UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
NOBLE ROMAN'S, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which the transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on
which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration No.:
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(4) Date Filed:
NOBLE ROMAN'S, INC.
ONE VIRGINIA AVENUE, SUITE 300
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204
(317) 634-3377
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 28, 2010
To the Shareholders of Noble Roman's, Inc.:
We are notifying you that the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders of Noble
Roman's, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("Noble Roman's" or the "Company"), will
be held at 10:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at the Hampton
Inn Downtown, 105 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225, for the
following purposes:
1. To elect one Class I director, to serve until the 2011 annual meeting
of shareholders or until his successor is elected and qualified;
2. To elect two Class II directors, to serve until the 2012 annual
meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and
qualified;
3. To elect two Class III directors, to serve until the 2013 annual
meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and
qualified;
4. To ratify the selection of Somerset CPAs, P.C. as the Company's
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December 31, 2010; and
5. To transact any other business that is properly brought before the
annual meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Noble Roman's board of directors has fixed the close of business on March
11, 2010 as the record date to determine the shareholders who are entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. Only holders of record of Noble
Roman's common stock at the close of business on that date will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
Please read carefully the accompanying proxy statement. The proxy statement
is deemed incorporated by reference in and forms a part of this Notice.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareholder Meeting to be held on April 28, 2010.
The Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at
www.nobleromans.com under the heading "Investor Relations."
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting in person, please
promptly complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed
envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. You may
revoke your proxy in the manner described in the proxy statement at any time
before the proxy has been voted at the annual meeting. If you sign and send in
your proxy card and do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be
counted as a vote "FOR" the matters considered at the annual meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors of
Noble Roman's, Inc.
/s/ Paul W. Mobley,
-------------------------------------
Paul W. Mobley,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
April 5, 2010
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NOBLE ROMAN'S, INC.
ONE VIRGINIA AVENUE, SUITE 300
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204
(317) 634-3377
PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
April 28, 2010
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the board of directors of Noble Roman's, Inc., an Indiana corporation
("Noble Roman's" or the "Company"), for use at the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., local time,
at the Hampton Inn Downtown, 105 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
46225, and any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth
in the accompanying notice of annual meeting of shareholders.
Unless otherwise directed by the giver of the proxy, the persons named in
the enclosed form of proxy, or the one of them who acts, will vote all shares
subject to the proxy as follows:
FOR the election of Mr. Douglas Coape-Arnold as a Class I director of the
Company, to serve until the 2011 annual meeting of shareholders or until
his successor is elected and qualified;
FOR the election of Jeffrey Gaither and Paul W. Mobley as Class II
directors of the Company, to serve until the 2012 annual meeting of
shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified;
FOR the election of James Basili and A. Scott Mobley as Class III directors
of the Company, to serve until the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders or
until their successors are elected and qualified;
FOR the ratification of the engagement of Somerset CPAs, P.C. as the
Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December 31, 2010; and
In their discretion on the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the annual meeting.
This proxy statement, the notice of annual meeting and the accompanying
proxy form were first mailed to the holders of our common stock on or about
April 5, 2010. We will bear the entire expense of soliciting proxies. Proxies
will be solicited by mail initially. Our directors, executive officers and
employees also may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or other means,
but they will not be specially compensated for such services. Certain holders of
record, such as brokers, custodians and nominees, may be requested to distribute
proxy materials to beneficial owners and will be reimbursed by us for their
reasonable expenses incurred in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners.
A shareholder who executes a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is
exercised by delivering to us another proxy bearing a later date, by submitting
written notice of the revocation to our corporate secretary or by personally
appearing at the annual meeting and casting a contrary vote.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2010 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. On such date, there
were 19,412,499 shares of our common stock outstanding and approximately 300
holders of record. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each
matter to be voted upon at the annual meeting.
The Company's By-Laws provide that the holders of a majority of the
Company's outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present
in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business at the meeting. Abstentions and "broker non-votes" will be counted
as present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.
A "broker non-vote" occurs when a broker lacks discretionary voting power
to vote on a "non-routine" proposal and a beneficial owner fails to give the
broker voting instructions on that matter. As the result of a recent rule
change, the election of directors is no longer considered a "routine" matter.
