INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

 

 

Filed by the Registrant   [x]

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   [ ]

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

[ ]

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

[ ]

Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)).

 

[x]

Definitive Proxy Statement.

 

[ ]

Definitive Additional Materials.

 

[ ]

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12.

 

Star Buffet, Inc.

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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):

 

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[ ]

$125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(ii), 14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A

 

[ ]

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

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[ ]   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.

 

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 1

 

   

STAR BUFFET, INC.

2501 N. HAYDEN ROAD, SUITE 103

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85257

 

________________

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

JUNE 28, 2017

 

To the Stockholders of Star Buffet, Inc.:

 

We cordially invite you to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Star Buffet, Inc. The meeting will be held at Star Buffet, 2501 N. Hayden Road, Suite 103, Scottsdale, Arizona, on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. local time. We are holding the meeting to:

 

 

1.

Elect five individuals to our board of directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and have qualified.

 

 

2.

Ratify the audit committee’s selection of Larson & Company PC as our independent auditors for the current fiscal year.

 

 

3.

Conduct an advisory vote on a non-binding resolution to determine whether the Company’s stockholders will be asked to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers every one, two or three years.

 

 

4.

Conduct an advisory vote on a non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

 

 

5.

Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

All of these actions are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2017 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/ Robert E. Wheaton  

Robert E. Wheaton

Chairman of the Board

 

Scottsdale, Arizona

May 26, 2017


 

Whether or not you expect to attend the annual meeting, to assure that your shares will be voted at the meeting, please sign the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid, addressed envelope. No additional postage is required if mailed in the United States. You may vote in person at the meeting even if you have already submitted a proxy card.

 


 

 
 

 

 

STAR BUFFET, INC.

2501 N. HAYDEN ROAD, SUITE 103

SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85257

________________

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD

JUNE 28, 2017

_______________

 

 

Information about Solicitation and Voting

 

Our Board of Directors (our “Board”) is soliciting your proxy for our annual meeting of stockholders to be held at Star Buffet, 2501 N. Hayden Road, Suite 103, Scottsdale, Arizona, on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. local time. Our telephone number is (480) 425-0454. Voting materials, which include this proxy statement, the proxy card and our fiscal 2017 annual report to stockholders, will first be mailed to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting on or about June 12, 2017.

 

This proxy statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the meeting. Please read it carefully.

 

Q:

What is the purpose of the annual meeting?

 

A:

At the annual meeting, stockholders will act upon the proposals described in this proxy statement.

 

Q:

Who can vote at the meeting?

 

A:

Our board of directors set May 15, 2017 as the record date for the meeting. If you were a record holder of our common stock at the close of business on May 15, 2017, you may attend and vote at the meeting. You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock that you held on the record date for all matters to be voted on at the meeting. As of the record date, 3,213,075 shares of our common stock, representing the same number of votes, were outstanding, and no shares of our preferred stock were outstanding.

 

Q:

What is the quorum requirement for the meeting?

 

A:

A majority of our outstanding shares as of the record date must be present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting in order to hold the meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. Your shares are counted as present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting if you are present in person at the meeting or if you have properly submitted a proxy card.

 

Proxies received that are marked as abstentions or broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting.

 

Q:

How can I vote my shares in person at the meeting?

 

A:

Shares held directly in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted in person at the meeting. If you choose to attend the meeting in person, please bring proof of identification to the meeting. If you hold your shares in a brokerage account, the shares will be registered in your broker’s name (in “street name”), and your broker will forward these proxy materials to you. If you hold your shares in street name, you have the right to direct your broker as to how to vote the shares, but you may not vote these shares in person at the annual meeting unless you obtain a proxy from the broker that holds your shares appointing you to vote the shares.

 

Q:

How can I vote my shares without attending the meeting?

 

A:

Whether you hold shares directly as a stockholder of record or in street name, you may vote without attending the meeting. You may vote by submitting a proxy or, for shares held in street name, by submitting voting instructions to your broker or nominee. Please refer to the enclosed proxy card for instructions on how to submit a proxy. For shares held in street name, the voting instruction card will be included with the proxy statement delivered by your broker or nominee.

 

 
1

 

 

Q:

How can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?

 

A:

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the meeting. You may do this by submitting a new proxy with a later date or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Attending the meeting will not revoke your proxy unless you vote in person at the meeting.

 

Q:

What proposals are scheduled to be voted on at the meeting?

 

A:

There are four proposals scheduled for a vote. They are (1) to elect five individuals to our board of directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and have qualified; (2) to ratify the audit committee’s selection of Larson & Company PC as our independent auditors for the current fiscal year; (3) to conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; and (4) to conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation.

 

Q:

What is the vote required for each proposal?

 

A:

Election of Directors. You may vote “FOR” all of the nominees for our board of directors, you may “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” to vote for all of the nominees, or you may “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” to vote for any individual nominee. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast on the matter at the meeting. This means that the five individuals receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected directors. You may give each candidate one vote for each share you held on the record date. You may not vote your shares cumulatively or for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this proxy statement. A properly executed proxy card marked “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director(s) indicated, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.

 

Ratification of Auditors. You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” on the ratification of Larson & Company PC as our auditors. For this proposal, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares voted on the matter will be required for approval. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to this proposal will not be voted and will have no effect.

 

Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation . You may vote “ONE YEAR,” “TWO YEARS,” “THREE YEARS,” or “ABSTAIN” on the advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation. The advisory votes on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation are non-binding; however, the Company will record the number of votes cast with respect to each option and will report the voting results at the annual meeting. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to this proposal will not be voted and will have no effect.

 

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation . You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” on the advisory vote on executive compensation. The advisory votes on execution compensation are non-binding; however, the Company will record the number of votes cast for and against the proposal and will report the voting results at the annual meeting. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to this proposal will not be voted and will have no effect.

 

All proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions specified on the proxy card properly received by us prior to the annual meeting. If you just sign your proxy card with no additional instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors. If you do not vote and you hold your shares in street name, and your broker does not have discretionary power to vote your shares, your shares may constitute “broker non-votes” and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval of the proposals. However, shares that constitute broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of establishing a quorum for the meeting. Voting results are tabulated and certified by our transfer agent, Mellon Investor Services LLC.

