UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 1997 or [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM____ TO____ Commission File Number 0-10943 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) South Carolina 57-0657895 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer incorporation or organization) identification no.) 405 Lancaster Avenue, Greer, South Carolina 29650 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (864) 879-1000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None None (Title of class) (Name of each exchange on which registered) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value (Title of class) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [ ] Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ] The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non- affiliates (shareholders holding less than 5% of the outstanding common stock, excluding directors and officers), computed by reference to the average high and low prices of such stock, as of March 5, 1997, was $350,595,000. The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value, was 47,538,336 at March 5, 1997. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Incorporated Document Location in Form 10-K Portions of 1996 Annual Report of Shareholders Parts I and II Portions of Proxy Statement dated March 28, 1997 Part III PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS. General Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc., the Registrant (together with its subsidiaries referred to hereafter as the "Company"), is a South Carolina corporation that operates a chain of restaurants located principally in the southern and midwestern United States. At March 5, 1997, 258 Company-owned and 26 franchised Ryan's Family Steakhouse restaurants (restaurants using the Ryan's Family Steakhouse format are referred to hereafter as "Ryan's" or "Ryan's restaurant") were in operation. The Company also operated 2 other test-concepts, consisting of 2 restaurants in total, at March 5, 1997. However, both restaurants are expected to be closed by mid-1997 (see "Expansion of Company-Owned Restaurants - Test Concepts"). Systemwide sales, which include sales by franchised restaurants, were approximately $604 million and $560 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively. Sales by all Company-owned restaurants amounted to approximately $565 million in 1996 and $513 million in 1995. The Company, headquartered in Greer, South Carolina, was organized in 1977 and completed its initial public offering in 1982. The following table indicates the number of Company-owned restaurants opened each year, net of closings, and the total number of Company-owned restaurants open at each year-end during the 5-year period ending 1996: All Concepts Restaurant Total Open Year Openings, Net at Year-End 1992 23 165 1993 29 194 1994 18 212 1995 19 231 1996 30 261 Operations - Ryan's General. A Ryan's restaurant is a family-oriented restaurant serving a wide variety of foods from its Mega Bar* as well as traditional "steak house" entrees, such as charbroiled USDA Choice steaks, hamburgers, chicken and seafood. The Mega Bar* includes, in addition to fresh and pre-made salad items, soups, cheeses, a variety of hot meats and vegetables, and hot yeast rolls prepared and baked daily on site. All entree purchases include a trip to a bakery bar. Bakery bars feature hot and fresh-from-the-oven cookies, brownies and other bakery products as well as various dessert selections, such as ice cream, frozen yogurt, fresh fruit, cakes, cobblers and several dessert toppings. All Ryan's also offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. All restaurants have their Mega Bars* in a scatter bar format. This format breaks the Mega Bar* into five island bars for easier customer access and more food variety. All new Ryan's since mid-1993 have opened with scatter bars, and the conversion of existing Ryan's to the scatter bar format was completed in early-1996. Each Ryan's operates seven days a week. Typical hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The average customer count per restaurant during 1996 was approximately 7,280 per week, and the average meal price (per person) was $6.10 (including beverage). Management believes that the average table turns over every 30 to 45 minutes. Each Company-owned Ryan's is located in a free-standing brick building of approximately 10,000 to 11,500 square feet. While most Ryan's have interior brick walls, the interiors of the newer restaurants, commencing in August 1991, utilize sheet rock, wallpaper and oak paneling. The interior of most restaurants contains two or three dining rooms, seating approximately 300 to 500 persons in total, a customer ordering area and a kitchen. The focal points of the dining room are the centrally located scatter bars (referred to in the restaurants as the Mega Bar*) and bakery bar. An average Ryan's has parking for approximately 180 cars. Restaurant Management and Supervision. The Company emphasizes standardized operating and control systems together with comprehensive recruiting and training programs in order to maintain food and service quality. In each Ryan's restaurant, the management team consists of a general manager, a manager and two assistant managers. Management personnel begin employment at the manager trainee level and complete a formal five-week training program at the