Beneficial owners who hold their shares through stock brokerage accounts will
have to give voting instructions to their brokers in order for the brokers to
vote on the election of directors. If you are a beneficial owner, failure to
provide instructions to your broker will result in your shares not being voted
in connection with the election of directors. The ratification of the selection
of Somerset CPAs, P.C. as the Company's independent registered public accounting
firm for 2010 is currently considered a "routine" matter, and a broker has the
discretionary voting power to vote on this matter without any instructions from
the beneficial owner. Broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining a
quorum, but will have no effect on the election of directors or the ratification
of the selection of Somerset CPAs, P.C. An abstention will count as a vote
against the ratification of the selection of Somerset CPAs, P.C.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy at the meeting and eligible to vote on such
matter is required for the election of each director nominee. A "plurality" in
an election of directors means that the nominees of each class with the largest
number of votes cast will be elected as directors of that class, up to the
maximum number of directors of that class to be chosen at the meeting. At this
year's meeting there are only as many nominees, one Class I, two Class II, and
two Class III, as there are directors to be elected. Therefore, each nominee is
assured of election provided he receives any votes "FOR" his election,
regardless of how many votes to "WITHHOLD AUTHORITY" that nominee receives.
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The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy at the meeting and voting on such matter will be
required for ratification of Somerset CPAs, P.C. as the Company's independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010 and for
the approval of any other matter that might be properly raised and submitted to
a vote at the meeting. However, consistent with our By-Laws, the agenda for this
year's meeting is set and no additional matters, other than the proposals
described in this proxy statement, may be submitted for consideration by our
shareholders at the meeting, other than procedural issues such as adjournment,
postponement or continuation. On procedural issues, all shares represented by
proxy may be voted at the discretion of the attorneys-in-fact named in the
proxies, to the extent permitted by law.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders, in accordance with the
Company's By-Laws, the shareholders will elect one Class I director to serve
until the 2011 annual meeting of shareholders or until his successor is elected
and qualified, two Class II directors to serve until the 2012 annual meeting of
shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified, and two Class
III directors to serve until the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders or until
their successors are elected and qualified. The board of directors has nominated
Douglas Coape-Arnold for election as a Class I director, Jeffrey Gaither and
Paul W. Mobley for election as Class II directors, and James Basili and A. Scott
Mobley for election as Class III directors. All five of the nominees are
currently directors of the Company and have consented to being named in this
proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected.
Should any nominee become unavailable or decline to serve for any reason,
the Company expects that the persons named in the proxy will vote for the
election of another person as may be designated by the board of directors. The
board of directors is not aware of any circumstances likely to cause any nominee
to be unavailable for election or to decline to serve.
The board of directors recommends a vote "FOR" the election of each of the
director nominees.
Set forth below is certain information regarding the nominees and the
executive officers of the Company:
Name Age Positions with the Company
---- --- --------------------------
Paul W. Mobley 69 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer
A. Scott Mobley 46 President, Secretary and Director
James Basili 34 Director
Douglas H. Coape-Arnold 64 Director
Jeffrey Gaither 51 Director
Troy Branson 46 Executive Vice President of Franchising
Mitchell Grunat 57 Vice President of Franchise Services
Michael B. Novak 52 Vice President of Product Development, Purchasing
and Distribution
James D. Bales 40 Vice President of Operations
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The executive officers of the Company serve at the discretion of the board
of directors and are elected at the annual meeting of the board of directors.
During 2009, the board of directors adopted a classified board structure in
which the directors are split into three classes with approximately one-third of
the directors up for election each year. As this meeting is the first meeting
since the classified board structure was adopted, all of our directors are to be
elected at this meeting. Under the new structure, directors will serve staggered
three-year terms or until their successors are elected and qualified.
The following is a brief description of the previous business background of
the executive officers and directors:
Paul W. Mobley has been Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer since December 1991 and a Director since 1974. Mr.
Mobley was President of the Company from 1981 to 1997. From 1975 to 1987, Mr.
Mobley was a significant shareholder and president of a company which owned and
operated 17 Arby's franchise restaurants. From 1974 to 1978, he also served as
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and from l978 to 1981
as Senior Vice President. He is the father of A. Scott Mobley. Mr. Mobley has a
B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana University and is a CPA. Mr. Mobley
is also a Director of Monroe Bancorp.