 

Q:

What is the recommendation of our board of directors?

 

A:

Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the person named as the proxy holder on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors. Our board of director’s recommendation is set forth together with the description of each proposal in this proxy statement. In summary, our board of directors recommends (1) a vote for the election of the five nominees to our board of directors; (2) for the ratification of our board of directors’ selection of Larson & Company PC as our independent auditors for our current fiscal year; (3) an affirmative advisory vote for a frequency of one year with respect to the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; and (4) an affirmative advisory vote on executive compensation.

 

Q:

Where can I find the voting results?

 

A: The preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting. The final results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed within four business days of the meeting.

 

 
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PROPOSAL 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Directors are elected at each annual stockholders' meeting to hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and have qualified. Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card will vote the proxies received by them for the five nominees named below.

 

If any nominee becomes unavailable for any reason before the election, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote for the election of such substitute nominee or nominees, if any, as shall be designated by the nominating committee of directors. The Company has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unavailable to serve.

 

Directors

 

The names and other information concerning the five nominees of the Board of Directors for election as directors are as follows:

 

Name

Age

     Position with Star Buffet

Robert E. Wheaton

65

Director, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman

Thomas G. Schadt

75

Director

Todd S. Brown

60

Director

Mary-Whitney E. Wheaton

30

Director

B. Thomas M. Smith, Jr.

82

Director

 

Robert E. Wheaton has served as the Chief Executive Officer and President and as a director of the Company since its formation in July 1997. Mr. Robert E. Wheaton has been Chairman of the Board since September 1998. Mr. Robert E. Wheaton served as Executive Vice President of CKE Restaurants, Inc. from January 1996 through January 1999. From April 1995 to January 1996, he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Denny's Inc., a subsidiary of Flagstar Corporation. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Robert E. Wheaton served as President and Chief Executive Officer and from 1989 to 1991 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Bekins Company. Mr. Robert E. Wheaton is the father of Mary-Whitney Wheaton, a director of the Company.

 

The Board has determined that Mr. Wheaton is qualified to serve as a director as a result of his extensive experience in the restaurant industry, his leadership experience and skills and his extensive experience with and knowledge of the Company.

 

Thomas G. Schadt has served as a director of the Company since the completion of the Company’s initial public offering in September 1997. Mr. Schadt has been the Chief Executive Officer of a privately-held beverage distribution company, Bear Creek, L.L.C., since 1995. From 1976 to 1994, he held several positions with PepsiCo, Inc., most recently, Vice President of Food Service.

 

The Board has determined that Mr. Schadt is qualified to serve as a director as a result of his extensive experience in a related industry and his executive experience.

 

Todd S. Brown has served as a director of the Company since June 2004. Mr. Brown has served Brown Capital Advisors, Inc. as the President since November 1999. From 1994 to November 1999, Mr. Brown served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Phoenix Restaurant Group, Inc. (formerly DenAmerica Corp.). Mr. Brown served as Senior Manager in Audit and Consulting at Deloitte Touche LLP from 1980 to 1994. Mr. Brown received an MBA from the University of Missouri in 1980 and a BA from Southern Methodist University in 1978.

 

The Board has determined that Mr. Brown is qualified to serve as a director as a result of knowledge and skills about financial and accounting matters, coupled with his experience in the restaurant industry.

 

Mary-Whitney “Mamie” E. Wheaton has served as a director since April 2017. Ms. Wheaton is a Certified Financial Planner professional. Since August 2016, Ms. Wheaton has been employed with LearnVest, a financial planning company. She currently holds the position of Manager of Advice Excellence and Brand Voice. Previously, Ms. Wheaton spent over eight years, beginning in July 2008, with The Vanguard Group, holding various positions including Senior Wealth Management Consultant. She has FINRA Series 6, 7 and 63 licenses. Ms. Wheaton graduated from the University of Arizona in 2008 with a BA degree in Communications, with a minor in Business. Ms. Wheaton is the daughter of Robert E. Wheaton, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company.

 

The Board has determined that Ms. Wheaton is qualified to serve as a director as a result of knowledge and skills about financial and management issues, as well as her general good judgment.

 

B. Thomas M. Smith, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since June 2002. From 1988 until 1995, he was Vice President and Director of Corporate Purchasing for ITT Corp. Mr. Smith was a consultant with ITT Corp. from January 1996 to December 1996. Mr. Smith served as director of Republic Bancorp from June 1999 until April 2005. Mr. Smith has been retired since December 1996.

 

The Board has determined that Mr. Smith is qualified to serve as a director as a result of his extensive experience in the related hotel industry and his executive experience.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE.

 

 
3

 

   

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors Independence

 

Todd S. Brown, Thomas G. Schadt and B. Thomas M. Smith, Jr., a majority of the Board, have been determined by the Board to be independent as that term is defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Board held three meetings during Fiscal 2017.

 

 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board and each of its committees are involved in overseeing risk associated with the Company and its operations. The Board and the Audit Committee monitor the Company's credit risk, liquidity risk, regulatory risk, operational risk and enterprise risk by regular reviews with management and external auditors and other advisors. In its periodic meetings with management and the Company's independent accountants, the Audit Committee discusses the scope and plan of its review of accounting and financial controls, assessment of business risks and legal and ethical compliance programs. The Board and the Nominating Committee monitor the Company's succession risk by regular review with management. The Board and the Compensation Committee monitor the Company's compensation policies and related risks by regular reviews with management. The Company has adopted the “Star Buffet, Inc. Code of Ethics” (the “Code of Ethics”), which constitutes a code of ethics that applies to the principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as defined in Item 406 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. The Code of Ethics is posted on our website.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

The Board has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee.

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Todd S. Brown, Thomas G. Schadt and B. Thomas M. Smith, Jr., of whom Todd S. Brown has been determined to be an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act . The Audit Committee is established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and are "independent" under the standards described in Rule 5605(a)(2) and Rule 5605(c)(2) (for audit committee members) of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Audit Committee held three meetings during Fiscal 2017.

