-----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, JbIg3aXzfPc7koZkgRgCJnhIjl3dM+mima2bSBxmSTAwUtMCjhavCHLBACoLhrBf fapVufLIUJ0Mnu1WzbAdbw== 0000950152-08-008784.txt : 20081106 0000950152-08-008784.hdr.sgml : 20081106 20081106072429 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950152-08-008784 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20081004 FILED AS OF DATE: 20081106 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20081106 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NASH FINCH CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000069671 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-GROCERIES & RELATED PRODUCTS [5140] IRS NUMBER: 410431960 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-00785 FILM NUMBER: 081165269 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 7600 FRANCE AVE STREET 2: PO BOX 355 CITY: SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS STATE: MN ZIP: 55435-0355 BUSINESS PHONE: 6128320534 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NASH CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19710617 10-Q 1 c47002e10vq.htm FORM 10-Q 10-Q
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the 16 weeks ended October 4, 2008
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File No. 0-785
NASH-FINCH COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
     
DELAWARE   41-0431960
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
7600 France Avenue South,    
P.O. Box 355    
Minneapolis, Minnesota   55440-0355
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(952) 832-0534
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)
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   þ      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,” “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   o       No   þ
As of October 28, 2008, 12,798,284 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant were outstanding.
 
 

 


 

Index
         
    Page No.  
       
 
       
       
 
       
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    5  
 
       
    17  
 
       
    26  
 
       
    26  
 
       
       
 
       
    27  
 
       
    28  
 
       
    28  
 
       
    28  
 
       
    28  
 
       
    28  
 
       
    29  
 
       
    30  
 EXHIBIT 10.1
 EXHIBIT 10.2
 EXHIBIT 10.3
 EX-12.1: EXHIBIT 12.1
 EX-31.1: EXHIBIT 31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1

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PART I. — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
NASH-FINCH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 
    16 Weeks Ended     40 Weeks Ended  
    October 4,     October 6,     October 4,     October 6,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Sales
  $ 1,436,490       1,367,116     $ 3,500,788       3,463,333  
Cost of sales
    1,314,325       1,245,731       3,191,721       3,155,145  
 
                       
Gross profit
    122,165       121,385       309,067       308,188  
 
                       
 
                               
Other costs and expenses:
                               
Selling, general and administrative
    89,937       84,298       216,109       216,345  
Special charges
                      (1,282 )
Depreciation and amortization
    11,643       11,902       29,378       29,885  
Interest expense
    6,065       6,948       16,750       18,214  
 
                       
Total other costs and expenses
    107,645       103,148       262,237       263,162  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings before income taxes
    14,520       18,237       46,830       45,026  
 
                               
Income tax expense
    5,926       2,832       16,851       14,726  
 
 
                       
Net earnings
  $ 8,594       15,405     $ 29,979       30,300  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.67       1.14     $ 2.33       2.25  
Diluted
  $ 0.65       1.12     $ 2.28       2.22  
 
                               
Declared dividends per common share
  $ 0.180       0.180     $ 0.540       0.540  
 
                               
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common equivalent shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    12,839       13,524       12,893       13,490  
Diluted
    13,174       13,720       13,176       13,622  
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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NASH-FINCH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                 
    October 4,     December 29,  
    2008     2007  
    (unaudited)          
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 811       862  
Accounts and notes receivable, net
    207,213       197,807  
Inventories
    311,221       246,762  
Prepaid expenses and other
    17,592       27,882  
Deferred tax asset, net
    691       4,621  
 
           
Total current assets
    537,528       477,934  
 
               
Notes receivable, net
    25,630       12,429  
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Property, plant and equipment
    604,694       617,241  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (411,508 )     (414,704 )
 
           
Net property, plant and equipment
    193,186       202,537  
 
               
Goodwill
    218,414       215,174  
Customer contracts and relationships, net
    25,594       28,368  
Investment in direct financing leases
    3,430       4,969  
Other assets
    13,049       9,971  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 1,016,831       951,382  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current maturities of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations
  $ 4,043       3,842  
Accounts payable
    256,140       209,402  
Accrued expenses
    64,856       69,113  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    325,039       282,357  
 
               
Long-term debt
    288,288       278,443  
Capitalized lease obligations
    25,944       29,885  
Deferred tax liability, net
    14,435       7,227  
Other liabilities
    27,816       37,854  
Commitments and contingencies
           
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock — no par value. Authorized 500 shares; none issued
           
Common stock — $1.66 2/3 par value. Authorized 50,000 shares, issued 13,646 and 13,559 shares, respectively
    22,744       22,599  
Additional paid-in capital
    72,380       61,446  
Common stock held in trust
    (2,219 )     (2,122 )
Deferred compensation obligations
    2,219       2,122  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (5,329 )     (5,092 )
Retained earnings
    275,004       252,142  
Common stock in treasury, 848 and 434 shares, respectively
    (29,490 )     (15,479 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    335,309       315,616  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,016,831       951,382  
 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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NASH-FINCH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(In thousands)
                 
    40 Weeks Ended  
    October 4,     October 6,  
    2008     2007  
Operating activities:
               
Net earnings
  $ 29,979       30,300  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Special charge
          (1,282 )
Depreciation and amortization
    29,378       29,885  
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    1,643       629  
Amortization of rebatable loans
    2,154       2,126  
Increase (decrease) in provision for bad debts
    (525 )     894  
Increase (decrease) in provision for lease reserves
    (1,515 )     551  
Deferred income tax expense
    11,138       5,299  
LIFO charge
    11,892       2,692  
Asset impairments
    1,490       1,781  
Stock-based compensation
    6,978       4,172  
Other
    (773 )     100  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts and notes receivable
    (7,031 )     2,048  
Inventories
    (73,369 )     (47,213 )
Prepaid expenses
    2,757       (259 )
Accounts payable
    37,992       32,837  
Accrued expenses
    (6,161 )     (1,802 )
Income taxes payable
    7,447       7,747  
Other assets and liabilities
    (2,305 )     (8,920 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    51,169       61,585  
 
           
 
               
Investing activities:
               
Disposal of property, plant and equipment
    361       2,412  
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (17,716 )     (10,371 )
Business acquired, net of cash
    (6,566 )      
Loans to customers
    (17,579 )     (2,494 )
Other
    857       1,410  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (40,643 )     (9,043 )
 
           
Financing activities:
               
Proceeds (payments) of revolving debt
    128,800       (41,300 )
Dividends paid
    (6,922 )     (7,269 )
Repurchase of common stock
    (14,348 )      
Payments of long-term debt
    (118,940 )     (344 )
Payments of capitalized lease obligations
    (2,903 )     (2,418 )
Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft
    6,742       (851 )
Payments of deferred financing costs
    (3,573 )      
Other
    567       3,369  
 
           
Net cash used by financing activities
    (10,577 )     (48,813 )
 
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (51 )     3,729  
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Beginning of year
    862       958  
 
           
End of period
  $ 811       4,687  
 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Nash-Finch Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
October 4, 2008
Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007.
     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Nash-Finch Company and our subsidiaries (“Nash Finch” or “the Company”) at October 4, 2008 and December 29, 2007, and the results of operations and changes in cash flows for the 16 and 40 weeks ended October 4, 2008 (third quarter 2008) and October 6, 2007 (third quarter 2007). Adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, except for any items discussed in the notes below. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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.
Note 2 – Inventories
     We use the LIFO method for valuation of a substantial portion of inventories. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Because these estimates are subject to many factors beyond management’s control, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. If the FIFO method had been used, inventories would have been approximately $68.3 million and $56.4 million higher at October 4, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. In the third quarter 2008 we recorded LIFO charges of $8.4 million compared to $1.1 million for the third quarter 2007. Year-to-date LIFO charges recorded were $11.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, at October 4, 2008 and October 6, 2007.
Note 3 – Goodwill
     As a result of the acquisition of two stores in the second quarter 2008, goodwill increased by $3.2 million. Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for year-to-date 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

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    Food                    
    distribution     Military     Retail     Total  
Goodwill as of December 29, 2007
  $ 121,863       25,754       67,557       215,174  
Acquisition of retail stores
                3,240       3,240  
 
                       
Goodwill as of October 4, 2008
  $ 121,863       25,754       70,797       218,414  
 
                       
Note 4 – Share-Based Compensation
     We account for share-based compensation awards in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment — Revised,” which requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the awards ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. We recognized share-based compensation expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income of $3.0 and $7.0 million, respectively, for the 16 and 40 weeks ended October 4, 2008, versus expense of $1.6 and $4.2 million for the 16 and 40 weeks ended October 6, 2007.
     We have four equity compensation plans under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and other forms of share-based compensation have been, or may be, granted primarily to key employees and non-employee members of the Board of Directors. The 1995 Director Stock Option Plan was terminated as of December 27, 2004, and participation in the 1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan was frozen as of December 31, 2004. The Board adopted the Director Deferred Compensation Plan for amounts deferred on or after January 1, 2005. The plan permits non-employee directors to annually defer all or a portion of his or her cash compensation for service as a director, and have the amount deferred into either a cash account or a share unit account. Each share unit is payable in one share of Nash Finch common stock following termination of the participant’s service as a director.
     Under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (“2000 Plan”), employees, non-employee directors, consultants and independent contractors may be awarded incentive or non-qualified stock options, shares of restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, performance units or stock bonuses.
     Awards to non-employee directors under the 2000 Plan began in 2004 and have taken the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that are granted annually to each non-employee director as part of his or her annual compensation for service as a director. The number of such units awarded to each director in 2008 was determined by dividing $45,000 by the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. Each of these units vest six months after issuance and will entitle a director to receive one share of our common stock six months after the director’s service on our Board ends.
     The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options under the 2000 Plan as of October 4, 2008 (number of shares in thousands):
                                 
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
    Number of     Weighted     Number of     Weighted  
Range of Exercise   Options     Average     Options     Average  
Prices   Outstanding     Exercise Price     Exercisable     Exercise Price  
 
$24.55
    8.0               8.0          
35.36
    10.0               8.0          
 
                           
 
    18.0     $ 30.56       16.0     $ 29.96  
 
                           
     Since 2005, awards have taken the form of performance units (including share units pursuant to our Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)) and RSUs.

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     Performance units were granted during 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 under the 2000 Plan pursuant to our LTIP. These units vest at the end of a three-year performance period. The 2005 plan provided for payout in shares of our common stock or cash, or a combination of both, at the election of the participant, and therefore was accounted for as a liability award in accordance with SFAS 123(R). All units under the 2005 plan were settled in shares of our common stock during the second quarter 2008. The payout for units granted in 2005 was determined by comparing our growth in “Consolidated EBITDA” (defined as net income, adjusted by (i) adding thereto interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, and other non-cash charges that were deducted in computing net income for the period; (ii) excluding the amount of any extraordinary gains or losses and gains or losses from sales of assets other than inventory in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) subtracting cash payments made during the period with respect to non-cash charges incurred in a previous period) and return on net assets (“RONA”) (defined as net income divided by the sum of net fixed assets plus the difference between current assets and current liabilities) during the performance period to the growth in those measures over the same period experienced by the companies in a peer group selected by us.
     In February 2008, the Compensation and Management Development Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors amended the 2006 and 2007 LTIP plans to take into account the Company’s decision in the fall of 2007 to invest strategic capital in support of its strategic plan. To ensure the interests of management and shareholders remained aligned after the decision to invest strategic capital, the Committee decided in February 2008 to revise the 2006 and 2007 LTIP plans by, among other things, adding a definition for Strategic Project and amending the definitions of Net Assets, RONA and Free Cash Flow. The 2006 and 2007 LTIP Plans were amended as follows:
    2006 LTIP Plan: The Committee amended the definition of RONA in the 2006 LTIP as follows: “RONA” means the weighted average of the return on Net Assets for the fiscal years during a Measurement Period. This is the quotient of (i) the sum of net income for each fiscal year (or portion thereof) during the Measurement Period divided by (ii) the sum of Average Net Assets for each fiscal year (or portion thereof) during the measurement period. Each of the measures in (i) and (ii) shall be as reported by the entity for the applicable fiscal periods in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Exchange Act. Net Income will be adjusted by (x) subtracting projected Strategic Project Consolidated EBITDA, offset by the associated interest, depreciation and income taxes. If a Strategic Project generates positive Consolidated EBITDA through July 1 of the year placed in service, the adjustment for (x) above will only be made through July 1 of that year. If a Strategic Project first generates positive Consolidated EBITDA after July 1 of the year placed in service, then the adjustment for (x) above will be made through the first anniversary date of the Strategic Project being placed in service. Weighting of the return on Net Assets for the fiscal years during the Measurement Period shall be based upon the Average Net Assets for each fiscal year.
 