Company's management training center in Greer, South Carolina, prior to being placed in assistant manager positions. Each restaurant management team reports to an area supervisor. Area supervisors normally oversee the operations of four to eight restaurants and report to one of eight regional directors, a position that may be at the Vice President level and, in any case, reports to the Vice President-Operations. Communication and support from all corporate office departments are designed to assist the area supervisors and regional directors to respond promptly to local concerns. All regional directors, area supervisors, general managers and managers participate in incentive bonus programs. Bonuses paid to restaurant management are based principally upon the monthly sales volume of their individual restaurant with deductions for excess spending of key expense items, such as food cost, payroll and cash shortages. The bonus program for area supervisors and regional directors is based principally upon same-store sales, profitability, "hidden shopper" (service feedback) scores and certain qualitative factors. Advertising. The Company has not relied extensively on advertising, expending less than one percent of restaurant sales during each of the years 1996, 1995 and 1994. Nevertheless, advertising activities in 1996 were significantly increased from the prior years' levels as the Company ran advertising campaigns, consisting of both television and radio, in 11 markets covering 67 Ryan's. Newspaper ads and billboards were used in certain other markets. Management believes that the restaurant industry has become increasingly competitive over the past several years and that advertising will become an important factor in the development and retention of market share. Based on current budgets, an expansion of advertising expenditures in 1997 is expected with media campaigns planned for markets covering approximately 40% of all Company-owned Ryan's. Expansion of Company-Owned Restaurants General. At March 5, 1997, the Company owned and operated 258 Ryan's and two "test-concept" restaurants for a total of 260 restaurants. During the remainder of 1997, 12 additional Ryan's are scheduled to open, resulting in 15 new Company-owned Ryan's in 1997. Target sites for these new restaurants are spread fairly evenly across the Company's current 21-state operating area. The Company opened 30 restaurants during 1996 (all Ryan's), compared to 24 (21 Ryan's and three test-concept) and 22 (20 Ryan's and two test-concept) during 1995 and 1994, respectively. During 1996, no restaurants were closed compared to five and four closures during 1995 and 1994, respectively. Test Concepts. Throughout all of 1996, the Company owned and operated three different casual-dining concepts, consisting of five restaurants in total. During the fourth quarter of 1996, management decided to close all five restaurants over the next several months and not expand the associated concepts due to unsatisfactory financial performance. At March 5, 1997, three of the restaurants had been closed with the other two closings expected by no later than mid-1997. The anticipated losses resulting from their future disposal were charged to 1996 results as part of a $13.3 million asset valuation charge recognized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed of." Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate proceeds from disposal and, accordingly, actual proceeds could vary significantly from such estimates. Management plans to actively market the closed units, but currently cannot estimate their expected disposal dates. Site Selection. The Company employs a real estate manager and uses independent real estate brokers to locate potential new sites and to perform all preliminary site investigative work. Final approval is made by the Company's executive management. Important factors in site selection include population, demographics, proximity to both business and residential areas, traffic count and site accessibility. In addition, site selection for a Ryan's restaurant is also influenced by the general proximity to other Ryan's in order to improve the efficiency of the Company's area supervisors, advertising programs and distribution network. Construction. The Company presently engages non-affiliated general contractors to construct most of its restaurants on a lump-sum contract basis. The Company requires performance and payment bonds on certain building and site work contracts, depending on the size and reputation of and Company history with the general contractor, and closely supervises and monitors the progress of all construction projects. Other new restaurants are built with the Company acting as the general contractor. Management anticipates that the Company's role as general contractor will increase in future years. New restaurants are generally completed approximately three to four months from the commencement of construction. The average cost of a new Ryan's (land, building and equipment) constructed in 1996 was approximately $2.2 million. Restaurant Opening. When a new Ryan's is opened, all restaurant management positions are staffed with personnel who have had prior management experience in another of the Company's restaurants. Prior to opening, all staff personnel at the new location undergo one week of intensive training conducted by a new store opening team. Franchising While the Company has