A. Scott Mobley has been President since 1997 and a Director since January
1992, and Secretary since February 1993. Mr. Mobley was Vice President from
November 1988 to October 1997 and from August 1987 until November 1988 served as
Director of Marketing for the Company. Prior to joining the Company Mr. Mobley
was a strategic planning analyst with a division of Lithonia Lighting Company.
Mr. Mobley has a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University and
an MBA from Indiana University. He is the son of Paul W. Mobley.
James F. Basili has been a Director of the Company since March 2010. Mr.
Basili is the founder and Managing Partner of Blacktree Capital Management, a
partnership that makes long-term investments in undervalued businesses, which
was founded in November 2007. Prior to founding Blacktree, Mr. Basili was a
Partner at Kinderhook Partners, an investment firm he co-founded in 2003.
Earlier, he was a Principal at Geocapital Partners, a leading venture capital
firm managing over $500 million in institutional funds across North America and
Europe. He began his career at the Mitchell Madison Group, a global management
consulting firm. Mr. Basili received his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Harvard
University.
Douglas H. Coape-Arnold has been a Director of the Company since 1999. Mr.
Coape-Arnold has been Managing General Partner of Geovest Capital Partners, L.P.
since January 1997, and was Managing Director of TradeCo Global Securities, Inc.
from May 1994 to December 2002. Mr. Coape-Arnold is a Chartered Financial
Analyst.
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Jeffrey R. Gaither has been a Director of the Company since March 2010. Mr.
Gaither has been a partner with the law firm Bose McKinney & Evans, LLP since
2004 and assumed the position of Managing Partner of that firm on March 1, 2010.
Mr. Gaither has served as counsel to the Company in various matters since 1998.
Mr. Gaither holds a J.D., cum laude, from Indiana University School of Law and a
B.S. in public affairs from Indiana University.
Troy Branson has been Executive Vice President of Franchising for the
Company since November 1997 and from 1992 to 1997, he was Director of Business
Development. Before joining the Company, Mr. Branson was an owner of
Branson-Yoder Marketing Group from 1987 to 1992, after graduating from Indiana
University where he received a B.S. in Business.
Mitchell Grunat has been Vice President of Franchise Services for the
Company since August 2002. Before joining the Company, Mr. Grunat was Chief
Operating Officer of Lanter Eye Care from 2001 to 2002, Business Development
Officer for Midwest Bankers from 2002 to 2001 and Chief Operating Officer for
Tavel Optical Group from 1987 to 2000. Mr. Grunat has a B.A. degree in English
and Philosophy from Muskingum College.
Michael B. Novak has been Vice President of Product Development, Purchasing
and Distribution since March 2006. Before joining the Company, Mr. Novak was
employed by Delco Foods, a regional food distributor from 2001 to 2006. Before
being employed by Delco Foods, he was employed by the Company from 1984 to 2001
as a restaurant General Manager, Area Director of Operations and Director of
Product Development and Distribution.
James D. Bales has been Vice President of Operations since March 2008.
Before becoming Vice President of Operations, Mr. Bales held various positions
with the Company beginning in March 2004. Before joining the Company, Mr. Bales
had 15 years of management experience in operations and marketing where he held
various positions with TCBY starting in 1989. Mr. Bales attended Northern
Kentucky University for Graphic Design, Inver Hills Community College for
Business Management and obtained his B.S. in Business from the University of
Phoenix.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
As of March 11, 2010 there were 19,412,499 shares of the Company's
common stock outstanding and 25,000,000 shares are authorized. The following
table sets forth the amount and percentage of the Company's common stock
beneficially owned on March 11, 2010 by (1) each director and named executive
officer individually, (2) each beneficial owner of more than five percent of the
Company's outstanding common stock known to the Company and (3) all executive
officers and directors as a group.
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Name Number of Shares Percent of
of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned (1) Common Stock (2)
------------------- ---------------------- ----------------
Paul W. Mobley 3,156,035 (3) 15.5%
A. Scott Mobley 1,116,103 (4) 5.7
James Basili 153,105 (5) .7
Douglas H. Coape-Arnold 250,000 (6) 1.3
Jeffrey Gaither 10,000 -
James Bales - -
Troy Branson 90,100 (7) -
Mitchell Grunat 20,000 (8) -
Michael B. Novak 20,000 (9) -
James W. Lewis 1,909,580 (10) 9.8
Zyville E. Lewis 1,145,396 (11) 5.9
Timothy Riley 1,190,300 (12) 6.1
Robert P. Stiller 3,830,000 (13) 19.7
All executive officers and
directors as a group (9 persons) 4,815,343 22.7%
----------
(1) All shares owned directly with sole investment and voting power, unless
otherwise noted.