    2007 LTIP Plan: The Committee amended the definition of “net assets” consistent with the change to the 2006 LTIP Plan to allow for the impact on net assets resulting from the Company’s decision to expend strategic capital. Net Assets is defined in the amended Plan as: “Net Assets” means total assets minus current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations and further adjusted by (x) subtracting the additions of Strategic Project PP&E and Strategic Project Working Capital. “Strategic Project” means projects of the following type that have been approved by the Committee: (i) all Strategic Projects identified in the Company’s Five-Year Plan dated October 29, 2007; (ii) new retail store additions; (iii) conversions of current retail stores to a new format; (iv) conversion of current wholesale distribution centers; (v) new wholesale distribution centers or additions thereto; (vi) conversion of current distribution network systems; (vii) conversion of current wholesale or retail pricing and billing systems; (viii) conversion of current wholesale or retail merchandising systems; (ix) conversion of vendor income management systems. If a Strategic Project generates positive Consolidated EBITDA through July 1 of the year placed in service, then the adjustment for (x) above will not be made. If a Strategic Project first generates positive Consolidated EBITDA after July 1 of the year placed in service, then the adjustment for (x) above will be made during that fiscal year only. Net Assets will be further adjusted upward by the amount of any impairment of goodwill that the Company records beginning with the affected year during the Measurement Period. In addition, the Committee amended the definition of “Free Cash Flow” to provide as follows: “Free Cash Flow” means cash provided by operating activities minus additions of property, plant and equipment (“PP&E); and (i) adding back

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      the additions of Strategic Project PP&E; (ii) adding back Strategic Project Working Capital; and (iii) subtracting projected Strategic Project Consolidated EBITDA, offset by the associated cash interest and income taxes. If a Strategic Project generates positive Consolidated EBITDA through July 1 of the year placed in service, the adjustment for (iii) above will only be made through July 1 of that year. If a Strategic Project first generates positive Consolidated EBITDA after July 1 of the year placed in service, then the adjustment for (iii) above will be made through the first anniversary date of the Strategic Project being placed in service.
     The Committee made the following additional amendments to those plans at its February 2008 meeting; (1) removing the plan participant’s option to receive payout of the award in cash; instead requiring that all awards be paid in stock; and (2) automatically deferring settlement of stock payouts to senior vice presidents, executive vice presidents and the CEO until 30 days following termination of their employment or until six months after termination of their employment if they are determined to be “specified employees” under 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The above modifications resulted in replacement of the previously outstanding liability awards with equity awards as defined by SFAS 123(R). Therefore, the total expense recognized over the remaining service (vesting) period of the awards will equal the grant date fair value times number of shares that ultimately vest. The Company estimates expected forfeitures in determining the compensation expense recorded each period.
     In the first quarter 2008, units were granted pursuant to our 2008 LTIP. Depending on our ranking on compound annual growth rate for Consolidated EBITDA among the companies in the peer group and our free cash flow return on net assets performance against targets established by the Committee for the 2008 awards, a participant could receive a number of shares ranging from zero to 200% of the number of performance units granted. Because these units can only be settled in stock, compensation expense (for shares expected to vest) is recorded over the three-year period for the grant date fair value.
     The following table summarizes activity in our share-based compensation plans during the year-to-date period ended October 4, 2008:
                                 
                            Weighted
                            Average
            Weighted   Restricted   Remaining
            Average   Stock Awards/   Restriction/
    Stock Option   Option Price   Performance   Vesting Period
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   Shares   Per Share   Units   (Years)
 
Outstanding at December 29, 2007
    35.1     $ 25.85       907.0       1.9  
Granted
                  367.5          
Exercised/restrictions lapsed *
    (15.4 )             (78.8 )        
Forfeited/cancelled
    (1.7 )             (276.0 )        
 
                               
Outstanding at October 4, 2008
    18.0     $ 30.56       919.7       1.5  
 
                               
Exercisable/unrestricted at December 29, 2007
    28.1     $ 25.40       168.3          
 
                               
Exercisable/unrestricted at October 4, 2008
    16.0     $ 29.96       189.4          
 
                               
 
*   The “exercised/restrictions lapsed” amount above under Restricted Stock Awards/Performance Units excludes 82,082 RSUs held by Alec Covington and 12,921 RSUs held by Robert Dimond that vested during year-to-date 2008, respectively. Mr. Covington and Mr. Dimond elected to defer the shares until after their employment with the Company ends.

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     The weighted-average grant-date fair value of equity based restricted stock/performance units granted was $37.21 during the 40 weeks ended October 4, 2008 versus $32.82 during the comparable period ended October 6, 2007.
Note 5 – Other Comprehensive Income
     Other comprehensive income consists of market value adjustments to reflect derivative instruments at fair value, pursuant to SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”
     In the third quarter 2008 we entered into two interest rate swap agreements that became effective October 15, 2008. The interest rate swap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges of interest payments on borrowings under our asset-backed credit agreement and are reflected at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheet with the related gains or losses on these contracts deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income. The loss reported in other comprehensive income during the third quarter 2008 reflects a change in fair value of those agreements as of October 4, 2008. During the quarter and year-to-date periods ended October 6, 2007 all interest rate swap agreements were designated as cash flow hedges.
     During the first quarter 2008 our only outstanding commodity swap agreement, which expired February 29, 2008, did not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 133, and the corresponding change in fair value of the commodity swap agreement was recognized in earnings. During the quarter and year-to-date periods ended October 6, 2007 our only outstanding commodity swap agreement also did not qualify for hedge accounting and the corresponding change in fair value of the commodity swap agreement was recognized in earnings.
     The components of comprehensive income are as follows:
                                 
    16 Weeks     Year-to-date  
    Ended     Ended  
    October 4,     October 6,     October 4,     October 6,  
(In thousands)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Net Earnings
  $ 8,594       15,405       29,979       30,300  
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax
    (236 )     (122 )     (236 )     (322 )
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 8,358       15,283       29,743       29,978  
 
                       
Note 6 – Long-term Debt and Bank Credit Facilities
     Total debt outstanding was comprised of the following:

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    October 4,     December 29,  
(In thousands)   2008     2007  
 
Senior secured credit facility:
               
Revolving credit
  $       6,300  
Term Loan B
          118,700  
Asset-backed credit agreement:
               
Revolving credit
    135,100        
Senior subordinated convertible debt, 3.50% due in 2035
    150,087       150,087  
Industrial development bonds, 5.60% to 5.75% due in various installments through 2014
    3,170       3,345  
Notes payable and mortgage notes, 7.95% due in various installments through 2013
    494       559  
 
           
Total debt
    288,851       278,991  
Less current maturities
    (563 )     (548 )
 
           
Long-term debt
  $ 288,288       278,443  
 
           
Asset-backed Credit Agreement
     On April 11, 2008, we entered into our new credit agreement which is an asset-backed loan consisting of a $300.0 million revolving credit facility, which includes a $50.0 million letter of credit sub-facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Provided no default is then existing or would arise, the Company may from time-to-time, request that the Revolving Credit Facility be increased by an aggregate amount (for all such requests) not to exceed $150.0 million. The Revolving Credit Facility has a 5-year term and will be due and payable in full on April 11, 2013. The Company can elect, at the time of borrowing, for loans to bear interest at a rate equal to the base rate or LIBOR plus a margin. The LIBOR interest rate margin currently is 2.00% and can vary quarterly in 0.25% increments between three pricing levels ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% based on the excess availability, which is defined in the credit agreement as (a) the lesser of (i) the borrowing base; or (ii) the aggregate commitments; minus (b) the aggregate of the outstanding credit extensions. At October 4, 2008, $149.6 million was available under the Revolving Credit Facility after giving effect to outstanding borrowings and to $15.3 million of outstanding letters of credit primarily supporting workers’ compensation obligations.
     The credit agreement contains no financial covenants unless and until (i) the continuance of an event of default under the credit agreement, or (ii) the failure of the Company to maintain excess availability (A) greater than 10% of the borrowing base for more than two (2) consecutive business days or (B) greater than 7.5% of the borrowing base at any time, in which event, the Company must comply with a trailing 12-month basis consolidated fixed charge covenant ratio of 1.0:1.0, which ratio shall continue to be tested each month thereafter until excess availability exceeds 10% of the borrowing base for ninety (90) consecutive days.
     The credit agreement contains standard covenants requiring the Company and its subsidiaries, among other things, to maintain collateral, comply with applicable laws, keep proper books and records, preserve the corporate existence, maintain insurance, and pay taxes in a timely manner. Events of default under the credit agreement are usual and customary for transactions of this type including, among other things: (a) any failure to pay principal there under when due or to pay interest or fees on the due date; (b) material misrepresentations; (c) default under other agreements governing material indebtedness of the Company; (d) default in the performance or observation of any covenants; (e) any event of insolvency or bankruptcy; (f) any final judgments or orders to pay more than $15.0 million that remain unsecured or unpaid; (g) change of control, as defined in the credit agreement; and (h) any failure of a collateral document, after delivery thereof, to create a valid mortgage or first-priority lien.
Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt
     To finance a portion of the acquisition of two distribution centers in 2005, we sold $150.1 million in aggregate issue price (or $322.0 million aggregate principal amount at maturity) of senior subordinated convertible notes due in 2035. The notes are our unsecured senior subordinated obligations and rank junior to our existing and future senior indebtedness, including borrowings under our asset-backed credit facility. See our

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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007 for additional information regarding the notes.
Note 7 – Guarantees
     We have guaranteed debt and lease obligations of certain food distribution customers. In the event these retailers are unable to meet their debt service payments or otherwise experience an event of default, we would be unconditionally liable for the outstanding balance of their debt and lease obligations ($14.0 million as of October 4, 2008 as compared to $7.4 million as of October 6, 2007), which would be due in accordance with the underlying agreements.
     In the third quarter 2008 we entered into new lease guarantees with a food distribution customer. The maximum undiscounted payments we would be required to make in the event of default under the guarantees is $4.6 million, which is included in the $14.0 million total referenced above. The guarantees have a ten-year term, but upon the event of default by the customer our obligation under the guarantees is limited to two-years of rent payments up to a maximum of $4.6 million. The guarantees are secured by certain business assets of the affiliated customer. We believe the customer will be able to perform under the lease agreements and that no payments will be required and no loss will be incurred under the guarantee.
     The lease guarantees entered into during the second and third quarters of 2008 are accounted for under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (FIN 45). FIN 45 provides that at the time a company issues a guarantee, the company must recognize an initial liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee. An initial liability of $1.2 million was recorded at fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the lease guarantees entered into during 2008.
     We have also assigned various leases to other entities. If the assignees were to become unable to continue making payments under the assigned leases, we estimate our maximum potential obligation with respect to the assigned leases to be $9.4 million as of October 4, 2008 as compared to $11.6 million as of October 6, 2007.
Note 8 – Income Taxes
     For the third quarter 2008 and 2007, our tax expense was $5.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively. For the year-to-date 2008 and 2007, our tax expense was $16.9 million and $14.7 million, respectively.
     The provision for income taxes reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year, adjusted for any discrete events, which are reported in the period that they occur. This estimate is re-evaluated each quarter based on the Company’s estimated tax expense for the full fiscal year. During the third quarter 2008 the Company filed claims with and received refunds from various tax authorities. Accordingly, the Company reported the effect of these discrete events in the third quarter 2008. The effect of these discrete events in the third quarter 2008 was less than $0.1 million compared to $4.9 million in the third quarter 2007. The effective tax rate for the third quarter and year to date 2008 was 40.8% and 36.0%, respectively. The effective rate for the third quarter and year-to-date 2007 was 15.5% and 32.7%, respectively.
     During the next 12 months, the Company expects various state and local statutes of limitation to expire during the year. However, we do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.
     The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for years 2003 and prior.
Note 9 – Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
     The following tables present the components of our pension and postretirement net periodic benefit cost:

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16 Weeks Ended October 4, 2008 and October 6, 2007
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
(In thousands)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Interest cost
  $ 693       585       14       14  
Expected return on plan assets
    (742 )     (577 )            
Amortization of prior service cost
    (1 )     (4 )     (198 )     (161 )
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)
    166       59       (1 )     (2 )
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 116       63       (185 )     (149 )
 
                       
40 Weeks Ended October 4, 2008 and October 6, 2007
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
(In thousands)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Interest cost
  $ 1,732       1,755       36       42  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,854 )     (1,731 )            
Amortization of prior service cost
    (2 )     (11 )     (496 )     (483 )
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)
    415       178       (2 )     (6 )
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 291       191       (462 )     (447 )
 
                       
     Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for year-to-date 2008 and year-to-date 2007 were as follows:
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
     
Weighted-average assumptions:
                               
Discount rate
    6.00 %     6.00 %     6.00 %     6.00 %
Expected return on plan assets
    7.00 %     7.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Rate of compensation increase
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
     Total contributions to our pension plan in 2008 are expected to be $1.1 million.
Note 10 – Earnings Per Share
     The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

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    Third Quarter     Year-to-Date  
    Ended     Ended  
    October 4,     October 6,     October 4,     October 6,  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Net earnings
  $ 8,594       15,405       29,979       30,300  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings per share-basic:
                               
Weighted-average shares outstanding
    12,839       13,524       12,893       13,490  
 
                               
Net earnings per share-basic
  $ 0.67       1.14       2.33       2.25  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings per share-diluted:
                               
Weighted-average shares outstanding
    12,839       13,524       12,893       13,490  
Dilutive impact of options
    3       8       4       7  
Shares contingently issuable
    332       188       279       125  
 
                       
Weighted-average shares and potential dilutive shares outstanding
    13,174       13,720       13,176       13,622  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings per share-diluted
  $ 0.65       1.12       2.28       2.22  
 
                       
 