 

The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee monitors the independence, performance and qualifications of our independent auditors and also reviews any related party transaction. Our Audit Committee has a charter which is periodically reviewed and reassessed for adequacy by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee charter is available on our website, www.starbuffet.com.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee is comprised of Thomas G. Schadt and B. Thomas M. Smith, Jr., each of whom is “independent” under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Compensation Committee considers the hiring and retention of corporate officers, salary and incentive compensation policies for officers and directors, and the granting of stock options to employees. The Compensation Committee held no meetings during Fiscal 2017 since while the Company’s plan of reorganization dated December 17, 2012 and closed as of December 7, 2016 (the “Bankruptcy Plan”) was in effect, it prohibited changes to corporate officer’s salary until the unsecured creditors were paid. Additional information regarding the functions, procedures and authority of the Compensation Committee is provided in the section titled Executive Compensation Tables and Discussion below. The Compensation Committee does not have a charter.

 

 
4

 

 

Nominating Committee

 

The Nominating Committee is comprised of Todd S. Brown, Thomas G. Schadt and B. Thomas M. Smith, Jr., each of whom is “independent” under Nasdaq independence standards. The Nominating Committee assists our Board by identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, by recommending director nominees for election at the annual meeting of stockholders or for appointment to fill vacancies on the Board, and by developing and recommending corporate governance guidelines. The Nominating Committee held no meetings during Fiscal 2017. Our Board has adopted a charter for the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee charter is available on our website, www.starbuffet.com.

 

The Nominating Committee will consider candidates recommended by stockholders. Any such suggestions must be sent in writing and addressed to the Company at its principal executive offices shown on the cover page to this proxy statement, attention: Secretary, and must be accompanied by:

 

● the name and address of the stockholder recommending the person to be nominated;

● a representation that the stockholder is a holder of stock of the Company, including the number of shares held with a confirmation from the record holder if the shares are held in street name;

● a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and the recommended nominee, if any;

● detailed biographical and occupational data on the prospective nominee as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

● a signed consent of the recommended nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected.

 

The Nominating Committee considers the following minimum criteria when reviewing a nominee for director:

 

● Each director should be an individual of the highest character and integrity and have an inquiring mind, diversity, vision and the ability to work well with others;

● Each director should be free of any conflict of interest which would violate applicable law or regulations or interfere with the proper performance of the responsibilities of a director;

● Each director should possess substantial and significant experience which would be of particular importance to the Company in the performance of the duties of a director;

● Each director should have sufficient time available to devote to the affairs of the Company in order to carry out the responsibilities of a director; and

● Each director should have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of the stockholders of the Company as a whole and not primarily a special interest group or constituency.

 

The Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing the requisite skills and characteristics of new Board members as well as the composition of the Board as a whole.  Nominees for director will include individuals who, taking into account their diversity, skills, and experience in the context of the needs of the Board, as well as other relevant factors such as conflicts of interest and other commitments, would enhance the Board’s ability to manage and direct our affairs and business. 

 

The Nominating Committee and Robert E. Wheaton, our President and Chief Executive Officer, will select nominees that best suit the Company’s requirements and make recommendations to the full Board. Each of the nominees proposed for election at the annual meeting are currently directors of the Company.

 

Board Diversity

 

In identifying nominees, the Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy regarding the consideration of gender, race, sexual preference, religion and other traits typically associated with the term “diversity.” As described in “Nomination Process” above, however, the Nominating Committee considers it important that the Board be composed of directors with a diverse range of experience, areas of expertise and skills.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

 
5

 

 

Based solely on our review of the copies of these forms received by us or written representations from certain reporting persons, if any, that no Forms 5 were required for those persons during Fiscal 2017, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders were timely satisfied.

 

Board Meetings and Attendance

 

During fiscal 2017, the board of directors held three meetings, the audit committee held three meetings, the compensation committee held no meetings, and the nominating committee held no meetings. During fiscal 2017, no director attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the board of directors or the meetings of the committee or committees on which they served. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers, other than between Robert E. Wheaton and Mary-Whitney Wheaton, who are father and daughter.

 

Board Attendance at Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Directors are encouraged but not required to attend annual meetings of stockholders.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

For their services as directors in fiscal 2017, each non-employee director received $2,000 per meeting of the board of directors, $1,500 per committee meeting and $500 per telephonic audit committee meeting. In addition, all directors are entitled to participate in any Company’s Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Director Independence

 

The board of directors has determined that all of the nominees for director, except for Robert E. Wheaton and Mary-Whitney Wheaton, are “independent” as contemplated by applicable listing standards.

 

Required Vote and Board Recommendation

 

The five nominees for director receiving the highest number of affirmative votes from the shares voted at the annual meeting will be elected as directors. Votes withheld from any nominee are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but have no other legal effect under Delaware law. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

Our board leadership structure consists of a Chairman of the Board who is also our CEO. Our board does not have a policy as to whether the roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO should be separate or combined.

 

 
6

 

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of May 15, 2017 by (1) each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (2) each of our directors, (3) each of the executive officers identified in the summary compensation table set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement and (4) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. To our knowledge and except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable. Unless we indicate otherwise, each holder’s address is c/o Star Buffet, Inc., 2501 North Hayden Road, Suite 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85257.

 

 

Name of Officer or Director

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

   

Percent of

Class (%)(1)

 
                       
 

Robert E. Wheaton, Chief Executive Officer, CFO, President and Chairman

    1,455,476         45.3%    
                       
 

B. Thomas M. Smith, Jr., Director

    152,170         4.7%    
                       
 

Thomas G. Schadt, Director

    21,360         0.7%    
                       
 

Todd S. Brown, Director

    10,900          *    
                       
 

Mary-Whitney E. Wheaton, Director

    6,500          *    
                       
 

All directors and executive officers as a group (5 persons)

    1,646,406         51.2%    
               
 

Name and Address of 5% Beneficial Owner **

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

   

Percent of

Class (%)(1)

 
 

Opal Advisors, LLC; James Hua

                   
  40 Lake Bellevue Drive, Suite 245                    
  Bellevue, WA 98005     164,112   (2)       5.1%    
 

Peter J. Abrahamson

                   
 

24156 N. Coventry Lane

                   
 

Lake Barrington, IL 60010-7334

    175,000   (3)       5.4%    

 

__________

*

Represents ownership of less than one half of one percent.

