SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 24, 2002
JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTELS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 43-1695093
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation (IRS Employer
or organization) Identification No.)
300 JOHN Q. HAMMONS PARKWAY
SUITE 900
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65806
(Address of principal executive offices)
(417) 864-4300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.
On June 24, 2002, upon the recommendation of the audit committee, the board of
directors of John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. (the "Company") approved the dismissal
of Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur Andersen") as the Company's independent
auditors, and the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP, to serve as the Company's
independent auditors for the year ending January 3, 2003, subject to Deloitte &
Touche's internal client acceptance procedures.
Arthur Andersen's reports on the financial statements of the Company for each of
the years ended December 28, 2001 and December 29, 2000 did not contain an
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as
to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the years ended
December 28, 2001 and December 29, 2000, and through the date hereof, there were
no disagreements with Arthur Andersen on any matter of accounting principle or
practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which,
if not resolved to Arthur Andersen's satisfaction, would have caused Arthur
Andersen to make reference to the subject matter in connection with its reports
on the Company's financial statement for such years, and there were no
reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The Company provided Arthur Andersen with a copy of the foregoing disclosures.
Attached as Exhibit 16.1 is a copy of Arthur Andersen's letter, dated June 24,
2002, stating its agreement with such statements.
During the years ended December 28, 2001 and December 29, 2000, and through June
24, 2002, the Company did not consult Deloitte & Touche with respect to the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either
completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on
the Company's financial statements, or any other matters or reportable events as
set forth in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 7. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit No. Exhibit
----------- -------
16.1 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange
Commission dated June 24, 2002.
2
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTELS, INC.
By: /s/ Paul E. Muellner
------------------------------
Name: Paul E. Muellner
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: June 24, 2002
3
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Exhibit
----------- -------
16.1 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange
Commission dated June 24, 2002.