes.
 
In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 1, 2010, we identified our critical accounting policies related to share-based employee compensation, impairment of long-lived assets, franchise accounting, lease obligations, estimated liability for self-insurance, and income tax valuation allowances and tax accruals.  During the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2011, there have been no changes in our critical accounting policies.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources: 

 
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $1.4 million and $3.7 million during the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The change in cash and cash equivalents is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
 
November 30,
 
December 1,
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 32,793     $ 58,233  
Cash used by investing activities
    (14,126 )     (7,127 )
Cash used by financing activities
    (20,038 )     (54,823 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (1,371 )   $ (3,717 )
 
Operating Activities
 
Our cash provided by operations is generally derived from cash receipts generated by our restaurant customers and franchisees.  Substantially all of the $589.6 million and $571.2 million of restaurant sales and operating revenue disclosed in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 and December 1, 2009, respectively, was received in cash either at the point of sale or within two to four days (when our guests paid with debit or credit cards).  Our primary uses of cash for operating activities are food and beverage purchases, payroll and benefit costs, restaurant operating costs, general and administrative expenses, and marketing, a significant portion of which are incurred and paid in the same period.
 
 
32

 
 
Cash provided by operating activities for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2011 decreased $25.4 million (43.7%) from the corresponding period in the prior year to $32.8 million.  The decrease is due to additional cash outlays for inventory ($9.6 million), due in part to the advance purchase of lobster as disclosed in Note F to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and an increase in cash paid for income taxes ($21.3 million, a substantial portion of which is due to a prior year federal refund related to a tax accounting method change as permitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to the expensing of certain repairs.  Partially offsetting these was a decrease in cash paid for interest ($5.8 million).

Our working capital deficiency and current ratio as of November 30, 2010 were $12.2 million and 0.9:1, respectively.  As is common in the restaurant industry, we carry current liabilities in excess of current assets because cash (a current asset) generated from operating activities is reinvested in capital expenditures (a long-term asset) or debt reduction (a long-term liability) and receivable and inventory levels are generally not significant.

Investing Activities
 
We require capital principally for the maintenance and upkeep of our existing restaurants, limited new or converted restaurant construction, investments in technology, equipment, remodeling of existing restaurants, and on occasion for the acquisition of franchisees or other restaurant concepts.  Property and equipment expenditures purchased with internally generated cash flows for the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010 were $13.3 million.
 
Capital expenditures for the remainder of the fiscal year are projected to be approximately $16.0 to $20.0 million based on our planned improvements for existing restaurants.  We intend to fund our investing activities with cash provided by operations.
 
Financing Activities
 
Historically our primary sources of cash have been operating activities and proceeds from stock option exercises and refranchising transactions.  When these alone have not provided sufficient funds for both our capital and other needs, we have obtained funds through the issuance of indebtedness or, more recently, through the issuance of additional shares of common stock.  Our current borrowings and credit facilities are described below.

As further discussed in Note B to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, during the first quarter of the prior year, we closed an underwritten public offering of 11.5 million shares of Ruby Tuesday, Inc. common stock at $6.75 per share, less underwriting discounts.  We received approximately $73.1 million in net proceeds from the sale of the shares, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses.  The net proceeds were used to repay indebtedness under our Prior Credit Facility.

On December 1, 2010, we entered into the Credit Facility which replaced both our Prior Credit Facility and the Franchise Facility discussed in Notes H and N, respectively, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Under the Credit Facility we may borrow up to $320.0 million with the option to increase our capacity by $50.0 million to $370.0 million.  The terms of the Credit Facility provide for a $40.0 million swingline subcommitment and a $50.0 million letter of credit subcommitment.

The interest rate charged on borrowings pursuant to the Credit Facility can vary depending on the interest rate option we choose to utilize.  Our Base Rate for borrowings is defined to be the higher of Bank of America’s prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, or an adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.25%.  The applicable margin for our Eurodollar Borrowings ranges from 1.25% to 2.25%.

The Credit Facility contains financial covenants relating to the maintenance of leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and minimum net worth.  The covenants, as well as the conditions to each borrowing, are substantially similar to those contained in the Prior Credit Facility.

On December 1, 2010, we drew down approximately $203.2 million under the Credit Facility to repay borrowings outstanding under the Prior Credit Facility.  Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
 
 
33

 
 
refinancing were paid from cash on hand.  Additionally, new letters of credit totaling $20.0 million were obtained to replace those outstanding under the Prior Credit Facility.

On April 3, 2003, we issued notes totaling $150.0 million through a private placement of debt (the “Private Placement”).  On December 1, 2010, we entered into an amendment of the amended and restated notes issued in the Private Placement (“Note Amendment”).  This amendment conformed the covenants in this agreement to the covenants contained in the Credit Facility discussed above.

At November 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010, the Private Placement consisted of $44.4 million and $48.4 million, respectively, in notes with an interest rate of 7.17% (the “Series B Notes”).  The Series B Notes mature on April 1, 2013.  During the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, we offered, and our noteholders accepted, principal payments of $4.0 million on the Series B Notes.  As discussed in Note Q to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, under the terms of the December 1, 2010 amendment to the Private Placement we are no longer required to offer quarterly principal prepayments to our noteholders.

In connection with the Credit Agreement and Note Amendment, on December 1, 2010, Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent, along with the lenders and institutional investors pursuant to the Credit Agreement and Note Amendment, issued a Notice of Direction and Termination effectively terminating the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement by and between such parties dated May 21, 2008, and also terminating the Pledge Agreement dated May 21, 2008 by and among Ruby Tuesday, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (together the “Pledgors”) and the creditors pursuant to the Credit Agreement and Note Amendment, by which the Pledgors had pledged certain subsidiary equity interests as security for the repayment of our obligations under the Credit Agreement and Note Amendment.

During the remainder of fiscal 2011, we expect to fund operations, capital expansion, and any other investments, from operating cash flows, our Credit Facility, and operating leases.
 
Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
 
 
 
Payments Due By Period
     
Less than
 
1-3
 
3-5
 
More than 5
 
Total
 
1 year
 
years
 
years
 
years
Notes payable and other
   long-term debt, including
                           
   current maturities (a)
$
47,652
 
$
7,639
 
$
14,718
 
$
9,392
 
$
15,903
Revolving credit facility (a) (b)
 
198,800
   
   
198,800
   
   
Unsecured senior notes
                           
   (Series B) (a)
 
44,442
   
   
44,442
   
   
Interest (c)
 
25,350
   
6,837
   
10,193
   
3,437
   
4,883
Operating leases (d)
 
345,492
   
41,024
   
74,717
   
60,551
   
169,200
Purchase obligations (e)
 
106,143
   
42,409
   
32,298
   
25,854
   
5,582
Pension obligations (f)
 
36,090
   
10,781
   
6,132
   
5,133
   
14,044
   Total (g)
$
803,969
 
$
108,690
 
$
381,300
 
$
104,367
 
$
209,612

(a)  
See Notes H and Q to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
(b)  
Amount shown for the revolving credit facility represents the February 23, 2012 maturity date of the Prior Credit Facility.  As discussed further in Note Q to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, on December 1, 2010 we entered into a five-year revolving credit agreement which replaced the Prior Credit Facility.
(c)  
Amounts represent contractual interest payments on our fixed-rate debt instruments.  Interest payments on our variable-rate revolving credit facility and variable-rate notes payable with balances of $198.8 million and $5.1 million, respectively, as of November 30, 2010 have been excluded from the amounts shown above, primarily because the balance outstanding under the Credit Facility, described further in Note H of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,  fluctuates daily.  Additionally, the amounts shown above include interest payments on the Series B Notes at the current interest rates of 7.17%, respectively.  These rates could be different in the future based upon certain leverage ratios.
 