**

Excludes 5% owners who are officers or directors.

 

(1)

Calculated based on 3,213,075 shares of our common stock outstanding on May 15, 2017 with percentages rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent. Shares of common stock subject to options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding the option for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but not treated as outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.

 

(2)

Based solely on Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on December 18, 2015, Opal Advisors, LLC reports having sole voting power with respect to 164,112 of these shares, and sole dispositive power with respect to all of these shares.

 

(3)

Based solely on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 27, 2017, Peter J. Abrahamson reports having sole voting power with respect to 175,000 of these shares, and sole dispositive power with respect to all of these shares.

 

 
7

 

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The following discussion and analysis provides information regarding the Company's executive compensation objectives and principles, procedures, practices and decisions, and is provided to help give perspective to the numbers and narratives that follow in the tables in this section. This discussion focuses on the Company's objectives, principles, practices and decisions with regards to the compensation of Robert E. Wheaton, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President and Chairman of the Company (the “CEO”) as the Company has no other executive officers.

 

Executive Compensation Objectives

The Company’s philosophy is that compensation paid to executive and other officers should be closely aligned with the values, objectives and performance of the Company on both a short- and long-term basis. The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to achieve the following:

 

 

Attract and retain highly qualified individuals who are capable of making significant contributions to the long-term success of the Company;

 

 

Reward individuals for the enhancement of shareholder value; and

 

 

Promote a performance-oriented environment that encourages Company and individual achievement.

 

Executive Compensation Procedures

 

The Company has established, and historically updated procedures to provide an appropriate creative compensation program. However, subsequent to the approval of the Bankruptcy Plan in 2012, the Company has been prohibited from modifying terms of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation. On December 7, 2016 the Bankruptcy Court entered into a Final Decree and Order Closing the Bankruptcy case. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee is permitted to resume its activities effective for the fiscal year ending January 29, 2018.

 

Role of the Compensation Committee .

 

The Compensation Committee has responsibility for establishing and monitoring the executive compensation programs of the Company and for making decisions regarding the compensation of the CEO and other officers. The Compensation Committee, in consultation with the CEO, determines the agenda for meetings of the Compensation Committee. Compensation Committee meetings are often attended by the CEO, although he does not attend meetings when his compensation is fixed. The Compensation Committee also meets in executive session. In determining compensation of the CEO, the Compensation Committee reviews data which it believes is representative of the restaurant industry, primarily by reviewing public disclosure of other public companies, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and from data published by compensation surveys. The Compensation Committee considers, among other factors, the Company’s performance and relative shareholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to executive officers at comparable companies, the awards given to the CEO in past years (if any), the existing stock ownership of the CEO and other factors considered relevant by the Committee.

 

The Compensation Committee relies on its experience and judgment in making executive compensation decisions after reviewing the performance of the Company for the applicable fiscal year and evaluating the executive’s performance and responsibilities with the Company, and current compensation arrangements. The compensation program for the CEO and the Compensation Committee assessment process are designed to be flexible so as to better respond to the evolving business environment and individual circumstances.

 

Role of Consultants .

 

The Company and the Compensation Committee has not engaged the services of compensation consultants, but either or both may do so upon a case-by-case basis as circumstances warrant. No compensation consultants were involved in settling the compensation of the CEO or other officers of the Company during the fiscal year ending January 30, 2017.

 

 
8

 

 

Executive Compensation Program  

 

The following components of the Company’s executive compensation program and the policies that govern their implementation are outlined briefly below:

 

 

Base Salary

 

Annual Bonus

 

Long-Term Equity Awards

 

Other Personal Benefits

 

Base Salary. Pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated as of March 1, 1999 between the Company and the CEO (the “Employment Agreement”), the CEO is entitled to a base salary of not less than $250,000 a year, subject to such annual increases as the Company, acting through the Compensation Committee, deems appropriate. The base salary for the CEO is set at a level that the Compensation Committee believes is generally competitive with levels of compensation paid to chief executive officers of other comparably-sized restaurant operating companies. The overall performance of the Company, shareholder return, and the Company’s progress toward achieving specific objectives are also important factors in setting base salary for the CEO. The Compensation Committee also considers, among other factors, the value of similar incentive awards to chief executive officers at comparable restaurant companies, the awards given to the CEO in past years, and other factors considered relevant by the Compensation Committee.

 

Annual Bonus . The annual bonus component of the CEO’s compensation is intended to reward short-term performance and help the Company retain the CEO. The CEO’s annual bonus consists of two parts: (i) a fixed minimum annual bonus payable bi-weekly at the annualized rate of $25,000 a year; plus (ii) a variable performance-based bonus amount payable after the conclusion of each year. The aggregate amount of the variable annual bonus payable to the CEO for each fiscal year is set at levels which the Compensation Committee believes are competitive with the Company’s peers such that the combination of base salary and bonuses results in an aggregate rate of cash salary and bonus compensation within competitive market standards when the Company meets the performance objectives set by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is authorized to approve a discretionary bonus when it is determined the total compensation of the CEO is not consistent with competitive market standards.

 

The amount of the performance-based annual bonus payable to the CEO each year is contingent on the degree to which the Company attains certain pre-established performance goals based on Company annual operating performance established by the Compensation Committee for the year in question, and is offset dollar-for dollar by the $25,000 minimum bonus paid. For each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee establishes in writing shortly after the beginning of the year an annual range of Company operating performance targets and corresponding performance bonus amounts which the CEO can earn for the year if the Company performs within or above the targeted range of net income. The CEO is eligible for a performance-based bonus ranging from $1 at the minimum established range of annual Company net income performance to 100% of his base salary in effect at the beginning of the year at or above the maximum established range of annual Company operating performance, reduced in all cases by the $25,000 minimum bonus paid. If the Company fails to meet the minimum targeted level of net income performance set by the Compensation Committee, the performance-based bonus component is zero and the CEO only receives the guaranteed minimum $25,000 bonus. The Compensation Committee determines the actual amount of performance-based bonus payable to the CEO shortly after the close of the fiscal year to which the bonus relates, once financial results for the year are known. The performance-based bonus amount, if any, is paid within 60 days after year-end results are audited.

