Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Restaurants / Ark Restaurants

Ark Restaurants

arkr · NASDAQ Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker arkr
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Restaurants
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2004 Annual Report · Ark Restaurants
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Ark 
Restaurants 
Corp. 

2004 ANNUAL REPORT 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company 

Ark Restaurants Corp. (the “Registrant” or the “Company”) is a New York corporation formed in 
1983.    Through  its  subsidiaries,  it  owns  and  operates  22  restaurants  and  bars,  26  fast  food 
concepts,  catering  operations,  and  wholesale  and  retail  bakeries.    Initially  its  facilities  were 
located  only  in  New  York  City.    At  this  time,  nine  of  the  restaurants  are  located  in  New  York 
City,  four  are  located  in  Washington,  D.C.,  and  nine  are  located  in  Las  Vegas,  Nevada.    The 
Company’s Las Vegas operations include:  

-- 

three  restaurants  within  the  New  York-New  York  Hotel  &  Casino  Resort,  and 
operation  of  the  resort’s  room  service,  banquet  facilities,  employee  dining  room  and  nine  food 
court operations; 

-- 

two  restaurants,  two  bars  and  four  food  court  facilities  at  the  Venetian  Casino 

Resort;  

-- 

-- 

one restaurant at the Neonopolis Center at Fremont Street; and 

one restaurant within the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Shopping Center. 

The Company will provide without charge a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2004, including financial statements and schedules thereto, 
to each of the Company’s shareholders of record on March 4, 2005 and each beneficial holder on 
that  date,  upon  receipt  of  a  written  request  therefore  mailed  to  the  Company’s  offices,  85  Fifth 
Avenue, New York, NY 10003 Attention:  Treasurer. 

2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dear Shareholder: 

March 3, 2005 

For  several  years  your  company  has  focused  on  debt  reduction  and  maximization  of  cash  flow 
from operations.  This past year we succeeded in eliminating all long term debt, we had a cash 
position of $4,435,000 at October 2, 2004 and we increased EBITDA from continuing operations 
to $13,803,000.  We also instituted a dividend policy of $1.40 per share annually, paid $0.35 per 
share quarterly.  Strong comparative same store sales, ideal spring/summer weather conditions in 
the New York and Washington, D.C. markets, a better underlying economy, the further reduction 
of secondary properties from our portfolio and the effort by management to achieve a lower cost 
structure supported this strong performance. 

The  primary  negative  in  our  year  was  increased  commodity  prices  for  beef,  dairy  and  poultry.  
Cost of Goods sold by the Company increased to 25.73% of sales as compared to 24.88% of sales 
in the prior year.  Our resolve is to deliver a quality value proposition to our customers.  Despite 
strong demand for our products this past year, we were hesitant to raise prices until we had the 
time to understand market trends, enabling a rational price approach.  We raised selective menu 
item prices to our customers late in our third quarter.  The increase was modest, but necessary, 
and to date has had no adverse consequence to our business. 

We are strongly aligned to a conservative discipline.  We primarily operate in Las Vegas, New 
York City and Washington, D.C.  We seek only landmark properties with good lease positions.  
We  have,  over  the  years,  observed  and  been  educated  to  the  fact  that  operating  income  from 
properties in casinos, public parks and train stations is more reliable that that of our past portfolio.  
Our plan remains that investment for new operations will come  from partners  willing to accept 
capital risk while we will be paid for management services, which includes cash flow incentives.  
We will not risk our balance sheet; there is wisdom in a strong financial position.  We believe this 
approach will produce the greatest shareholder value by producing the greatest free cash flow. 

While  we  seek  further  opportunity,  we  are  currently  committed  to  only  one  new  project,  the 
building  of  a  Gallagher’s  Steak  House  and  yet  unnamed  bar  and  lounge  at  the  Resorts 
International Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  This hotel-casino property fits our profile and, 
with  an  excellent  management  team,  is  well  positioned  for  the  next  phase  of  development  and 
growth  in  their  market.    There  is  a  minimal  requirement  of  your  company’s  capital  for 
construction and we will be in operation in late summer of 2005. 