granted Ryan's franchises in the past, management has not actively pursued new franchisees in recent years in order to concentrate on the operation and development of Company-owned restaurants. New franchises may be awarded to existing franchisees having good operating results or to new franchisees proposing to operate in regions significantly outside of the Company's existing or contemplated operating areas. The following table indicates the number of franchised restaurants opened each year, net of closings, and the total number of franchised restaurants open at each year-end during the 5-year period ending 1996: Net Restaurants Total Open Year Opened (Closed)at Year-End 1992 0 35 1993 (1) 34 1994 (4) 30 1995 (4) 26 1996 (1) 25 The present franchise agreements have terms expiring in 2000 (one restaurant) and 2010 (24 restaurants), with renewal options ranging from 10 to 20 years, and provide for a continuing royalty to the Company of three to four percent of gross receipts. The agreements provide that the Company will furnish the franchisee all the necessary information to construct, equip, manage and operate a restaurant under the Ryan's Family Steak House name or derivative thereof. The agreements generally provide for the construction and operation of one restaurant with exclusive territorial protection within a one to five mile radius. The franchise agreement with Family Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. ("Family") provides for exclusive territorial protection in certain Florida counties as long as Family opens a specified number of new Ryan's. During the fourth quarter of 1993, Family informed the Company that it would be unable to pay its royalty fees from August through December 1993, and this nonpayment condition subsequently continued through the second quarter of 1994. In July 1994, an agreement was reached with Family regarding both past-due and future royalty fees. This agreement provided for a $236,000 cash payment by Family, the relinquishment of Family's exclusive development rights in certain counties in South Florida and the Florida panhandle (subject to first refusal and buy-back rights of Family), an $800,000 long-term note payable to the Company and a reduction in the royalty fee rate from 4.25% to 3% until December 31, 2001, at which time the rate will increase to 4%. The relinquishment of development rights was valued at $500,000 and treated as a partial write-off of Family's past-due royalty fees. In addition, the agreement with Family decreased the required number of Ryan's restaurants in operation to 24 through the end of 1996 and to 25 at the end of 1997. Pursuant to the agreement, the required number of restaurants in operation will then increase by 1 for each year after 1997. All required payments from Family to the Company subsequent to the agreement have been received in a timely manner. However, due to Family's payment history, the Company's accounting policy regarding Family's royalty fees was changed during 1994 to a cash basis. Accordingly, all royalty fees received thereafter, including payments required under the long-term note payable, have been recognized as revenue when received. In January 1997, Family opened a new Ryan's, its 26th. Sources and Availability of Raw Materials The Company has a centralized purchasing program which is designed to ensure uniform product quality in all restaurants as well as reduced food, beverage and supply costs. The Company's management establishes contracts for approximately 90% of its food and other products from a variety of major suppliers under competitive terms. Purchases under these contracts are delivered to one of two warehouses operated by the Company's principal distributor and then delivered to the restaurants by the distributor. The remaining 10% of the Company's products, (principally fresh produce) are purchased locally by restaurant management. The beef used by the Company is obtained from four western suppliers based on price and availability of product. To ensure against interruption in the flow of beef supplies due to unforeseen or catastrophic events and to take advantage of favorable purchasing opportunities, the Company stockpiles four to seven weeks supply of sirloin at the distributor. The Company believes that satisfactory sources of supply are generally available for all the items regularly used. Working Capital Requirements Working capital requirements for continuing operations are not significant. The Company's restaurant sales are primarily derived from cash sales, and inventories are purchased on credit and are rapidly converted to cash. Therefore, the Company does not maintain significant receivables or inventories. Trademarks and Service Marks The Company has registered various trademarks and service marks, including "Ryan's Family Steak House" and "Mega Bar," and their related designs with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. All trademarks and service marks have stated expiration dates ranging from September 1997 to August 2002. However, they are renewable for an unlimited number of additional 10-year terms at the option of the Company. Competition The food service business is highly competitive and is often impacted by changes in the taste and eating habits of the public, economic conditions affecting spending habits, population and traffic patterns. The principal bases of competition in the industry are the quality