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SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transactions
applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11(set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
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(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
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(4) Date filed:
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[Diedrich Coffee Logo]
Diedrich Coffee, Inc.
2144 Michelson Drive
Irvine, California 92612
May 15, 1998
Dear Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Diedrich Coffee, Inc. to be held on Tuesday, June 23, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, at the Disneyland Hotel, 1313 Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, California
92803. Directions to the meeting location are included on the back page of this
booklet for your convenience.
Information about the meeting and the various matters on which the
stockholders will act is included in the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and Proxy Statement which follow this letter. Also included is a
proxy card and postage paid return envelope.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE
MEETING, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED, NO MATTER HOW MANY
SHARES YOU OWN. WE URGE YOU TO MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. IF YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND THE
MEETING AND WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON, YOU WILL STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO
SO.
The Board of Directors appreciates your continued interest in the
affairs of the Company. We look forward to personally greeting those
stockholders who are able to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Sincerely,
John E. Martin
Chairman of the Board
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DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
2144 MICHELSON DRIVE
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92612
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 23, 1998
To the Stockholders of
Diedrich Coffee, Inc.
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Diedrich Coffee, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the Disneyland Hotel, 1313 Harbor
Boulevard, Anaheim, California 92803, on Tuesday, June 23, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect six directors to serve until the next annual meeting of
stockholders of the Company and until their respective successors are elected
and qualified;
2. To ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending January 27, 1999; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Company's Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May
8, 1998 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING. YOU ARE
URGED TO SIGN, DATE AND COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. IF YOU
ATTEND THE MEETING AND WISH TO DO SO, YOU MAY VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON EVEN IF
YOU HAVE SIGNED AND RETURNED YOUR PROXY CARD.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Martin R. Diedrich
Vice Chairman of the Board and Secretary
Irvine, California
May 15, 1998
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DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
2144 MICHELSON DRIVE
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92612
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JUNE 23, 1998
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by the Board of Directors of Diedrich Coffee, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), for use at the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on June 23, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. (the "Meeting") and at
any and all postponements and adjournments of the Meeting. The Meeting will be
held at the Disneyland Hotel, 1313 Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, California 92803.
Directions to the meeting location are provided at the end of this Proxy
Statement. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy will be first
mailed to stockholders on or about May 15, 1998.
The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement and form of proxy and the cost of
soliciting proxies will be paid by the Company. The Company will pay brokers or
other persons holding stock in their names or the names of their nominees for
the reasonable expenses of forwarding soliciting material to their principals.
Proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone, telefax or other electronic
means by directors, officers or employees of the Company who will not receive
any additional compensation for such solicitation.
VOTING
The close of business on May 8, 1998 has been fixed as the record date
for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Meeting. On that date there were 5,941,650 shares of the Company's Common Stock
outstanding. Each share is entitled to one vote on any matter that may be
presented for consideration and action by the stockholders at the Meeting. The
holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record
date and entitled to be voted at the Meeting, present in person or by proxy,
will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting and any
adjournments and postponements thereof.
Shares abstained or subject to a broker non-vote are counted as present
for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the
transaction of business. For proposals other than the election of directors,
abstentions are counted in tabulations of the votes cast on a proposal presented
to stockholders and generally have the same effect as a vote against the
proposal, whereas broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of determining
whether a proposal has been approved. With regard to the election of directors,
votes may be cast in favor of the directors or withheld. Because directors are
elected by plurality, abstentions from voting and broker non-votes will be
entirely excluded from the vote and will have no effect on its outcome.
Each proxy submitted by a stockholder will, unless otherwise directed
by the stockholder in the proxy, be voted FOR (i) election of the six director
nominees named herein; and (ii) ratification of the selection of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP as the Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending
January 27, 1999. If a stockholder has submitted a proxy appropriately directing
how the shares represented thereby are to be voted, such shares will be voted
according to the stockholder's direction. Any stockholder has the power to
revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is voted at the Meeting by
submitting a written notice of revocation to the
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Secretary of the Company or by filing a duly executed proxy bearing a later
date. A proxy will not be voted if the stockholder who executed it is present at
the Meeting and elects to vote the shares represented thereby in person.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the number of shares of the Company's
Common Stock beneficially owned as of April 30, 1998, by those known by the
Company to be beneficial owners of more than five percent (5%) of the
outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, by each of the present
directors, by each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table found elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, and by all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group. On May 8, 1998, there were
5,941,650 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The number of shares beneficially
owned is deemed to include shares of the Company's Common Stock as to which the
beneficial owner has or shares either investment or voting power. Unless
otherwise stated, and except for voting and investment powers held jointly with
a person's spouse, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting
and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as
beneficially owned by them. All information with respect to beneficial ownership
is based on filings made by the respective beneficial owners with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission or information provided to the Company by
such beneficial owners.
Name and Address Amount and Nature Percent of
of Beneficial Owner of Beneficial Ownership(1) Class
------------------- -------------------------- -----
D.C.H., L.P. 1,473,197 (2) 24.8%
450 Newport Center Drive
Suite 450
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Amre A. Youness 430,958 (3) 6.9%
301 North Lake Avenue
Suite 910
Pasadena, CA 91101
Nuvrty, Inc. 340,000 (4) 5.4%
301 North Lake Avenue
Suite 910
Pasadena, CA 91101
Peter Churm 37,700 (5) *
Martin R. Diedrich 655,107 11.0%
Lawrence Goelman 112,700 (6) 1.9%
Paul C. Heeschen 1,786,480 (7) 29.9%
Steven A. Lupinacci 309,061 (8) 5.1%
John E. Martin 1,258,533 (9) 18.5%
Timothy J. Ryan 629,367 (10) 9.6%
Michael P. Reeves 17,250 (11) *
Kerry W. Coin 62,500 (12) 1.0%
All directors and executive officers as a 4,868,698 (13) 78.1%
group (9 persons)
- ---------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. Shares not outstanding that are subject to options
or warrants exercisable by the holder thereof within 60 days of May 8,
1998 are deemed outstanding for the purposes of calculating the number
and percentage owned by such stockholder, but not deemed outstanding
for the purpose of calculating the percentage owned by each other
stockholder listed. Unless otherwise noted, all shares listed as
beneficially owned by a stockholder are actually outstanding.