 

For Fiscal 2017, the CEO earned the $25,000 minimum bonus plus an additional $0 in performance-based bonus based on the Company’s decision to temporarily suspend certain components of the executive bonus program for the fiscal year in order to comply with the requirements of the Bankruptcy Plan. The decision on the executive bonus was made in order to conserve cash, to ensure compliance with the Bankruptcy Plan, and to align the executive bonus program with modifications made in store level bonus programs. The minimum annual bonus is reported in column (d) and the additional performance-based bonus is reported in column (e) in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

 
9

 

 

Long-Term Equity Awards . Discretionary long-term equity awards, in the form of stock options are granted at the Compensation Committee’s discretion to the CEO and other officers from time to time in an effort to provide long-term performance-based compensation, to encourage the CEO and other officers to continue their engagement with the Company throughout the applicable option vesting periods and to align management and shareholder interests. In making awards under the Company’s Stock Plan, the Compensation Committee considers grant size and the appropriate combination of equity-based awards. In years in which stock options are granted, such options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price per share on the date of grant, (or if the market is closed, with the most immediately available recent closing price). Options vest upon grant or incrementally over time, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant. The Company does not grant options with an exercise price below 100% of the trading price of the underlying shares of common stock on the date of grant or grant options that are priced on a date other than the grant date (unless granted on a Saturday or day when the market is closed). Stock options only have a value to the extent the value of the underlying shares of common stock on the exercise date exceeds the exercise price. Accordingly, stock options provide compensation only if the underlying share price increases over the option term and the option holder’s employment continues with the Company until the vesting date, if any. In granting stock options to the CEO and other officers, the Company also considers the impact of the grant on the Company’s financial performance, as determined in accordance with the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 718 (“ASC 718”). For long-term equity awards, the Company records expense in accordance with ASC 718. The amount of expense the Company records pursuant to ASC 718 may vary from the corresponding compensation value used by the Company in determining the amount of the awards.

 

In Fiscal 2017, the Compensation Committee did not grant any stock options or other equity awards to the CEO or other officers or directors of the Company under the Stock Plan.    

 

Other Personal Benefits. The Company also provides benefits, in the form of medical expense reimbursement, and limited perquisites, in the form of a $1,000 per month automobile allowance.   The Compensation Committee believes that those benefits are reasonable, competitive and consistent with the Company’s overall executive compensation objectives. The Company does not maintain any pension, retirement, deferred compensation, life insurance or other welfare benefit plans or programs for the CEO.

 

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), imposes a $1 million annual limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the company’s chief executive officer during a tax year or to any of the company’s four other most highly compensated executive officers who are still employed at the end of the tax year. The limit does not apply to compensation that meets the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for “qualified performance-based” compensation (i.e., compensation paid only if the executive meets pre-established, objective goals based upon performance criteria approved by the Company’s shareholders). The Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. In certain situations, the Compensation Committee may approve compensation that will not meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m) in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for its executive officer. The CEO’s compensation in the fiscal year ending January 30, 2017 did not exceed the $1 million deduction limit.

 

 
10

 

   

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES AND DISCUSSION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following Summary Compensation Table summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by the CEO of the Company for the fiscal years ended January 30, 2017 and January 25, 2016. The Company has no other executive officers.

 

 

Name and Principal Position

Year

 

Salary

   

Bonus

 
 

Non-Equity Incentive Awards

 

All Other

Compensation

 

Total

 
       

($)

   

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 
 

(a)

(b)

 

(c)

   

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 
 

Robert E. Wheaton

2017

    254,800       25,000   (1)     0   (2)     35,495   (3)     315,295  
 

Chairman of Board,

2016

    250,000       25,000   (1)     0   (2)     35,495   (3)     310,495  
 

Chief Executive Officer

                                         
 

Chief Financial Officer

                                         
 

and President

                                         

__________

(1)

The amount shown represents the annual minimum guaranteed bonus earned by and paid to the CEO for the fiscal years ending January 30, 2017 and January 25, 2016.

 

(2)

The amount shown represents the annual performance-based bonus award earned by the CEO for the fiscal years ending January 30, 2017 and, January 25, 2016, which award, if any, is payable in the next fiscal year.

 

(3)

"Other Annual Compensation" consists of $12,000 in automobile reimbursement allowance and $23,495 in medical expense reimbursement payments to the CEO for the years ending January 30, 2017 and January 25, 2016.

 

Robert E. Wheaton’s employment agreement has a base salary of not less than $250,000 per year. He was not eligible for a performance bonus under the terms of the Bankruptcy Plan. No stock options were granted in Fiscal 2017.

 

G rants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table sets forth information concerning plan-based compensation awards granted to the CEO during Fiscal 2017.

 

 

Name

Grant Date

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan Awards

 
       

Threshold

   

Target/Maximum

 
       

($)

   

($)

 
 

(a)

(b)

 

(c)

   

(d)

 
 

Robert E. Wheaton (1)

6/22/2009

  $ 1     $ 225,000  

 

 

__________

 

(1)

In order to conserve cash, better ensure compliance with loan covenants, and to align the executive bonus program with modifications made in store level bonus programs, the Company has temporarily suspended certain components of the executive bonus program for fiscal years 2009 through 2017; therefore the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Award earned by the CEO in these years was $0. No stock options or other stock awards were granted to the CEO in the fiscal year ending January 30, 2017.

 

O utstanding Equity Awards at Year-End

 

There are no equity awards held by the CEO as of January 30, 2017.

 

Options Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2017

 

The CEO did not hold or exercise any Company stock options and no equity awards vested in Fiscal 2017.

