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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2020
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Registration No. 333-
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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72-1060618
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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1030 W. Canton Avenue, Suite 100,
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 333-7400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
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Alice G. Givens
Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.
1030 W. Canton Avenue, Suite 100,
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 333-7400:
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(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
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Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:
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James S. Rowe
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
300 North LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 862-2000
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time on or after the effective date of this registration statement.
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If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
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If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
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If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
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If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
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If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
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If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.Large accelerated filer☒Accelerated filer☐Non-accelerated filer☐Smaller reporting company☐Emerging growth company☐
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered(1)
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Amount to be
Registered(1)(2)
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Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per Unit(1)(2)
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Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2)
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Amount of Registration Fee(1)(2)
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Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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Depositary Shares(3)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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Warrants(4)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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Subscription Rights(5)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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Share Purchase Contracts
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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Share Purchase Units
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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Total
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(1)(2)
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(1)(2)
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$75,000,000
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$9,735
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(1)
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The proposed maximum per unit and aggregate offering prices per class of securities will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement and for each class in reliance on General Instruction II.D of Form S-3. An indeterminate number of the securities of each identified class to be offered at indeterminate prices is being registered pursuant to this registration statement with a maximum aggregate offering price not to exceed $75,000,000. Securities registered hereunder may be offered in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Pursuant to Rule 457(o), the registration fee is calculated based on the maximum aggregate offering price of all securities listed.
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(2)
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Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act, the securities registered hereunder includes such indeterminate amount of securities as may be issued upon exercise, conversion or exchange of, pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments, or pursuant to a stock dividend, stock split or similar transaction with respect to securities that provide for such issuance, exercise, conversion, exchange, adjustment, stock split or similar transaction. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any of these securities.
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(3)
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Each depositary share registered hereunder will be issued under a deposit agreement and will represent an interest in a fractional share or multiple shares of common stock or preferred stock and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt.
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(4)
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Warrants represent rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock registered under this registration statement.
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(5)
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The subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock or preferred stock will be offered without additional consideration.
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The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Share Purchase Contracts
Share Purchase Units
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We may offer and sell from time to time in one or more offerings any combination of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights, share purchase contracts or share purchase units described in this prospectus.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of these securities. Each time we offer and sell these securities, we will provide the specific terms of any such offering of these securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer these securities and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, before you make an investment decision. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis, directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth their names and any applicable commissions or discounts.
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “RUTH.”
Investing in these securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before making an investment decision.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2020.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time sell any combination of shares of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants to purchase equity securities, subscription rights to purchase equity securities, share purchase contracts and share purchase units in one or more offerings.
Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also supplement, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Therefore, if there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on their respective covers, and that any information incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise.
To understand the terms of the securities described in this prospectus, you should carefully read any applicable prospectus supplement. You should also read the documents we have referred you to under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below for information about us. The shelf registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, can be read at the SEC’s website as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The terms the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” as used in this prospectus refer to Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires. The phrase “this prospectus” refers to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires.
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THE COMPANY
Overview
Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. is one of the largest upscale steakhouse companies in the world. The Ruth’s Chris Steak House (“Ruth’s Chris”) menu features a broad selection of high-quality USDA Prime grade steaks and other premium offerings served in Ruth’s Chris signature fashion—“sizzling” on a 500 degree plate and topped with butter and fresh parsley—complemented by other classic American steakhouse menu items. The Ruth’s Chris brand reflects its 55-year commitment to the core values instilled by its founder, Ruth Fertel, of caring for guests by delivering the highest quality food, beverages and genuine hospitality in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The Ruth’s Chris Steak House brand is one of the strongest in the upscale steakhouse segment of the restaurant industry, with high levels of brand awareness.
Our restaurants cater to special occasion diners and frequent customers, in addition to the business clientele traditionally served by upscale steakhouses, by providing a dining experience designed to appeal to a wide range of guests. We believe our focus on creating this broad appeal provides us with opportunities to expand into a wide range of markets, including many markets not traditionally served by upscale steakhouses.
We offer USDA Prime and other high-quality steaks that are aged and prepared to exact company standards and cooked in 1,800-degree broilers. We also offer veal, lamb, poultry and seafood dishes and a broad selection of appetizers. We complement our distinctive food offerings with an award-winning wine list. During the fiscal year 2019, the average check was $86 per person at Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Restaurants.