(2) Paul C. Heeschen, a director of the Company, is the sole general
partner of this limited partnership with voting and investment power as
to all shares beneficially owned by the limited partnership.
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(3) Pursuant to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC and dated as of October 15,
1997, includes 340,000 shares that are subject to warrants exercisable
within 60 days of which he has shared voting and dispositive power with
Nuvrty, Inc.
(4) Pursuant to Schedule 13D as filed with the SEC and dated as of October
15, 1997, Nuvrty, Inc., and Amre A. Youness, who is the sole
shareholder of Nuvrty, Inc., have shared voting and dispositive power
of the 340,000 shares that are subject to warrants exercisable within
60 days.
(5) Includes 25,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
60 days.
(6) Includes 100,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
60 days. This number does not include the 85,000 shares subject to
warrants held by the Virginia R. Cirica Trust. Ms. Cirica is Mr.
Goelman's wife. Mr. Goelman disclaims any beneficial interest in the
Virginia R. Cirica Trust except to the extent to which Mr. Goelman is a
contingent beneficiary under the terms of that Trust.
(7) Includes 1,473,197 shares beneficially owned by D.C.H., L.P. and
255,914 shares beneficially owned by Redwood Enterprises VII, L.P. Mr.
Heeschen is the sole general partner of each of these partnerships with
voting and investment power as to all of such shares. Also includes
25,000 shares held personally by Mr. Heeschen subject to options that
are exercisable within 60 days and 25,000 shares purchased on the open
market by the Palm Trust, of which Mr. Heeschen is a trustee with
shared voting and investment power as to all of such shares.
(8) Includes 79,183 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
60 days. Mr. Lupinacci resigned as Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chief Financial Officer effective March 12, 1997.
(9) Includes 850,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
60 days.
(10) Includes 600,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
60 days.
(11) Includes 16,650 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
60 days.
(12) Represents 62,500 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
60 days.
(13) Includes 1,758,333 shares subject to options or warrants exercisable
within 60 days.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's directors are elected at each annual meeting of
stockholders. Currently the number of authorized directors of the Company is
six. At the Meeting, six directors will be elected to serve until the next
annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected
and qualified. If a quorum is present at the Meeting, the nominees receiving the
greatest number of votes up to the number of authorized directors will be
elected.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
All of the nominees for election as directors at the Meeting set forth
in the table below are incumbent directors. Each of the nominees has consented
to serve as a director if elected. Except to the extent that authority to vote
for any directors is withheld in a proxy, shares represented by proxies will be
voted FOR such nominees. In the event that any of the nominees for director
should before the Meeting become unable to serve if elected, shares represented
by proxies will be voted for such substitute nominees as may be recommended by
the Company's existing Board of Directors, unless other directions are given in
the proxies. To the Company's knowledge, all the nominees will be available to
serve.
The following biographical information is furnished with respect to each of the
six nominees for election at the Meeting:
Nominee Age Principal Occupation Director Since
- ------- --- -------------------- --------------
John E. Martin (1) 52 Chairman of the Board of the Company 1997
Martin R. Diedrich (2) 39 Vice Chairman of the Board, Secretary and 1985
Chief Coffee Officer of the Company
Timothy J. Ryan (3) 58 President and Chief Executive Officer of the 1997
Company
Peter Churm (4) 72 Chairman Emeritus, Furon Company, 1996
a diversified manufacturing company
Lawrence Goelman (5) 57 Managing Partner, Tremont Partners, a 1996
private investment firm
Paul C. Heeschen (6) 41 Principal, Heeschen & Associates, 1996
a private investment firm
- ---------------
(1) Mr. Martin was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors by the
Board of Directors as of November 17, 1997. From 1983 to 1996, Mr.
Martin was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Taco Bell Worldwide.
From October 1996 to June 1997, Mr. Martin was President of PepsiCo's
Casual Dining Division. Mr. Martin is also Chairman of publicly held
Newriders Inc., a restaurant company which owns and operates Easyriders
Cafes, and Chairman of Pacific Restaurant Adventures, a privately held
company which owns and operates several restaurants in Southern
California. Mr. Martin serves on the Boards of Directors of: Williams
Sonoma, Inc., Franchise Mortgage Acceptance Company and The Good Guys!
Inc.
(2) Mr. Diedrich has served as an Officer and Director of the Company since
1985. In April 1997, he became Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief
Coffee Officer as well as continuing as the Company's Corporate
Secretary. Prior to that time, Mr. Diedrich served as Director of
Coffee. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Board from January
1996 to April 1997. Mr. Diedrich is an internationally recognized
coffee expert who speaks frequently at industry and trade association
functions.
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(3) Mr. Ryan was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer by the
Board of Directors effective November 17, 1997. From December 1995
until his retirement in December 1996, Mr. Ryan was President of
Sizzler U.S.A., a division of Sizzler International, Inc., of which he
was also Senior Vice President. From November 1988 to December 1993,
Mr. Ryan was Senior Vice President of Marketing at Taco Bell Worldwide,
and from December 1993 to December 1995, he was Senior Vice President
of Taco Bell's Casual Dining Division.
(4) Mr. Churm joined the Board of Directors in October 1996. He has been
Chairman Emeritus of Furon Company since 1992. He served as Chairman of
the Board of Furon Company from May 1980 through February 1992 and was
President of that company for more than sixteen years prior to that
time. He is presently a member of the boards of directors of Furon
Company and CKE Restaurants, Inc.
(5) Mr. Goelman was the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company from
March 1997 to November 1997 and has served as a member of the Board of
Directors since October 1996. He assumed the position of Chairman of
the Board in March 1997 until he was replaced by John E. Martin on
November 17, 1997. Most recently, Mr. Goelman served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Micro, Inc. from May 1996 to
December 1996. Mr. Goelman has also been a managing partner of Tremont
Partners, Inc. since June 1995. Prior to that, he served as Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of CostCare, Inc. for fourteen
years. Mr. Goelman also currently serves as a director of Imagyn
Medical Technologies, Inc.