 
34

 
 
(d)  
This amount includes operating leases totaling $10.6 million for which sublease income of $10.6 million from franchisees or others is expected.  Certain of these leases obligate us to pay maintenance costs, utilities, real estate taxes, and insurance, which are excluded from the amounts shown above.  See Note G to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
(e)  
The amounts for purchase obligations include commitments for food items and supplies, telephone, utility, and other miscellaneous commitments.
(f)  
See Note J to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
(g)  
This amount excludes $3.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with such obligations.
 
Commercial Commitments (in thousands):
 
 
Payments Due By Period
   
Less than
1-3
3-5
More than 5
 
Total
1 year
Years
years
Years
Letters of credit (a)
 
$   20,016
 
$   20,016
 
$           
 
$           
 
$            
 
Franchisee loan guarantees (a)
 
40,153
 
39,804
 
349
 
 
 
            
 
Divestiture guarantees
 
6,120
 
483
 
990
 
991
 
3,656
 
   Total
 
$   66,289
 
$   60,303
 
$    1,339
 
$       991
 
$     3,656
 
 
(a)  
Includes a $3.6 million letter of credit which secures franchisees’ borrowings for construction of restaurants being financed under a franchise loan facility.  The franchise loan guarantee of $40.2 million also shown in the table excludes the guarantee of $3.6 million for construction on the restaurants being financed under the facility.
 
See Note N to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
See Note N to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our franchise partnership and divestiture guarantees.
 

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities.  The updated guidance eliminates the prior exceptions to consolidating qualifying special-purpose entities, contains new criteria for determining the primary beneficiary, and increases the frequency of required reassessments to determine whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity.  This guidance also contains a new requirement that any term, transaction, or arrangement that does not have a substantive effect on an entity’s status as a variable interest entity, a company’s power over a variable interest entity, or a company’s obligation to absorb losses or its right to receive benefits of an entity must be disregarded in applying the provisions of the pre-Codification guidance.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 (fiscal 2011 for RTI).  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In January 2010, the FASB issued fair value guidance requiring new disclosures and clarification of existing disclosures for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis.  The guidance requires disclosure of transfer activity into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and also requires more detailed disclosure about the activity within Level 3 fair value measurements.  The majority of the requirements in this guidance were effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009 (our fiscal 2010 fourth quarter) and were adopted in our fiscal 2010 fourth quarter.  Requirements related to Level 3 disclosures are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010 (our fiscal 2011 fourth quarter).& #160; We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement disclosures.

 
35

 
 
Known Events, Uncertainties and Trends:

 
 

Dividends

During fiscal 1997, our Board of Directors approved a dividend policy as an additional means of returning capital to our shareholders.  The payment of a dividend in any particular future period and the actual amount thereof remain at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and no assurance can be given that dividends will be paid in the future.

Franchising and Development Agreements

Our agreements with franchise partnerships allow us to purchase an additional 49% equity interest for a specified price.  We have chosen to exercise that option in situations in which we expect to earn a return similar to or better than that which we expect when we invest in new restaurants.  During the 26 weeks ended November 30, 2010, we did not exercise our right to acquire an additional 49% equity interest in any of our franchise partnerships.  We currently have a 1% ownership in six of our 11 franchise partnerships, which collectively operated 37 Ruby Tuesday restaurants at November 30, 2010.

Our franchise agreements with the franchise partnerships allow us to purchase all remaining equity interests beyond the 1% or 50% we already own, for an amount to be calculated based upon a predetermined valuation formula.  As further discussed in Note D to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 we exercised our right to acquire the remaining equity interest of our Long Island and New England franchise partnerships.  We currently have a 50% ownership in five of our 11 franchise partnerships which collectively operated 60 Ruby Tuesday restaurants at November 30, 2010.
 
To the extent allowable under our debt facilities, we may choose to sell existing restaurants or exercise our rights to acquire an additional equity interest in franchise partnerships during the remainder of fiscal 2011 and beyond.
 
 
 
 
Disclosures about Market Risk
 
We are exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates and changes in commodity prices.  The interest rate charged on our Credit Facility can vary based on the interest rate option we choose to utilize.  Our options for the rate are the Base Rate or LIBO Rate plus an applicable margin.  The Base Rate is defined to be the higher of the issuing bank’s prime lending rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%.  The applicable margin is zero to 2.5% for the Base Rate loans and a percentage ranging from 1.0% to 3.5% for the LIBO Rate-based option.  As of November 30, 2010, the total amount of outstanding debt subject to interest rate fluctuations was $203.9 million.  A hypothetical 100 basis point change in short-term interest rates would result in an increase or decr ease in interest expense of $2.0 million per year, assuming a consistent capital structure.
 
Many of the ingredients used in the products we sell in our restaurants are commodities that are subject to unpredictable price volatility.  This volatility may be due to factors outside our control such as weather and seasonality.  We attempt to minimize the effect of price volatility by negotiating fixed price contracts for
 
 
36

 
 
the supply of key ingredients.  Historically, and subject to competitive market conditions, we have been able to mitigate the negative impact of price volatility through adjustments to average check or menu mix.
 
 
 
 
Our management, with the participation and under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of November 30, 2010.
 
Changes in Internal Controls
 
During the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2010, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a – 15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 

 

 
We are presently, and from time to time, subject to pending claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including claims relating to injury or wrongful death under “dram shop” laws, workers’ compensation and employment matters, claims relating to lease and contractual obligations, and claims from guests alleging illness or injury.  We provide reserves for such claims when payment is probable and estimable in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  At this time, in the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated operations, financial position, or cash flows.  See Note N to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about our le gal proceedings as of November 30, 2010.
 
 
 
 
37

 
 
 
RISK FACTORS
 
 

 
Information regarding risk factors appears in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 1, 2010 in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors.  There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K.
 
 
 
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
 


From time to time our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock as a means to return excess capital to our shareholders.  The timing, price, quantity and manner of the purchases have been made at the discretion of management, depending upon market conditions and the restrictions contained in our loan agreements.  Although 7.9 million shares remained available for purchase under existing programs, we did not repurchase any shares of RTI common stock during the first two quarters of fiscal 2011.  The repurchase of shares in any particular future period and the actual amount thereof remain at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and no assurance can be given that shares will be repurchased in the future.
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
38

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 Exhibit No.
 
10
.1
  Second Amendment, dated as of December 15, 2010, to the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Cafeteria Plan.
 
       
10
.2
  First Amendment, dated as of December 15, 2010, to the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Health Savings Account
 
   
      Plan.
 
       
10
.3
  Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Severance Pay Plan, amended and restated as of January 5, 2011.
 
       
31
.1
  Certification of Samuel E. Beall, III, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer.
 
       
31
.2
  Certification of Marguerite N. Duffy, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer.
 