We made significant additions to our Board of Directors in the past two years. 

Arthur  Stainman  is  a  senior  managing  director  of  First  Manhattan  Co.  of  New  York 
City, a money management firm, and has over twenty years experience managing money for high 
net worth individuals. Mr. Stainman was elected director of the company in 2004. 

Edward Lowenthal has been the President of Ackeman Management, LLC, a real estate 
investment  firm,  since  April  of  2002  and,  prior  to  that,  was  the  President  of  Wellsford  Real 
Properties,  also  a  real  estate  investment  firm,  and  predecessor  companies,  from  October  1986 
through March 2002.  Mr. Lowenthal was elected director of the company in 2004. 

Marcia Allen was elected a director of the company in 2003. For the past five years, Ms. 
Allen  has  been  the  President  of  Allen  &  Associates  Inc.,  a  business  and  acquisition  consulting 

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
firm. Also, from December 2001 to August 2002 Ms. Allen served as President and a member of 
the board of directors of Accesspoint Inc. 

Steven Shulman was elected a director of the company in December 2003. During the past 
five  years,  Mr.  Shulman  has  been  the  managing  director  of  Hampton  Group  Inc.,  a  company 
engaged in the business of making private investments. Mr. Shulman also serves as a director of 
Paragon Technologies Inc. and various private companies. 

Every year brings new challenges.  Significant this year will be compliance with Section 404 of 
Sarbanes-Oxley legislation.  Conforming to these new regulations, including new specific record 
keeping  procedures  and  an  annual  evaluation  of  internal  controls  by  management  and 
independent  auditors,  will  be  time  consuming  and  our  audit  fees  will  substantially  increase.  
These new regulations, which are intended in the best interests of shareholders, are particularly 
burdensome  for  operations  of  a  company  our  size.    We  will  fulfill  the  requirements  of  this 
legislation in a timely manner. 

I have said in the past we are good managers of your business.  Your employees are dedicated 
and committed to excellence.  This is the only way for us. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Weinstein,  

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President 

4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. 

Corporate Office 
Michael Weinstein, President and Chief Executive Officer 
Robert Towers, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer 
Robert Stewart, Chief Financial Officer 
Vincent Pascal, Senior Vice President-Operations and Secretary 
Paul Gordon, Senior Vice President-Director of Las Vegas Operations 
Walter Rauscher, Vice President-Corporate Sales & Catering 
Nancy Alvarez, Controller 
Kathryn Green, Controller-Las Vegas Operation 
Marilyn Guy, Director of Human Resources 
Colleen Hennigan, Director of Operations-Washington Division 
John Oldweiler, Director of Purchasing 
Jennifer Sutton, Director of Operations and Financial Analysis 
Joe Vasquez, Director of Facilities Management 
Evyette Ortiz, Director of Marketing 
Michael Buck, General Counsel 

Corporate Executive Chef 
Bill Lalor 

Executive Chefs 
Chun Liao, Washington D.C. 
Damien McEvoy, Las Vegas 

Restaurant General Managers-New York 
Liz Caro, The Grill Room 
Patricia Almonte, Columbus Bakery I 
Rosana Skeeter, Columbus Bakery II 
Stephanie Torres, Columbus Bakery III 
Kelly Gallo, Canyon Road 
Bridgeen Hale, Metropolitan Café 
Jennifer Baquierzo, El Rio Grande 
Debra Lomurno, Sequoia 
Donna Simms, Bryant Park Grill 
Ridgley Trufant, Red 
Ana Harris, Gonzalez y Gonzalez 

Restaurant General Managers-Washington D.C. 
Kyle Carnegie, Sequoia 
Bender Gamiao, Thunder Grill 
Matt Mitchell, America & Center Café 