(6) Mr. Heeschen became a director of the Company in January 1996. For the
past five years, Mr. Heeschen has been a principal of Heeschen &
Associates, a private investment firm. He is also the sole general
partner of D.C.H., L.P. and Redwood Enterprises VII, L.P., and a
trustee of the Palm Trust, each of which are stockholders of the
Company.
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
The Company's Board of Directors has standing Compensation and Audit
Committees. The Company has no standing nominating committee but rather the
Board of Directors acts as a committee of the whole with respect to nominations
for membership on the Board. The members of each Committee and the functions
performed thereby are described below:
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
currently consists of Mr. Churm, Mr. Heeschen and Mr. Goelman, each of whom have
been a member of the Audit Committee since its formation. The Audit Committee
reviews the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by the
Company's independent auditors, reviews and evaluates the Company's internal
control functions and monitors transactions between the Company and its
employees, officers and directors.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors consisted of Mr. Churm, Mr. Goelman and Mr. Heeschen for the fiscal
year ended January 29, 1997 and for the subsequent interim period until March
11, 1997. From March 11, 1997 to November 17, 1997 the Compensation Committee
consisted of Mr. Churm and Mr. Heeschen. The Compensation Committee presently
consists of Messrs. Churm, Goelman and Heeschen. The Compensation Committee
administers the Company's stock option plans and sets compensation levels for
executive officers of the Company.
During the Company's fiscal year ended January 28, 1998, there were ten
meetings of the Board of Directors, one meeting of the Audit Committee, and one
meeting of the Compensation Committee. While a director, each of the current
Board members attended 75% or more of the meetings of the Board of Directors and
meetings of the committees on which he served during such period.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Directors who are also employees of the Company receive no extra
compensation for their service on the Board. Non-employee directors receive
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board
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meetings and receive certain stock option grants under the Company's 1996
Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Non-Employee Directors Plan").
Pursuant to the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors Plan, each
non-employee director of the Company automatically receives, upon becoming a
director, a one-time grant of an option to purchase up to 10,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock. These initial options will vest and become exercisable
with respect to 50% of the underlying shares upon the earlier of (i) the first
anniversary of the grant date or (ii) immediately prior to the first annual
meeting of stockholders of the Company following the grant date, if the
recipient has remained a non-employee director for the entire period from the
grant date to such earlier date, and with respect to the remaining 50% of the
underlying shares upon the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the grant
date or (ii) immediately prior to the second annual meeting of stockholders of
the Company following the grant date, if the recipient has remained a
non-employee director for the entire period from the grant date to such earlier
date. In addition to an initial grant, each non-employee director will also
receive, upon re-election to the Board, an automatic grant of an option to
purchase up to 5,000 additional shares of the Company's Common Stock. These
additional options will vest and become exercisable upon the earlier of (i) the
first anniversary of the grant date or (ii) immediately prior to the annual
meeting of stockholders of the Company following the grant date, if the
recipient has remained a non-employee director for the entire period from the
grant date to such earlier date.
All non-employee director options have a term of ten years and an
exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on
the date of grant. The Non-Employee Directors Plan provides that the exercise
price may be paid by Company loan or withholding of underlying stock, or
deferred until completion of broker-assisted exercise and sale transactions.
Vesting of non-employee director options accelerates if the recipient of the
option ceases to be a director of the Company in connection with a change in
control. During the fiscal year ended January 28, 1998, options to purchase an
aggregate of 10,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock were issued to the
Company's non-employee directors pursuant to the terms of the Non-Employee
Directors Plan.
The disinterested directors adopted and approved the 1997 Non-Employee
Director's Stock Option Plan and Agreement in April 1997 to recognize and
compensate the outside directors for their service to the Company above and
beyond normal requirements. Pursuant to that Plan, one time grants of options to
purchase up to 10,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock were granted to each
of Mr. Churm and Mr. Heeschen. These options vested on April 25, 1998, twelve
months after they were granted. No more options are available for grant under
the 1997 Non-Employee Directory Stock Option Plan and Agreement.
BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE SIX
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR DESCRIBED IN PROPOSAL 1.
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THE COMPANY'S EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
executive officers of the Company as of May 15, 1998.
Name Age Position with the Company
- ---- --- -------------------------
John E. Martin...................... 52 Chairman of the Board
Martin R. Diedrich.................. 39 Vice Chairman, Secretary and Chief Coffee Officer
Timothy J. Ryan..................... 58 President and Chief Executive Officer
Ann Wride........................... 36 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Michael P. Reeves................... 43 Vice President, Marketing and Human Resources
John B. Bayley...................... 49 Vice President, Finance and Controller
For a description of the backgrounds of Messrs. Martin, Diedrich and
Ryan, see "Election of Directors - Nominees for Election." The biographical
information for Ms. Wride and Messrs. Reeves and Bayley are set forth below.
ANN WRIDE. Ms. Wride joined the Company in April 1998 as Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Ms. Wride was Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Advantica Restaurant Group Inc.'s CoCo's/Carrows Division
from May 1996 to March 1998. Prior to joining Advantica, Ms. Wride served as
Vice President, Finance of Family Restaurant Inc. where she worked in various
capacities since 1989.
MICHAEL P. REEVES. Mr. Reeves joined the Company in June 1997 as Vice
President Marketing and Human Resources. Prior to joining the Company he was
Director of Marketing and Human Resources at Platinum Rotisserie, L.L.C., a
developer of Boston Market stores based in North Carolina from September 1993 to
June 1997. From November, 1990 to September, 1993, Mr. Reeves was Director of
Marketing and Human Resources for Domino's Pizza of North Carolina.
JOHN B. BAYLEY. Mr. Bayley joined the Company in November 1996 as
Controller. He was appointed Acting Vice President, Finance and Controller in
April 1997 and Vice President, Finance and Controller in November 1997. From
January 1996 until joining the Company, he was self-employed as a consultant.
From February 1991 through December 1995, Mr. Bayley served as Vice President,
Treasurer of Sizzler International, Inc.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
compensation paid by the Company during the last three fiscal years to the
Company's present and former Chief Executive Officers, and the Company's next
most highly compensated persons who were serving as executive officers of the
Company on January 28, 1998 and whose total annual salary and bonus for that
fiscal year exceeded $100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers"). The table also
includes information regarding the two executive officers who would have been
Named Executive Officers but for the fact they were no longer executive officers
at the end of fiscal 1998.