       
32
.1
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
 
   
      Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
       
32
.2
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
 
   
      Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
39

 
 

 

 
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, thereunto duly authorized.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 BY: /s/ MARGUERITE N. DUFFY
——————————————
Marguerite N. Duffy
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40

 
EX-10.1 2 ex_10-1.htm 2ND AMENDMENT CAFETERIA PLAN ex_10-1.htm

SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE
RUBY TUESDAY, INC. CAFETERIA PLAN

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT is made December 15, 2010 by Ruby Tuesday, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Georgia (hereinafter called the “Primary Sponsor”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Primary Sponsor maintains the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Cafeteria Plan (the “Plan”) under an indenture effective as of January 1, 2008, which has been amended once since such date; and

WHEREAS, the Primary Sponsor now desires to amend the Plan for changes required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended, and to make other miscellaneous changes.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Primary Sponsor does hereby amend the Plan, effective as of January 1, 2011, as follows:

1.           By deleting the existing Section 1.6 and substituting therefor the following:

“1.6           ‘Dependent’ means any Eligible Employee’s dependent, within the meaning of Code Section 152 (without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof) or Code Section 105(b), except that for Plan Sections relating to the Dependent Care Expense Account, ‘Dependent’ means:

(a)           an Eligible Employee’s dependent, as defined in Code Section 152(a)(1), who is under the age of thirteen (13);

(b)           an Eligible Employee’s dependent, as defined in Code Section 152 (without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof), who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself and who has the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of such taxable year; or

(c)           the spouse of an Eligible Employee, if such spouse is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself and who has the same principal place of abode as the taxpayer for more than one-half of such taxable year.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of a Participating Plan, the definition of ‘Dependent’ may be further limited by the terms of such Participating Plan.”

 
 

 
 
2.           By deleting the existing Section 1.30(a)(8) and substituting therefor the following:

“(8)           a prescribed medicine or drug (regardless of whether the medicine or drug requires a prescription);”

3.           By adding to Section 3.3 immediately after the phrase “thirty (30) day period” the phrase “(or such longer period as required by law)”.

Except as specifically amended hereby, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect prior to this Second Amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Primary Sponsor has caused this Second Amendment to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
 

RUBY TUESDAY, INC.

By:   /s/ Samuel E. Beall, III
 
Title: Chairman, CEO and President 


 
 
EX-10.2 3 ex_10-2.htm 1ST AMENDMENT HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT ex_10-2.htm

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
RUBY TUESDAY, INC. HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT PLAN

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT is made December 15, 2010 by Ruby Tuesday, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Georgia (hereinafter called the “Primary Sponsor”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Primary Sponsor maintains the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Health Savings Account Plan (the “Plan”) under an indenture effective as of January 1, 2008; and

WHEREAS, the Primary Sponsor now desires to amend the Plan for changes required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended, and to make other miscellaneous changes.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Primary Sponsor does hereby amend the Plan, effective as of January 1, 2011, as follows:

1.           By deleting the existing Section 1.6 and substituting therefor the following:

“1.6           ‘Dependent’ means any Eligible Employee’s dependent, within the meaning of Code Section 152 (without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof) or Code Section 105(b).”

2.           By deleting the existing Section 1.27(a) and substituting therefor the following:

“(a)           means amounts paid by a Participant for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, relating to vision or dental care, including, without limitation, a prescribed medicine or drug (regardless of whether the medicine or drug requires a prescription).”

3.           By adding to Section 3.3 immediately after the phrase “thirty (30) day period” the phrase “(or such longer period as required by law)”.

Except as specifically amended hereby, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect prior to this First Amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Primary Sponsor has caused this First Amendment to be executed as of the day and year first above written.


RUBY TUESDAY, INC.

By:   /s/ Samuel E. Beall, III                                                                     

Title: Chairman, CEO and President
EX-10.3 4 ex_10-3.htm RUBY TUESDAY RESTATED 2010 SEVERANCE PAY PLAN ex_10-3.htm
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
SEVERANCE PAY PLAN


Section 1
Establishment of the Plan

1.1           Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan (as defined below) generally is to provide severance benefits under the circumstances described below to Eligible Employees (as defined below) in the event that their employment is involuntarily terminated by the Employer (as defined below) because business conditions require the Layoff (as defined below) of one or more affected Eligible Employees.  This Plan is designed to ease a difficult event for such Eligible Employees by providing temporary replacement income.  The receipt of severance benefits under this Plan is subject to all of the conditions and restrictions set forth below.  The Plan is not intended to provide any benefits to employees who quit, resign or retire voluntarily, accept another position with the Company or any of its Affiliates (as defined below), or who are otherwise discharged involuntarily (including, but not limited to, performance reasons, violations of company policy, or unlawful conduct) other than due to a Layoff (as defined below).

1.2           Type of Plan.  This Plan is intended to constitute an employee welfare benefit plan within the scope of Section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and, more specifically, a severance pay plan within the scope of Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.3-2(b) and an unfunded welfare plan maintained for the purpose of providing benefits for a select group of management or highly compensated employees within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulations Section 2520.104-24, and is to be interpreted in a manner consistent with such provisions.
   
1.3           Effective Date.  The effective date of this amendment and restatement of the Plan is July 21, 2010, although its provisions shall apply only to qualifying Layoffs occurring on and after January 5, 2011.                   
Section 2
Definitions

2.1           “Affiliate” means any entity which is controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

2.2           “Agreement for Separation of Employment” means an agreement, in the form prescribed by the Plan Administrator, which provides for (a) the terms of the Layoff; (b) post-employment restrictions on the competitive activities of the Eligible Employee; and (c) the release and discharge of the Company and related persons and entities from any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands or causes of action, in any way directly or indirectly related to or connected with the Eligible Employee's employment with the Employer or the Termination of Employment with the Employer, including but not limited to, claims relating to discrimination in employment.

 
 

 
 
2.3           “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.4           “Cause” means the occurrence of any of the following reasons for the discharge or other involuntary termination of an Eligible Employee of his or her employment with the Employer:

(a)           willful refusal by an Eligible Employee to follow a lawful direction of any superior officer of the Company or an Affiliate, provided the direction is not materially inconsistent with the duties or responsibilities of the Eligible Employee’s position;

(b)           sustained performance deficiencies which are communicated to the Eligible Employee in writing as part of formal performance reviews and/or other written communications from any superior officer of the Company or an Affiliate;

(c)           misconduct by the Eligible Employee, including, but not limited to fraud, intentional violation of or negligent disregard for the rules and procedures of the Company or an Affiliate (including a violation of any business code of conduct maintained by the Company or an Affiliate), dishonesty, insubordination, theft or other illegal conduct, violent acts or threats of violence, or unauthorized possession or use of  controlled substances on the property of the Company or an Affiliate, or any other terminable offense under the policies and practices of the Company or an Affiliate;

(d)           intentional disclosure by the Eligible Employee to an unauthorized person of confidential information or trade secrets of the Employer, the Company (if different) or any Affiliate;

(e)           any act by the Eligible Employee of fraud against, material misappropriation from, or significant dishonesty to either the Company or an Affiliate;

(f)           conviction by the Eligible Employee of a felony;

(g)           a material breach of any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate to which an Eligible Employee is a party, provided that the nature of such breach shall be set forth with reasonable particularity in a written notice to the Eligible Employee who shall have ten (10) days following delivery of such notice to cure such alleged breach, provided that such breach is, in the reasonable discretion of the Plan Administrator or its delegatee, susceptible to a cure; or

(h)           any other involuntary or constructive termination of an Eligible Employee’s employment that does not constitute a Layoff;

For purposes of the Plan, the determination of whether a discharge or other release from employment is for Cause will be made by the Plan Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, and such determination will be conclusive and binding on the affected Employee.