                               
Anti-dilutive options excluded from calculation (weighted-average amount for period)
                      31  
     The senior subordinated convertible notes due 2035 will be convertible at the option of the holder, only upon the occurrence of certain events, at an adjusted conversion rate of 9.4164 shares (initially 9.3120) of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of notes (equal to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $49.50 per share). Upon conversion, we will pay the holder the conversion value in cash up to the accreted principal amount of the note and the excess conversion value, if any, in cash, stock or both, at our option. The notes are only dilutive above their accreted value and for all periods presented the weighted average market price of the Company’s stock did not exceed the accreted value. Therefore, the notes are not dilutive to earnings per share for any of the periods presented.
     Performance units granted during 2005 under the 2000 Plan for the LTIP were payable in shares of Nash Finch common stock or cash, or a combination of both, at the election of the participant. No recipients notified the Company by the required notification date for the 2005 awards that they wished to be paid in cash. Therefore, all units under the 2005 plan were settled in shares of common stock during the second quarter 2008. Other performance and RSUs granted during 2006, 2007 and 2008 pursuant to the 2000 Plan will pay out in shares of Nash Finch common stock. Unvested RSUs are not included in basic earnings per share until vested. All shares of time-restricted stock are included in diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method, if dilutive. Performance units granted for the LTIP are only issuable if certain performance criteria are met, making these shares contingently issuable under SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” Therefore, the performance units are included in diluted earnings per share at the payout percentage based on performance criteria results as of the end of the respective reporting period and then accounted for using the treasury stock method, if dilutive. For the third quarter 2008, approximately 179,000 shares related to the LTIP and 153,000 shares related to RSUs were included under “shares contingently issuable” in the calculation of diluted EPS. For the year-to-date period ended October 4, 2008, approximately 133,000 shares related to the LTIP and 146,000 shares related to RSUs were included under “shares contingently issuable” in the calculation of diluted EPS.
Note 11 – Segment Reporting
     We sell and distribute products that are typically found in supermarkets and operate three reportable operating segments. Our food distribution segment consists of 16 distribution centers that sell to independently operated retail food stores, our corporate owned stores and other customers. The military segment consists primarily of two distribution centers that distribute products exclusively to military commissaries and exchanges. The retail segment consists of corporate-owned stores that sell directly to the consumer.
     A summary of the major segments of the business is as follows:

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    Third Quarter Ended  
    October 4, 2008     October 6, 2007  
    Sales from                   Sales from     Inter-        
    external     Inter-segment     Segment     external     segment     Segment  
(In thousands)   customers     sales     profit     customers     sales     profit  
 
Food distribution
  $ 839,894       94,245       30,028       810,281       91,330       28,601  
Military
    410,394             15,072       376,094             12,406  
Retail
    186,202             6,326       180,741             5,096  
Eliminations
          (94,245 )                 (91,330 )      
 
                                   
Total
  $ 1,436,490             51,426       1,367,116             46,103  
 
                                   
                                                 
    Year-to-Date Ended  
    October 4, 2008     October 6, 2007  
    Sales from                     Sales from     Inter-        
    external     Inter-segment     Segment     external     segment     Segment  
(In thousands)   customers     sales     profit     customers     sales     profit  
 
Food distribution
  $ 2,034,129       231,595       75,853       2,058,133       228,483       68,124  
Military
    1,012,329             36,925       948,359             32,048  
Retail
    454,330             15,643       456,841             16,735  
Eliminations
          (231,595 )                 (228,483 )      
 
                                   
Total
  $ 3,500,788             128,421       3,463,333             116,907  
 
                                   
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
                                 
    Third Quarter     Year-To-Date  
    Ended     Ended  
    October 4,     October 6,     October 4,     October 6,  
(In thousands)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Total segment profit
  $ 51,426       46,103       128,421       116,907  
Unallocated amounts:
                               
Adjustment of inventory to LIFO
    (8,361 )     (1,077 )     (11,892 )     (2,692 )
Special charges
                      1,282  
Unallocated corporate overhead
    (28,545 )     (26,789 )     (69,699 )     (70,471 )
 
                       
Earnings before income taxes
  $ 14,520       18,237       46,830       45,026  
 
                       
Note 12 – Share Repurchase Program
     On November 13, 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The program took effect on November 19, 2007 and will continue until the earlier of (1) the close of trading on January 3, 2009 or (2) the date that the aggregate purchases under the repurchase program reaches 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. We did not repurchase any shares during the third quarter 2008. During year-to-date 2008 we have repurchased 429,082 shares at an average price per share of $33.44. Since the program took effect, we repurchased a total of 842,038 shares at an average price per share of $34.83. The average prices per share referenced above include commissions. As of October 4, 2008, there were 157,962 shares remaining on the Board-approved share repurchase authorization.
Note 13 – New Accounting Standard

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     In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants” (FSP APB 14-1), which will impact the accounting associated with our existing $150.1 million senior convertible notes. When adopted FSP APB 14-1 will require us to recognize non-cash interest expense based on the market rate for similar debt instruments without the conversion feature. Furthermore, it will require recognizing interest expense in prior periods pursuant to retrospective accounting treatment. It is expected that the cumulative effect upon adoption would be to record approximately $16.8 million in pretax non-cash interest expense for prior periods and $4.0 million to $6.0 million in additional pretax non-cash interest expense annually. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.
Note 14 – Legal Proceedings
Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes Litigation
     On September 10, 2007, the Company received a purported notice of default from certain hedge funds which are beneficial owners purporting to hold at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2035 (the “Notes”). The hedge funds alleged in the notice that the Company was in breach of Section 4.08(a)(5) of the Indenture governing the Notes (the “Indenture”) which provides for an adjustment of the conversion rate in the event of an increase in the amount of certain cash dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock.
     On May 30, 2008, the Hennepin County District Court issued an order holding that the Company properly adjusted the conversion rate on the Notes after the Company increased the amount of dividends it paid to its shareholders. The Court ordered the Trustee of the Notes to execute the Supplemental Indenture which cured any ambiguity regarding the calculation of the conversion rate adjustments following the Company’s increase in quarterly dividends. The Supplemental Indenture was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 10-Q for the 12 weeks ended June 14, 2008. The Court also dissolved the Temporary Restraining Order, finding that the execution of the Supplemental Indenture obviated any default noticed by the investors.
     On July 25, 2008, a hedge fund filed a Notice of Appeal from the order issued by the Hennepin County District Court on May 30, 2008. On September 23, 2008 the Minnesota Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal.
Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. v. Nash Finch
     On February 11, 2008, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. (“Roundy’s) filed suit against us claiming we breached the Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”), entered into in connection with our acquisition of certain distribution centers and other assets from Roundy’s, by not paying approximately $7.9 million Roundy’s claims is due under the APA as a purchase price adjustment. We answered the complaint denying any payment was due to Roundy’s and asserted counterclaims against Roundy’s for, among other things, breach of contract, misrepresentation, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. In our counterclaim we demand damages from Roundy’s in excess of $18.0 million.
     On or about March 25, 2008, Roundy’s filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings with respect to some, but not all, of the claims, asserted in our counterclaim. On May 27, 2008, we filed an amended counterclaim which rendered Roundy’s motion moot. The amended counterclaim asserts claims against Roundy’s for, among other things, breach of contract, fraud, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. Our counterclaim demands damages from Roundy’s in excess of $18.0 million. Roundy’s filed an answer to the counterclaims denying liability, and subsequently moved to dismiss our counterclaims. The Court has the motion under advisement. We intend to vigorously defend against Roundy’s complaint and to vigorously prosecute our claims against it.
     Due to uncertainties in the litigation process, the Company is unable to with certainty estimate the financial impact or outcome of this lawsuit.
Securities and Exchange Commission Inquiry
     In early 2006, we voluntarily contacted the SEC to discuss the results of an internal review that focused on trading in our common stock by certain of our officers and directors. The Board of Directors conducted the internal review with the assistance of outside counsel following an informal inquiry from the SEC in November

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2005 regarding such trading. We offered to provide certain documents, and the SEC accepted the offer. We will continue to fully cooperate with the SEC.
Other
     We are also engaged from time to time in routine legal proceedings incidental to our business. We do not believe that these routine legal proceedings, taken as a whole, will have a material impact on our business or financial condition.

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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward Looking Information and Cautionary Factors
     This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results. Any statement contained in this report that is not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. For example, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend, “ “potential” or “plan,” or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon current expectations, estimates and assumptions, and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors known to us that could cause or contribute to material differences include, but are not limited to the following:
  the effect of competition on our distribution, military and retail businesses;
  general sensitivity to economic conditions, including volatility in energy prices, food commodities and changes in market interest rates;
  our ability to identify and execute plans to expand our food distribution, military and retail operations;
  possible changes in the military commissary system, including those stemming from the redeployment of forces, congressional action and funding levels;
  our ability to identify and execute plans to improve the competitive position of our retail operations;
  the success or failure of strategic plans, new business ventures or initiatives;
 
  changes in consumer buying and spending patterns;
  risks entailed by future acquisitions, including the ability to successfully integrate acquired operations and retain the customers of those operations;
  changes in credit risk from financial accommodations extended to new or existing customers;
  significant changes in the nature of vendor promotional programs and the allocation of funds among the programs;
  limitations on financial and operating flexibility due to debt levels and debt instrument covenants;
  legal, governmental, legislative or administrative proceedings, disputes, or actions that result in adverse outcomes, such as adverse determinations or developments with respect to the litigation or Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) inquiry discussed in Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007;
  technology failures that may have a material adverse effect on our business;
 
  severe weather and natural disasters that may impact our supply chain;
 
  changes in health care, pension and wage costs and labor relations issues;
  threats or potential threats to security or food safety; and
  unanticipated problems with product procurement.
     A more detailed discussion of many of these factors, as well as other factors, that could affect Nash-Finch Company and our subsidiaries’ (“Nash Finch” or “the Company”) results is contained in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007. You should carefully consider each of these factors and all of the other information in this report. We believe that all forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions when made. However, we caution that it is impossible to predict actual results or outcomes and that accordingly you should not place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made and we undertake no obligation to revise or update these statements in light of subsequent events or developments. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from anticipated results or outcomes discussed in forward-looking statements. You are advised, however, to consult any future disclosures we make on related subjects in future reports to the SEC.

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Overview
     In terms of revenue, we are the second largest publicly traded wholesale food distributor in the United States serving the retail grocery industry and the military commissary and exchange systems. Our business consists of three primary operating segments: food distribution, military food distribution and retail.
     In November 2006, we announced the launch of a new strategic plan, Operation Fresh Start, designed to sharpen our focus and provide a strong platform to support growth initiatives. Built upon extensive knowledge of current industry, consumer and market trends, and formulated to differentiate the Company, the new strategy focuses activities on specific retail formats, businesses and support services designed to delight consumers. The strategic plan encompasses several important elements:
    Emphasis on a suite of retail formats designed to appeal to the needs of today’s consumers including an initial focus on everyday value, Hispanic and extreme value formats, as well as military commissaries and exchanges;
 
    Strong, passionate businesses in key areas including perishables, health and wellness, center store, pharmacy and military supply, driven by the needs of each format;
 
    Supply chain services focused on supporting our businesses with warehouse management, inbound and outbound transportation management and customized solutions for each business;
 
    Retail support services emphasizing best-in-class offerings in marketing, advertising, merchandising, store design and construction, store brands, market research, retail store support, retail pricing and license agreement opportunities;
 
    Store brand management dedicated to leveraging the strength of the Our Family brand as a regional brand through exceptional product development coupled with pricing and marketing support; and
 
    Integrated shared services company-wide, including IT support and infrastructure, accounting, finance, human resources and legal.
     In addition to the strategic initiatives already in progress, our 2008 initiatives consist of the following:
    Invest in our retail formats, logistics capabilities and center store systems; and
 
    Pursue acquisitions that support our strategic plan.
     Our food distribution segment sells and distributes a wide variety of nationally branded and private label products to independent grocery stores and other customers primarily in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States.
     Our military segment contracts with manufacturers to distribute a wide variety of grocery products to military commissaries and exchanges located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, and in Europe, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Azores and Egypt. We are the largest distributor of grocery products to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges, with over 30 years of experience acting as a distributor to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges.
     Our retail segment operated 57 corporate-owned stores primarily in the Upper Midwest as of October 4, 2008. On April 1, 2008, we completed the acquisition of two stores located in Rapid City, SD and Scottsbluff, NE. Primarily due to highly competitive conditions in which supercenters and other alternative formats compete for price conscious customers, we closed or sold three retail stores in 2007 and four stores in 2008. We are implementing initiatives of varying scope and duration with a view toward improving our response to and performance under these highly competitive conditions. These initiatives include designing and reformatting some of our retail stores into alternative formats to increase overall retail sales performance. As we continue to assess the impact of performance improvement initiatives and the operating results of individual stores, we may need to recognize additional impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill associated with our retail segment, and may incur restructuring or other charges in connection with closure or sales activities. The retail segment yields a higher gross profit percent of sales and higher selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percent of sales compared to our food distribution and military segments. Thus, changes in sales of the retail segment can have a disproportionate impact on consolidated gross profit and SG&A as compared to similar changes in sales in our food distribution and military segments.