and price of the food products offered. Location, speed of service and attractiveness of facilities are also important factors. Ryan's restaurants are in competition with many units operated or franchised by national, regional and local restaurant companies that offer steak or buffet-style meals. Although the Company believes that its price/value to its customers places it in an excellent competitive posture, it should be noted that during the last few years many operators have upgraded their restaurants to more closely match the Ryan's format and particularly the Mega Bar*. The Company is also in competition with many specialty food outlets and other food vendors. Seasonality The Company's operations are subject to some seasonal fluctuations. When compared to average annual sales levels, sales per restaurant generally increase by approximately 5% during the second and third quarters and decrease by approximately 5% during the first and fourth quarters. Research The Company maintains ongoing research programs relating to the development of new products and evaluation of marketing activities. The Company's management staff includes a Director of Research and Development, whose responsibilities include enhancing and updating the Mega Bar* and entree selections. While research and development activities are important to the Company, past expenditures have not been and future expenditures are not expected to be material to the Company's financial results. Customers No material part of the Company's business is dependent upon a single customer or a specific group of customers. Regulation The Company is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act which regulates matters such as minimum wage requirements, overtime and other working conditions. A large number of the Company's restaurant personnel are paid at or near the minimum wage level, and, accordingly, changes in the federal minimum wage affect the Company's labor costs. Other changes to the minimum wage may also be legislated at the state level. In July 1996, the U.S. Congress legislated an increase in the Federal minimum wage from $4.25 per hour to $4.75 on October 1, 1996 and then to $5.15 on September 1, 1997. The measure effectively freezes the $2.13 rate for servers with the balance up to minimum wage made up in tips. Management estimates that the $5.15 change will require rate changes for approximately 20% of the Company's team members and plans menu price increases to cover the higher payroll costs. The Company's restaurants are constructed to meet local and state building code requirements and are operated in material accordance with state and local regulations relating to the preparation and service of food. The Company's franchise operations are subject to a variety of laws regulating franchising. The Federal Trade Commission has adopted a rule that imposes certain disclosure requirements on persons engaged in the business of offering franchises. Various states in which the Company has offered franchises have franchising laws that require registration prior to offering franchises for sale and/or that regulate the rights of franchisees, including the circumstances under which franchises may be terminated. Management believes its operations are in material compliance with all applicable franchising laws and regulations. Environmental Matters While the Company is not aware of any federal, state or local environmental regulations which will materially affect its operations or competitive position or result in material capital expenditures, it cannot predict the impact of possible future legislation or regulation on its operations. Employees At March 5, 1997, the Company employed approximately 18,000 persons, of whom approximately 17,800 were restaurant personnel. The Company strives to maintain low turnover by offering all full-time employees a very competitive benefit package, which includes life and health insurance, vacation pay and a defined contribution retirement plan. Part-time employees who work at least 15 hours per week are eligible to participate in the Company's life and health insurance plans and also receive vacation pay. None of the Company's employees are represented by a union. The Company has experienced no work stoppages attributable to labor disputes and considers its employee relations to be good. Information as to Classes of Similar Products or Services The Company operates in only one industry segment. All significant revenues and pre-tax earnings relate to retail sales of food to the general public through either Company-operated or franchised restaurants. At March 5, 1997, the Company had no operations outside the continental United States. Information regarding the Company's restaurant sales and assets is included in the Company's financial statements, which are incorporated by reference into Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES. The Company owns substantially all of its restaurant properties, each of which is a free-standing brick building that covers approximately 10,000 to 11,500 square feet, with seating for approximately 300 to 500 persons and parking for approximately 150 to 250 cars on sites of approximately 75,000 to 130,000 square feet. At March 5, 1997, all restaurant sites, except 11 properties under land leases, were owned by the Company. A listing of the number of Ryan's restaurant locations by state as of March 5, 1997 appears on page 