2.5           “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as construed and interpreted by valid regulations and rulings issued thereunder.

 
2

 
 
2.6           “Company” means Ruby Tuesday, Inc., a Georgia corporation, and any successor thereto.

2.7           “Eligible Employee” means an Employee who, as of the Layoff Date:

(a)           is employed in an employment classification with the title or Senior Vice President or above;

(b)           does not have a personal services contract with the Company or an Affiliate; and

(c)           has not previously agreed either orally or in writing to waive eligibility for this Plan, as determined by the Plan Administrator based on Employer records.

2.8           “Employee” means a common law employee of an Employer, as reflected on the Employer’s payroll records, excluding (a) employees classified or reclassified by an Employer as intermittent, temporary, seasonal, project or occasional; (b) persons classified by an Employer as independent contractors, regardless of how such employees may be classified or reclassified by any federal, state, or local, domestic or foreign, governmental agency or instrumentality thereof, or court; (c) expatriate employees; and (d) employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, unless the collective bargaining agreement provides for participation in the Plan.

2.9           “Employer” means the Company and each Affiliate that the Company shall from time to time designate as an Employer for purposes of the Plan.

2.10           “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and as construed and interpreted by valid regulations and rulings issued thereunder.

2.11           “Layoff” means (a) the involuntary Termination of Employment of an Eligible Employee from the Employer due to (i) the elimination of an employment position by the Employer due to duplicative or unnecessary positions or an announced program to reduce the size of the Employer’s workforce (other than an announced plan to reduce the size of the Employer’s workforce due to a decline in the census at a facility or location or the termination of a contract for services at a facility or location); or (ii) an announced plan of corporate downsizing or a reduction in force or job elimination (other than an announced plan to reduce the size of the Employer’s workforce due to a decline in census at a facility or location or the termination of a contract for services at a facility or location); provided, however, that in no event will an involuntary termination of employment be considered a Layoff if the involuntary termination of employment is due to Cause; (b) voluntary Termination of Employment of an Eligible Employee from the Employer due to the material reduction of the Eligible Employee’s annual base salary or annual rate of bonus potential (determined as a percentage of annual base salary) which is not otherwise part of a program of base salary or bonus potential reductions applicable to one or more other Eligible Employees; and (c) the Termination of Employment of an Eligible Employee by mutual agreement with the Employer.

 
3

 
 
2.12           “Layoff Date” means an Eligible Employee’s last day of employment in connection with a Termination of Employment on account of his or her Layoff.

2.13           “Participant” means an Eligible Employee who meets the requirements for benefits under the Plan, as set forth in Section 3 of the Plan.

2.14           “Plan” means the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Severance Pay Plan.

2.15           “Plan Administrator” means the Company.

2.16           “Successor Employer” means any entity that:

(a)           assumes operations or functions formerly carried out by the Employer (such as the buyer of a facility or any entity to which an Employer operation or function has been outsourced);

(b)           is an Affiliate; or

(c)           makes a job offer at the request of the Employer (such as a joint venture of which the Employer is a member).

2.17           “Termination of Employment’ means a Participant’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A that also is a complete cessation of the Participant’s status as a common law employee of the Company and all Affiliates.

2.18           “WARN Act’ means the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.

Section 3
Participation

3.1           Eligibility.  An Eligible Employee becomes a Participant if he or she is an Eligible Employee who experiences a Termination of Employment that is a Layoff, subject to the further conditions in Sections 3.2 through 3.4 and the additional limitations otherwise set forth in the Plan.

3.2           Condition Precedent.  Notwithstanding the forgoing, benefits under this Plan shall become payable to a Participant only if the Participant executes an Agreement for Separation of Employment, in a form acceptable to the Plan Administrator, that becomes irrevocable no later than sixty (60) days following the Layoff Date.

3.3           Changed Decisions.  The Employer has the right to cancel a Layoff or reschedule a Layoff Date at any time before the Layoff Date.  A Participant will not become eligible for benefits under this Plan if the Layoff Date is cancelled or if the Participant voluntarily terminates employment before the Layoff Date specified by the Employer.

 
4

 
 
3.4           Ineligibility for Severance Pay.  Under no circumstances shall severance benefits be payable under the Plan to any Participant:

(a)           whose employment is terminated for Cause;

(b)           whose employment is terminated during a period in which such Participant is not actively at work (i.e., has been on leave of absence, disability or workers’ compensation) for more than twenty-six (26) weeks, except to the extent otherwise required by law;

(c)           who (other than for reasons listed in Section 2.11(b) herein) voluntarily quits or retires, regardless of the reason, whether or not such Participant claims a constructive discharge or whether or not a constructive discharge is subsequently determined to have occurred;

(d)           who dies;

(e)           who receives an offer of employment by the Participant from a Successor Employer to commence promptly following his or her Termination of Employment by the Employer, whether the Participant accepts the position or not; or

(g)           who is offered continuing employment by the Company or an Affiliate in another job position, whether the Eligible Employee accepts the position or not;

3.5           Duration.  A Participant remains a Participant under the Plan until the earliest of:

(a)           the date the Participant is no longer an Eligible Employee;

(b)           the payment of severance benefits in full following a Layoff Date; or

(c)           the date the Plan terminates.

Section 4
Severance Benefits

4.1           Cash Severance Benefits.  The amount of severance payable to each Participant shall be equal to two (2) times the Participant’s annualized base salary, exclusive of all other items of compensation, regardless of type or form of payment.

4.2           Payment.  Severance benefits due under Section 4.1 will be paid in cash, will be subject to applicable federal, state, and local tax and other payroll withholding, and will be payable in a lump sum no later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month following the Layoff Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, if and to the extent that the benefits provided in Section 4.1 cannot be paid at the time contemplated without violating Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), payment
 
 
5

 
 
shall be delayed until six (6) months after termination of employment (or any earlier date permitted under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(i) (or any successor guidance)).  Any payments that are so delayed shall be paid in a lump sum in cash upon the date the delayed payments can first be made.

4.3           Funding.  All benefits provided under the Plan shall be paid from the general assets of the Employer.
 
4.4           Withholding.  A Participant shall be responsible for payment of any federal, Social Security, state and local taxes on severance benefits provided under the Plan.  The Employer shall deduct from the severance benefits any federal, Social Security, state or local taxes which are subject to withholding, as determined by the Employer.
 
4.5           Offsets to Severance Benefits.
 
(a)           Severance benefits determined pursuant to Section 4.1 will be offset by any amount paid or payable to a Participant (but only to an amount not less than zero) pursuant to WARN, or any similar state law, in lieu of notice thereunder.
 
(b)           If, at the time severance benefits are payable hereunder, a Participant is indebted or obligated to the Company or any Affiliate, then such severance benefits may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be reduced by the amount of such indebtedness or obligation to the extent allowable under applicable federal or state law; provided that an election not to offset shall not constitute a waiver of a claim for such indebtedness or obligation, in accordance with applicable law.
 