As of December 29, 2019, there were 159 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, including 83 Company-owned restaurants, three restaurants operating under contractual agreements and 73 franchisee-owned restaurants, including 21 international franchisee-owned restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan.
We were originally founded in 1965 and were reincorporated in Delaware on May 11, 2005. Our principal executive offices are located at 1030 W. Canton Avenue, Suite 100, Winter Park, FL 32789. Our telephone number is (407) 333-7440. Our website address is www.rhgi.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in the securities offered by this prospectus involves a number of risks. You should carefully consider before making an investment decision:
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the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 27, 2020, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 8, 2020;
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the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement; and
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any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC made pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, which are incorporated by reference herein.
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Each of the risks described below and in the other documents noted above could materially and adversely affect our business, operations, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. Additionally, the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference herein or therein are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently believe to be immaterial, may also adversely affect our business, operations, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The words “believes,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could,” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent management’s current reasonable expectations and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors, risks, and uncertainties include but are not limited to the factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
There may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. We can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them does, what impact they will have on our results of operations and financial condition. You should carefully read the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a description of certain risks that could, among other things, cause our actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as required by law.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, the repayment of debt, working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions. We retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds
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from the sale of the securities offered hereby. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use in short- and medium-term investments, including, but not limited to, marketable securities.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of registered securities of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. is intended as a summary only. As used in this “Description of Our Capital Stock,” the terms “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and do not, unless the context otherwise indicates, include our subsidiaries.
Authorized Capitalization
Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Blank Check Preferred Stock“). Our common stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Common Stock
This description of our common stock is based upon, and qualified by reference to, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (our “Certificate of Incorporation”), our Amended and Restated By-laws (our “By-laws”) and applicable provisions of Delaware corporate law (the “DGCL”). You should read our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, which are incorporated by reference as Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 respectively, to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the provisions that are important to you.
Voting Rights
Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders and there are no cumulative rights. Unless a different vote is required by express provisions of an applicable law or otherwise stated in the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, a matter submitted for stockholder action generally is approved by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Other than in a contested election where directors are elected by a plurality vote, a director nominee shall be elected to the board if the votes of shares of capital stock of the Company present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors cast “for” such nominee’s election exceed the votes of shares of capital stock of the Company present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors cast “against” such nominee’s election (with “abstentions” and “broker non-votes” not counted as votes cast either “for” or “against” that nominee’s election).
Dividend Rights
Subject to preferences to which holders of preferred stock may be entitled, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
Liquidation Rights
If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, holders of our common stock would be entitled to share in our assets remaining after the payment of liabilities, and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Other Matters
Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The issued and outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may designate in the future.
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Blank Check Preferred Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock. Unless required by law or by any stock exchange on which our common stock is listed, the authorized shares of Blank Check Preferred Stock will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders. Our board of directors is authorized to determine or alter the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Blank Check Preferred Stock, and within the limitations or restrictions stated in any resolution or resolutions of our board of directors originally fixing the number of shares constituting any series of Blank Check Preferred Stock, to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series of preferred stock then outstanding) the number of shares of any such series of Blank Check Preferred Stock, and to fix the number of shares of any series of Blank Check Preferred Stock. In the event that the number of shares of any series of Blank Check Preferred Stock shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which such shares had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series of Blank Check Preferred Stock subject to the requirements of applicable law.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of the DGCL, Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
Provisions of the DGCL and our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with us.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless, prior to that time: (1) the corporation’s board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, (2) at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares not owned by that interested stockholder approve the business combination, or (3) upon becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of the outstanding shares, excluding those held by officers, directors and some employee stock plans. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own) 15 percent or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.
Authorized but Unissued Shares. Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may use additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
No Cumulative Voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent; Calling of Special Meeting of Stockholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, at any time during which our common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting, and that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a
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majority of our board of directors or by the chairman of the board of directors.
Advance Notice Provisions. Our By-laws provide that a stockholder must notify us in writing, within timeframes specified in the By-laws, of any stockholder nomination of a director and of any other business that the stockholder intends to bring at a meeting of stockholders.
Supermajority Provisions. The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless either a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws require a greater percentage. Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws provide that the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total votes eligible to be cast in the election of directors will be required to amend, alter, change or repeal our Restated By-laws and specified charter provisions, and the affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of our common stock will be required to amend, alter, change or repeal provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation related to corporate opportunities and transactions with Madison Dearborn Capital Partners III, LP and Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC or affiliates and investment funds of such entities (“Madison Dearborn”). See “Corporate Opportunities and Transactions with Madison Dearborn.” This requirement of a super-majority vote to approve amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation and Restated By-laws could enable a minority of our stockholders to exercise veto power over any such amendments.