2 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. A detailed listing of Ryan's restaurant locations may be obtained without charge by writing to the Company's principal executive offices, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The Company's corporate offices consist of two office buildings (30,000 square feet and 16,000 square feet) and a 20,000 square foot warehouse facility. These properties (land and building) are owned by the Company and located in Greer, SC. From time to time, the Company offers for sale excess land that was acquired in connection with its restaurant properties. Also, at March 5, 1997, six closed restaurant properties were offered for sale. The Company believes that the eventual disposition or nondisposition of all such properties will not materially affect its business or financial condition, taken as a whole. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. From time to time, the Company is a defendant in legal actions arising in the normal course of its business. The Company believes that, as a result of its legal defenses and insurance arrangements, none of these actions, if decided adversely, would have a material effect on its business or financial condition, taken as a whole. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. None. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. The information regarding trading of the Company's common stock, quarterly market prices and dividends appears under "Common Stock Data" and "Market Price of Common Stock" on page 23 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. At March 5, 1997, the Company's common stock was held by approximately 20,000 stockholders of record through nominee or street name accounts with brokers. The Company is party to a long-term credit agreement, expiring in June 2003, with a group of banks that contains, among other provisions, requirements for the Company to maintain a minimum net worth level and certain financial ratios. While not specifically prohibiting the payment of dividends, the aforementioned provisions represent a limitation on the Company's ability to do so. At January 1, 1997, the Company exceeded the most restrictive minimum net worth covenant by approximately $58.1 million. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. Selected financial data for the last five years is included in the "Five Year Financial Summary" on page 10 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" is included on pages 5 through 9 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. The Company's financial statements, unaudited quarterly financial information and the independent auditors' report are included on pages 11 through 21 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. None. PART III ITEM 10.DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT. The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 1, 1997 under the headings "Election of Directors" and "Executive Officers." ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 1, 1997 under the headings "Election of Directors - Compensation of Directors", "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation", "Executive Compensation and Other Information", "Report of the Compensation Committee and Stock Option Committee" and "Performance Graph." ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT. The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 1, 1997 under the headings "Election of Directors", "Certain Beneficial Owners of Common Stock" and "Executive Officers." ITEM 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 1, 1997 under the headings "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Executive Compensation and Other Information - Deferred Compensation - Salary Continuation Agreement." PART IV ITEM 14.EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8- K. (a)1-2Financial statements filed as part of this Form 10-K are listed in the "Index to Financial Statements", at page 12. (a)3 Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K): Exhibit # Description 3.1 Articles of Incorporation, as amended through April 24, 1986, and Bylaws of the Company: Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4(a) and 4(b) from the Registration Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on Form S-3 (Commission file no. 33- 7245). 3.2 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, dated April 22, 1987: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 1, 1992 (Commission file no. 0-10943) (the "1991 10-K"). 3.3 Amendment to By-Laws of the Company, dated October 25, 1990: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the 1991 10-K. 3.4 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, dated May 25, 1989: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on Form S- 8 (Commission file no. 33-53834). 4.1 Specimen of Company common stock certificate: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the 1991 10-K. 4.2 See Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 4.1. 