(c)           Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, severance benefits shall be reduced by the amount of any other severance payments made by the Employer as a result of any obligation arising outside of the Plan ..
 
4.6           Integration With Other Payments.  Severance benefits under this Plan are not intended to duplicate such benefits as workers’ compensation wage replacement benefits, disability benefits, pay-in-lieu-of-notice, severance pay, or similar benefits under other benefit plans, severance programs, employment contracts, or applicable laws, such as WARN.  Should such other benefits be payable, benefits payable to a Participant under this Plan will be offset or, alternatively, where otherwise permissible, the Plan Administrator may deem benefits previously paid under this Plan as having been paid to satisfy such other benefit obligations.  In either case, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine how to apply this provision and may override other provisions in this Plan in doing so.

4.7           Limitations.  All benefits provided pursuant to or on behalf of any Participant under the Plan shall be made in accordance with the safe harbor limitations for severance pay plans set forth in Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.3-2(b) (which generally provide that payments be completed within twenty-four (24) months and that the total payments made not exceed the equivalent of twice a Participant’s annual compensation during the year immediately preceding the year of termination).  In the event the benefits under this Plan of any Participant exceed the safe harbor limitation concerning severance pay amounts, such benefits
 
 
6

 
 
shall be forfeited to the extent of the excess amount.  For purposes of this Section 4.7, the term “annual compensation” means the total of all compensation, including wages, salary and any other benefit of monetary value which was paid as consideration for the Employee’s service during such year, as determined in accordance with Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.3-2(b)(2)(i).  If the benefits provided under the Plan are required to be reduced by this Section 4.7, the Employer shall determine the manner and type of benefits subject to reduction.

Section 5
Claims for Benefits

5.1           Claims Procedure.  A Participant may file a written claim with the Plan Administrator if the Participant believes he or she did not receive all benefits to which he or she is entitled under Section 4.  The written claim must be filed within sixty (60) days of the Participant’s Termination of Employment.  In the event that a claim is denied, the Plan Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the denial within ninety (90) days after the Plan Administrator receives the claim, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim.  If such an extension of time is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the initial 90-day period.  In no event shall the extension exceed a period of ninety (90) days from the end of such initial period.  Any extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time, the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render the final decision, the standards on which entitlement to benefits are based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim and the additional information needed to resolve those issues.

5.2           Notice of Denial.  If an Eligible Employee is denied a claim for benefits under the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall provide to such claimant written notice of the denial which shall set forth:

(a)           the specific reasons for the denial;

(b)           specific references to the pertinent provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based;

(c)           a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

(d)           an explanation of the Plan’s claim review procedures, and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination under Section 5.7 below.

5.3           Right to Review.  After receiving written notice of the denial of a claim, a claimant or his or her representative shall be entitled to:

 
7

 
 
(a)           request a full and fair review of the denial of the claim by written application to the Plan Administrator;

(b)           request, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim;

(c)           submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the denied claim to the Plan Administrator; and

(d)           a review that takes into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

5.4           Application for Review. If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his or her claim to benefits under the Plan, he or she must submit the written application to the Plan Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

5.5           Hearing.  Upon receiving such written application for review, the Plan Administrator may schedule a hearing for purposes of reviewing the claimant’s claim, which hearing shall take place not more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Plan Administrator received such written application for review.

5.6           Notice of Hearing.  At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing, the claimant and his or her representative designated in writing by him or her, if any, shall receive written notice of the date, time, and place of such scheduled hearing.  The claimant or his or her representative, if any, may request that the hearing be rescheduled, for the claimant’s convenience, on another reasonable date or at another reasonable time or place.

5.7           Decision on Review.  No later than sixty (60) days following the receipt of the written application for review, the Plan Administrator shall submit its decision on the review in writing to the claimant involved and to his or her representative, if any, unless the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing) require an extension of time, to a day no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of receipt of the written application for review.  If the Plan Administrator determines that the extension of time is required, the Plan Administrator shall furnish to the claimant written notice of the extension before the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day period.  The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render its decision on review.  In the case of a decision adverse to the claimant, the Plan Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the denial which shall include:

(a)           the specific reasons for the decision;

(b)           specific references to the pertinent provisions of the Plan on which the decision is based;

 
8

 
 
(c)           a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits; and

(d)           an explanation of the Plan’s claim review procedures, and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following the denial of the claim upon review.

5.8           Filing a Claim.  No claim may be filed with a court regarding a denial of a claim for benefits under the Plan until the Eligible Employee has exhausted the administrative review procedures under the Plan as set forth in this Section 5.  All claims for benefits denied under the Plan must be brought in a federal court for Knox County, Tennessee, within ninety (90) days after the Eligible Employee receives his or her decision on review pursuant to Section 5.7.

Section 6
Administration and Financing of the Plan

6.1           Plan Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Plan Administrator.  The Plan Administrator shall have all such powers as may be necessary to discharge its duties hereunder, including, but not by way of limitation, the power to construe or interpret the Plan, to determine all questions of eligibility hereunder, and to perform such other duties as may from time to time be delegated to it by the Board.  The Plan Administrator may prescribe such forms and systems and adopt such rules and methods and tables as it deems advisable.  It may engage such agents, attorneys, accountants, actuaries, medical advisors, or clerical assistants (none of whom need be members of the Plan Administrator) as it deems necessary for the effective exercise of its duties, and may delegate to such agents any power and duties both ministerial and discretionary, as it may deem necessary and appropriate.  Any action taken by an agent or representative shall be considered to be the action of the Plan Administrator, when the agent or representative is acting within the scope of the authority delegated to it by the Plan Administrator, and the Plan Administrator shall be responsible for all such actions.

6.2           Discretionary Authority.  The Plan Administrator shall have the responsibility and the discretionary authority to construe the terms of the Plan and shall determine all questions arising in the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan, including, but not limited to, those concerning whether an Eligible Employee has met the necessary requirements of Section 3 to receive benefits under the Plan.  All determinations by the Plan Administrator shall be conclusive and binding on all Eligible Employees subject to the provisions of the Plan and subject to applicable law.

6.3           Books and Records.  The records of the Employers shall be conclusive evidence as to all information contained therein with respect to the basis for participation in the Plan and for the calculation of severance benefits.  The Plan Administrator shall keep all individual and group records relating to Participants and all other records necessary for the proper operation of the Plan.  Such records shall be made available to the Employers and to each Participant for examination during normal business hours except that a Participant shall examine only such
 
 
9

 
 
records as pertain exclusively to the examining Participant and the Plan.  The Plan Administrator shall prepare and shall file as required by law or regulation all reports, forms, documents and other items required by ERISA, the Code and every other relevant statute, each as amended, and all regulations thereunder and shall retain appropriate records thereof.

6.4           Status of Plan Administrator.  The Plan Administrator shall be the “administrator” of the Plan as described in ERISA.  The Plan Administrator shall be a named fiduciary of the Plan.
 