Restaurant Managers-Las Vegas 
David Casey, The Saloon 
Charles Gerbino, Las Vegas Employee Dining Facility 
Larry Downey, Gallagher’s 
Paul Savoy, Village Streets 

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John Hausdorf, Las Vegas Room Service 
Katerina Avila, Tsunami Grill 
Mary Massa, Gonzalez y Gonzalez 
Marcel Serapio, America 
Lia Rispoli, Las Vegas Catering 
Robert Schwartz, Stage Deli 
Claude Cevasco, Lutece 

Restaurant Chefs-New York 
Armando Cortes, The Grill Room 
Rosalio Fuentes, Metropolitan Café 
Santiago Pascual, Sequoia 
Santiago Moran, Red 
Virgilio Ortega, Columbus Bakery 
Fermina Ramirez, El Rio Grande 
Ruperto Ramirez, Canyon Road Grill 
Mariano Veliz, Gonzalez y Gonzalez 
Gadi Weinreich, Bryant Park Grill 

Restaurant Chefs-Washington D.C. 
Michael Foo, America & Center Café 
Chun Liao, Sequoia 

Restaurant Chefs-Las Vegas 
David Abraczinskas, Stage Deli 
Arvy Dumbrys, America 
Florence Duff, Tsunami Grill 
Pedro Gonzalez, Vico’s Burritos 
Luigi Guiga, Gallagher’s 
Hector Hernandez, Banquet 
John Miller, The Saloon 
Andreas Baecker, Lutece 
Ernesto Suemaga, Las Vegas Employee Dining Facility 
Sergio Salazar, Gonzalez y Gonzalez 

6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected Consolidated Financial Data 

The  table  on  the  following  page  sets  forth  certain  financial  data  for  the  fiscal  years 
ended  in  2000  through  2004.    During  fiscal  year  and  2004,  the  Company  sold  three  of  its 
restaurants, closed one restaurant and considered one restaurant held for sale in accordance with 
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  144,  "Accounting  for  the  Impairment  or 
Disposal  of  Long-Lived  Assets"  ("FAS  144").  The  operations  of  these  restaurants  have  been 
presented as discontinued operations for the 2004 fiscal year, and the Company has reclassified 
its  statements  of  operations  data  for  the  prior  periods  presented  below,  in  accordance  with 
FAS 144.  This  information  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Financial Statements and the notes thereto beginning at page F-1.  

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 2,
2004

Septem ber 27,
2003

Years Ended

Septem ber 28,
2002

Septem ber 29, Septem ber 30,

2001

2000

(In thousands, except per share data)

OPERATING DATA:
  Total revenue

$    

115,698

$    

102,733

$    

101,625

$     

106,844

$    

103,385

  Cost and expenses

(106,081)

(96,980)

(95,153)

(101,198)

(100,669)

  Operating income 

  Other income (expense), net

9,617

543

5,753

403

6,472

(607)

5,865
1,474

4,391

5,646

2,716

(2,223)

(1,621)

3,423
1,123

1,095
384

2,300

711

10,160
2,804

6,156
1,486

7,356

4,670

  Income from continuing operations
    before provision for income
    taxes and cumulative effect
    of accounting change
  Provision for income taxes
  Income from continuing operations
    before the cumulative effect
    of accounting change

Loss from discontinued operations
    before provision for income
    taxes and the cumulative effect
   of accounting change

Benefit for income taxes

Income from discontinued operations
    before the cumulative effect
    of accounting change

  Cumulative effect of accounting 
   charge— net
NET INCOM E (LOSS)

NET INCOM E (LOSS) PER SHARE:

Continuing operations basic
Discontinued operations basic
    Net basic

Continuing operations diluted
Discontinued operations diluted

    Net diluted
  W eighted average number of shares

(965)

(266)

(1,781)

(430)

(217)