(2) The percentage calculations are based upon 19,412,499 shares of the
Company's common stock, eligible to vote, issued and outstanding as of
March 11, 2010 and, for each officer or director of the group, the number
of shares subject to options, warrants or conversion rights exercisable
currently or within 60 days of March 11, 2010.
(3) The total includes a warrant to purchase 600,000 shares of common stock, a
warrant to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock and 20,000 shares of
common stock subject to options granted under an employee stock option
plan. Mr. Mobley's address is One Virginia Avenue, Suite 300, Indianapolis,
IN 46204.
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(4) The total also includes a warrant to purchase 300,000 shares of common
stock, a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock and 85,000
shares of common stock subject to options granted under an employee stock
option plan. Mr. Mobley's address is One Virginia Avenue, Suite 300,
Indianapolis, IN 46204.
(5) These securities are held in the account of Blacktree Partners, L.P. (the
"Partnership") for which Blacktree Capital Management, LLC (the "General
Partner") serves as General Partner. Mr. Basili is the sole owner of the
General Partner. Mr. Basili may be deemed to beneficially own these
securities held by the Partnership by virtue of the General Partner's
position in the Partnership and Mr. Basili's status as the sole member of
the General Partner. Mr. Basili disclaims any beneficial ownership of the
securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and this
shall not be deemed an admission that Mr. Basili is the beneficial owner of
these securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Act of 1934,
as amended, or for any other purpose.
(6) This total includes a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock
and a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock. This total does
not include 477,500 shares reported to be held by Geovest Capital Partners,
LP on a Form 4 filed December 24, 2009. Although Mr. Coape-Arnold is a
Managing Partner of Geovest Capital Partners, LP, he disclaims beneficial
ownership of such shares beyond his interest in Geovest Capital Partners.
(7) This total includes 10,000 shares of common stock subject to options
granted under an employee stock option plan.
(8) This total includes 20,000 shares of common stock subject to options
granted under an employee stock option plan.
(9) This total includes 20,000 shares of common stock subject to options
granted under an employee stock option plan.
-7-
(10) This total includes 138,580 shares of common stock owned by James Lewis
Family Investments LP, 220,000 shares of common stock owned by James W.
Lewis MPPP and 200,000 shares owned by Geometry Asset Management, Inc. Mr.
Lewis's address is 335 Madison Ave., Suite 1702, New York, NY 10017.
(11) Mr. Lewis's address is 456 N. Maple Street, Greenwich, CT 06830.
(12) Based on a Schedule 13G filed January 6, 2010, by Timothy Riley. Mr.
Riley's address is 34 Hedge Brook Lane, Stamford, CT 06903.
(13) Based on a Schedule 13G filed February 4, 2010, by Robert P. Stiller. Mr.
Stiller's address is 33 Coffee Lane, Waterbury, VT 05676.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Paul W. Mobley serves both as the Chairman on the board of directors and
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company does not have a
designated lead independent director. For a number of years the Company has
operated using the traditional U.S. board leadership structure under which the
Chief Executive Officer also serves as Chairman of the board of directors. The
board of directors believes that, given the Company's relatively small size and
limited resources, the Company has been well-served by this leadership structure
and that this structure continues to be the optimal structure for our Company
and our shareholders. The board of directors believes that this structure
demonstrates to our employees, customers and shareholders strong leadership,
with a single person having primary responsibility for managing the Company's
operations.
Our board of directors has responsibility for the oversight of risk
management. Our board of directors from time to time discusses with management
areas of material risk exposures, their potential impact on the Company, the
steps we take to monitor risk exposure and controls to mitigate such exposures.
The Company has adopted a code of ethics for its senior executive and
financial officers. The code of ethics can be obtained without charge by
contacting the Company's executive office at One Virginia Ave., Suite 300,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.
In 2009, the board of directors met six times. During 2009, each of the
directors of the Company attended all six meetings of the board of directors,
i.e., there was 100% attendance of meetings during 2009. All directors are
encouraged to attend our annual meeting of shareholders. The Company did not
hold an annual meeting of shareholders in 2009. The Company does not have
standing audit, nominating and compensation committees.