 

 
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P otential Payments Upon Termination or Change Of Control

 

Subject to earlier termination as described below, the CEO Employment Agreement continues for a rolling term of 80 months from November 1, 2006, with an automatic extension each November 1 of an additional 12 months unless notice of non-extension is given by either party prior to the November 1 annual extension date. Notwithstanding the otherwise applicable term of the Employment Agreement, the Company may terminate the CEO for “cause” (as defined below) at any time or without “cause” upon 30 days advance written notice to the CEO. “Cause” is generally defined as (i) a material breach of the Employment Agreement by the CEO, (ii) habitual and material neglect of duties, (iii) fraud that substantially harms the Company, and (iv) commission of a felony that results in material harm to the Company.

 

Additionally, the Employment Agreement permits the CEO to voluntarily resign his employment at any time for “good reason” (as defined below) or without “good reason” at any time upon 60 days advance written notice. “Good reason” includes (i) a “change of control” (as defined below) of the Company, (ii) material breach of the Employment Agreement by the Company, (iii) non-consensual relocation by the Company of the CEO’s office, (iv) reduction in the CEO’s base salary or bonus, (v) removal of the CEO from office or assignment of the CEO to duties inconsistent with his office, and (v) failure of any successor to the Company to assume the Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreement generally defines a “change of control” as: (i) certain changes in a majority of the Board; (ii) consummation of a merger or reorganization of the Company in which neither the Company nor another entity controlled by the Company’s shareholders is the surviving entity; or (iii) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another entity that is not controlled by the Company’s shareholders.

 

If during the unexpired, remaining term of the Employment Agreement, the Company terminates the CEO’s employment without “cause” or the CEO terminates his employment for “good reason,” the CEO is entitled to receive within 30 days after termination a lump sum cash payment equal to the sum of: (i) his base salary and unused vacation accrued through the date of termination, (ii) any accrued automobile allowance and medical expense reimbursement owed for period through the date of termination, (iii) three times his rate of annual base salary in effect immediately prior to termination, and (iv) the maximum annual bonus that the CEO would have earned for the year of his termination had all performance goals for that year been met. The CEO would also be entitled to three years of continued coverage under the Company’s retirement, health, disability and life insurance benefit plans, programs, practices or policies, if any. If the CEO’s employment terminates for any other reason (i.e., upon death, disability, resignation without “good reason” or involuntary termination for “cause,” he is entitled to receive the sum of the amounts described in clauses (i) and (ii) above only.

 

If the aggregate compensatory payments to the CEO that are contingent on a change of control (including the salary and bonus continuation payments described above) exceed 2.99 times the CEO‘s average W-2 compensation with the Company for the five taxable years preceding the year of the Change of Control (the “Base Period Amount”), the acceleration would result in an “excess parachute payment” under Code Section 280G. The CEO would be subject to a 20% excise tax, and the Company would be unable to deduct the amount by which such parachute payments to the CEO exceed one times the CEO’s Base Period Amount. The Company has not agreed to provide to the CEO any gross-up or reimbursement for excise taxes imposed on excess parachute payments.

 

Amounts Payable upon Termination of Employment Without Cause or Resignation For Good Re ason

 

If the Company had terminated the CEO’s employment without “cause” on January 30, 2017 or the CEO had resigned his employment for “good reason” (including a change of control) on January 30, 2017, the CEO would have been entitled to the a lump sum cash payment from the Company in the amount of $1,000,000 plus three years of continued medical expense reimbursement coverage with an estimated value of $75,000.    

 

Termination on Account of Death, Disability, Involuntary Termination For Cause or Voluntary Resignation Without Good Reason  

 

If the Company had terminated the CEO’s employment for “cause” on January 30, 2017 or the CEO had resigned his employment without “good reason,” or died on January 30, 2017, the CEO would have been entitled to a lump sum cash payment from the Company in the amount of $0. If CEO had become disabled on January 30, 2017, the CEO would have been entitled to a lump sum cash payment from the Company in the amount of $500,000 plus three years of continued medical expense reimbursement coverage with an estimated value of $70,485.

 

 
12

 

 

Compensation Risks

 

The Company’s management and Compensation Committee have assessed the risks associated with our compensation policies and practices for all employees, including non-executive officers. Based on the results of this assessment, we do not believe that our compensation policies and practices for all employees, including non-executive officers, create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Director Compensation

 

The Company uses cash compensation and equity-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve as directors. In setting director compensation, the Company considers the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Company as well as the skill level required by the Company of directors.

 

Compensation Paid to Directors in Fiscal 2017

 

For Fiscal 2017, directors, excluding employee directors, received $2,000 for each regularly scheduled Board meeting attended, $1,500 for each regularly scheduled committee meeting attended and $500 for each specially-called telephonic Board or committee meeting. Directors who are also full-time employees of the Company did not receive any director fees. All directors are also reimbursed by the Company for their out-of-pocket travel and related expenses incurred in attending all Board and committee meetings . For Fiscal 2017, the Company did not grant any stock options or other equity-based compensation to non-employee directors, or did it recognize or incur any financial accounting expense under ASC 718 related to equity compensation awards granted to non-employee directors in the 2017 fiscal year or prior years.

 

Director Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table summarizes the compensation earned by or paid to the Company’s non-employee directors from the Company for Fiscal 2017.

 

 

Name

 

Fees earned or paid in cash

   

Total

 
     

($)

   

($)

 
 

(a)

 

(b)

   

(c)

 
 

B. Thomas M. Smith

    9,500       9,500  
 

Thomas G. Schadt

    9,500       9,500  
 

Todd S. Brown

    9,500       9,500  
 

Craig B. Wheaton (1)

    6,000       6,000  

 

__________

 

(1)

Mr. Craig Wheaton resigned as a director on April 18, 2017.

 

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

During the fiscal year ended January 30, 2017, none of the persons who served on our compensation committee had any interlocking relationship as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

Based solely on our review of the copies of these forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, we believe that, during fiscal 2107, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders were timely satisfied.

 

 
13

 

   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Mr. Wheaton currently beneficially owns approximately 45.3% of our total equity securities, assuming exercise of vested employee stock options, and possesses approximately 45.3% of the total voting power of the Company. Thus Mr. Wheaton has the ability to control or significantly influence all matters requiring the approval of our stockholders, including the election of nominees to our board of directors.