Corporate Opportunities and Transactions with Madison Dearborn
Article 9 of our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions regarding Madison Dearborn, in recognition that certain directors, officers, stockholders, members, managers and/or employees of Madison Dearborn (collectively with Madison Dearborn, the “Madison Dearborn Entities”) may serve as one or more of our directors and/or officers, and that the Madison Dearborn Entities may engage in similar activities or lines of business that we do. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides for the allocation of certain corporate opportunities between us and the Madison Dearborn Entities. In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation sets forth ways in which our directors and officers who are also directors, officers, stockholders, members, managers and/or employees of any Madison Dearborn Entity will have fully satisfied and fulfilled his or her fiduciary duty to us and our stockholders with respect to material business transactions that we may engage in with the Madison Dearborn Entities. Holders of our securities will be deemed to have received notice of and consented to these provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation. Any amendment to the foregoing provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of all shares of our common stock then outstanding.
Listing
Our common stock is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “RUTH.”
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Miscellaneous
Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or purchase additional securities of ours. No personal liability will attach to holders of our common stock under the laws of the State of Delaware. All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
The rights of holders of the preferred stock offered may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock that may be issued in the future. The preferred stock will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for shares of each series of preferred stock will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such series.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following description of the depositary shares and terms of the deposit agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the depositary shares and those portions of the deposit agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our depositary shares. There may be other provisions in the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt relating to the depositary shares which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the depositary shares. The forms of the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
We may choose to offer from time to time fractional interests in our shares of our common stock or preferred stock. If we do so, we will issue fractional interests in our common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fraction of a share of common stock or a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as the case may be, and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.
We will deposit the shares of common stock or preferred stock represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a depositary which we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a depositary share you will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of common stock or preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary share, including, as the case may be, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, subscription and liquidation rights.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all payments of cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, in proportion to the numbers of the depositary shares owned by the applicable holders on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount, however, that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.
If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to it, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this happens, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net sale proceeds to the holders. The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights that we offer to holders of the preferred stock will be made available to the holders of depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If we redeem common stock or a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the redemption proceeds received by the depositary. The depositary will mail notice of redemption not less than 30, and not more than 60, days before the date fixed for redemption to the record holders of the depositary shares to be redeemed at their addresses appearing in the depositary’s books. The redemption price for each depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price for each share of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, payable in relation to the redeemed common stock or preferred stock. Whenever we redeem shares of common stock or preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing, as the case may be, fractional interests in the shares of common stock or preferred stock redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the depositary may determine.
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After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be considered outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the cash, securities or other property payable upon the redemption and any cash, securities or other property to which the holders of the redeemed depositary shares were entitled upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.
The amount distributed in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of any taxes.
Voting the Depositary Shares
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled to vote, as holder of fractional interests in common stock or preferred stock, the depositary will mail to you the information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary how to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent practicable, to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action which the depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific instructions from you.
Amendment and Termination of Depositary Agreement
We may enter into an agreement with the depositary at any time to amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, the holders of a majority of the depositary shares must approve any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the existing holders of depositary shares. We or the depositary may terminate the deposit agreement only if (a) all outstanding depositary shares issued under the agreement have been redeemed or (b) a final distribution in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up has been made to the holders of the depositary shares
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred shares and any redemption of the preferred shares. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to resign, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect when a successor depositary has been appointed and has accepted the appointment. Such appointment must occur within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward all reports and communications from us which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required or otherwise determine to furnish to holders of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be.
We and the depositary will not be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for our gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if we or the depositary is
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prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our and the depositary’s obligations under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the agreement. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary shares, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, unless a satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, for deposit, you or other persons believed to be competent and on documents which we and the depositary believe to be genuine.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description of the warrants and terms of the warrant agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the warrants and those portions of the warrant agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our warrants. There may be other provisions in the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the warrants. The forms of the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
We may issue warrants to purchase equity securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include, but are not limited to, the following:
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the title of the warrants;
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the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;
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the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;
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the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;
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the aggregate number of warrants;
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any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;
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the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;
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the terms of any mandatory or optional redemption provisions relating to the warrants;
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the terms of any right we have to accelerate the exercise of the warrants upon the occurrence of certain events;
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if the warrants will be sold with any other securities, and the date, if any, on and after which those warrants and any other securities will be transferable;
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the identity of the warrant agent;
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if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;
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if applicable, a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;
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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants;
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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;
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the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time; and
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any.