Certain Relationships and Transactions
The Company has reviewed all transactions to which the Company and certain
officers and directors of the Company are a party or have a financial interest.
The board of directors of the Company has adopted a policy that all transactions
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between the Company and its officers, directors, principal shareholders and
other affiliates must be approved by a majority of the Company's disinterested
directors, and be conducted on terms no less favorable to the Company than could
be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Jeffrey Gaither is a partner with the Bose McKinney & Evans, LLP, a law
firm that performs various legal services for the Company. The Company paid Bose
McKinney for services rendered approximately $370,000 and $171,000,
respectively, during 2009 and 2008. Other than Jeffrey Gaither's relationship
with Bose McKinney, the board of directors has determined that there were no
related party transactions since January 1, 2009 that are required to be
disclosed in this proxy statement. In making this determination the board of
directors considered consulting fees paid to Mr. Coape-Arnold and determined
that this item was not required to be disclosed due to the amount of the
payments.
The Company's board of directors is currently comprised of Paul W. Mobley,
our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, A. Scott Mobley, our President and
Chief Operating Officer, James Basili, Douglas H. Coape-Arnold and Jeffrey
Gaither. For the purpose of determining director independence, the Company has
adopted the New York Stock Exchange definition of independence. The board of
directors has determined that Mssrs. Basili and Coape-Arnold are independent
directors under that definition.
Board Role in Audit Process
The board of directors does not have a separately established audit
committee. Because no separate audit committee has been established, the board
of directors, as a whole, performs certain functions ordinarily delegated to an
audit committee. The board of directors has determined that Mr. Coape-Arnold is
qualified as an "Audit Committee Financial Expert."
The board of directors has reviewed and discussed with management and with
Somerset CPAs, C.P., the Company's independent auditor, the Company's audited
consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31,
2009. The board of directors also has discussed with Somerset CPAs, C.P. the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
"Communication with Audit Committees," as amended. The board of directors has
received the written disclosures and the letter from Somerset CPAs, P.C.
required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board regarding the independent accountant's communications with the board of
directors concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent
accountant the independent accountant's independence. Based upon the board of
directors' review and discussions noted above, the board of directors
recommended that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company be
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Board of Directors of Noble Roman's, Inc.
Paul W. Mobley, A. Scott Mobley and Douglas Coape-Arnold
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Board Role in Nominations
The Company does not have a standing nominating committee. The board of
directors does not believe that a nominating committee is necessary due to the
Company's relatively small size, the relatively small size of its board of
directors and historically limited need to add new directors. Over the recent
past, the Company has rarely had a vacancy on the board of directors and when a
vacancy has occurred the entire board has participated in the nomination
process. The board expects all of the directors to participate in the nomination
process and in the review of potential nominees. The board of directors does not
have a formal policy regarding the consideration of shareholder nominees,
however, the board will consider nominees on a case-by-case basis. There are no
specific qualifications that a nominee must have in order to be considered. When
a vacancy exists, the board generally relies on the personal knowledge and
references of the directors and publicly available data to identify potential
nominees.
The board of directors adopted amended and restated By-Laws effective
December 18, 2009 that included changes to the procedures by which shareholders
may nominate directors. Among other items, these provisions set forth the
procedures that shareholders must follow in order for a shareholder nominee to
be considered at a meeting, the information that a shareholder must provide to
the Company with respect to itself and the nominee, and the deadlines within
which a shareholder nomination must be received in order to be considered at a
meeting.
Board Role in Compensation Determinations
The Company does not have a standing compensation committee. The
compensation program is supervised by the entire board of directors. The board
of directors does not believe that a compensation committee is necessary due to
the Company's relatively small size and the relatively small size of its board
of directors. All directors participate in compensation discussions. A director
that is also an officer does not vote on his own compensation. The compensation
of the Chairman/CEO and the President of the Company has been set by long-term
contracts with those individuals. The compensation of other executive officers
of the Company is determined by the Chairman/CEO and President and approved by
the Company's board of directors. Other than the Chairman/CEO and President, no
other executive officer participates in the compensation process.