Long-Term
Annual Compensation
Compensation Awards
------------ ------
Securities
Fiscal Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Options (#) Compensation
- --------------------------- ---- ---------- ----------- ------------
Timothy J. Ryan (1) 1998 $33,035 600,000 --
Chief Executive Officer 1997 -- -- --
and President 1996 -- -- --
Lawrence Goelman (2) 1998 $89,192 100,000 --
Former Interim Chief 1997 -- --
Executive Officer 1996 -- -- --
Steven A. Lupinacci (3) 1998 $30,352 -- $75,000
Former Chief Executive Officer, 1997 $130,000 -- --
President and Chief Financial Officer 1996 116,638 131,350 --
Martin R. Diedrich 1998 $100,000 -- --
Vice Chairman of the Board, Secretary 1997 100,000 -- --
and Chief Coffee Officer 1996 87,500 -- --
Kerry Coin (4) 1998 $158,428 -- --
Former Executive Vice President 1997 53,918 120,000 --
and Chief Operating Officer 1996 -- -- --
- ---------------------------
(1) Mr. Ryan was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer by the Board
of Directors on November 17, 1998. Accordingly, he did not earn or receive
any compensation from the Company before fiscal 1998.
(2) Mr. Goelman served as Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive
Officer from March 12, 1997 to November 17, 1997. Accordingly, he did not
earn or receive any compensation from the Company before fiscal 1998.
(3) Mr. Lupinacci resigned as Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief
Financial Officer effective March 12, 1997 and Lawrence Goelman assumed
the position of interim Chief Executive Officer on the same date.
Compensation shown includes $75,000 paid in fiscal 1998 pursuant to the
terms of Mr. Lupinacci's Separation and Release Agreement.
(4) Mr. Coin joined the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer in August 1996. Accordingly, he did not earn or receive
any compensation from the Company until the fiscal year ended January 29,
1997. He resigned as of January 28, 1998. Pursuant to the terms of his
Separation and Release Agreement dated January 28, 1998, Mr. Coin retained
options to purchase up to 80,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. See
"Employment Agreements and Compensation Agreements" and "Ten Year
Option/SAR Repricings" below.
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OPTIONS GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth information regarding stock options
granted to the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended January 28,
1998.
PERCENT
OF TOTAL POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
NUMBER OF OPTIONS ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES GRANTED TO PRICE APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES EXERCISE TERM (1)
OPTIONS IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------------
NAME GRANTED(#) YEAR ($/SHARE) DATE 5% ($) 10% ($)
---- ---------- --------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
Timothy J. Ryan (2) 50,000 $ 3.50 11/17/07 $ 89,695.38 $ 246,483.15
75,000 4.50 11/17/07 59,543.07 294,724.72
125,000 5.00 11/17/07 36,738.44 428,707.87
175.000 8.00 11/17/07 - 75,191.02
175,000 10.00 11/17/07 - -
32.8%
Lawrence Goelman (3) 100,000 5.5% $ 2.75 4/23/07 $ 172,946.02 $ 438,279.18
Steven A. Lupinacci ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Martin R. Diedrich ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Kerry W. Coin (4) 80,000 4.4% $ 3.00 1/28/99 $ 16,268.78 $ 32,806.55
- ---------------------------
(1) The potential realizable values listed are based on an assumption that the
market price of the Company's Common Stock appreciates at the stated rate,
compounded annually, from the date of grant to the expiration date. The 5%
and 10% assumed rates of appreciation are determined by the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent the Company's
estimate of the future market price of the Company's Common Stock.
(2) All of Mr. Ryan's options were granted pursuant to his Stock Option Plan
and Agreement dated November 17, 1997 which was approved by the Company's
stockholders on January 22, 1998, the terms of which are described under
"Employment Agreements and Compensation Arrangements."
(3) All of Mr. Goelman's options were granted pursuant to his employment
letter agreement dated April 23, 1997, the terms of which are described
under "Employment Agreements and Compensation Arrangements."
(4) On September 24, 1997, the Company repriced Mr. Coin's options as set
forth in the "Ten-Year Option Repricing" table. Pursuant to Mr. Coin's
Separation and Release Agreement dated as of January 28, 1998, options to
purchase 40,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock were terminated and
Mr. Coin retained the options to purchase 80,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock. Mr. Coin's Separation and Release Agreement is described
under "Employment Agreements and Compensation Arrangements."
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13
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
VALUES
The following table sets forth the number of shares covered by
exercisable and unexercisable options held by the Named Executive Officers on
January 28, 1998, and the aggregate gains that would have been realized had
these options been exercised on January 28, 1998, even though these options were
not exercised, and the unexercisable options could not have been exercised, on
that date. The Named Executive Officers did not exercise any stock options
during the 1998 fiscal year.
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options
Name Options at Fiscal Year End (#) At Fiscal Year End ($)(1)
---- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Exercisable Unexercisable (2) Exercisable Unexercisable (2)
----------- ----------------- ----------- -----------------
Timothy J. Ryan 250,000 350,000 425,000 __
Lawrence Goelman 100,000 __ 350,000 __
Steven A. Lupinacci 79,183 __ 380,078 __
Martin Diedrich __ __ __ __
Kerry Coin 62,500 17,500 203,125 56,875
John E. Martin 550,000 300,000 $1,137,500 $ __
- ---------------------------
(1) These amounts represent the difference between the exercise price of the
in-the-money options and the market price of the Company's Common Stock on
January 28, 1998. The closing price of the Company's Common Stock on that
day on the NASDAQ National Market System was $6.25. Options are
in-the-money if the market value of the shares covered thereby is greater
than the option exercise price.
(2) Future exercisability is subject to a number of factors, including, but
not limited to, the optionee remaining employed by the Company.
TEN-YEAR OPTION REPRICINGS
On September 24, 1997, the Company's Compensation Committee reduced the
exercise price of the options granted on August 26, 1996 to Kerry W. Coin, the
Company's former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, under the
Company's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (see "Report of the Compensation Committee
on Executive Compensation -- Repricing of Options"). The following table
provides information concerning the repricing of these options.