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Results of Operations
Sales
     The following tables summarize our sales activity for the 16 weeks ended October 4, 2008 (third quarter 2008) compared to the 16 weeks ended October 6, 2007 (third quarter 2007) and the 40 weeks ended October 4, 2008 (year-to-date 2008) compared to the 40 weeks ended October 6, 2007 (year-to-date 2007):
                                                 
    Third quarter 2008     Third quarter 2007     Increase/(Decrease)  
            Percent of             Percent of              
(In thousands)   Sales     Sales     Sales     Sales     $     %  
 
Segment Sales:
                                               
Food distribution
  $ 839,894       58.4 %     810,281       59.3 %     29,613       3.7 %
Military
    410,394       28.6 %     376,094       27.5 %     34,300       9.1 %
Retail
    186,202       13.0 %     180,741       13.2 %     5,461       3.0 %
             
Total Sales
  $ 1,436,490       100.0 %     1,367,116       100.0 %     69,374       5.1 %
             
                                                 
    Year-to-date 2008     Year-to-date 2007     Increase/(Decrease)  
            Percent of             Percent of              
(In thousands)   Sales     Sales     Sales     Sales     $     %  
     
Segment Sales:
                                               
Food distribution
  $ 2,034,129       58.1 %     2,058,133       59.4 %     (24,004 )     (1.2 %)
Military
    1,012,329       28.9 %     948,359       27.4 %     63,970       6.7 %
Retail
    454,330       13.0 %     456,841       13.2 %     (2,511 )     (0.5 %)
             
Total Sales
  $ 3,500,788       100.0 %     3,463,333       100.0 %     37,455       1.1 %
             
     The increase in food distribution sales in the third quarter 2008 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to increased comparable sales and new account gains. The decrease in food distribution sales for year-to-date 2008 is attributable to the loss of a significant customer which accounted for $72.8 million of additional sales in year-to-date 2007. However, excluding the impact of this customer, food distribution sales increased 2.5% during year-to-date 2008 compared to the comparable prior year period due primarily to new account gains and increased comparable sales.
     Military segment sales increased 9.1% during the third quarter 2008 and 6.7% year-to-date 2008 versus the comparable 2007 periods. The sales increases in the third quarter 2008 reflected 7.6% stronger sales domestically and 12.8% stronger sales overseas and the year-to-date 2008 sales increases reflected 7.0% stronger sales domestically and 6.2% stronger sales overseas. Domestic and overseas sales represented the following percentages of military segment sales:
                                 
    Third Quarter     Year-to-date  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
       
Domestic
    70.0 %     71.0 %     70.0 %     69.8 %
Overseas
    30.0 %     29.0 %     30.0 %     30.2 %
     Retail sales for the third quarter and year-to-date 2008 were impacted by the acquisition of two new stores in the second quarter 2008 and the closure of four stores since the end of the third quarter 2007 when compared to the comparable prior year periods. Same store sales, which compare retail sales for stores which were in operation for the same number of weeks in the comparative periods, increased 0.7% and decreased 1.0% in the third quarter 2008 and year-to-date periods, respectively, versus the comparable 2007 periods.

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     During the third quarters of 2008 and 2007, our corporate store count changed as follows:
                 
    Third quarter   Third quarter
    2008   2007
Number of stores at beginning of period
    60       62  
Acquired stores
           
Closed or sold stores
    (3 )     (3 )
 
           
Number of stores at end of period
    57       59  
 
           
     During year-to-date 2008 and 2007, our corporate store count changed as follows:
                 
    Year-to-date   Year-to-date
    2008   2007
Number of stores at beginning of period
    59       62  
Acquired stores
    2        
Closed or sold stores
    (4 )     (3 )
 
           
Number of stores at end of period
    57       59  
 
           
Gross Profit
     Consolidated gross profit was 8.5% of sales for the third quarter 2008 versus 8.9% for the third quarter 2007. The third quarter 2008 gross profit margin was negatively impacted by additional year-over-year LIFO charges of 0.5% of sales, or $7.3 million, and a sales mix shift between our business segments of 0.1% of sales. The negative impact of the sales mix shift was due to a higher percentage of 2008 sales occurring in the military segment and a lower percentage in the retail and food distribution segments which have a higher gross profit margin. However, our gross profit margin increased by 0.2% of sales in the third quarter 2008 relative to the comparable prior year period as a result of gains achieved from initiatives that focused on better management of inventories and vendor relationships.
     Consolidated gross profit was 8.8% of sales for year-to-date 2008 versus 8.9% for year-to-date 2007. Our year-to-date 2008 gross profit margin was negatively impacted by additional year-over-year LIFO charges of 0.3% of sales, or $9.2 million, and a sales mix shift between our business segments of 0.1% of sales. The negative impact of the sales mix shift was due to a higher percentage of 2008 sales occurring in the military segment and a lower percentage in the retail and food distribution segments which have a higher gross profit margin. However, our gross profit margin increased by 0.3% of sales in year-to-date 2008 relative to the comparable prior year period as a result of gains achieved from initiatives that focused on better management of inventories and vendor relationships.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
     Consolidated SG&A for the third quarter 2008 was $89.9 million, or 6.3% of sales, as compared to $84.3 million, or 6.2% of sales, for the comparable prior year period. SG&A for year-to-date 2008 was $216.1 million, or 6.2% of sales, compared to $216.3 million, or 6.2% of sales, for the comparable prior year period. The increase in SG&A for the third quarter 2008 of 0.1% of sales in relation to the comparable prior year period was due primarily to increased professional service fees.
Special Charges
     In the second quarter 2007, we reversed $1.6 million of previously established lease reserves for one location after subleasing the property earlier than anticipated. We also recorded an additional $0.3 million in charges due to revised lease commitment estimates for another property in the second quarter 2007. There were no special charges recognized during the third quarter and year-to-date 2008 periods.

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Depreciation and Amortization Expense
     Depreciation and amortization expense was $11.6 million for the third quarter 2008 compared to $11.9 million for the comparable prior year period. Depreciation and amortization expense was $29.4 million for year-to-date 2008 compared to $29.9 million for the comparable prior year period.
Interest Expense
     Interest expense was $6.1 million for the third quarter 2008 versus $6.9 million for the comparable prior year period. Average borrowing levels were $334.7 million during the third quarter 2008 and 2007. The effective interest rate was 5.0% for the third quarter 2008 compared to 6.2% for the third quarter 2007.
     Interest expense decreased to $16.8 million for year-to-date 2008 from $18.2 million in the same period of 2007. Interest expense for year-to-date 2008 included the write-off of deferred financing costs of $1.0 million associated with the refinancing of our senior secured bank credit facility. Average borrowing levels decreased to $342.5 million during the year-to-date 2008 from $350.7 million during year-to-date 2007. The effective interest rate was 5.6% for year-to-date 2008 as compared to 6.2% for year-to-date 2007. However, excluding the impact of the write-off of deferred financing costs in the second quarter 2008, the effective interest rate was 5.2% for year-to-date 2008.
Income Taxes
     Income tax expense is provided on an interim basis using management’s estimate of the annual effective rate. Our effective tax rate for the full fiscal year is subject to changes and may be impacted by changes to nondeductible items and tax reserve requirements in relation to our forecasts of operations, sales mix by taxing jurisdictions, or to changes in tax laws and regulations. The effective income tax rate was 40.8% and 15.5% for the third quarter 2008 and 2007, respectively. During the year-to-date periods of 2008 and 2007 the effective tax rates were 36.0% and 32.7% respectively.
     During the third quarter 2008, the Company filed claims with and received refunds from various tax authorities. Accordingly, the Company reported the effect of these discrete events in the third quarter. However, the effective tax rate for the quarter was not materially affected by these discrete events. Discrete events totaling $4.9 million were reported in the third quarter 2007 and led to a reduction in our effective tax rate in the third quarter and year-to-date 2007. The effective rate for the third quarter 2008 differed from statutory rates due to anticipated pre-tax income relative to certain nondeductible expenses.
Net Earnings
     Net earnings in the third quarter 2008 were $8.6 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, as compared to $15.4 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, in the third quarter 2007. Net earnings year-to-date 2008 were $30.0 million, or $2.28 per diluted share, opposed to net earnings of $30.3 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, for the same period of the previous year. Net earnings were negatively impacted by additional year-over-year LIFO charges of $7.3 million and $9.2 million, or $0.34 and $0.43 per diluted share, for the third quarter and year-to-date 2008, respectively. Net earnings for the third quarter and year-to-date 2007 benefited from the effect of resolving two Internal Revenue Service examinations, 2003 statute of limitations expiration and filing of various reports to settle potential tax liabilities resulting in a decrease to income tax expense of approximately $4.9 million, or $0.36 per diluted share.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
     The following table summarizes our cash flow activity and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
                         
    Year-to-date Ended        
                Increase/  
(In thousands)   October 4, 2008     October 6, 2007     (Decrease)  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    51,169       61,585       (10,416 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (40,643 )     (9,043 )     (31,600 )
Net cash used by financing activities
    (10,577 )     (48,813 )     38,236  
     
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (51 )     3,729       (3,780 )
     
     Cash flows from operating activities decreased $10.4 million in year-to-date 2008 as compared to year-to-date 2007, primarily due to increased investment in inventory and a reduction in accrued expenses. Cash provided by operating activities included the effect of an increased investment in inventory due to inflationary increases of approximately $73.4 million in year-to-date 2008 compared to $47.2 million in the comparable prior year period. The cash flow impact of the increased inventory levels were partially offset by increases in accounts payable of $38.0 million and $32.8 million in year-to-date 2008 and 2007, respectively.
     Net cash used in investing activities increased by $31.6 million in year-to-date 2008 as compared to year-to-date 2007. The most significant factors for the year-over-year variance were increased customer loans of $17.6 million in year-to-date 2008 as compared to $2.5 million in the comparable prior year period and the acquisition of two new retail stores in 2008 for $6.6 million. In addition, property, plant and equipment additions increased to $17.7 million for year-to-date 2008 compared to $10.4 million for year-to-date 2007.
     Cash used by financing activities decreased by $38.2 million in year-to-date 2008 as compared to year-to-date 2007. The decrease in year-over-year cash used by financing activities is primarily attributable to net borrowings under our bank credit facilities in the 2008 period compared to net payments in 2007. Proceeds of long-term and revolving debt for year-to-date 2008 were $9.9 million as compared to payments of $41.6 million for year-to-date 2007. This impact was offset by $14.3 million used to repurchase shares of our common stock in year-to-date 2008.
     During the remainder of fiscal 2008, we expect that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs and enable us to reduce our debt, with temporary draws on our revolving credit line during the year to build inventories for certain holidays. Longer term, we believe that cash flows from operations, short-term bank borrowing, various types of long-term debt and lease and equity financing will be adequate to meet our working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and debt service obligations.
Asset-backed Credit Agreement
     On April 11, 2008, we entered into our new credit agreement which is an asset-backed loan consisting of a $300.0 million revolving credit facility, which includes a $50.0 million letter of credit sub-facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Provided no default is then existing or would arise, we may from time-to-time, request that the Revolving Credit Facility be increased by an aggregate amount (for all such requests) not to exceed $150.0 million.
     The Revolving Credit Facility has a 5-year term and will be due and payable in full on April 11, 2013. We can elect, at the time of borrowing, for loans to bear interest at a rate equal to the base rate or LIBOR plus a margin. The LIBOR interest rate margin currently is 2.00% and can vary quarterly in 0.25% increments between three pricing levels ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% based on the excess availability, which is defined in the credit agreement as (a) the lesser of (i) the borrowing base; or (ii) the aggregate commitments; minus (b) the aggregate of the outstanding credit extensions.
     The credit agreement contains no financial covenants unless and until (i) the continuance of an event of default under the credit agreement, or (ii) the failure of us to maintain excess availability (A) greater than 10% of the borrowing base for more than two (2) consecutive business days or (B) greater than 7.5% of the borrowing

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base at any time, in which event, we must comply with a trailing 12-month basis consolidated fixed charge covenant ratio of 1.0:1.0, which ratio shall continue to be tested each month thereafter until excess availability exceeds 10% of the borrowing base for ninety (90) consecutive days.
     The credit agreement contains standard covenants requiring us, among other things, to maintain collateral, comply with applicable laws, keep proper books and records, preserve the corporate existence, maintain insurance, and pay taxes in a timely manner. Events of default under the credit agreement are usual and customary for transactions of this type including, among other things: (a) any failure to pay principal thereunder when due or to pay interest or fees on the due date; (b) material misrepresentations; (c) default under other agreements governing material indebtedness of the Company; (d) default in the performance or observation of any covenants; (e) any event of insolvency or bankruptcy; (f) any final judgments or orders to pay more than $15.0 million that remain unsecured or unpaid; (g) change of control, as defined in the credit agreement; and (h) any failure of a collateral document, after delivery thereof, to create a valid mortgage or first-priority lien.
     Our Revolving Credit Facility represents one of our primary sources of liquidity, both short-term and long-term, and the continued availability of credit under that agreement is of material importance to our ability to fund our capital and working capital needs.
Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt
     We also have outstanding $150.1 million in aggregate issue price (or $322.0 million in aggregate principal amount at maturity) of senior subordinated convertible notes due in 2035. The notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and rank junior to our existing and future senior indebtedness, including borrowings under our asset-backed credit facility. Cash interest at the rate of 3.50% per year is payable semi-annually on the issue price of the notes until March 15, 2013. After that date, cash interest will not be payable, unless contingent cash interest becomes payable, and original issue discount for non-tax purposes will accrue on the notes daily at a rate of 3.50% per year until the maturity date of the notes. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007 for additional information.
Consolidated EBITDA (Non-GAAP Measurement)
     The following is a reconciliation of EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA to net income for the trailing four quarters ended October 4, 2008 and October 6, 2007 (amounts in thousands):
                                         