(55)

(13,614)

(4,466)

(6,535)

(2,290)

(699)

(1,351)

(162)

(9,148)

(4,245)

-     
6,657

-     
3,319

-     
4,229

-
(6,848)

(189)
(3,723)

$          
$        
$          

2.22
(0.21)
2.01

$          
$        

2.13
(0.20)

$           

1.93

$          
$        
$          

1.46
(0.42)
1.04

$          
$        

1.45
(0.42)

$           

1.03

$          
$        
$          

1.38
(0.05)
1.33

$          
$        

1.37
(0.05)

$           

1.32

$          
$         
$         

0.72
(2.88)
(2.16)

$          
$        
$        

0.16
(1.33)
(1.17)

$          
$         

0.72
(2.88)

$          
$        

0.16
(1.33)

$         

(2.16)

$         

(1.17)

  Basic
  Diluted

3,305
3,444

3,181
3,213

3,181
3,206

3,181
3,186

3,461
3,476

BALANCE SHEET DATA 
  (end of period):

  Total assets
  W orking capital (deficit)
  Long-term debt
  Shareholders’ equity
  Shareholders’ equity per share

  Facilities in operations— end of year, 
    including managed

$      

44,894
1,263
-

34,200
10.08

$      

43,635
(4,802)
7,226
24,826
7.80

$      

47,960
(7,990)
9,547
21,446
6.74

$       

53,091
(6,569)
21,700
17,173
5.40

$      

66,297
(5,460)
24,447
24,065
7.55

48

41

41

47

49

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
of Operations 

Accounting period 

The  Company's  fiscal  year  ends  on  the  Saturday  nearest  September  30.    The  Company  reports 
fiscal years under a 52/53-week format. This reporting method is used by many companies in the 
hospitality industry and is meant to improve year-to-year comparisons of operating results. Under 
this method, certain years will contain 53 weeks. The fiscal years ended September 27, 2003 and 
September 28, 2002 each included 52 weeks. The fiscal year ended October 2, 2004 included 53 
weeks. 

Overview 

In  connection  with  the  consummated  sale  of  three  of  the  Company's  restaurants,  the  closure  of 
one  restaurant  and  the  proposed  sale  of  another  restaurant,  the  operations  of  these  restaurants 
have been presented as discontinued operations for the fiscal year ended 2004, and the Company 
has  reclassified  its  statements  of  operations  data  for  the  prior  periods  presented  below,  in 
accordance with FAS 144.  

Revenues 

Total  revenues  at  restaurants  owned  by  the  Company  increased  by  12.6%  from  fiscal  2003  to 
fiscal 2004 and increased by 1.1% from fiscal 2002 to fiscal 2003.   

Same store sales increased 10.3%, or $12,984,000, on a Company-wide basis from fiscal 2003 to 
fiscal 2004.  This increase was the result of a 12.2%, or $7,242,000, increase in same store sales 
at the Company’s Las Vegas restaurants, an 11.5%, or $3,560,000, increase in same store sales at 
the Company’s New York restaurants and a 14.3%, or $2,182,000, increase in same store sales at 
the Company’s Washington D.C. restaurants.  The increases in New York and Washington D.C. 
were  principally  due  to  the  a  general  improvement  in  economic  conditions,  the  public’s 
willingness and inclination to resume vacation and convention travel and unusually good weather 
in these areas during spring and summer of 2004 which enabled the Company to use additional 
seating  in  its  outdoor  cafés.    Although  the  Company  had  not  raised  the  price  of  menu  items 
offered to its customers for several years due to business conditions, the impact of the increase in 
food  costs  during  2004  caused  the  Company  to  review  the  price  of  menu  items  offered  to  its 
customers. The Company determined during 2004 to increase the price of menu items offered to 
its  customers  in  specific  locations  where  the  Company  believed  consumer  demand  has  created 
some elasticity.  