Section 7
Amendment and Termination

The Plan is completely voluntary on the part of the Company and Employers and neither its existence nor its continuation shall be construed as creating any contractual right to or obligation for its continued existence.  The Company reserves the right at any time to modify or terminate the Plan by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that in the event the Plan is terminated or in the event the Plan is amended to reduce benefits, the specific provisions of the Plan with respect to claims arising prior to the amendment or termination shall control, and no amendment or termination shall have the effect of retroactively changing or depriving Participants of rights already accrued under the Plan.  Any Participant’s right to benefits under the Plan shall accrue on a Participant’s Layoff Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may delegate the authority to amend the Plan to an officer or officers of the Company.  An amendment or termination of the Plan shall apply to all Employers then sponsoring the Plan.

Section 8
Miscellaneous Provisions

8.1           No Waiver.  The failure of the Company to enforce at any time any of the provisions of the Plan shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of these provisions, nor in any way to affect the validity of the Plan or any part thereof, or the right of the Company thereafter to enforce every provision.

8.2           Headings.  Article headings are for convenience only and the language of the Plan itself shall be controlling.

8.3           Assignment and Alienation.  Except as required by law, the benefits payable under this Plan will not be subject to alienation, transfer, assignment, garnishment, execution or levy of any kind, and any attempt to cause any benefits to be so subjected will not be recognized.  In the event of the death of Participant, any benefits to which the Participant may be entitled shall be payable to his or her estate.

8.4           Successors.  The Plan shall be binding upon assigns of the Company.  The Plan may be assigned by the Company to a person or entity which is an Affiliate or a successor in interest to substantially all of the business operations of the Company.  The terms “Company” and “Employer” in the event of a permitted assignment hereunder will include any such assignee and in the event that the Employer causes the Eligible Employee’s employment to be directly

 
10

 

transferred to the employment of another legal entity or the Employer acquiesces in such transfer, the Eligible Employee will not be deemed to have had a Termination of Employment hereunder as a result of such transfer.
 
8.5           Choice of Law.  This Plan is construed under, to the extent not preempted by Federal law, enforced in accordance with and governed by, the laws of the State of Georgia, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws.  If any provision of this Plan is found to be invalid, such provision shall be deemed modified to comply with applicable law and the remaining terms and provisions of this Plan will remain in full force and effect.

8.6           Severability.  Should any provisions or portion of the Plan be deemed or held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, the same shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any other provisions of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed as if the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of the Plan had never been contained herein.

8.7           Overpayments.  If any overpayment is made under the Plan for any reason, the Employer will have the right to recover the overpayment.  The Participant shall cooperate fully with the Plan and return any overpayment.

8.8           280G Taxes.  In the event that it is determined that any payment or benefits provided under the Plan would not be fully deductible to an Employer by reason of the limitations of Code Section 280G, the amounts of any such payments or benefits under the Plan will be reduced by the minimum amount necessary to provide that no payments or benefits provided to the Participant will fail to be deductible by the Employer by reason of the limitations under Code Section 280G and no excise tax under Code Section 4999 will be imposed on such Participant.
      
8.9           No Guarantee of Employment.  Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed as a contract of employment between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant, or as a right of any Participant to be continued in the employment of any such entity, or as a limitation of the right of an Employer to discharge any Participant with or without Cause.  Nor shall anything contained in this Plan affect the eligibility requirements under any other plans maintained by the Employer, nor give any person a right to coverage under any other plan.

8.10           Notice.  Any notice given hereunder is sufficient if given to the Employee by the Employer, or if mailed to the Employee to the last known address of the Employee as such address appears on the records of the Employer.

8.11           Service of Process.  The Company shall be the designated recipient of service of process with respect to legal actions regarding the Plan.

8.12           No Guarantee of Tax Consequences.  The Employer makes no commitment or guarantee that any amounts paid to or for the benefit of a Participant under this Plan will be excludable from the Participant's gross income for federal, Social Security, or state or local income tax purposes, or that any other federal, Social Security, or state or local income tax treatment will apply to or be available to any Participant.  It shall be the obligation of each
 
 
11

 
 
Participant to determine whether each payment under this Plan is excludable from the Participant's gross income for federal, Social Security, and state or local income tax purposes, and to notify the Plan Administrator if the Participant has reason to believe that any such payment is so excludable.

8.13           Limitation of Liability.  Neither any Employer nor the Plan Administrator shall be liable for any act or failure to act which is made in good faith pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, except to the extent required by applicable law.  It is expressly understood and agreed by each Eligible Employee who becomes a Participant that, except for its willful misconduct or gross neglect, neither any Employer nor the Plan Administrator shall be subject to any legal liability to any Participant, for any cause or reason whatsoever, in connection with this Plan, and each such Participant hereby releases the Employer, its officers and agents, and the Plan Administrator, and its agents, from any and all liability or obligation except as provided in this Section.

8.14           Incompetency.  If the Plan Administrator finds that a Participant is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness or accident, then benefits payable hereunder, unless claim has been made therefor by a duly appointed guardian, committee, or other legal representative, may be paid in such manner as the Plan Administrator will determine, and will constitute a complete discharge of all liability for any payments or benefits to which such Participant was or would have been otherwise entitled under the Plan.

8.15           Several, and Not Joint, Obligations.  The obligation to pay benefits to any Participant under this Plan is the sole obligation of the Employer who has employed the Participant and for whom such Participant has performed services, and payment of such benefits is not the obligation of any other Employer or their affiliates.

Section 9
ERISA Information

9.1           Official Name of the Plan.  Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Severance Pay Plan.

9.2           Plan Administrator.  The Plan Administrator keeps records of the Plan and is responsible for the administration of the Plan.  The Plan Administrator will also answer any questions a Participant may have about the Plan.

9.3           Type of Plan.  Employee Welfare Severance Benefit Plan.

9.4           End of Plan Year.  December 31.

9.5           Type of Administration.  Employer Administration.

 
12

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused the Plan to be executed as of the 5th day of January, 2011.


RUBY TUESDAY, INC.


By: /s/ Samuel E. Beall, III
Samuel E. Beall, III
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

[CORPORATE SEAL]


ATTEST:
 
/s/ Scarlett May
Secretary

 
13

 

AGREEMENT FOR SEPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT


This Agreement for Separation of Employment (herein the “Agreement”) is made by and between _________________ (herein “Employee”), of ______________________ (address) and Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (“RTI” and/or the “Company”), a Georgia corporation.  All capitalized terms contained in this Agreement and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Severance Pay Plan, as may be amended and restated from time to time (herein the “Severance Plan”).

1. This Agreement stipulates the terms of Employee’s Layoff (as defined in the Severance Plan).

2. [IF EMPLOYEE IS 40 OR OLDER] In order to cover the requirements of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Employee has twenty-one (21) days from the date of Employee’s receipt of this Agreement in which to consider the Agreement.  Employee has the election to accept or reject this offer within the twenty-one (21) day period.  It is recommended that Employee consult with an attorney about the Company's offer and Employee’s rights before signing it. Employee understands he/she will not, however, waive or give up any rights or claims he/she may have against the Company that may arise after the date that Employee accepts the Company's offer by signing this Agreement.  If Employee signs this Agreement, Employee specifically and unequivocally agrees to every term in the Waiver of Rights attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein.  If Employee signs this Agreement, he/she will have seven (7) days following the signing of the Agreement and the return of the signed Agreement to change his/her mind and revoke the Agreement.  To revoke the Agreement, Employee must ensure that written notice is delivered to _________________, [TITLE], Ruby Tuesday, Inc., 150 West Church Avenue, Maryville, Tennessee  37801 by the end of the day on the seventh calendar day after Employee signs this Agreement.  If Employee does not revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of signing, this Agreement will become final and binding on the day following such seven (7) day period.  If Employee signs the Agreement and does not revoke it during the seven (7) day revocation period, it shall become effective as of the last date of Employee’s employment [INSERT DATE] due to the Layoff (alternatively, the “Layoff Date” or “Effective Date”).  Whether or not Employee signs this Agreement, Employee is no longer an employee of the Company as of the Layoff Date.