Length of
Number of Original
Securities Market Price Option Term
Underlying Of Stock At Exercise Price Remaining at
Options Time Of At Time Of New Exercise Date of
Repriced Or Repricing Or Repricing Or Price Repricing or
Name Date Amended (#) Amendment Amendment ($) Amendment
---- ---- ----------- ------------ -------------- ---------------- --------------
Kerry W. Coin 9/24/97 120,000 (1) $3.00 $9.50 $3.00 for 90,000 8 years, 11
Former Executive shares months
Vice President and
Chief Operating $4.50 for 30,000
Officer shares
- ---------------------------
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(1) Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Coin's Separation and Release Agreement dated
as of January 28, 1998, options to purchase 30,000 shares at $4.50 per
share and 10,000 shares at $3.00 per share were terminated.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
John E. Martin
On November 17, 1997, John E. Martin entered into a letter agreement
with the Company appointing him as a director of the Company and as Chairman of
the Board. The agreement provides for a base salary of $100,000 per year for so
long as Mr. Martin continues as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Martin is not to
receive employee benefits nor any other compensation to which he would otherwise
be entitled for serving on the Board and he may be terminated at the discretion
of the Board at any time with or without reason. The Company has agreed to
employ a full-time executive assistant on his behalf with an annual salary not
to exceed $72,000 per year. The Company also agreed to reimburse Mr. Martin for
all reasonable and necessary travel and other business expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of services under the agreement; to enter into
an indemnification agreement with Mr. Martin in the form provided to each of the
other directors and executive officers of the Company; and to reimburse Mr.
Martin for reasonable legal and accounting fees incurred in connection with the
negotiation and execution of the agreement in an amount not to exceed $10,000.
Finally, the agreement recognizes that Mr. Martin's other business interests
relate to restaurants and provides that the Company waives any rights or claims
to other business opportunities involving the restaurant business which may
become available to Mr. Martin, other than opportunities involving the
coffeehouse business or other businesses in which the principal activity
involves the sale of coffee and coffee beverages.
On November 17, 1997, the Company and Mr. Martin also entered into a
Stock Option Plan and Agreement (the "Martin Option Agreement"). Mr. Martin was
granted options to purchase an aggregate of 850,000 shares of Common Stock of
the Company for the purpose of encouraging and rewarding Mr. Martin's
contributions to the performance of the Company and to align Mr. Martin's
interests with the interests of the stockholders. The Martin Option Agreement
was entered into subject to the approval of stockholders and was approved at a
Special Meeting held on January 22, 1998. The options granted to Mr. Martin are
exercisable, at the following exercise prices: 450,000 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price of $4.00 per share; 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $5.00 per share; 150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of $8.00 per share and 150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price
of $10.00 per share. All of the options granted to Mr. Martin become exercisable
on the earlier of May 15, 2002 or as soon as the closing price of the Company's
Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market exceeds the respective exercise price
for at least seven trading days in any period of ten consecutive trading days.
All options are to terminate if unexercised on November 17, 2002 or, if Mr.
Martin resigns from the Company or Mr. Martin's employment is terminated by the
Company for cause (as defined in the Martin Option Agreement), the options will
become unexercisable within sixty days. The Company has agreed to file a
registration statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission
to register the issuance and exercise of options under this agreement. Any
exercise of options is contingent upon the receipt of all requisite governmental
approvals and consents as well as upon applicable federal, state and local tax
withholding requirements. Only Mr. Martin is eligible to receive options under
the Martin Option Agreement and the options are not transferable or assignable.
Subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors, Mr. Martin may pay the exercise price for his options with cash or by
delivery of shares of the Company's Common Stock with a value equal to the
exercise price or through a combination of cash and shares.
Timothy J. Ryan
On November 17, 1997, Timothy J. Ryan entered into a two year
employment agreement with the Company regarding his role as President and Chief
Executive Officer. The agreement provides for an annual salary of $200,000 per
year, a discretionary performance bonus which may be awarded by the Compensation
Committee after twelve months of employment (not to initially exceed 25% of Mr.
Ryan's base salary), and employee benefits that include three weeks annual
vacation leave, reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary travel and other
business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of services under
the agreement,
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and the payment of a monthly car allowance of $600.00. The employment agreement
may be terminated before the completion of two years in the event of Mr. Ryan's
sustained incapacity as defined in the agreement or by the Company for cause as
defined in the agreement. Mr. Ryan may also be terminated for any other reason,
however, in such event, Mr. Ryan will be entitled to receive a severance payment
equal to fifty percent of his base salary.
On November 17, 1997, the Company and Mr. Ryan also entered into the
Stock Option Plan and Agreement (the "Ryan Option Agreement"). Mr. Ryan was
granted options to purchase an aggregate of 600,000 shares of the Common Stock
of the Company for the purpose of encouraging and rewarding Mr. Ryan's
contributions to the performance of the Company and to align Mr. Ryan's
interests with the interests of the stockholders. The Ryan Option Agreement was
entered into subject to the approval of stockholders, and was approved at a
Special Meeting on January 22, 1998. The options granted to Mr. Ryan are
exercisable, at the following exercise prices: 50,000 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price of $3.50 per share; 75,000 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $4.50 per share; 125,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of $5.00 per share; 175,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$8.00 per share and 175,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$10.00 per share. The options become exercisable on the earlier of (i) May 15,
2002 or (ii) upon the satisfaction of two conditions: (x) the options having
vested pursuant to a vesting schedule set forth in the agreement, and (y) after
the date of the agreement, the closing price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq
National Market shall have exceeded the option price per share for at least
seven trading days in any period of ten consecutive trading days. All options
are to terminate if unexercised on November 17, 2002 or, if Mr. Ryan resigns
from the Company without good cause (as defined in Mr. Ryan's employment
agreement) or Mr. Ryan's employment is terminated by the Company for cause (as
defined in Mr. Ryan's employment agreement), the options will become
unexercisable within sixty days. The Company has agreed to file a registration
statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register
the issuance and exercise of options under this agreement. Any exercise of
options is contingent upon the receipt of all requisite governmental approvals
and consents as well as upon applicable federal, state and local tax withholding
requirements. Only Mr. Ryan is eligible to receive options under the Ryan Option
Agreement and the options are not transferable or assignable. Subject to the
discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, Mr. Ryan may
pay the exercise price for his options with cash or by delivery of shares of the
Company's Common Stock with a value equal to the exercise price or through a
combination of cash and shares.