    2007     2008     2008     2008     Trailing  
Trailing four quarters ended October 4, 2008:   Qtr 4     Qtr 1     Qtr 2     Qtr 3     4 Qtrs  
 
Net income
  $ 8,480       11,277       10,108       8,594       38,459  
Income tax expense
    4,016       6,087       4,838       5,926       20,867  
Interest expense
    5,367       5,034       5,651       6,065       22,117  
Depreciation and amortization
    8,997       9,032       8,703       11,643       38,375  
 
                             
EBITDA
    26,860       31,430       29,300       32,228       119,818  
LIFO charge
    2,399       1,134       2,397       8,360       14,290  
Lease reserves
          (2,094 )     99       480       (1,515 )
Asset impairments
    87       395       401       694       1,577  
Gains on sale of real estate
    (1,720 )                       (1,720 )
Share-based compensation
    3,614       1,943       2,022       3,013       10,592  
Subsequent cash payments on non-cash charges
    (1,011 )     (2,184 )     (612 )     (787 )     (4,594 )
 
                             
Total Consolidated EBITDA
  $ 30,229       30,624       33,607       43,988       138,448  
 
                             

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    2006     2007     2007     2007     Trailing  
Trailing four quarters ended October 6, 2007:   Qtr 4     Qtr 1     Qtr 2     Qtr 3     4 Qtrs  
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (26,368 )     5,288       9,607       15,405       3,932  
Income tax expense
    1,275       4,197       7,697       2,832       16,001  
Interest expense
    6,551       5,595       5,671       6,948       24,765  
Depreciation and amortization
    9,447       9,082       8,901       11,902       39,332  
           
EBITDA
    (9,095 )     24,162       31,876       37,087       84,030  
LIFO charge
    117       808       807       1,077       2,809  
Lease reserves
    2,675       (888 )     825       614       3,226  
Goodwill impairment
    26,419                         26,419  
Asset impairments
    4,127       866       275       640       5,908  
Losses (gains) on sale of real estate
    37             (147 )           (110 )
Share-based compensation
    486       956       1,584       1,632       4,658  
Subsequent cash payments on non-cash charges
    (686 )     (700 )     (663 )     (918 )     (2,967 )
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (160 )                       (160 )
Special charges
                (1,282 )           (1,282 )
 
                             
Total Consolidated EBITDA
  $ 23,920       25,204       33,275       40,132       122,531  
 
                             
     EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA are measures used by management to measure operating performance. EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Consolidated EBITDA excludes certain non-cash charges and other items that management does not utilize in assessing operating performance and is a metric used to determine payout of performance units pursuant to our Short-Term and Long-Term Incentive Plans. The above table reconciles net income to EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA. Not all companies utilize identical calculations; therefore, the presentation of EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA may not be comparable to other identically titled measures of other companies. Neither EBITDA or Consolidated EBITDA are recognized terms under GAAP and do not purport to be an alternative to net income as an indicator of operating performance or any other GAAP measure. In addition, EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow for management’s discretionary use since they do not consider certain cash requirements, such as interest payments, tax payments and capital expenditures.
Derivative Instruments
     We have market risk exposure to changing interest rates primarily as a result of our borrowing activities and commodity price risk associated with anticipated purchases of diesel fuel. Our objective in managing our exposure to changes in interest rates and commodity prices is to reduce fluctuations in earnings and cash flows. From time-to-time we use derivative instruments, primarily interest rate and commodity swap agreements, to manage risk exposures when appropriate, based on market conditions. We do not enter into derivative agreements for trading or other speculative purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instrument.
     The interest rate swap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges and are reflected at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheet and the related gains or losses on these contracts are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income. Deferred gains and losses are amortized as an adjustment to expense over the same period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in income. However, to the extent that any of these contracts are not considered to be effective in accordance with SFAS No. 133 in offsetting the change in the value of the items being hedged, any changes in fair value relating to the ineffective portion of these contracts are immediately recognized in income.
     As of October 4, 2008, we had two outstanding interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $52.5 million. The notional amounts of the two outstanding swaps are reduced annually over their three year terms as follows (dollars in thousands):
                         
Notional   Effective Date          Termination Date   Fixed Rate
 
$30,000
    10/15/2008       10/15/2009       3.49 %
20,000
    10/15/2009       10/15/2010       3.49 %
10,000
    10/15/2010       10/15/2011       3.49 %

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Notional   Effective Date          Termination Date   Fixed Rate
 
$22,500
    10/15/2008       10/15/2009       3.38 %
15,000
    10/15/2009       10/15/2010       3.38 %
7,500
    10/15/2010       10/15/2011       3.38 %
     At October 6, 2007, we had four outstanding interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $90.0 million, which expired December 13, 2007.
     From time-to-time we use commodity swap agreements to reduce price risk associated with anticipated purchases of diesel fuel. The agreements call for an exchange of payments with us making payments based on fixed price per gallon and receiving payments based on floating prices, without an exchange of the underlying commodity amount upon which the payments are made. Resulting gains and losses on the fair market value of the commodity swap agreement are immediately recognized as income or expense.
     As of October 4, 2008, there were no commodity swap agreements in existence. Our only commodity swap agreement in place during 2008 expired during the first quarter and was settled for fair market value. Pre-tax losses of $0.1 million were recorded as an increase to cost of sales during the third quarter 2007 and pre-tax gains of $0.4 million were recorded as a reduction to cost of sales during year-to-date 2007.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
     As of the date of this report, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which are generally established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
     Our critical accounting policies are discussed in Part II, Item 7 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies.” There have been no material changes to these policies or the estimates used in connection therewith during the 40 weeks ended October 4, 2008 with the exception of the following:
Goodwill
     We maintain three reporting units for purposes of our Goodwill impairment testing, which are the same as our reporting segments disclosed in Part I, Item 1 in this report under Note (11) — “Segment Reporting”. Goodwill for each of our reporting units is tested for impairment in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” annually and/or when factors indicating impairment are present. Fair value is determined primarily based on valuation studies performed by us, which utilize a discounted cash flow methodology, where the discount rate reflects the weighted average cost of capital. Valuation analysis requires significant judgments and estimates to be made by management. Our estimates could be materially impacted by factors such as competitive forces, customer behaviors, changes in growth trends and specific industry conditions, with the potential for a corresponding adverse effect on financial condition and operating results potentially resulting in impairment of the goodwill. We have either met or exceeded assumptions used in prior year’s goodwill impairment models. None of the reporting units are more susceptible to economic conditions than others. The cash flow model used to determine fair value is most sensitive to the discount rate and the EBITDA margin rate applicable for each reporting segment as a percent of sales assumptions in the model. For example, we performed a sensitivity analysis on both of these factors and determined that the discount rate used could increase by a factor of 25.0% or EBITDA margin rate used could decrease by 1.0% from the EBITDA margin rate utilized and the goodwill of our reporting segments would not be impaired.

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Recently Adopted and Proposed Accounting Standards
     In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants” (FSP APB 14-1), which will impact the accounting associated with our existing $150.1 million senior convertible notes. When adopted FSP APB 14-1 will require us to recognize non-cash interest expense based on the market rate for similar debt instruments without the conversion feature. Furthermore, it will require recognizing interest expense in prior periods pursuant to retrospective accounting treatment. It is expected that the cumulative effect upon adoption would be to record approximately $16.8 million in pretax non-cash interest expense for prior periods and $4.0 million to $6.0 million in additional pretax non-cash interest expense annually. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.
     In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about instruments recorded at fair value. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements, but applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. The effective date of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis has been delayed to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 related to financial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis. The adoption of the effective portion of SFAS 157 had no impact on our financial statements as we do not have any financial assets or liabilities required to be recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
     Our exposure in the financial markets consists of changes in interest rates relative to our investment in notes receivable, the balance of our debt obligations outstanding and derivatives employed from time to time to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates and diesel fuel prices. (See Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007 and Part I, Item 2 of this report under the caption Management’s Discussion and Analysis of our Financial Condition and Results of Operations-“Liquidity and Capital Resources”).
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
     Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
     There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes Litigation
     On September 10, 2007, the Company received a purported notice of default from certain hedge funds which are beneficial owners purporting to hold at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2035 (the “Notes”). The hedge funds alleged in the notice that the Company was in breach of Section 4.08(a)(5) of the Indenture governing the Notes (the “Indenture”) which provides for an adjustment of the conversion rate in the event of an increase in the amount of certain cash dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock.
     On May 30, 2008, the Hennepin County District Court issued an order holding that the Company properly adjusted the conversion rate on the Notes after the Company increased the amount of dividends it paid to its shareholders. The Court ordered the Trustee of the Notes to execute the Supplemental Indenture which cured any ambiguity regarding the calculation of the conversion rate adjustments following the Company’s increase in quarterly dividends. The Supplemental Indenture was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 10-Q for the 12 weeks ended June 14, 2008. The Court also dissolved the Temporary Restraining Order, finding that the execution of the Supplemental Indenture obviated any default noticed by the investors.
     On July 25, 2008, a hedge fund filed a Notice of Appeal from the order issued by the Hennepin County District Court on May 30, 2008. On September 23, 2008 the Minnesota Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal.
Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. v. Nash Finch
     On February 11, 2008, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. (“Roundy’s) filed suit against us claiming we breached the Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”), entered into in connection with our acquisition of certain distribution centers and other assets from Roundy’s, by not paying approximately $7.9 million Roundy’s claims is due under the APA as a purchase price adjustment. We answered the complaint denying any payment was due to Roundy’s and asserted counterclaims against Roundy’s for, among other things, breach of contract, misrepresentation, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. In our counterclaim we demand damages from Roundy’s in excess of $18.0 million.
     On or about March 25, 2008, Roundy’s filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings with respect to some, but not all, of the claims, asserted in our counterclaim. On May 27, 2008, we filed an amended counterclaim which rendered Roundy’s motion moot. The amended counterclaim asserts claims against Roundy’s for, among other things, breach of contract, fraud, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. Our counterclaim demands damages from Roundy’s in excess of $18.0 million. Roundy’s filed an answer to the counterclaims denying liability, and subsequently moved to dismiss our counterclaims. The Court has the motion under advisement. We intend to vigorously defend against Roundy’s complaint and to vigorously prosecute our claims against it.
     Due to uncertainties in the litigation process, the Company is unable to with certainty estimate the financial impact or outcome of this lawsuit.
Securities and Exchange Commission Inquiry
     In early 2006, we voluntarily contacted the SEC to discuss the results of an internal review that focused on trading in our common stock by certain of our officers and directors. The Board of Directors conducted the internal review with the assistance of outside counsel following an informal inquiry from the SEC in November 2005 regarding such trading. We offered to provide certain documents, and the SEC accepted the offer. We will continue to fully cooperate with the SEC.

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Other
     We are also engaged from time to time in routine legal proceedings incidental to our business. We do not believe that these routine legal proceedings, taken as a whole, will have a material impact on our business or financial condition.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
     There have been no material changes in our risk factors contained in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007.
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
     None
ITEM 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
     None
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     None
ITEM 5. Other Information
     None

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ITEM 6. Exhibits
Exhibits filed or furnished with this Form 10-Q:
     
Exhibit    
No.   Description
 
   
10.1
  Amended Form of Change in Control Agreement for Senior and Executive Vice Presidents, effective November 3, 2008
 
   
10.2
  New Form of Executive Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, effective July 14, 2008
 
   
10.3
  Form of Amended and Restated Executive Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, effective July 14, 2008
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
 
   
32.1
  Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
 
  NASH-FINCH COMPANY
Registrant
   
 
       
Date: November 6, 2008
  by /s/ Alec C. Covington    
 
  Alec C. Covington    
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer    
 
       
Date: November 6, 2008
  by /s/ Robert B. Dimond    
 
  Robert B. Dimond    
 
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    

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NASH FINCH COMPANY
EXHIBIT INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT
ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended October 4, 2008
         
Exhibit       Method of
No.   Item   Filing
 
       
10.1
  Amended Form of Change in Control Agreement for Senior and Executive Vice Presidents, effective November 3, 2008   Filed herewith
 
       
10.2
  New Form of Executive Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, effective July 14, 2008   Filed herewith
 
       
10.3
  Form of Amended and Restated Executive Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, effective July 14, 2008   Filed herewith
 