Communication with the Board
Communications by shareholders or by other parties may be sent to the board
of directors by U.S. mail or overnight delivery and should be addressed to the
board of directors c/o Secretary, Noble Roman's, Inc., One Virginia Avenue,
Suite 300, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204. Communications directed to the board of
directors, or one or more directors, will be reviewed by the Secretary and
forwarded to the board of directors as appropriate and may be made anonymously.
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Section l6(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
-------------------------------------------------------
Each of A. Scott Mobley, Troy Branson, Mitchell Grunat and Jim Bales failed
to file a Form 4 to reflect the change in the exercise price of certain options
they hold that occurred in January 2009. Based solely on a review of the copies
of reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Company's common stock,
furnished to the Company, the Company believes that except as described above
all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 were complied with.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Because no separate Compensation Committee has been established, the board
of directors, as a whole, performs certain functions ordinarily delegated to a
Compensation Committee. Paul W. Mobley, A. Scott Mobley and Douglas H.
Coape-Arnold participated in executive compensation decisions for the year ended
December 31, 2009. The Company expects that James Basili and Jeffrey Gaither
also will participate in such decisions on the same basis as the other directors
for future periods.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table for 2009
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation awarded
to or earned by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and the
two other highest paid executive officers of the Company.
Non-Equity
Incentive Option Total
Name and Principal Position(s) Year Salary Compensation Awards(1) Compensation
Paul Mobley 2009 $400,000 $ - $ - $400,000
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive 2008 $439,000 $ - $ - $439,000
Officer and Chief Financial Officer
A. Scott Mobley 2009 $306,800 $ 26,999 $ - $333,799
President and Secretary 2008 $306,132 $ - $ 39,375 $345,507
Troy Branson 2009 $100,000 $ 97,108 $ - $197,108
Executive Vice President of Franchising 2008 $100,000 $ 87,332 $ 11,250 $198,582
(1) These amounts represent the grant date fair value of the option awards and
the incremental fair value of certain option awards with respect to which
the exercise price was adjusted.
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Equity Incentive Awards
The Summary Compensation Table includes the grant date fair value for 2008
and 2009 for stock options granted to the named executive officers under the
Company's employee stock option plan. The Company determines the grant date fair
value of stock options calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See
Note 7 to the Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a
discussion of the Company's determination of the grant date fair value of stock
options.
The Company granted options on March 24, 2008 for 465,000 shares at an
exercise price equal to the then-current market price of $1.35 per share. On
January 8, 2009, the board of directors adjusted the exercise price of certain
options granted on March 24, 2008 to executive officers other than Paul W.
Mobley from the initial exercise price of $1.35 per share to the then-current
market price of $.36 per share. These options included an option to purchase
175,000 shares granted to A. Scott Mobley and an option to purchase 50,000
shares granted to Troy Branson. The incremental fair value of these changes,
calculated as of January 8, 2009 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, is
included in the option awards column. The Company expects all stock options
outstanding at December 31, 2009, to vest. No stock options were granted or
exercised during 2009.
The Company maintains an employee stock option plan for our employees and
officers that is designed to motivate them to increase shareholder value. Any
employees or officers of the Company are eligible to be awarded options under
the plan. The employee stock option plan provides that any options issued
pursuant to the plan will have a three-year vesting period and will expire ten
years after the date of grant. The vesting period is intended to provide
incentive for longevity with the Company. Awards under the plan are periodically
made at the recommendation of the Chairman/CEO and President and approved by the
board of directors. The employee stock option plan does not have a limit on the
number of shares that may be issued under the plan.
Employment Agreements
Paul Mobley has an employment agreement with the Company which fixes his
base compensation at $492,484 per year for 2009 (although Mr. Mobley voluntarily
reduced his base compensation to $400,000 for 2009), provides for reimbursement
of travel and other expenses incurred in connection with his employment,
including the furnishing of an automobile, health and accident insurance similar
to that provided other employees, and life insurance in an amount related to his
base salary. The initial term of the agreement is seven years and automatically
renews each year for a seven-year period unless the board of directors takes
specific action to not renew. The agreement is terminable by the Company for
just cause as defined in the agreement. The agreement does not provide for any
benefits payable as a result of a change of control of the Company.
