Truth on the Market

Academic commentary on law, business, economics and more

Burger King Files for IPO

Posted by Bill Sjostrom on February 16, 2006

Burger King Holdings, Inc. filed a registration statement with the SEC today for the sale of $400 million of common stock (click here). While the prospectus does not include a price range or specify how many shares will be sold by BK vs. existing shareholders, it does contain a number of tidbits, including the following:

• BK has enjoyed seven consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth in the United States.

• For fiscal 2005, BK had revenues of $1.94 billion, net income of $47 million, and cash from operating activities of $218 million.

• The BK brand represents 36% of the total assets on BK’s balance sheet.

• 90% of BK restaurants are franchises.

• BK has $1.35 billion is outstanding debt.

• It looks like all of the IPO proceeds will be used to pay down debt.

• BK will be listed on the NYSE under the symbol BKC

• The group of three private equity funds that currently own 95% of BK (the prospectus refers to them as “sponsors�) will retain a majority stake post IPO. Hence, BK will qualify as a “controlled company� under NYSE rules and therefore will not have to comply with various corporate governance standards.

• The sponsors will be party to a post-IPO shareholders agreement providing for the right of each sponsor to appoint two members to the BK board and certain drag-along, tag-along, and registration rights.

As early reported, BK borrowed $350 million so that it can pay a $367 million cash dividend (95% of which will go to the sponsors) on February 21, 2006. BK will also pay $33 million to holders of BK options and restricted stock unit awards, primarily members of senior management, which we refer to as a compensatory make-whole payment. Additionally, BK agreed to pay a one-time $30 million fee to terminate its management agreement with the sponsors upon completion of the IPO.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 868 other followers