       
12.1
  Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges   Filed herewith
 
       
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer   Filed herewith
 
       
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer   Filed herewith
 
       
32.1
  Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer   Filed herewith

31

EX-10.1 2 c47002exv10w1.htm EXHIBIT 10.1 exv10w1
Exhibit 10.1
_____________, 2008
[Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State & Zip Code]
Dear _________:
You are presently the [Title] of Nash Finch Company, a Delaware corporation. The Company considers the establishment and maintenance of a sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. In this connection, the Company recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a Change in Control may arise and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders.
Accordingly, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to minimize the risk that Company management will depart prior to a Change in Control, thereby leaving the Company without adequate management personnel during such a critical period, and that appropriate steps also be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the Company’s management to their assigned duties without distraction in circumstances arising from the possibility of a Change in Control. In particular, the Board believes it important, should Nash Finch Company or its stockholders receive a proposal of transfer of control, that you be able to continue your management responsibilities and assess and advise the Board whether such proposal would be in the best interests of Nash Finch Company and its stockholders and to take other action regarding such proposal as the Board might determine to be appropriate, without being influenced by the uncertainties of your own personal situation.
The Board recognizes that continuance of your position with the Company involves a substantial commitment to the Company in terms of your personal life and professional career and the possibility of foregoing present and future career opportunities, for which the Company receives substantial benefits. Therefore, to induce you to remain in the employ of the Company, this letter agreement, which has been approved by the Board, sets forth the benefits which the Company agrees will be provided to you in the event your employment with the Company is terminated in connection with a Change in Control under the circumstances described below.
     1. Definitions. The following terms will have the meaning set forth below unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement will have the same meaning throughout this Agreement.
     (a) “Agreement” means this letter agreement as amended, extended or renewed from time to time in accordance with its terms.
     (b) “Board” means the board of directors of the Parent Corporation duly qualified and acting at the time in question.
     (c) “Cause” means: (i) the willful and continued failure by you to substantially perform your duties to the Company (other than any such failure resulting from your Disability or incapacity due to bodily injury or physical or mental illness) after a demand for substantial performance is delivered to you by the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which you have not substantially performed your duties; or (ii) your conviction (including a plea of nolo contendere) of a felony or gross misdemeanor under federal or state law that the Board determines is injurious to reputation or the business of the Company; (iii) your commission of any act involving dishonesty, fraud, gross negligence or other willful

 


 

misconduct in the performance of your duties of the Company or (iv) your breach of any confidentiality, non-compete or non-solicitation covenants you may have with the Company. For purposes of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on your part will be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by you in bad faith and without reasonable belief that your action or omission was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board (or a committee hereof) or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company will be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by you in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. It is also expressly understood that your attention to matters not directly related to the business of the Company will not provide a basis for termination for Cause so long as the Board does not expressly disapprove in writing of your engagement on such activities either before or within a reasonable period of time after the Board knew or could reasonably have known that you engaged in those activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you will not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there has been delivered to you a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Board (after reasonable notice to you and an opportunity for you, together with your counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board you were guilty of the conduct set forth above and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
     (d) “Change in Control” means:
     (i) Any one person or more than one person acting as a group acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50 percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. However, if any one person or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50 percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control;
     (ii) Any one person, or more than one person acting as a group acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company;
     (iii) Any one person, or more than one person acting as a group acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; or
     (iv) A majority of the members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election;
provided, that the transaction or event described in subsection (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5).
     (e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
     (f) “Company” means the Parent Corporation, any Subsidiary and any Successor.
     (g) “Confidential Information” means information which is proprietary to the Company or proprietary to others and entrusted to the Company, whether or not trade secrets. It includes information relating to business plans and to business as conducted or anticipated to be conducted, and to past or current or anticipated products or services. It also includes, without limitation, information concerning research, development, purchasing, accounting, marketing and selling. All information which you have a reasonable basis to consider confidential is Confidential Information, whether or not originated by you and without regard to the manner in which you obtain access to that and any other proprietary information.

 


 

     (h) “Date of Termination” following a Change in Control (or prior to a Change in Control if your termination was either a condition of the Change in Control or was at the request or insistence of any Person (other than the Company) related to the Change in Control) means: (i) if your employment is to be terminated for Disability, thirty (30) calendar days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that you have not returned to the performance of your duties on a full-time basis during such thirty (30)-calendar-day period); (ii) if your employment is to be terminated by the Company for Cause or by you for Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination; (iii) if your employment is to be terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause, Disability, death or Retirement, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, which in no event may be a date earlier than ninety (90) calendar days after the date on which a Notice of Termination is given, unless an earlier date has been expressly agreed to by you in writing either in advance of, or after, receiving such Notice of Termination; or (iv) if your employment is terminated by reason of death or Retirement, the date of death or Retirement, respectively; provided that in all events the applicable “Date of Termination” shall be the date of your “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). In the case of termination by the Company of your employment for Cause, if you have not previously expressly agreed in writing to the termination, then within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by you of the Notice of Termination with respect thereto, you may notify the Company that a dispute exists concerning the termination, in which event the Date of Termination will be the date set either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by the judge or arbitrators in a proceeding as provided in Section 13 of this Agreement. During the pendency of any such dispute, the Company will continue to pay you your full compensation and benefits in effect just prior to the time the Notice of Termination is given and until the dispute is resolved in accordance with Section 13 of this Agreement.
     (i) “Disability” means a disability as defined in the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control or, in the absence of such a plan, means permanent and total disability as defined in section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
     (j) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     (k) “Good Reason” means:
     (i) a material adverse change in your status or position(s) as an executive of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, including, without limitation, any adverse change in your status or position(s) as a result of a material diminution in your duties or responsibilities (other than, if applicable, any such change directly attributable to the fact that the Company is no longer publicly owned) or the assignment to you of any duties or responsibilities which are inconsistent with such status or position(s), or any removal of you from or any failure to reappoint or reelect you to such position(s) (except in connection with the termination of your employment for Cause, Disability or Retirement or as a result of your death or by you other than for Good Reason);
     (ii) a reduction by the Company in your rate of total compensation (including, without limitation, salary and bonus potential) (or an adverse change in the form or timing of the payment thereof) as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;
     (iii) the failure by the Company to continue in effect any Plan in which you (and/or your family) are participating at any time during the ninety (90)-calendar-day period immediately preceding the Change in Control (or Plans providing you (and/or your family) with at least substantially similar benefits) other than as a result of the normal expiration of any such Plan in accordance with its terms as in effect immediately prior to the ninety (90)-calendar-day period immediately preceding the time of the Change in Control, or the taking of any action, or the failure to act, by the Company which would adversely affect you (and/or your family’s) continued participation in any of such Plans on at least as favorable a basis to you (and/or your family) as is the case on the date of the Change in Control or which would materially reduce your (and/or your family’s) benefits in the future under any of such Plans or deprive you (and/or your family) of any material benefit enjoyed by you (and/or your family) at the time of the Change in Control;

 


 

     (iv) the Company’s requiring you to be based more than fifty (50) miles from where your office is located immediately prior to the Change in Control, except for required travel on the Company’s business, and then only to the extent substantially consistent with the business travel obligations which you undertook on behalf of the Company during the ninety (90)-calendar-day period immediately preceding the Change in Control (without regard to travel related or in anticipation of the Change in Control);
     (v) the failure by the Company to obtain from any Successor the assent to this Agreement contemplated by Section 6 of this Agreement.
     (vi) any purported termination by the Company of your employment which is not properly effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination and pursuant to any other requirements of this Agreement, and for purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination will be effective; or
     (vii) any refusal by the Company to continue to allow you to attend to matters or engage in activities not directly related to the business of the Company which, at any time prior to the Change in Control, you were not expressly prohibited in writing by the Board from attending to or engaging in.
     (l) “Highest Monthly Compensation” means one-twelfth (1/12) of the highest amount of your compensation for any twelve (12) consecutive calendar-month period during the thirty-six (36) consecutive calendar-month period prior to the month that includes the Date of Termination. For purposes of this definition, “compensation” means your base pay plus short term bonus target.
     (m) “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement pursuant to which the notice is given. Any purported termination by the Company or by you following a Change in Control (or prior to a Change in Control if your termination was either a condition of the Change in Control or was at the request or insistence of any Person (other than the Company) related to the Change in Control) must be communicated by written Notice of Termination.
     (n) “Parent Corporation” means Nash Finch Company and any Successor.
     (o) “Person” means and includes any individual, corporation, partnership, group, association or other “person”, as such term is used in section 14(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Parent Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Corporation or any employee benefit plan(s) sponsored by the Parent Corporation or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Corporation.
     (p) “Plan” means any compensation plan (such as a stock option, restricted stock plan or other equity-based plan), or any employee benefit plan (such as a thrift, pension, profit sharing, medical, dental, disability, accident, life insurance, relocation, salary continuation, expense reimbursements, vacation, fringe benefits, office and support staff plan or policy) or any other plan, program, policy or agreement of the Company intended to benefit you (and/or your family) (including, without limitation, the Company’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, Profit Sharing Plan, Income Deferral Plan, Deferred Compensation Plan and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan).
     (q) “Retirement” means the day on which you attain the age of sixty-five (65).
     (r) “Subsidiary” means any corporation at least a majority of whose securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors is at the time owned by the Company and/or one (1) or more Subsidiaries.
     (s) “Successor” means any Person that succeeds to, or has the practical ability to control (either immediately or with the passage of time), the Parent Corporation’s business directly, by merger,

 


 

consolidation or other form of business combination, or indirectly, by purchase of the Parent Corporation’s voting securities, all or substantially all of its assets or otherwise.
     2. Term of Agreement. This Agreement is effective immediately and will continue in effect until December 31, 2008; provided, however, that commencing on January 1, 2009 and each January 1 thereafter, the term of this Agreement will automatically be extended for one (1) additional year beyond the expiration date otherwise then in effect, unless at least ninety (90) calendar days prior to any such January 1, the Company or you has been given notice that this Agreement will not be extended; and, provided, further, that this Agreement will continue in effect beyond the termination date then in effect for a period of twenty-four (24) calendar months following a Change in Control if a Change in Control has occurred during such term.
     3. Benefits upon a Change in Control Termination. If your employment by the Company is terminated for any reason other than death, Cause, Disability or Retirement, or if you terminate your employment by the Company for Good Reason either within: (a) twenty-four (24) calendar months following a Change in Control; or (b) prior to a Change in Control if your termination was either a condition of the Change in Control or was at the request or insistence of a Person (other than the Company) related to the Change in Control, then, subject to your execution of a general release of claims against the Company in the Company’s customary form for such purpose (a “Release”) within 55 days of your Termination of Employment and not revoking such Release:
     (i) Cash Payment. On the later to occur of six months following the Date of Termination or sixteen days following your timely execution of a Release, the Company will make a lump-sum cash payment to you in an amount equal to the product of (A) your Highest Monthly Compensation multiplied by (B) the lesser of (I) the number of full or partial calendar months remaining until your Retirement or (II) [twenty-four (24)][twelve (12)].
     (ii) Welfare Plans. The Company will maintain in full force and effect, for the continued benefit of you and your dependents for a period terminating on the earliest of (A) [twenty-four (24)][twelve (12)] calendar months after the Date of Termination or (B) your Retirement, all insured and self-insured employee welfare benefit Plans (including, without limitation, health, life, dental and disability plans) in which you were entitled to participate at any time during the ninety (90)-calendar-day period immediately preceding the Change in Control, provided that your continued participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such Plans and any applicable funding media and provided that you continue to pay an amount equal to your regular contribution under such Plans for such participation (based upon your level of benefits and employment status most favorable to you at any time during the ninety (90)-calendar-day period immediately preceding the Change in Control). If the [twenty-four (24)][twelve (12)]-month-period ends before you have reached Retirement and you have not previously received or are not then receiving equivalent benefits from a new employer (including coverage for any pre-existing conditions), the Company will arrange, at its sole cost and expense, to enable you to convert your and your dependents’ coverage under such plans to individual policies or programs under the same terms as executives of the Company may apply for such conversions. In the event that you or your dependents’ participation in any such Plan is barred, the Company, at its sole cost and expense, will arrange to have issued for the benefit of you and your dependents individual policies of insurance providing benefits substantially similar (on a federal, state and local income and employment after-tax basis) to those which you otherwise would have been entitled to receive under such Plans pursuant to this clause (ii) or, if such insurance is not available at a reasonable cost to the Company, the Company will otherwise provide you and your dependents equivalent benefits (on a federal, state and local income and employment after-tax basis). You will not be required to pay any premiums or other charges in an amount greater than that which you would have paid in order to participate in such Plans.
     (iii) Tax Reimbursement.