 

During fiscal 2008, the Company borrowed approximately $1,400,000 from Mr. Robert E. Wheaton, a principal shareholder, officer and director of the Company.  In June 2008, the Company borrowed an additional $592,000 from Mr. Robert E. Wheaton under the same terms. This resulted in an increase in the note balance from $1,400,000 to $1,992,000, the balance as of January 30, 2017 and January 25, 2016. The principal balance and any unpaid interest was due and payable in full on June 5, 2012. The loan was subsequently modified as a result of the Company’s bankruptcy filing and pursuant to the Bankruptcy Plan and the principal balance was not eligible to be repaid until all obligations owed to other creditors have been fully satisfied. Interest accrued on the principal amount of $1,991,936 and the interest of $196,957 from September 28, 2011 to December 7, 2016 at the Bankruptcy Plan rate. When the Bankruptcy Court entered into a Final Decree and Order Closing the Bankruptcy Case of Star Buffet, Inc. on December 7, 2016 the Company reverted back to the original interest rate of 8.5%. The Company expensed $154,000 and $123,000 to Mr. Robert E. Wheaton for interest during Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016, respectively.

 

On November 9, 2016, the Company borrowed $450,000 from Mr. Robert E. Wheaton and Mrs. Suzanne H. Wheaton to remodel the 4B’s restaurant in Missoula, Montana. The three year fully amortized secured loan has monthly payments of $14,839 and interest rate of 11.5%. The Company paid approximately $21,200 in principal and $8,500 in interest to Mr. Robert E. Wheaton and Mrs. Suzanne H. Wheaton under this loan in Fiscal 2017.

 

As part of the Bankruptcy Plan, Suzanne H. Wheaton, the wife of Robert E. Wheaton, loaned the Company $300,000 as an exit loan was secured by real estate in Artesia, New Mexico. The exit loan has been repaid. Robert and Suzanne H. Wheaton purchased the real estate property in Polson, Montana in June 2013 from the prior landlord when the Company could not exercise its option to purchase and are now the landlord for our 4B’s restaurant. Additionally, the Company sold one property to Robert E. and Suzanne H. Wheaton during Fiscal 2016 for a total purchase price of $1.2 million and $200,000 loss on sale of assets. The Company entered into a lease agreement with Robert E. and Suzanne H. Wheaton for each of the properties sold. The proceeds were used to pay off the obligation to Wells Fargo, the Company’s primary secured creditor in full and unsecured creditors, pursuant to the Bankruptcy Plan. During Fiscal 2017, Robert E. and Suzanne H. Wheaton leased to the Company the Finnegan’s Restaurant in Kalispell, Montana. The Company paid to Robert E. and Suzanne H. Wheaton $601,000 and $545,000 in rent for the Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016, respectively. The Company owes to Robert E. and Suzanne H. Wheaton $382,000 and $42,000 primarily for interest as of January 30, 2017 and January 25, 2016, respectively.

 

 
14

 

 

PROPOSAL 2


RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS

 

The audit committee has appointed Larson & Company PC as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending January 29, 2018, it being intended that such appointment would be presented for ratification by the stockholders. Larson & Company PC also audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2017. Larson & Company PC is expected to have one or more representatives at the annual meeting who will be able to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

Stockholder ratification of the selection of Larson & Company PC as our independent auditors is not required by our By-Laws or other applicable legal requirement. However, we are submitting the selection of Larson & Company PC to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the audit committee and the board of directors will reconsider whether or not to continue to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the audit committee at its discretion may replace Larson & Company PC and appoint different independent auditors at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be appropriate.

 

Fees Billed by Independent Auditors

 

Audit Fees

 

Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of the interim financial statements included in our quarterly reports. Audit fees billed by Larson and Company were $107,000 in Fiscal 2017 and were $111,000 in Fiscal 2016.

 

Audit-Related Fees   

 

Audit-Related Fees consist of all fees billed for audit-related services, including fees for services rendered in connection with any audit of the Company’s employee benefit plan. There are no audit-related fees billed by Larson and Company for Fiscal 2017 or Fiscal 2016.

 

Tax Fees

 

Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include tax planning, assistance with the preparation of various tax returns, services rendered in connection with acquisitions and advice on other tax-related matters. Tax fees billed by CBIZ MHM, LLC were $40,000 in Fiscal 2017 and were $63,000 in Fiscal 2016.

 

All Other Fees

 

All other fees consist of fees billed for products and services not included above. The Company did not have any other fees for the fiscal years ended January 30, 2017 and January 25, 2016.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval

 

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve the fees and other compensation to be paid to our independent auditors, and to determine the scope of permitted non-audit services and pre-approve the provision of those services by our independent auditors. All non-audit services were pre-approved by the audit committee during Fiscal 2017.

 

 
15

 

 

Audit Committee Report

 

In accordance with the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors with fulfilling its oversight responsibility regarding the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of Star Buffet. The Audit Committee has:

 

(1) reviewed and discussed Star Buffet’s audited financial statements with management;

 

(2) discussed with Larson & Company PC, Star Buffet’s independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T; and

 

(3) received the written disclosures and the letter from Larson & Company PC, required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and has discussed with Larson & Company PC their independence from Star Buffet.

 

Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in Star Buffet’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2017.

 

 

SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

Thomas G. Schadt

B. Thomas M. Smith, Jr.

Todd S. Brown

 

The material in this audit committee report is not “soliciting material” and is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of Star Buffet under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

 

Required Vote and Board Recommendation

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock voted on Proposal 2 at the annual meeting is required to approve the proposal. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes have any effect on the outcome of this proposal.

 

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF LARSON & COMPANY PC AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2018.

 

 
16

 

   

PROPOSAL 3

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF  

FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Background

 

Under Section 14A of the Exchange Act (“Section 14A”), which was enacted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and under related rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company’s stockholders are entitled, once every six years, to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on how frequently the Company should consider future Say-on-Pay proposals (as defined below) at its annual meetings of stockholders (referred to as a “Say-on-Frequency” vote). This Proposal 3 gives the Company’s stockholders the opportunity to indicate whether they would prefer that, during the next six years, the Company’s stockholders be given a non-advisory vote on future Say-on-Pay proposals once every one, two, or three years. Company stockholders also may, if they wish, abstain from casting a vote on this proposal.