Lawrence Goelman
On April 23, 1997, Lawrence Goelman, a director of the Company, entered
into a letter agreement with the Company regarding his role as interim Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer. The agreement provided for a salary of $10,000 per
month for so long as Mr. Goelman served in the role of interim Chief Executive
Officer and/or Chairman. In addition, he received options pursuant to the
Company's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share, which represented the
closing price for the stock on the date of the agreement. Options to purchase
25,000 shares became exercisable on April 23, 1997 and options to purchase the
remaining 75,000 shares became exercisable in increments of 15,000 shares
commencing on May 23, 1997 and on the 23rd day of each month thereafter. Mr.
Goelman served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
until November 17, 1997 at which time he was replaced as Chief Executive Officer
by Timothy J. Ryan and as Chairman by John E. Martin. All of the options are
vested. Mr. Goelman continues to serve as a Director.
Martin R. Diedrich
In June 1995, Martin R. Diedrich entered into a three-year employment
agreement with the Company. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of
$100,000 per year, subject to periodic adjustment by the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors may also grant Mr. Diedrich performance bonuses based upon
the Company's performance and Mr. Diedrich's contributions thereto. Mr. Diedrich
is also entitled to receive employee benefits consistent with the Company's
policies for other senior executives. The agreement further provides that Mr.
Diedrich shall not be required to relocate outside of Orange County, California
as a condition to his employment.
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Ann Wride
Ms. Wride entered into an employment agreement in March 1998 with the
Company which provides for an annual base salary of $155,000, subject to
periodic adjustment by the Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation
Committee. Ms. Wride is also entitled to receive employee benefits consistent
with the Company's policies for other senior executives and is eligible for
performance bonuses based upon the Company's performance and Ms. Wride's
contributions thereto. The agreement also provides for the grant of options
pursuant to the Company's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase up to 50,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.8125 per shares,
vesting pro rata over two years from the date of grant.
Kerry W. Coin
In August 1996, Kerry W. Coin joined the Company as its Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer and entered into a three year employment
agreement with the Company. In April 1997, he was promoted to President and
Chief Operating Officer. That agreement provided for an annual base salary of
$120,000 per year, subject to periodic adjustment by the Board of Directors. Mr.
Coin was also entitled to receive employee benefits consistent with the
Company's policies for other senior executives and was eligible for performance
bonuses based upon the Company's performance and Mr. Coin's contributions
thereto. The agreement also provided for the grant of options pursuant to the
Company's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase 120,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock at an exercise price of $9.50 per share, which represented the per
share price of the Common Stock in the Company's initial public offering
consummated in September 1996. Effective January 28, 1998, Mr. Coin resigned
from his employment with the Company. Under the terms of the Separation and
Release Agreement dated as of January 28, 1998 between the Company and Mr. Coin,
he will be paid $10,000 each month until October 1998. In addition, he retained
the option to purchase 80,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an
exercise price of $3.00 per share.
Steven A. Lupinacci
In June 1995, Steven A. Lupinacci, the Company's then President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, entered into a three-year
employment agreement with the Company. The agreement provided for an annual base
salary of $125,000 per year, subject to periodic adjustment by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors could also grant Mr. Lupinacci performance
bonuses based upon the Company's performance and Mr. Lupinacci's contributions
thereto. Mr. Lupinacci was also entitled to receive employee benefits consistent
with the Company's policies for other senior executives. Mr. Lupinacci resigned
from the Company effective March 12, 1997. Pursuant to an agreement between the
Company and Mr. Lupinacci dated May 13, 1997 which terminated his employment
agreement, the Company paid Mr. Lupinacci $75,000 and agreed to pay him an
additional amount of approximately $88,000 in the fiscal year ending January 27,
1999 in full satisfaction of the Company's obligations under Mr. Lupinacci's
employment agreement.
Also in June 1995, the Company entered into a stock option plan and
agreement with Mr. Lupinacci. The expiration date of the agreement was June 29,
2005. The agreement provided for a maximum grant of options to purchase 131,350
shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.45 per share
upon the occurrence of certain events. As a result of the Company's initial
public offering in September 1996, options to purchase 79,183 shares began to
vest in twelve equal installments at the end of each month after the closing of
the initial public offering. These options to purchase the 79,183 shares shall
terminate on March 12, 1999. The remainder of the options granted under this
agreement terminated on the effective date of Mr. Lupinacci's resignation from
the Company.
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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors was
formed upon consummation of the Company's initial public offering in September
1996. The Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Churm, Mr. Goelman and Mr.
Heeschen from the formation of the Committee through the remainder of the fiscal
year ended January 29, 1997 and for the subsequent interim period until March
11, 1997. On March 11, 1997, immediately prior to his appointment as the
Company's interim Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Goelman resigned from the
Compensation Committee. From March 11, 1997 to November 17, 1997, the
Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Churm and Mr. Heeschen. Following Mr.
Goelman's resignation as interim Chief Executive Officer on November 17, 1997,
Mr. Goelman rejoined the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee administers the Company's stock option plans
and sets compensation levels for the Company's executive officers. The Company's
executive compensation policies and programs are designed to (i) provide
competitive levels of overall compensation that will attract and retain the best
executive talent in the industry, (ii) motivate executive officers to perform at
their highest level, (iii) align executive officer and stockholder interests to
create stockholder value and (iv) reward executive officers for achievement of
corporate and individual objectives.
To achieve these goals, the Compensation Committee and the Board of
Directors have established an executive compensation program consisting
primarily of three integrated components: base salary, annual bonus and stock
options.
Base Salary. Base salaries for executive officers are set by the
Compensation Committee after considering factors such as competitive
environment, experience level, position, responsibility and overall contribution
of the executive. Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers were
established in their respective employment agreements.
Annual Bonus. All executive officers, including the Chief Executive
Officer, are eligible to receive an annual bonus. The employment agreements for
the Named Executive Officers provide for discretionary performance bonuses based
upon the Company's performance and the respective Named Executive Officer's
contribution thereto. The Board awarded annual bonuses to five managers, but not
to any of the Named Executive Officers, for the fiscal year ended January 28,
1998.