 


 

     (A) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payments or distributions by the Company, any person or entity whose actions result in a Change of Control or any person or entity affiliated with the Company or such person or entity, to or for your benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, any option agreement, restricted stock award agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any payments required under this Section 3(iii)) (collectively, the “Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or you incur any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then you shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after your payment of all taxes (and any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income taxes and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, you retain an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
     (B) Subject to the provisions of clause (D), below, all determinations required to be made under this Section 3(iii), including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by an accounting firm of national reputation selected by the Company ( the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to you and to the Company within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from you that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, you shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the “Accounting Firm” hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 3(iii), shall be paid by the Company on your behalf within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by you, it shall furnish evidence of its determination that failure to report the Excise Tax on your applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon you and the Company.
     (C) As a result of uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which should have been made by the Company will not have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to clause (D) below and you thereafter are required to make a payment of any additional Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for your benefit.
     (D) You shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of any Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after you know of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. You shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30)-day period following the date on which you give such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies you in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, you shall:

 


 

     (1) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim;
     (2) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company;
     (3) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim; and
     (4) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold you harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this clause (D), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct you to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and you agree to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine. If the Company directs you to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall: (i) to the extent not prohibited by law, rule or regulation, advance the amount of such payment to you on an interest-free basis; or (ii) to the extent any such advance is so prohibited, pay such amount directly; and, in either case, shall indemnify and hold you harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such payment or advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such payment or advance; and provided further that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for your taxable year with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and you shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
     (E) If, after your receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to clause (D), above, you become entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, you shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of clause (D)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after your receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to clause (D), above, a determination is made that you shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify you in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
     (iv) Non-Competition Obligations. As consideration for the Gross-Up Payment (which is hereby acknowledged by you as providing you with additional and sufficient benefit to support the following covenant), you agree that in the event your employment with the Company

 


 

is terminated upon conditions entitling you to the payments and benefits provided for under Section 3 of the Agreement, you will not, without the prior written consent of the Company (given after the consummation of the Change in Control), alone or in any capacity (other than by way of holding shares of a publicly traded company in an amount not exceeding five percent (5%) of the outstanding class or series so traded) with any other person or entity, directly or indirectly engage in competition with the Company or any Subsidiary, in association with or as an officer, director, employee, principal, agent or consultant of or to SuperValu, Inc., Spartan Stores, Inc., Merchants Distributors, Inc., Laurel Grocery Company, L.L.C., C&S Wholesale Grocers or any of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates or successors for a period ending one (1) year after such date of termination.
     4. Indemnification. Following a Change in Control, the Company will indemnify and pay your expenses, as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law and the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws for damages, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and reasonable fees and expenses of your counsel) incurred in connection with all matters, events and transactions relating to your service to or status with the Company or any other corporation, employee benefit plan or other entity with whom you served at the request of the Company.
     5. Confidentiality. You will not use, other than in connection with your employment with the Company, or disclose any Confidential Information to any person not employed by the Company or not authorized by the Company to receive such Confidential Information, without the prior written consent of the Company; and you will use reasonable and prudent care to safeguard and protect and prevent the unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information. Nothing in this Agreement will prevent you from using, disclosing or authorizing the disclosure of any Confidential Information: (a) which is or hereafter becomes part of the public domain or otherwise becomes generally available to the public through no fault of yours; (b) to the extent and upon the terms and conditions that the Company may have previously made the Confidential Information available to certain persons; or (c) to the extent that you are required to disclose such Confidential Information by law or judicial or administrative process.
     6. Successors. The Company will seek to have any Successor, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to you, assent to the fulfillment by the Company of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. Failure of the Company to obtain such assent at least three (3) business days prior to the time a Person becomes a Successor (or where the Company does not have at least three (3) business days’ advance notice that a Person may become a Successor, within one (1) business day after having notice that such Person may become or has become a Successor) will constitute Good Reason for termination by you of your employment.
     7. Fees and Expenses. The Company, upon demand, will pay or reimburse you for all reasonable legal fees, court costs, experts’ fees and related costs and expenses incurred by you in connection with any actual, threatened or contemplated litigation or legal, administrative, arbitration or other proceeding relating to this Agreement to which you are or reasonably expect to become a party, whether or not initiated by you, including, without limitation, your seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement; provided, however, you will be required to repay (without interest) any such amounts to the Company to the extent that a court issues a final and non-appealable order setting forth the determination that the position taken by you was frivolous or advanced by you in bad faith.
     8. Binding Agreement. This Agreement inures to the benefit of, and is enforceable by, you, your personal and legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If you die while any amount would still be payable to you under this Agreement if you had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, will be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to your devisee, legatee or other designee or, if there be no such designee, to your estate.
     9. No Mitigation. You will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payments or benefits the Company becomes obligated to make or provide to you in connection with this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise. The payments or benefits to be made or provided to you in

 


 

connection with this Agreement may not be reduced, offset or subject to recovery by the Company by any payments or benefits you may receive from other employment or otherwise.
     10. No Setoff. The Company will have no right to setoff payments or benefits owed to you under this Agreement against amounts owed or claimed to be owed by you to the Company under this Agreement or otherwise.
     11. Taxes. All payments and benefits to be made or provided to you in connection with this Agreement will be subject to required withholding of federal, state and local income, excise and employment-related taxes.
     12. Notices. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in, or required under, this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed to each party’s respective address set forth on the first page of this Agreement (provided that all notices to the Company must be directed to the attention of the chair of the Board), or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with these provisions, except that notice of change of address will be effective only upon receipt.
     13. Disputes. Any dispute, controversy or claim for damages rising under or in connection with this Agreement may, in your sole discretion, be settled exclusively by such judicial remedies that you may seek to pursue or by arbitration in Minneapolis, Minnesota by three (3) arbitrators in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrators’ award in any court having jurisdiction. The Company will be entitled to seek an injunction or restraining order in a court of competent jurisdiction (within or without the State of Minnesota) to enforce the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement.
     14. Jurisdiction. Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement, the parties agree that any action or proceeding arising under or in connection with this Agreement must be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Minnesota, and hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of said courts for this purpose and agree not to assert that such courts are an inconvenient forum.
     15. Related Agreements. To the extent that any provision of any other Plan or agreement between the Company and you shall limit, qualify or be inconsistent with any provision of this Agreement, then for purposes of this Agreement, while such other Plan or agreement remains in force, the provision of this Agreement will control and such provision of such other Plan or agreement will be deemed to have been superseded, and to be of no force or effect, as if such other agreement had been formally amended to the extent necessary to accomplish such purpose. Nothing in this Agreement prevents or limits your continuing or future participation in any Plan provided by the Company and for which you may qualify, and nothing in this Agreement limits or otherwise affects the rights you may have under any Plans or other agreements with the Company. Amounts which are vested benefits or which you are otherwise entitled to receive under any Plan or other agreement with the Company at or subsequent to the Date of Termination will be payable in accordance with such Plan or other agreement.
     16. No Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to provide you with any right to continue in the employ of the Company for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way your rights or the rights of the Company, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate your employment at any time for any reason or no reason whatsoever, with or without cause.
     17. Survival. The respective obligations of, and benefits afforded to, the Company and you which by their express terms or clear intent survive termination of your employment with the Company or termination of this Agreement, as the case may be, including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Agreement, will survive termination of your employment with the Company or termination of this Agreement, as the case may be, and will remain in full force and effect according to their terms.

 


 

     18. Section 409A. The parties acknowledge and agree that, to the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and the parties agree to use their best efforts to achieve timely compliance with, Section 409A and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable or provided under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A, the Company may adopt (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify you for failure to do so) such limited amendments to this Agreement and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that the Company reasonably determines are necessary or appropriate to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the compensation and benefits provided with respect to this Agreement or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
     19. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in a writing signed by you and the chair of the Board. No waiver by any party to this Agreement at any time of any breach by another party to this Agreement of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such party will be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter to this Agreement have been made by any party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties as to all matters, including, without limitation, matters of validity, interpretation, construction, performance and remedies, will be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Minnesota (without regard to the conflict of laws provisions of any jurisdiction), except to the extent that the provisions of the corporate law of Delaware may apply to the internal affairs of the Company. Headings are for purposes of convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. The parties to this Agreement agree to perform, or cause to be performed, such further acts and deeds and to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such additional or supplemental documents or instruments as may be reasonably required by the other party to carry into effect the intent and purpose of this Agreement. The invalidity or unenforceability of all or any part of any provision of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of such provision or of any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
If this letter correctly sets forth our agreement on the subject matter discussed above, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copy of this letter which will then constitute our agreement on this subject.
Sincerely,
NASH FINCH COMPANY.
         
By:
       
 
       
 
  Alec C. Covington    
 
  President, Chief Executive Officer    
 
       
Agreed to this ____ day of ______________, 2008.
 
       
 
       
     
[Name]
       

 

EX-10.2 3 c47002exv10w2.htm EXHIBIT 10.2 exv10w2
Exhibit 10.2
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
               
           
  Name of Employee:  
 
 
           
           
  No. of Performance Units (Restricted Stock Units)
Granted:
    Date of Grant:  
           
 
Vesting Schedule:
           
 
 
           
 
 
  Vesting Date*     No. of Restricted Stock Units Which Become Vested  
 
 
  [    ]     [    ]  
 
 
           
           
  *All Restricted Stock Units subject to this Agreement are subject to accelerated vesting as described in Section 3 below.  
           
     THIS AGREEMENT is entered into and effective as of [    ] (the “Date of Grant” ), by and between Nash-Finch Company (the “Company” ) and you, [    ].
     In accordance with a Letter Agreement between you and the Company dated [    ], you are to receive an award of Performance Units (referred to in this Agreement as “Restricted Stock Units”) on the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and the Nash-Finch Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan” ). Each capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Plan.
     The parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan, the Company hereby grants to you the number of Restricted Stock Units specified at the beginning of this Agreement (the “Award”). The Restricted Stock Units subject to this Award will be reflected in a book account (the “Account”) maintained by the Company, and will be settled in shares of Common Stock.
2. Normal Vesting. Subject to Section 3, if you remain continuously employed by the Company, then the Restricted Stock Units will vest as specified in the Vesting Schedule at the beginning of this Agreement. Upon the vesting of any Restricted Stock Units, such Restricted Stock Units will no longer be subject to forfeiture as provided in Section 5 and will be settled as provided in Section 4.
3. Accelerated Vesting. Restricted Stock Units then outstanding will vest immediately and in full upon (i) a Change in Control so long as (a) you have been continuously employed by the Company through the date immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control and (b) the grant has been outstanding for at least six months ; or (ii) the termination of your employment with the Company due to death or Disability. If your employment is terminated by the Company without cause, a pro rata portion of the Restricted Stock Units then outstanding and credited to your Account will immediately vest, such portion to be determined by multiplying the number of Restricted Stock Units then outstanding and credited to your account by a fraction whose numerator is the number of whole months between the Date of Grant and the termination date of your employment, and whose denominator is 60.
4. Settlement of Vested Restricted Stock Units. Within ninety (90) days following any vesting date, the Company shall distribute to you, in full settlement of all Restricted Stock Units in your Account that vested on such vesting date, one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit; provided that, by

 


 

submitting a written election no later than the thirtieth day following the Date of Grant, you may elect to defer the settlement of any Restricted Stock Units to a specified date following the vesting date. For purposes of such settlement, the number of Restricted Stock Units will be rounded to the nearest whole Restricted Stock Unit, with any fractional Restricted Stock Unit less than 0.5 disregarded.
5. Forfeiture. If your employment with the Company ends for any reason other than those specified in Section 3, all outstanding Restricted Stock Units then credited to your Account that have not vested will be terminated and forfeited. If your employment is terminated by the Company without cause, all Restricted Stock Units then credited to your account other than the pro rata portion whose vesting is accelerated as provided in Section 3 will be terminated and forfeited.
6. Dividends and Other Distributions.
     6.1 Dividends Payable Other than in Common Stock. If the payment date for a dividend declared by the Board and payable in cash or in property other than cash or Common Stock occurs prior to the date your Restricted Stock Units are settled, you will be granted additional Restricted Stock Units pursuant to this Section 6.1. As of such dividend payment date, you will have credited to your Account that number of additional Restricted Stock Units determined according to the following formula:
     
Dividend value per share x Number of Restricted Stock Units
   
     
Fair Market Value
   
For purposes of this formula:
    “Dividend value per share” means the amount of the cash dividend (or the per share value of any dividend payable in property other than cash) declared per share of Common Stock for the applicable payment date;
 
    “Number of Restricted Stock Units” means the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units credited to your Account as of the applicable dividend record date; and
 
    “Fair Market Value” means the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the applicable dividend payment date.
     6.2 Dividends in Common Stock. If the payment date for a dividend declared by the Company’s Board and payable in Common Stock occurs prior to the date your Restricted Stock Units are settled, you will be granted additional Restricted Stock Units pursuant to this Section 6.2. As of such dividend payment date, you will have credited to your Account that number of additional Restricted Stock Units determined by multiplying the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units credited to your Account as of the applicable dividend record date by the number of shares of Common Stock payable as a dividend on each outstanding share of Common Stock in connection with such dividend declaration.
     6.3 Treatment of Additional Restricted Stock Units. Any additional Restricted Stock Units granted under Sections 6.1 or 6.2 are subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan, and specifically will vest and be settled, or forfeited, to the extent and at the time that the underlying Restricted Stock Units to which such additional Restricted Stock Units relate are subject to vesting, settlement or forfeiture hereunder.
     6.4 Adjustments to Awards. If any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering or divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company occurs, the Board, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of your rights, will make appropriate adjustment (which determination will be conclusive) in the number of Restricted Stock Units credited to your Account and/or as to the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) subject to the Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that any such securities or other property distributable with respect to the

 


 