A. Scott Mobley has an employment agreement with the Company which fixes
his base compensation at $325,208 per year for 2009 (although Mr. Mobley
voluntarily reduced his base compensation to $306,800 for 2009), provides for
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reimbursement of travel and other expenses incurred in connection with his
employment, including the furnishing of an automobile, health and accident
insurance similar to that provided other employees, and life insurance in an
amount related to his base salary. The initial term of the agreement is five
years and automatically renews each year for a five-year period unless the board
of directors takes specific action to not renew. The agreement is terminable by
the Company for just cause as defined in the agreement. The agreement does not
provide for any benefits payable as a result of a change of control of the
Company.
Non-Equity Incentive Arrangements
The Company currently has a non-equity incentive arrangement with our
President under which he may earn additional compensation if the Company's net
income increases for a given year as compared to the immediately prior year. For
the purposes of this calculation we exclude any one-time gains or gains or
losses from discontinued operations. For 2009 our net income increased from
2008, therefore, the President did earn additional compensation for 2009 in the
amount of $26,999.
The Company also currently has a non-equity incentive arrangement with our
Executive Vice President of Franchising under which he may earn additional
compensation. His compensation is based on 2.5% of all royalty and fee revenue
associated with franchising less the direct expenses of those activities
excluding any administrative cost. The net revenue for this activity under this
calculation in 2009 was $3.9 million, therefore, our Executive Vice President of
Franchising earned $97,108 of compensation for 2009.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
--------------------------------------------
The following table sets forth information concerning the number of
outstanding equity awards of the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table as of December 31, 2009.
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Option Awards
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Securities Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Underlying Unexercised Option Exercise Option Expiration
Name Options (#) Exercisable Options (#) Unexercisable Price ($) Date
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul W. Mobley 20,000 $ .55 8/7/12
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Scott Mobley 20,000 $ 1.45 12/1/10
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20,000 $ .55 8/7/12
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20,000 $ .83 12/22/14
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25,000 $ 2.30 8/28/16
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175,000 $ .36 3/24/18
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Troy Branson 10,000 $ 2.30 8/28/16
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50,000 $ .36 3/24/18
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All options listed above vested or will vest three years after the
date of the grant, and expire ten years after the grant date.
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
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Fees Earned or All Other
Name Paid in Cash ($) Option Awards ($) Compensation ($) Total ($)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Douglas H. Coape-Arnold - - $62,400 $62,400
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company has engaged Mr. Coape-Arnold as a consultant and does not
separately compensate him for his service as a director. Mr. Coape-Arnold was
paid $79,200 in consulting fees in 2008, and $62,400 in consulting fees in 2009.
The board of directors appointed James Basili and Jeffrey Gaither to the
board of directors effective as of March 16, 2010. As compensation for their
service on the board of directors, Mr. Gaither and Mr. Basili will each receive
a $14,000 annual retainer fee, a $1,000 fee for each board of directors meeting
attended, a $1,000 annual fee for each committee on which such director serves,
and a $900 fee for each committee meeting attended. Mr. Gaither and Mr. Basili
also will be eligible for stock option grants and will be reimbursed for
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their board service.
The Company does not pay any separate compensation for directors that are
also employees of the Company.
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The board of directors has appointed the firm of Somerset CPAs, C.P.
("Somerset") as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for
2010. Somerset has served as the Company's independent registered public
accounting firm since 2006. Although action by the shareholders in this matter
is not required, the board of directors believes that in light of the critical
role played by the independent registered public accounting firm in maintaining
the integrity of the Company's financial controls and reporting, it is a matter
of good practice.
In the event our shareholders fail to approve the proposal to appoint
Somerset as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, the
board of directors will reconsider whether or not to retain the firm. Even if
the selection is ratified, the board of directors in its discretion may direct
the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at
any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the
best interest of the Company and our shareholders.
-14-
The board of directors recommends a vote "FOR" the proposal to ratify the
selection of Somerset CPAs, P.C. as the Company's independent registered public
accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2010.
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S FEES
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered
by Somerset for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of our
quarterly financial statements, and fees billed for other services rendered by
Somerset during 2008 and 2009.
2009 2008
---- ----
Audit fees and review fees (1) $84,000 $78,000
--------------
(1) Audit fees consist of fees rendered for professional services rendered
by Somerset CPAs, P.C. for the audit of our financial statements
included in our Forms 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2008 and
2009 and the review of the unaudited financial statements included in
our quarterly reports during 2008 and 2009.