 

The Board values dialogue with its stockholders on executive compensation and other important corporate governance matters.

After considering the benefits and consequences of each option for the frequency of the Say-on-Pay advisory vote, the Board of Directors has determined that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is the most appropriate alternative for the Company. Therefore, the Board recommends that you vote for having the Say-on-Pay advisory vote occur every year.

 

The Board believes that an annual Say-on-Pay advisory vote provides the highest level of accountability and communication. An annual vote will allow shareholders to provide the Company with direct input on the executive compensation information presented in the proxy statement each year.

 

Similar to the Say-on-Pay proposal, this vote is only advisory in nature and will not bind the Company or the Board to adopt any particular frequency. However, the Board values the opinion of the Company’s stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when determining how frequently to address future Say-on-Pay proposals. Regardless of the outcome of this Say-on-Frequency vote, the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and the Company to include a Say-on-Pay proposal in the Company’s proxy statement more or less frequently than the frequency receiving the most votes cast by the Company’s stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

 

Following the Annual Meeting to which this proxy statement relates, the next advisory Say-on-Frequency vote will take place in connection with the Company’s 2023 annual meeting.

 

Voting

 

The proxy card allows stockholders to vote (on a non-binding, advisory basis) for one of four choices at the Annual Meeting: one year , two years , three years , or abstain from voting on this proposal.

 

The Board recommends that Stockholders vote, on an advisory basis, for the option of voting every YEAR as the preferred frequency for Stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation.

 

 
17

 

 

PROPOSAL 4

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Background

 

Section 14A requires that the Company provide its stockholders with the opportunity to vote on an advisory (non-binding) resolution to approve the compensation of the named executive officers (referred to as a “Say-on-Pay” proposal) as disclosed in this proxy statement.

 

Accordingly, the following resolution will be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting:

 

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of Robert E. Wheaton, the sole executive officer of the Company, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 2017 Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosures.”

 

As described above under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the Board believes the Company’s compensation of Robert E. Wheaton achieves the primary goals of (i) focusing Robert E. Wheaton, as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President of the Company, on achieving or exceeding measurable performance targets; (ii) encouraging continuation of the Company’s entrepreneurial spirit; (iii) retaining Robert E. Wheaton’s services as a highly-qualified and motivated executive; (iv) promoting the Company’s guiding principles for adherence to a high ethical environment, as well as health and safety standards; and (v) aligning management compensation with stockholder value. The Board encourages stockholders to review in detail the Compensation Discussion and Analysis of this proxy statement and the executive compensation tables both in Proposal 1 of this proxy statement. In light of the information set forth in such sections of this proxy statement, the Board believes the compensation of Robert E. Wheaton for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2017 was fair and reasonable and that the Company’s compensation programs and practices are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

 

The advisory vote on this Say-on-Pay resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather, the vote relates to all aspects of the compensation of Robert E. Wheaton, as the sole executive officer of the Company, as described in this proxy statement. While this vote is only advisory in nature, which means that the vote is not binding on the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee (which is composed solely of independent directors), the Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinion of the Company’s stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when addressing future compensation arrangements.

 

Voting

 

Approval of the resolution above (on a non-binding, advisory basis) requires that the number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, in favor of the resolution exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the resolution.

 

The Board recommends that stockholders vote, on an advisory basis, FOR approval of the compensation of Robert E. Wheaton, as the sole executive officer of the Company, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

 

 
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OTHER MATTERS

 

Our Board does not presently intend to bring any other business before the annual meeting, and so far as is known to the Board, no matters are to be acted upon other than the matters described above. However, if any other matter should properly come before the meeting, the person named on the enclosed proxy card will vote the shares for which he holds proxies in his discretion.

 

 
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Annual Report

 

Our annual report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2017 is our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2017 and which is being mailed concurrently with this proxy statement to all stockholders of record as of May 15, 2017. The annual report is not to be regarded as proxy soliciting material or as a communication by means of which any solicitation is to be made. It is also available at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

 

Our policy is that stockholders may communicate directly with the board of directors in writing. Any such correspondence must be addressed to the Company at its principal executive offices shown on the cover page to this proxy statement, attention: Secretary. Pursuant to our policy, the Secretary will review all such correspondence and will regularly forward such correspondence to the board of directors, without pre-screening, selection or filtering, except with respect to correspondence that is frivolous or duplicative.

 

Stockholder Proposals for the 2018 Annual Meeting

 

Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, proposals by eligible stockholders, as defined below, which are intended to be presented at our annual meeting of stockholders in 2018 must be received by us addressed to Star Buffet, Inc., 2501 N. Hayden Road, Suite 103, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257 by January 23, 2018 in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials related to that meeting. If the month and day of the next annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 calendar days from the month and day of the annual meeting to which this Proxy Statement relates, the Company shall, in a timely manner, inform its shareholders of the change, and the date by which proposals of shareholders must be received. An eligible stockholder is one who is the record or beneficial owner of at least 1% or $2,000 in market value of securities entitled to be voted at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders and has held such securities for at least one year, and who shall continue to own such securities through the date on which the meeting is held.

 

We were not notified of any stockholder proposals to be addressed at our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. Because we were not provided notice of any stockholder proposal to be included in our proxy statement within a reasonable time before mailing, we will be allowed to use our discretionary voting authority if any stockholder proposals are properly raised at the meeting.

 

If we receive notice of a stockholder proposal after April 8, 2018, then we will be allowed to use our discretionary voting authority when the proposal is raised at the meeting, without any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement.

 

Proxy Solicitation Matters

 

This proxy solicitation is being made by our board of directors and is being paid for by Star Buffet, Inc. Following the mailing of the proxy statement, our directors, officers and regular employees may solicit proxies by mail, telephone, telegraph or personal interview. These persons will not receive any additional compensation for these services. Brokerage houses and other nominees, fiduciaries and custodians nominally holding shares of common stock of record will be requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of such shares and will be reimbursed by us for their charges and expenses.

 

 

For the Board of Directors

 

/s/ Robert E. Wheaton  

ROBERT E. WHEATON,

Chairman of the Board

 

May 26, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please submit a proxy card so that your shares may be represented at the meeting.

 

 
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