Stock Options. The third component of the compensation program for
executive officers is in the form of stock option awards. The Company's 1996
Stock Incentive Plan provides for long-term incentive compensation for employees
of the Company, including executive officers. Stock option awards align the
interests of executive officers with those of stockholders by providing an
equity interest in the Company, thereby providing incentive for such executive
officers to maximize stockholder value. Option awards directly tie executive
compensation to the value of the Company's stock. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for determining, subject to the terms of the 1996 Stock Incentive
Plan, the individuals to whom grants are made, the timing of grants and the
number of shares per grant. The number of shares are determined based upon the
individual's position in the Company, competitive Company practices and the
number of unvested shares already held by the individual. Stock options are
generally granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the
Company's Common Stock on the date of grant.
Chief Executive Officer. The fiscal year ended January 28, 1998 was a
transition period for the senior management of the Company. Steven A. Lupinacci
resigned as the Company's Chief Executive Officer effective March 12, 1997 and
was replaced on an interim basis by Lawrence Goelman, a member of the Board of
Directors. Mr. Goelman served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer while the
Board conducted a search for a successor. Mr. Goelman relinquished the position
to Timothy J. Ryan effective November 17, 1997. The Company entered into an
employment agreement as well as a Stock Option Plan and Agreement with Mr. Ryan.
The stockholders of the Company approved the Stock Option Plan and Agreement at
a Special Meeting called for
14
18
that purpose on January 22, 1998. The terms of Mr. Ryan's employment agreement
and Stock Option Plan and Agreement are described under "Employment Agreements
and Compensation Arrangements."
In consideration of Mr. Goelman's service as interim Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee approved payments to him of
$10,000 for each month of service and granted him an option pursuant to the 1996
Stock Incentive Plan to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
Mr. Goelman's options vested monthly during his service and are presently all
exercisable.
Repricing of Options. In connection with amendments to Mr. Coin's
employment agreement dated September 24, 1997, the Compensation Committee
approved reducing the exercise price of his options from $9.50 per share to
$3.00 for the first 90,000 shares and $4.50 for the next 30,000 shares. This
reduction in exercise price was approved in consideration of Mr. Coin's
significant contributions towards reforming and rebuilding the Company and in
recognition of the fact that the options originally granted to him had little
incentive value during the period when Mr. Coin's services to the Company were
most vital. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Coin's Separation and Release Agreement
dated as of January 28, 1998, Mr. Coin retained options to purchase, on the
terms and conditions of that agreement, 80,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. The options vest, as to 62,500 on
January 27, 1998, and as to 17,500, on August 31, 1998, and expire if not
exercised on January 28, 1999.
Policy with Respect to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). In 1993,
the Internal Revenue Code was amended to add Section 162(m). Section 162(m) and
the regulations thereunder place a limit of $1 million on the amount of
compensation that may be deducted by the Company in any year with respect to
certain of the Company's most highly compensated officers. Section 162(m) does
not, however, disallow a deduction for qualified "performance-based
compensation," the material terms of which are disclosed to and approved by
stockholders. At the present time, the Company's executive officer compensation
levels, other than "perform once-based compensation," do not exceed $1 million.
The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors plan to take such actions
in the future to minimize the loss of tax deductions related to compensation as
they deem necessary and appropriate in light of specific compensation
objectives.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Churm
Paul C. Heeschen
Lawrence Goelman
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During the fiscal year ended January 28, 1998 The Compensation
Committee of the Company's Board of Directors consisted of Mr. Churm, Mr.
Goelman and Mr. Heeschen until March 11, 1997. From March 11, 1997 to November
17, 1997, the Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Churm and Mr. Heeschen.
Except for Mr. Goelman, who served as a member of the Compensation Committee
prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on March 12,
1997 and returned to the Compensation Committee after resigning effective
November 17, 1997, no member of the Compensation Committee was, at any time
during the fiscal year ended January 28, 1998 or at any other time, an officer
or employee of the Company. There are no Compensation Committee interlocks
between the Company and other entities involving the Company's executive
officers and Board members who serve as executive officers or Board members of
such other entities.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on
the Company's Common Stock for the period beginning on September 12, 1996 (the
date on which the Company's Common Stock was first publicly traded) and ending
on January 29, 1997 with the Center for Research in Securities Prices ("CRSP")
Total Return Index for the NASDAQ National Market (U.S. Companies) and the CSRP
Total Return Index for NASDAQ Retail Trade Stocks. Although the graph would
normally cover a five-year period, the Company's Common Stock has been publicly
traded only since September 12, 1996, so the graph commences as of such date.
The comparisons in the graph are required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future
performance of the Company's Common Stock.
9/12/96 10/30/96 1/29/97 4/30/97 7/30/97 10/2/97 1/28/98
------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Diedrich Coffee, Inc. 100 96 81 25 29 29 60
NASDAQ Stock Market-US 100 105 118 112 135 137 139
NASDAQ - Retail 100 100 91 110 115 118
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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In March 1997, the Company received a commitment for a $1 million line
of credit on arms-length terms from D.C.H., L.P., a significant stockholder of
the Company. As of May 8, 1998, D.C.H., L.P. owned approximately 24.8% of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock. In addition, Mr. Heeschen, a director of the
Company, is the sole general partner of D.C.H., L.P. On May 27, 1997, the
Company made a promissory note (the "Note") for the benefit of the Palm Trust of
which Paul Heeschen, a director, is trustee, replacing the credit extended by
D.C.H., L.P. Mr. Heeschen has no beneficial interest in the Palm Trust. The Note
provided for borrowing by the Company up to $1,500,000 with interest accruing at
the prime rate plus 3-1/2%. The full amount was borrowed by the Company and
fully paid and discharged on October 20, 1997.
On November 17, 1997, the Company entered into a Common Stock purchase
agreement with John E. Martin under which it agreed to issue and sell 333,333
restricted shares of Common Stock of the Company to Mr. Martin at $3.00 per
share, such price representing the fair market value of the Common Stock at the
time of the agreement. Such sale represents an investment of approximately
$1,000,000 in the Company by Mr. Martin. That sale and investment by Mr. Martin
was completed on January 28, 1998.