2.  [IF EMPLOYEE IS UNDER 40] Employee has seven (7) days from the date of Employee’s receipt of this Agreement in which to consider the Agreement.  Employee has the election to accept or reject this offer within the seven (7) day period. If Employee signs this Agreement, Employee specifically and unequivocally agrees to every term in the Waiver of Rights attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein.  If Employee signs the Agreement, it shall become effective as of the last date of Employee’s employment [INSERT DATE] due to the Layoff (alternatively, the “Layoff Date” or “Effective Date”). Whether or not Employee signs this Agreement, Employee is no longer an employee of the Company as of the Layoff Date.
 
3.  Pursuant to the Severance Plan and in consideration of the releases, waivers, representations and obligations contained herein, Employee shall receive a sum of _____________ ($_______), which represents two (2) times Employee’s annualized base salary, exclusive of bonus and all
 
 
14

 
 
other items of compensation.  The timing and applicable withholdings and deductions regarding such payment shall be dictated by Section 4.2 of the Severance Plan.  Aside from the compensation set forth in this Section 3, Employee will not receive any additional compensation, including but not limited to, bonuses, auto allowance, or compensatory time off.

4.  The Company will provide Employee with information covering his/her health insurance entitlements under COBRA and other employee benefits upon the Layoff Date.  Such benefits will be provided pursuant to the terms and conditions of the policies and, to the extent applicable, governing plan documents applicable to the benefits in question.  Subject to any conflicting terms of the governing plan documents, the treatment applicable under certain benefit plans is described below:

 
(a)
Salary Deferral Plan / Deferred Compensation Plan.  If Employee participated in the Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Salary Deferral 401(k) Plan or the Deferred Compensation Plan, Employee may receive monies in accordance with the terms of those plans, but Employee will not be allowed to make any contributions or receive Company matching contributions under these plans with respect to any compensation otherwise payable to Employee following the Layoff Date.

 
(b)
Credit Union.  If Employee is currently a member of the Morrison Employees' Federal Credit Union, he/she may continue to participate in that program, subject only to observing the rules and qualifications governing participation.

 
(c)
Options / Restricted Stock.  Exhibit B to this Agreement contains a complete list of Employee’s Company-granted stock options and/or restricted stock.   Employee is not eligible for any grants of restricted stock or options to acquire Company stock following the Layoff Date.  Employee’s rights under the Company-granted restricted stock and/or stock options that he/she currently holds are controlled by the terms of the applicable written restricted stock and/or stock option award or agreement.

5.  Aside from the amounts to which Employee is entitled under the terms of the Agreement, Employee acknowledges that he/she has received any and all compensation and remuneration of any kind and character, including, but not limited to, salary (other than salary accrued through the Layoff Date), bonuses, commissions, vacation, restricted stock, stock options, and severance pay, which he/she may be entitled to receive from the Company at any time now or in the future.  It is understood that the Company's offer is in lieu of any other severance or separation pay.

6.  This Agreement shall in no way be construed as an admission by the Company that it has acted wrongfully with respect to Employee or any other person or that Employee has any rights whatsoever against the Company or any other party.  The Company specifically disclaims any liability to or wrongful acts against Employee or any other person on the part of itself, its employees or its agents.

7.  Employee represents and warrants that Employee has not filed, nor assigned to others the right to file, nor are there currently pending, any complaints, charges, claims, grievances, or
 
 
15

 
 
lawsuits against the Company with any administrative, state, federal, or governmental entity or agency or with any court.  Nothing herein is intended to or shall preclude Employee from filing a complaint and/or charge with any appropriate federal, state, or local government agency or cooperating with said agency in its investigation.  Employee, however, shall not be entitled to receive any relief or recovery in connection with any complaint or charge brought against the Company, without regard as to who brought said complaint or charge.

6.  Employee agrees to return any and all Company property currently in his/her possession to a Company representative as soon as practicable, including all electronic property that Employee received from the Company and/or that Employee used in the course of his/her employment with the Company and that are the property of the Company.  If Employee fails to return any such property, its value will be deducted from any payments Employee is scheduled to receive under this Agreement and the Severance Plan.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee will not delete, destroy or erase any data stored on or associated with such property, including but not limited to data stored on computers, phones, or other electronic devices.

9.  Employee acknowledges that he/she has access to Trade Secrets (as defined under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act or other applicable law), which are the sole and exclusive property of RTI.  Employee agrees that for the maximum period of time following the Layoff Date allowable under applicable law Employee shall not reproduce, use, distribute or disclose any Trade Secrets to any other person including without limitation, any competitors or potential competitors of RTI.

10.  As an employee of RTI, Employee has access to Confidential Information (as defined herein).  Employee agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information for a period of three (3) years following the Effective Date.  For purposes of this Section, the term “Confidential Information” means data and information relating to the business of RTI which does not rise to the level of a Trade Secret and which is or has been disclosed to Employee or of which Employee has become aware as a consequence of or through Employee’s employment relationship with RTI (or such subsidiary or affiliate) and which has value to RTI (or such subsidiary or affiliate) and is not generally known to its competitors including, without limitation, financial information, processes, manuals, technology, business strategies, tactics and future restaurant opening schedules.  Confidential Information shall not include (a) any data or information that (i) has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by RTI (except where such public disclosure was effected by Employee without authorization), (ii) has been independently developed and disclosed by others or (iii) otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means, or (b) Employee’s skills or experience developed in connection with performance of job functions.

11.  For a period of one (1) year from the Effective Date, Employee shall not perform any services of any type for the following competitors: Applebee’s, Chili’s, T.G.I. Friday’s, O’Charley’s, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Olive Garden or Outback Steak House unless Employee obtains the Company's prior written consent. Employee and Company agree that the covenant is reasonable and necessary to protect the business, interests and properties of the Company and that the damages which Company will suffer in the event of Employee’s breach of the foregoing covenant are impossible to quantify and determine.  Therefore, the parties agree that in the event of each such breach, Company shall have all rights and remedies available to it
 
 
16

 
 
by law or in equity, including by way of example and not of limitation, a temporary restraining order and temporary and permanent injunctions to prevent a breach or contemplated breach of this Section 11 and to any other remedies, including a forfeiture of, or right to recoup from Employee, the value of the payment made or payable pursuant to Section 3 herein.  The Employee acknowledges that all remedies available to the Company shall be cumulative.

12.  Employee shall not disparage RTI or communicate any false or adverse information about RTI, the terms of this Agreement, or any matter relating to RTI’s restaurants or food products provided by RTI.