4.3 See Exhibit 10.18. *10.1 Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Incentive Stock Option Plan: Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on Form S-8 (Commission file no. 2-83987). *10.2 Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 1987 Stock Option Plan: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registration Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on Form S-8 (Commission file no. 33-15924). *10.3 Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 1991 Stock Option Plan: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on Form S-8 (Commission file no. 33-53834). *10.4 Ryan's Employee Retirement Savings Plan, dated March 1, 1992: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the 1991 10-K. *10.5 Salary Continuation Agreement, dated April 22, 1987, between the Company and Alvin A. McCall, Jr.; as amended on October 26, 1989: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 1991 10-K. *10.6 Deferred Compensation - Salary Continuation Agreement, dated April 22, 1987, between the Company and Charles D. Way: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the 1991 10-K. *10.7 Agreement and Plan of Restructuring: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Proxy Statement of the Company, dated March 25, 1993, filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 28, 1993 (Commission file no. 0- 10943). *10.8 Split Dollar Agreement by and between the Company and Charles D. Way dated September 1, 1993: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 29, 1993 (Commission file no. 0-10943) (the "1993 10-K"). *10.9 Split Dollar Agreement by and between the Company and G. Edwin McCranie dated November 12, 1993: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the 1993 10-K. *10.10 Split Dollar Agreement by and between the Company and John C. Jamison dated November 12, 1993: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the 1993 10-K. *10.11 Split Dollar Agreement by and between the Company and James R. Hart dated August 8, 1993: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the 1993 10-K. *10.12 Split Dollar Agreement by and between the Company and Fred T. Grant, Jr. dated November 12, 1993: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the 1993 10-K. *10.13 Split Dollar Agreement by and between the Company and Alan E. Shaw dated November 12, 1993: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the 1993 10-K. *10.14 Executive Bonus Plan, commencing in 1994: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the 1993 10-K. *10.15 Executive Bonus Plan, commencing in fiscal year 1997. 10.16 Agreement between Ryan's Properties, Inc. and Family Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. dated July 11, 1994 and as amended on October 17, 1994: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 28, 1994 (Commission file no. 0-10943). 10.17 Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. and Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., as Rights Agent, Shareholder Rights Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995: Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 9, 1995 (Commission file no. 0- 10943). 10.18 Credit Agreement dated as of June 5, 1996 among Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc., Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A., as Agent, and certain other banks. 13.1 Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 1996 Report to Shareholders. 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company. 23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors' with respect to Form S-8. 27 Financial Data Schedule (electronic filing only). 99.1 Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, dated March 28, 1997. * This is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. (b) On November 13, 1996, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K regarding the Company's unit growth and stock repurchase plans (referred to therein as "Focus 2000") and a one-time charge to be taken during the fourth quarter of 1996 in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed of." (c) The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. (d) The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC. March 28, 1997 By:/s/Fred T. Grant, Jr. Fred T. Grant, Jr. Vice President - Finance (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/Charles D. Way Chairman, President and March 28, 1997 Charles D. Way Chief Executive Officer /s/G. Edwin McCranie Director and Executive March 28, 1997 G. Edwin McCranie Vice President /s/James D. Cockman Director March 28, 1997 James D. Cockman /s/Barry L. Edwards Director March 28, 1997 Barry L. Edwards /s/Brian S. MacKenzie Director March 28, 1997 Brian S. MacKenzie /s/Harold K. Roberts, Jr. Director March 28, 1997 Harold K. Roberts, Jr. /s/James M. Shoemaker, Jr. Director March 28, 1997 James M. Shoemaker, Jr. /s/Fred T. Grant, Jr. Vice President - Finance March 28, 1997 Fred T. Grant, Jr. (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC. INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following financial statements of the Registrant included in the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended January 1, 1997, are incorporated herein by reference. With the exception of the pages listed below and other information incorporated in this report on Form 10-K, the 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders is not deemed "filed" as part of this report. Page Reference in Annual Report Independent Auditors' Report 21 Statements of Earnings 11 Balance Sheets 12 Statements of Cash Flows 13 Notes to Financial Statements 14-21 All financial statement schedules have been omitted since the required information is not applicable or the information required is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.