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Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of equity securities, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the equity securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.
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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
The following description of the subscription rights and terms of the subscription rights agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the subscription rights and those portions of the subscription rights agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our subscription rights. There may be other provisions in the subscription rights agreement and the subscription certificate relating to the subscription rights which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the subscription rights. The forms of the subscription rights agreement and the subscription certificate will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security and may or may not be transferable. As part of the rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement under which the underwriters or any other person would purchase any securities that are not purchased in such rights offering. If we issue subscription rights, they may be governed by a separate subscription rights agreement that we will sign with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation to any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
In general, a right entitles the holder to purchase for cash a specific number of shares of equity securities at a specified exercise price. The rights are normally issued to stockholders as of a specific record date, may be exercised only for a limited period of time and become void following the expiration of such period. If we determine to issue subscription rights, we will accompany this prospectus with a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things:
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the record date for stockholders entitled to receive the rights;
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the number of equity securities that may be purchased upon exercise of each right;
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the exercise price of the rights;
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whether the rights are transferable;
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the period during which the rights may be exercised and when they will expire;
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the steps required to exercise the rights;
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the price, if any, for the subscription rights;
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the number of subscription rights issued;
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the terms of the equity securities;
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the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;
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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights;
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the other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of the subscription rights;
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whether the rights include “oversubscription rights” so that the holder may purchase more securities if other holders do not purchase their full allotments;
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whether we intend to sell the shares of equity securities that are not purchased in the rights offering to an underwriter or other purchaser under a contractual “standby” commitment or other arrangement; and
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any applicable United States federal income tax considerations.
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If fewer than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND SHARE PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue share purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, or other securities described in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement at a future date or dates. The price per share may be fixed at the time the share purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the share purchase contracts. The share purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of share purchase units consisting of a share purchase contract and either shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, any other security described in the applicable prospectus supplement, or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holder’s obligations to purchase the securities under the share purchase contracts.
The share purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the share purchase units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The share purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner. In certain circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid share purchase contracts upon release to a holder of any collateral securing the holder’s obligations under the original share purchase contract.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the share purchase contracts or share purchase units. The description in the prospectus supplement will only be a summary, and you should read the share purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the share purchase contracts or share purchase units. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the share purchase units and the share purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each share purchase contract or share purchase unit and any related agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
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directly to one or more purchasers;
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in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, into an existing trading market, or a securities exchange or otherwise;
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to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers; or
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through a combination of any of these methods.
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A distribution of shares of our securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, subscriptions, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options. In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the shares of our securities covered by this prospectus includes, without limitation, through:
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a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;
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purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or
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privately negotiated transactions.
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We may also enter into hedging transactions. For example, we may:
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enter into transactions with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof in connection with which such broker-dealer or affiliate will engage in short sales of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus, in which case such broker-dealer or affiliate may use shares of our common stock received from us to close out its short positions;
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sell securities short and redeliver such shares to close out our short positions;
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enter into option or other types of transactions that require us to deliver to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who will then resell or transfer shares of our common stock under this prospectus; or
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loan or pledge shares of our common stock to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who may sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged shares pursuant to this prospectus.
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In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell shares of our securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell
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the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.
We may sell securities in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, through agents, or through a combination of any of these methods.
The prospectus supplement will include the specific plan of distribution, which will include the following information:
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the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;
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the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;
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the purchase price of the securities;
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the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;
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any delayed delivery arrangements;
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any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
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any public offering price;
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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
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any commissions paid to agents; and
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the terms of any arrangement entered into with any dealer or agent.
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Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers
If underwriters are used in the sale of shares of our securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer our securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in any prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell our securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.
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If dealers are used in the sale of shares of our securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
We are subject to the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including Regulation M. Regulation M may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the securities offered in this prospectus. The anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our securities to engage in market-making activities for the particular securities being distributed for a period of up to two business days before the distribution. The restrictions may affect the marketability of the securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities for the securities.
Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents
We may sell our securities directly, and not through underwriters or agents. Our securities may also be sold through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell our securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase our securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
Institutional Purchasers
We may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be, will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.