13.  Employee agrees that he/she will fully cooperate with the Company and make himself/herself available to assist the Company in transitioning any duties or responsibilities to other employees or vendors, if necessary.  Employee further agrees that he/she will fully cooperate and consult with the Company, answer questions for the Company, and provide information as needed by the Company from time to time on a reasonable basis, including but not limited to cooperation in connection with litigation, audits, investigations, claims, or personnel matters that arise or have arisen over actions or matters that occurred or failed to occur during Employee’s employment with the Company.  Employee agrees to assist the Company as a witness or during any audit, investigation, or litigation (including depositions, affidavits and trial) if requested by the Company.  Employee agrees to meet at reasonable times and places with the Company’s representatives, agents or attorneys for purposes of preparing for such activities.  To the extent practicable and within the control of the Company, the Company will use reasonable efforts to schedule the timing of Employee’s participation in any such activities in a reasonable manner to take into account Employee’s then current employment, and will pay the reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses that the Company pre-approves and that Employee incurs for travel required by the Company with respect to those activities.

14.  Employee acknowledges and agrees and understands that the consideration described in Section 3 is not required by the Company’s policies and procedures and that the consideration in Section 3 exceeds any and all pay and benefits to which Employee already may have been entitled by contract or law and constitutes good, valuable and sufficient consideration for Employee’s covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement.  Except as contemplated by Section 5 above, Employee acknowledges, understands and agrees that Employee has been paid in full for all hours that Employee has worked for the Company and that Employee has been paid any and all compensation or bonuses which have been earned by Employee through the date of execution of this Agreement.  Employee acknowledges, understands and agrees that Employee has been notified of Employee’s rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and state leave laws.  Employee further acknowledges, understands and agrees that Employee has not been denied any leave requested under the FMLA or applicable state leave laws and that, to the extent applicable, Employee has been returned to Employee’s job, or an equivalent position, following any FMLA or state leave taken pursuant to the FMLA or state laws.  Employee acknowledges, understands and agrees that it is Employee’s obligation to make a timely report, in accordance with the Company’s policy and procedures, of any work related injury or illness.  Employee further acknowledges, understands and agrees that Employee has reported to the Company’s management personnel any work related injury or illness that occurred up to and including Employee’s last day of employment.  Employee acknowledges, understands, and
 
17

 
 
agrees that Employee has no knowledge of any actions or inactions by any of the Releasees or by Employee that Employee believes could possibly constitute a basis for a claimed violation of any federal, state, or local law, any common law or any rule promulgated by an administrative body.

15.  There are no other promises, agreements, or understandings between you and the Company, and it is the intent of this Agreement that it embodies any and all promises, agreements, and understandings between Employee and the Company.  No changes or modifications may be made in the terms stated in this Agreement unless made in writing and signed by Employee or his/her authorized representative and an authorized representative of the Company.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of, and will be binding on both parties, and their personal representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns.

16.  Employee acknowledges, understands and agrees that Employee will not hereafter disclose any information concerning this Agreement to anyone other than Employee’s immediate family, accountants, attorneys and other professional representatives who will be informed of and bound by this confidentiality clause

17.  It is understood and agreed that if any provision or part of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, illegal, or inoperable, such provision or part shall be severed, and all remaining provisions and parts of this Agreement shall remain fully valid and enforceable.





[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]




 
18

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates noted below.


Witness                                                                RUBY TUESDAY, INC.


__________________________                                   ____________________________________
By:                                                                




Witness                                                                EMPLOYEE


__________________________                                   ____________________________________
(name)  ___________________________




 
19

 


EXHIBIT A
WAIVER OF RIGHTS


I, [INSERT NAME], knowingly and voluntarily, agree to waive, settle, release and discharge Ruby Tuesday, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates and their successors and assigns, and the officers, directors, employees and agents of each of them (collectively the "Releasees") from any and all claims, demands, damages, actions or causes of action, including any claims for attorneys' fees which I have against the Releasees arising out of or relating to my employment with the Company or the termination or other change of status of my employment with the Company under the terms of the Agreement executed by myself and containing an Effective Date of [INSERT DATE] (the “Separation Agreement”).  I understand this waiver includes any and all claims relating to my employment with the Company or termination of my employment with the Company as may be made under the (1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991; (2) the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended; (3) 42 U.S.C. § 1981; (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (29 U.S.C. §§ 621-624); (5) 29 U.S.C. § 206(d)(1); (6) Executive Order 11246; (7) Executive Order 11141; (8) Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (9) Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA); (10) the Occupational Safety and Health Act; (11) the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act; (12)  the Family and Medical Leave Act; (13) the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; (14) Fair Labor Standards Act, and (15) other federal, state and local discrimination laws, including those of the State of Tennessee.

I further acknowledge that I am releasing, in addition to all other claims, any and all claims based on any tort, whistle-blower, personal injury, defamation, invasion of privacy or wrongful discharge theory; retaliatory discharge theory; any and all claims based on any oral, written or implied contract or on any contractual theory (including any offer letter or employment agreement); any claims based on a severance pay plan; and all claims based on any other federal, state or local Constitution, regulation, law (statutory or common), or other legal theory, as well as any and all claims for punitive, compensatory, and/or other damages, back pay, front pay, fringe benefits and attorneys’ fees, costs or expenses.

I acknowledge and understand that I waive my right to file suit for any claim I may have or assert against the Releasees including, but not limited to, those which may arise under the laws and the statutes named in the paragraph above.  I further waive my right to claim or receive damages as a result of any charge of discrimination, which may be filed by me or anyone acting on my behalf.  However, nothing in this Waiver shall be construed as preventing me from bringing any action to enforce the terms of the Separation Agreement or from pursuing any claims for unemployment or workers’ compensation or claims that cannot be released by private agreement.

 
20

 

EXHIBIT B
STOCK OPTIONS / RESTRICTED STOCK

 

 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21
 
EX-31.1 5 ex_31-1.htm SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION ex_31-1.htm

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Samuel E. Beall, III, certify that:

 1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ruby Tuesday, Inc.;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


     
       
Date: January 7, 2011
 
/s/ Samuel E. Beall, III  
    Samuel E. Beall, III  
   
Chairman of the Board, President
 
    and Chief Executive Officer  
       


EX-31.2 6 ex_31-2.htm SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION ex_31-2.htm

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Marguerite N. Duffy, certify that:

 1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ruby Tuesday, Inc.;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
     
       
Date: January 7, 2011
 
/s/ Marguerite N. Duffy  
    Marguerite N. Duffy  
   
Senior Vice President and
 
    Chief Financial Officer  
       


 

EX-32.1 7 ex_32-1.htm SECTION 906 CEO CERTIFICATION ex_32-1.htm
 
 


EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended November 30, 2010 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Samuel E. Beall, III, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)  
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2)  
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

     
       
Date: January 7, 2011
 
/s/ Samuel E. Beall, III  
    Samuel E. Beall, III  
   
Chairman of the Board, President
 
    and Chief Executive Officer  
       


EX-32.2 8 ex_32-2.htm SECTION 906 CFO CERTIFICATION ex_32-2.htm

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended November 30, 2010 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Marguerite N. Duffy, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)  
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2)  
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 
     
       
Date: January 7, 2011
 
/s/ Marguerite N. Duffy  
    Marguerite N. Duffy  
   
Senior Vice President and
 
    Chief Financial Officer  
       




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