The engagement of Somerset, for conducting the audit of the Company's
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, and for the
review of its financial statements included in its Form 10-Q's during 2008 and
2009, was pre-approved by the Company's board of directors. Somerset has not
been engaged by the Company to perform any services other than audits of the
Company's financial statements and reviews of its Form 10-Qs. The board of
directors does not have a pre-approval policy with respect to work performed by
the Company's independent auditor.
Representatives of Somerset CPAs, P.C. are not expected to attend the
annual meeting.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2011 ANNUAL MEETING
If a shareholder wishes to have a proposal included in the Company's proxy
statement for an annual meeting, the shareholder must satisfy the requirements
established under our By-Laws and the requirements established by the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, requires that shareholders requesting to have a proposal included in
the Company's proxy statement for an annual meeting of shareholders must submit
their proposal in writing to the Company at least 120 days before the
anniversary date of the date the Company's proxy statement was released to
shareholders for the prior year's annual meeting. Therefore, any shareholder
requesting to submit a proposal for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement
for the 2011 annual shareholders' meeting must deliver a proposal to the
Secretary of the Company no later than December 6, 2010.
-15-
Any shareholder of Noble Roman's eligible to vote in an election may also
make shareholder proposals and nominations for the 2011 annual meeting outside
of the process described above for proposals subject to Rule 14a-8. In order to
be considered at the 2011 annual meeting, all shareholder proposals, nominations
and notifications submitted outside of the process described above for proposals
subject to Rule 14a-8 must (1) comply with the procedures set forth in the
Company's By-Laws, and (2) be delivered to the Secretary of the Company no
earlier than December 29, 2010 and no later than January 28, 2011.
OTHER MATTERS
The board of directors does not intend to bring any matters before the
meeting other than as stated in this proxy statement, and is not aware that any
other matters will be presented for action at the meeting. If any other matters
come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will
vote the proxy with respect thereto in accordance with their best judgment,
pursuant to the discretionary authority granted by the proxy. Whether or not you
plan to attend the Meeting in person, please complete, sign, date and return the
enclosed proxy form promptly.
/s/ Paul W. Mobley,
------------------------------------
Paul W. Mobley,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
April 5, 2010
Indianapolis, Indiana
[LOGO OF NOBLE ROMAN'S]
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in [X]
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
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Annual Meeting Proxy Card
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PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Proposals -- THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL THE NOMINEES LISTED AND FOR THE RATIFICATION
OF AUDITORS:
1. Election of one Class I director: For Withhold
01 - Douglas Coape-Arnold [ ] [ ]
2. Election of two Class II directors: For Withhold For Withhold
01 - Jeffrey R. Gaither [ ] [ ] 02 - Paul W. Mobley [ ] [ ]
3. Election of two Class III directors: For Withhold For Withhold
01 - James F. Basili [ ] [ ] 02 - A. Scott Mobley [ ] [ ]
For Against Abstain
4. Ratification of Somerset CPAs, P.C. as the Company's independent registered [ ] [ ] [ ]
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010:
B Non-Voting Items
Change of Address -- Please print new address below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Authorized Signatures -- This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. -- Date and Sign Below
Please date and sign in the exact name in which you own Noble Roman's, Inc. Common Stock. Executors, administrators,
trustees and others acting in a representative or fiduciary capacity should so indicate when signing.
Signature 1 -- Signature 2 --
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) -- Please print date below. Please keep signature within the box. Please keep signature within the box.
/ /
--------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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[LOGO OF NOBLE ROMAN'S]
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Proxy -- Noble Roman's, Inc.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Paul W. Mobley and A. Scott Mobley, and each of them, with or without the other, true and
lawful attorney(s), with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned
to vote as designated below all of the shares of Common Stock, no par value, of Noble Roman's, Inc. that the undersigned is
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Noble Roman's, Inc. to be held at Hampton Inn Downtown, 105 S.
Meridian, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, at 10:00 a.m., local time, April 28, 2010, and at any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
This proxy also may be voted, in the discretion of the proxies, on any matter that may properly come before the meeting and
any adjournment or postponement thereof.
This proxy, when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder(s). If no
direction is made, this proxy will be voted "FOR" each of the nominees listed on the reverse in the election of directors and
"FOR" approval of the matter listed in Proposal 4 on the reverse.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the
Notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement.
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.