We will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we approve. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our common stock that is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities.
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In connection with any offering of our securities, the underwriters may purchase and sell our securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of shares of our common stock in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of shares of our common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
General Information
We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with regard to the validity of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chicago, Illinois, and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 29, 2019 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2019 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.rhgi.com. Our website is not part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information concerning us and the securities, you should read the entire registration statement and the additional information described under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below. The registration statement has been filed electronically and may be obtained in any manner listed above. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated in this prospectus. This means that you must read all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed):
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Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2019 filed on February 27, 2020;
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Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 29, 2019 filed on March 2, 2020;
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Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2020, filed on May 8, 2020;
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Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2020, March 31, 2020, April 13, 2020, April 24, 2020 and May 8, 2020 (excluding any portions of such reports that were “furnished” rather than “filed”);
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the description of the Company’s Common Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated August 9, 2005 filed with the SEC to register such securities under the Exchange Act including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
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We also incorporate by reference the information contained in all other documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than those documents or the portions of those documents that are either (1) described in paragraph (e) of Item 201 of Registration S-K or paragraphs (d)(1)-(3) and (e)(5) of Item 407 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC or (2) furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K (including any exhibits included with such items), unless otherwise indicated therein) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offerings under this prospectus. The information contained in any such document will be considered part of this prospectus from the date the document is filed with the SEC.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
You may request copies of these filings at no cost to you by writing or telephoning us as follows:
Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.
1030 W. Canton Avenue, Suite 100,
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 333-7400
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, unless those exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Item 14.
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Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
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The following table sets forth the estimated fees and expenses payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions:
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Amount to
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Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
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$9,735
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Printing expenses
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*
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Accounting fees and expenses
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*
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Legal fees and expenses
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*
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Rating agency fees and expenses
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*
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Miscellaneous expenses
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*
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Total
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$*
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*
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Estimated expenses are not presently known. The foregoing sets forth the general categories of expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that we anticipate we will incur in connection with the offering of securities under this registration statement on Form S-3. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Item 15.
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
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Delaware
Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes a corporation, under certain circumstances, to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of that corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. With respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such indemnification is available if he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Section 145 of the DGCL also empowers a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation against liability asserted against or incurred by him in any such capacity, whether or not such corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of Section 145.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL (relating to liability for unauthorized acquisitions or redemptions of, or dividends on, capital stock) or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived improper personal benefit.
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As permitted by the DGCL, we have included in Article Seven of our Certificate of Incorporation a provision to limit the personal liability of our directors to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages arising from a breach of their fiduciary duties owed to the Company or its stockholders. In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that we are required to indemnify our officers and directors under certain circumstances.
The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation, and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of the DGCL and our Certificate of Incorporation.
Item 16. Exhibits.
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*
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To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or other document to be incorporated by reference herein or to a post-effective amendment hereto, if applicable.
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Item 17. Undertakings.
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(a)
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The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
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(1)
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To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
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(i)
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To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
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(ii)
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To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
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(iii)
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To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
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provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.
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(2)
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That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(3)
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To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
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(4)
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That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
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(i)
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Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
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(ii)
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Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
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(5)
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That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
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The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
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(i)
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Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
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(ii)
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Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
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(iii)
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The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
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(iv)
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Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
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(b)
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The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(c)
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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
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jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Winter Park, State of Florida, on this the 8th day of May, 2020.
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RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Cheryl J. Henry
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Cheryl J. Henry
President and Chief Executive Officer
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KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Cheryl J. Henry, Arne G. Haak and Alice G. Givens or any of them, as true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and revocation, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including any post-effective amendments and supplements, to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing required or necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of May, 2020.
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Signature
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Title
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/s/ Cheryl J. Henry
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
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Cheryl J. Henry
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(Principal Executive Officer)
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/s/ Arne G. Haak
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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Arne G. Haak
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(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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/s/ Michael P. O’Donnell
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Executive Chairman of the Board
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Michael P. O’Donnell
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/s/ Robin P. Selati
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Lead Director
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Robin P. Selati
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/s/ Giannella Alvarez
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Director
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Giannella Alvarez
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/s/ Mary Baglivo
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Director
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Mary Baglivo
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/s/ Carla R. Cooper
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Director
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Carla R. Cooper
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/s/ Stephen M. King
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Director
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Stephen M. King
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/s/ Marie L. Perry
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Director
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Marie L. Perry
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