DFAN14A

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Filed by the Registrant  ☐                             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))
☐   Definitive Proxy Statement
☐   Definitive Additional Materials
☒   Soliciting material pursuant to §240.14a-12

Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

Post Holdings, Inc.

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☒   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 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 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 Statement No.:

 

     

  (3)  

Filing party:

 

     

  (4)  

Date Filed:

 

     

 

 

 

Filed by Post Holdings, Inc.

Pursuant to Rule 14a-12

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Subject Company: Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

Commission File No.: 0-1667

The following is a letter from Post Holdings, Inc. management to employees of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. on September 20, 2017.

 

LOGO

September 20, 2017

Dear Bob Evans colleagues,

On behalf of everyone at Post Holdings, I want to let you know how excited we are about the prospect of working together with you. We are longtime fans of Bob Evans and the extraordinary reputation you have built with retail and foodservice customers and consumers across the country. We look forward to getting to know you even better – and learning from you – in the years ahead.

While our companies are obviously different, I have been struck by how much Bob Evans and Post have in common – deeply held values, long histories of innovation and service, strong Midwestern roots and a passion for making nutritious and affordable food that consumers love. I am confident that by combining our leading operations, stellar people and cherished brands, we will bring together two great companies – and exceptional product portfolios – to create an even stronger offering across markets, categories and regions.

While it is premature to begin looking at specific plans for a combined company, I want you to know that Post is firmly committed to Bob Evans’ continued growth. We are focused on investing in the business for the long-term and maintaining the company’s exceptional brands.

I am also pleased that Mike Townsley has agreed to take on a critical leadership role in our combined company, once this transaction is completed. We look forward to our shared company benefiting from his expertise – and yours.

I hope to have the opportunity to meet many of you in person in the near future, and invite you to visit us online to learn a bit more about Post Holdings, our portfolio of products and our commitments to company and supplier responsibility at www.postholdings.com.

Best regards,

Rob Vitale

President and CEO, Post Holdings

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed merger, Bob Evans intends to file a preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). BOB EVANS STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED MERGER BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to stockholders of Bob Evans. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents (when they become available) free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. In addition, stockholders may obtain free copies of the documents (when they become available) at the Bob Evans website, www.bobevansgrocery.com, under the heading “Investors.”

Participants in the Solicitation

Bob Evans, Post and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Bob Evans in connection with the proposed merger. Information regarding Post’s directors and executive officers is included in Post’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on November 18, 2016 and the proxy statement for Post’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on December 8, 2016. Information regarding Bob Evans’ directors and executive officers is included in the Bob Evans Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 28, 2017, filed with the SEC on June 15, 2017 and the proxy statement for Bob Evans’ 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on July 14, 2017. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger will be included in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this letter are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made based on known events and circumstances at the time of release, and as such, are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. These statements may be identified from the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” “continues,” “plans,” “forecasts,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “would,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “targets,” “is likely,” “will,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, and include all statements regarding future performance, earnings projections, events or developments. There is no assurance that the acquisition of Bob Evans by Post will be consummated and there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein. The risks and uncertainties in connection with such forward-looking statements related to the proposed transaction include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could delay the closing of the proposed transaction; the possibility of non-consummation of the proposed transaction and termination of the merger agreement; the ability and timing to obtain the approval of Bob Evans’ stockholders and required regulatory approvals and to satisfy other closing conditions to the merger agreement; the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction may affect the timing or occurrence of the proposed transaction or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; adverse effects on Post’s common stock or Bob Evans’ common stock because of the failure to complete the proposed transaction; Post’s or Bob Evans’ respective businesses experiencing disruptions from ongoing business operations due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors making it more difficult than expected to maintain relationships with employees, business partners or governmental entities, both before and following consummation of the transaction; Post and Bob Evans being unable to promptly and effectively implement integration strategies and obtain expected cost savings and synergies within the expected timeframe; Post’s ability to retain certain key employees at Bob Evans; significant transaction costs which have been and may continue to be incurred related to the proposed transaction; and other risks and uncertainties described in Post’s and Bob Evans’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Post and Bob Evans caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent Post’s and Bob Evans’ judgment as of the date of this letter, and Post and Bob Evans undertake no obligation to update or revise them unless otherwise required by law.