Restricted Stock Units shall be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, distributed to you in the manner described in Section 4 and shall, together with the Restricted Stock Units, otherwise be subject to the provisions of Sections 3 and 5 and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement.
7. Beneficiary Designation.
     You shall have the right, at any time, to designate any person or persons as beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive your Restricted Stock Units upon your death. In the event of your death, settlement of such Restricted Stock Units will be made to such beneficiary or beneficiaries. You shall have the right to change your beneficiary designation at any time. Each beneficiary designation shall become effective only when filed in writing with the Company during your life on a form prescribed by or approved by the Company. If you fail to designate a beneficiary as provided above, or if all designated beneficiaries die before you, then the beneficiary shall be your estate.
8. Miscellaneous.
     8.1 Employment with the Company. Any references in this Agreement to employment with or by the Company shall be deemed to include employment with the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation thereof.
     8.2 Code Section 409A. This grant is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder (“Section 409A”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if any distribution to you hereunder is subject to the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then such distribution will be suspended and not made until after the six-month anniversary of the applicable termination date (or, if earlier, upon the date of your death). Any distribution that was otherwise distributable during the six-month suspension period referred to in the preceding sentence will be made as soon as administratively practicable following the six-month anniversary of the applicable termination date. The parties agree that other appropriate modifications shall be made to the Agreement as necessary for any deferred compensation provided under the Agreement to satisfy the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code (including current and future guidance issued by the Department of Treasury and/or Internal Revenue Service). To the extent that any provision of this Agreement fails to satisfy those requirements, the provision shall be applied in operation in a manner that, in the good-faith opinion of the Company, brings the provision into compliance with those requirements while preserving as closely as possible the original intent of the provision and the value of the Agreement to you. The Company (including any successor) shall propose subsequent amendments to this Agreement to you if and as necessary to conform the terms of the Agreement to any such operational modifications.
     8.3 Relationship to Plan and Other Agreements. The Restricted Stock Units subject to this Agreement have been granted under, and are subject to the terms of, the Plan. The provisions of this Agreement will be interpreted so as to be consistent with the terms of the Plan, and any ambiguities in this Agreement will be interpreted by reference to the Plan. If any provision of this Agreement is in conflict with the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will prevail. To the extent any provision of any other agreement between the Company and you limits, qualifies or is inconsistent with any provision of this Agreement, then for purposes of this Agreement, the provision of this Agreement will control and such provision of such other agreement will be deemed to have been superseded, as if such other agreement had been amended to the extent necessary to accomplish such purpose.
     8.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement will be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators and successors of the parties hereto.
     8.5 Governing Law. This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be construed in accordance with the Plan and governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to conflicts of laws provisions. Any legal proceeding related to this Award or Agreement will be brought

 


 

in an appropriate Minnesota court, and the parties hereto consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the court for this purpose.
     8.6 Amendment and Waiver. Other than as provided in the Plan, this Agreement may be amended, waived, modified or canceled only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance.
The parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective the day and year first written above.
                 
NASH-FINCH COMPANY
      EXECUTIVE:
 
               
 
               
By:
          By:    
 
               
 
  Alec C. Covington       [    ]
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer        

 

EX-10.3 4 c47002exv10w3.htm EXHIBIT 10.3 exv10w3
Exhibit 10.3
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
(Amended and Restated Effective [___, 2008])
               
           
  Full Name of Employee:  
           
  No. of Performance Units (Restricted Stock Units) Granted:     Date of Grant:  
 
 
           
 
 
           
           
 
Vesting Schedule:
           
 
 
           
 
 
  Vesting Date*
o
    No. of Restricted Stock Units Which Become Vested
o
 
           
 
 
           
  *All Restricted Stock Units subject to this Agreement are subject to accelerated vesting as described in Section 3 below.        
           
          THIS AGREEMENT was entered into and effective as of o (the “Date of Grant”) , by and between Nash-Finch Company (the “Company”) and you, o. The Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety, effective as of [___, 2008].
          In accordance with a Letter Agreement between you and the Company dated o, you are to receive an award of Performance Units (referred to in this Agreement as “Restricted Stock Units”) on the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and the Nash Finch Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan” ). Each capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Plan.
          The parties hereto agree as follows:
     1. Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan, the Company hereby grants to you the number of Restricted Stock Units specified at the beginning of this Agreement (the “Award”). The Restricted Stock Units subject to this Award will be reflected in a book account (the “Account”) maintained by the Company, and will be settled in shares of Common Stock.
     2. Normal Vesting. Subject to Section 3, if you remain continuously employed by the Company, then the Restricted Stock Units will vest as specified in the Vesting Schedule at the beginning of this Agreement. Upon the vesting of any Restricted Stock Units, such Restricted Stock Units will no longer be subject to forfeiture as provided in Section 5 and will be settled as provided in Section 4.
     3. Accelerated Vesting. Restricted Stock Units then outstanding will vest immediately and in full upon (i) a Change in Control so long as (a) you have been continuously employed by the Company through the date immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control and (b) the grant has been outstanding for at least six months ; or (ii) the termination of your employment with the Company due to death or Disability. If your employment is terminated by the Company without cause, a pro rata portion of the Restricted Stock Units then outstanding and credited to your Account will immediately vest, such portion to be determined by multiplying the number of Restricted Stock Units then outstanding and credited to your account by a fraction whose numerator is the number of whole months between the Date of Grant and the termination date of your employment, and whose denominator is 60.
     4. Settlement of Vested Restricted Stock Units. Within ninety (90) days following any vesting date, the Company shall distribute to you, in full settlement of all Restricted Stock Units in your Account that vested on such vesting date, one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit. For purposes of such settlement, the number of Restricted Stock Units will be rounded to the nearest whole Restricted Stock Unit, with any fractional Restricted Stock Unit less than 0.5 disregarded.

 


 

     5. Forfeiture. If your employment with the Company ends for any reason other than those specified in Section 3, all outstanding Restricted Stock Units then credited to your Account that have not vested will be terminated and forfeited. If your employment is terminated by the Company without cause, all Restricted Stock Units then credited to your account other than the pro rata portion whose vesting is accelerated as provided in Section 3 will be terminated and forfeited.
     6. Dividends and Other Distributions.
          Dividends Payable Other than in Common Stock. If the payment date for a dividend declared by the Board and payable in cash or in property other than cash or Common Stock occurs prior to the date your employment with the Company ends, you will be granted additional Restricted Stock Units pursuant to this Section 6.1. As of such dividend payment date, you will have credited to your Account that number of additional Restricted Stock Units determined according to the following formula:
     
Dividend value per share x Number of Restricted Stock Units
   
     
Fair Market Value
   
For purposes of this formula:
    “Dividend value per share” means the amount of the cash dividend (or the per share value of any dividend payable in property other than cash) declared per share of Common Stock for the applicable payment date;
 
    “Number of Restricted Stock Units” means the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units credited to your Account as of the applicable dividend record date; and
 
    “Fair Market Value” means the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the applicable dividend payment date.
          6.2 Dividends in Common Stock. If the payment date for a dividend declared by the Company’s Board and payable in Common Stock occurs prior to the date your employment with the Company ends, you will be granted additional Restricted Stock Units pursuant to this Section 6.2. As of such dividend payment date, you will have credited to your Account that number of additional Restricted Stock Units determined by multiplying the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units credited to your Account as of the applicable dividend record date by the number of shares of Common Stock payable as a dividend on each outstanding share of Common Stock in connection with such dividend declaration.
          6.3 Treatment of Additional Restricted Stock Units. Any additional Restricted Stock Units granted under Sections 6.1 or 6.2 are subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan, and specifically will vest and be settled, or forfeited, to the extent and at the time that the underlying Restricted Stock Units to which such additional Restricted Stock Units relate are subject to vesting, settlement or forfeiture hereunder.
          6.4 Adjustments to Awards. If any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering or divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other similar change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company occurs, the Board, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of your rights, will make appropriate adjustment (which determination will be conclusive) in the number of Restricted Stock Units credited to your Account and/or as to the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) subject to the Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that any such securities or other property distributable with respect to the Restricted Stock Units shall be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, distributed to you in the manner described in Section 4 and shall, together with the Restricted Stock Units, otherwise be subject to the provisions of Sections 3 and 5 and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement.
     7. Beneficiary Designation. You shall have the right, at any time, to designate any person or persons as beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive your Restricted Stock Units upon your death. In the event

 


 

of your death, settlement of such Restricted Stock Units will be made to such beneficiary or beneficiaries. You shall have the right to change your beneficiary designation at any time. Each beneficiary designation shall become effective only when filed in writing with the Company during your life on a form prescribed by or approved by the Company. If you fail to designate a beneficiary as provided above, or if all designated beneficiaries die before you, then the beneficiary shall be your estate.
     8. Miscellaneous.
    8.1 Employment with the Company. Any references in this Agreement to employment with or by the Company shall be deemed to include employment with the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation thereof.
    8.2 Code Section 409A. This grant is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder (“Section 409A”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if any distribution to you hereunder is subject to the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then such distribution will be suspended and not made until after the six-month anniversary of the applicable termination date (or, if earlier, upon the date of your death). Any distribution that was otherwise distributable during the six-month suspension period referred to in the preceding sentence will be made as soon as administratively practicable following the six-month anniversary of the applicable termination date. The parties agree that other appropriate modifications shall be made to the Agreement as necessary for any deferred compensation provided under the Agreement to satisfy the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code (including current and future guidance issued by the Department of Treasury and/or Internal Revenue Service). To the extent that any provision of this Agreement fails to satisfy those requirements (including any modifications made by this amendment), the provision shall be applied in operation in a manner that, in the good-faith opinion of the Company, brings the provision into compliance with those requirements while preserving as closely as possible the original intent of the provision and the value of the Agreement to you. The Company (including any successor) shall propose subsequent amendments to this Agreement to you if and as necessary to conform the terms of the Agreement to any such operational modifications.
    8.3 Relationship to Plan and Other Agreements. The Restricted Stock Units subject to this Agreement have been granted under, and are subject to the terms of, the Plan. The provisions of this Agreement will be interpreted so as to be consistent with the terms of the Plan, and any ambiguities in this Agreement will be interpreted by reference to the Plan. If any provision of this Agreement is in conflict with the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will prevail. To the extent any provision of any other agreement between the Company and you limits, qualifies or is inconsistent with any provision of this Agreement, then for purposes of this Agreement, the provision of this Agreement will control and such provision of such other agreement will be deemed to have been superseded, as if such other agreement had been amended to the extent necessary to accomplish such purpose.
    8.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement will be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators and successors of the parties hereto.
    8.5 Governing Law. This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be construed in accordance with the Plan and governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to conflicts of laws provisions. Any legal proceeding related to this Award or Agreement will be brought in an appropriate Minnesota court, and the parties hereto consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the court for this purpose.
    8.6 Amendment and Waiver. Other than as provided in the Plan, this Agreement may be amended, waived, modified or canceled only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. The parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective the day and year first written above.
                 
NASH FINCH COMPANY
      EXECUTIVE:
 
               
 
               
By:
          By:    
 
               
 
  Alec C. Covington       o
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer        

 

EX-12.1 5 c47002exv12w1.htm EX-12.1: EXHIBIT 12.1 EX-12.1
Exhibit 12.1
NASH FINCH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended     40 Weeks Ended  
    Jan.3,     Jan. 1,     Dec.31,     Dec.30,     Dec.29,     Oct. 6,     Oct. 4,  
(In thousands, except ratios)   2004     2005     2005     2006     2007     2007     2008  
     
Fixed Charges:
                                                       
Interest expense on Indebtedness
  $ 34,729       27,181       24,732       26,644       23,581       18,214       16,750  
 
                                                       
Rent expense (1/3 of total rent expense)
    9,838       9,901       10,386       9,966       9,057       6,914       7,172  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Total fixed charges
  $ 44,567       37,082       35,118       36,610       32,638       25,128       23,922  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Earnings:
                                                       
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
  $ 51,933       19,199       66,866       (17,493 )     57,522       45,026       46,830  
 
                                                       
Fixed charges
    44,567       37,082       35,118       36,610       32,638       25,128       23,922  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Total earnings
  $ 96,500       56,281       101,984       19,117       90,160       70,154       70,752  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Ratio
    2.17x       1.52x       2.90x       0.52x       2.76x       2.79x       2.96x  
 
                                         

32

EX-31.1 6 c47002exv31w1.htm EX-31.1: EXHIBIT 31.1 EX-31.1
Exhibit 31.1
RULE 13a-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF THE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I, Alec C. Covington, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Nash-Finch Company for the 16 weeks ended October 4, 2008;
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 (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 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 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: November 6, 2008
             
 
  By:   /s/Alec C. Covington
 
   
    Name: Alec C. Covington    
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer    

33

EX-31.2 7 c47002exv31w2.htm EX-31.2 EX-31.2
Exhibit 31.2
RULE 13a-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF THE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
I, Robert B. Dimond, certify that:
  1.   I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Nash-Finch Company for the 16 weeks ended October 4, 2008;
 
  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 (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 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 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: November 6, 2008
             
 
  By:   /s/ Robert B. Dimond
 
   
    Name: Robert B. Dimond    
    Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    

34

EX-32.1 8 c47002exv32w1.htm EX-32.1 EX-32.1
Exhibit 32.1
SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXCECUTIVE
OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
     In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Nash-Finch Company (the “Company”) for the 16 weeks ended October 4, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Alec C. Covington, President and Chief Executive Officer and Robert B. Dimond, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350, that to our knowledge:
  (1)   the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
  (2)   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Report.
Date: November 6, 2008
             
 
  By:   /s/Alec C. Covington
 
   
    Name: Alec C. Covington    
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer    
 
           
 
  By: /   s/ Robert B. Dimond    
 
           
    Name: Robert B. Dimond    
    Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    

35

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