On November 17, 1997, the Company also entered into a Common Stock
purchase agreement with Timothy J. Ryan under which it agreed to issue and sell
16,667 restricted shares of Common Stock of the Company to Mr. Ryan at $3.00 per
share, such price representing the fair market value of the Common Stock at the
time of the agreement. Such sale represents an investment of approximately
$50,000 in the Company by Mr. Ryan. The sale and investment by Mr. Ryan was
completed on January 28, 1998.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Under the securities laws of the United States, the directors and
officers of the Company and persons who own more than 10% of the Company's
equity securities are required to report their initial ownership of the
Company's equity securities and any subsequent changes in that ownership to the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the NASDAQ National Market. Specific
due dates for these reports have been established, and the Company is required
to disclose in this Proxy Statement any late filings during the fiscal year
ended January 28, 1998. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on its review
of the copies of such reports required to be furnished to the Company during the
fiscal year ended January 28, 1998, all of these reports were timely filed
except that certain Forms 4 for Messrs. Goelman, Coin, Churm, and Eddison, and
Forms 5 for Messrs. Martin and Ryan were not timely filed.
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PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
By selection of the Company's Board of Directors, the accounting firm
of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, certified public accountants, has served as the
Company's auditor since January 17, 1997. The Board of Directors has again
selected KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to serve as the Company's independent accountants
for the fiscal year ending January 27, 1999. The matter is not required to be
submitted for stockholder approval, but the Board of Directors elects to seek
ratification of its selection of the independent accountants by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares represented and voted at the Meeting. If the
stockholders do not ratify this selection, the Board of Directors will
reconsider its selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP and will either continue to
retain this firm or appoint new auditors upon recommendation of the Audit
Committee.
One or more representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP are expected to be
present at the Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they
so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY 27, 1999.
As previously reported by the Company in its Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 1997,
effective January 17, 1997, KPMG Peat Marwick LLP was engaged as the Company's
principal accountant to audit the Company's financial statements after the
Company dismissed BDO Seidman, LLP as such principal accountant. The decision to
change accountants was recommended by the Company's Audit Committee and approved
by the Board of Directors.
During the two fiscal years ended January 31, 1996 and the subsequent
interim period through January 17, 1997, there were no disagreements with BDO
Seidman, LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if
not resolved to the satisfaction of BDO Seidman, LLP, would have caused it to
make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its
reports. Furthermore, the reports of BDO Seidman, LLP for the last two years did
not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion nor were they qualified
or modified as to uncertainty, scope or accounting principles.
In addition, during the two fiscal years ended January 31, 1996 and the
subsequent interim period through January 17, 1997, (a) BDO Seidman, LLP never
advised the Company of any reportable event as defined in paragraphs (A) through
(D) of Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1)(v) and (b) the Company (or someone on its
behalf) did not consult KPMG Peat Marwick LLP regarding either: (i) the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction or (ii) any
matter that was either the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholders who wish to have proposals for action at the Company's
1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders considered for inclusion in next year's
proxy statement and form of proxy must cause their proposals to be received in
writing by the Company at its address set forth on the first page of this Proxy
Statement no later than January 15, 1999. Such proposals should be addressed to
the Company's Secretary, and may be included in next year's proxy materials if
they comply with certain rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
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OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors of the Company does not know of any other
matters that are to be presented for action at the Meeting. Should any other
matters come before the Meeting or any adjournments and postponements thereof,
the persons named in the enclosed proxy will have the discretionary authority to
vote all proxies received with respect to such matters in accordance with their
judgment.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Company's 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders, which contains the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K as filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, has been mailed to stockholders concurrently with this
Proxy Statement, but such report is not incorporated herein and is not deemed to
be a part of this proxy solicitation material. A copy of the Company's 1998
Annual Report to Stockholders will be furnished without charge to stockholders
upon written request to:
Ann Wride, Chief Financial Officer
Diedrich Coffee, Inc.
2144 Michelson Drive
Irvine, CA 92612
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DIRECTIONS TO
DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MEETING ADDRESS
DISNEYLAND HOTEL
1313 HARBOR BOULEVARD
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA 92803
JUNE 23, 1998
10:00 A.M.
FROM THE 405 FREEWAY NORTHBOUND
Take the 405 Freeway north to the 55 north
(Riverside Freeway) to the 5 Freeway
north. Exit on Katella Avenue and turn
left.
Turn right on West Street.
The hotel is on the left.
FROM THE 405 FREEWAY SOUTHBOUND
Take the 405 Freeway south to the 22 (Garden
Grove Freeway). Exit on Harbor Boulevard
and turn left.
Turn left on Katella Avenue.
Turn right on West Street.
The hotel is on the left.
FROM THE 5 FREEWAY NORTHBOUND
Take the 5 Freeway north.
Exit on Katella Avenue and turn left.
Turn right on West Street.
The hotel is on the left.
FROM THE 5 FREEWAY SOUTHBOUND
Take the 5 Freeway south.
Exit on Ball Road and turn right.
Turn left on West Street.
The hotel is on the left.
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24
PROXY DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
2144 MICHELSON DRIVE
IRVINE, CA 92612
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Timothy J. Ryan and John Bayley, and each of
them, as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and to vote as designated below all the shares of
Common Stock of Diedrich Coffee, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on May
8, 1998, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 23, 1998, and
at any postponements or adjournments thereof. The proposals referred to below
are described in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
dated May 15, 1998.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. To elect the following six directors to serve until
the next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company and until their
respective successors are elected and qualified.
[ ]FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY NOMINEES: John E. Martin, Timothy J. Ryan,
All nominees listed at right Martin Diedrich, Paul C. Heeschen,
(except as marked to the contrary below) Lawrence Goelman, Peter Churm
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP AS INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY 27, 1999.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
(Important -- Please Sign on Other Side)
25
(Continued From Other Side)
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
Dated:
-------------------------
-------------------------
(Signature)
-------------------------
(Signature )
Please sign your name
exactly as it appears
hereon. When shares are
held by joint tenants,
both should sign. When
signing as attorney,
executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian,
please give full title as
such. If a corporation,
please sign in full
corporate name by
President or other
authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign
in full partnership name
by authorized person.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.