During  the  fourth  quarter  of  2002  the  Company  abandoned  its  restaurant  and  food  court 
operations at the Desert Passage, the retail complex at the Aladdin Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.  
During fiscal 2002 sales decreased 42.9% at this location compared to fiscal 2001, resulting in the 
Company’s decision to abandon these  operations.  If this decrease is excluded from  same  store 
Las Vegas sales, the Company’s remaining operations in Las Vegas experienced a sales increase 
of $190,000 during fiscal 2002. 

Of  the  $11,896,000  decrease  in  revenues  from  fiscal  2001  to  fiscal  2002,  $3,282,000  is 
attributable  to  the  year  long  closure  of  the  Grill  Room  restaurant  located  in  2  World  Financial 
Center, an office building adjacent to the World Trade Center site.  This restaurant was damaged 

9

 
 
 
 
 
in the September 11, 2001 attack and reopened in early fiscal 2003.  A $256,000 increase in sales 
is attributable to the opening of the Saloon at the Neonopolis Center in downtown Las Vegas. 

Other  operating  income,  which  consists  of  the  sale  of  merchandise  at  various  restaurants, 
management  fee  income,  door  sales  was  $850,000  in  fiscal  2004,  $679,000  in  fiscal  2003  and 
$474,000 in fiscal 2002.  

Costs and Expenses 

Food and beverage cost of sales as a percentage of total revenue was 25.5% in fiscal 2004, 24.7% 
in fiscal 2003 and 24.5% in fiscal 2002. Although this expense as a percentage of total revenue 
increased  from  fiscal  2003  to  2004,  strong  sales  during  fiscal  2004  allowed  the  Company  the 
opportunity  to  create  relationships  with  new  suppliers  and  increase  the  price  of  menu  items 
offered to its customers in specific locations where the Company believed consumer demand has 
created some elasticity to offset increased food costs.  

Total  costs  and  expenses  increased  by  $9,101,000,  or  9.4%,  from  fiscal  2003  to  fiscal  2004.  
Increases in food costs, rent and payroll, as a result of the increase in total revenues, contributed 
to this increase.  Sales increases in restaurants where the Company pays a percentage rent resulted 
in an increase in percentage rent of $787,000 during fiscal 2004 compared to fiscal 2003.  Other 
operating costs and expenses also increased in fiscal 2004 due to the increase in total revenue and 
a one time charge of $270,000 used to pay for casino entertainment tax liability.  The Company 
had  previously  thought  that  certain  of  its  operations  at  the  Venetian  Hotel  Resort  Casino  were 
exempt from casino entertainment tax due to the fact that such operations were not on the casino 
floor.  As subsequent tax ruling by tax authorities determined that such operations were subject to 
casino entertainment tax and the Company determined to include such charge in other operating 
costs and expenses. 

Total  costs  and  expenses  increased  by  $1,827,000,  or  1.9%,  from  fiscal  2002  to  fiscal  2003.  
During the first quarter of fiscal 2002 rent concessions granted by landlords in the aftermath of 
the  September  11,  2001  disaster  were  in  place.    These  concessions  were  not  available  during 
fiscal 2003 and as a result of this, and other slight increases in rent levels, rent expense for fiscal 
2003 increased by $291,000 when compared to fiscal 2002.  Also, sales increases in restaurants 
where the Company pays a percentage rent resulted in an increase in percentage rent of $168,000 
during fiscal 2003 compared to fiscal 2002.  During fiscal 2003 advertising expenses increased by 
$623,000  over  fiscal  2002  as  a  result  of  increased  advertising  for  the  operations  in  Las  Vegas.  
Maintenance expenses increased by $548,000 during fiscal 2003 compared to fiscal 2002.  After 
September  11,  2001  discretionary  spending  was  sharply  restricted.    Though  the  Company  had 
continued  to  keep  tight  control  over  spending,  maintenance  of  restaurants  has  been  performed 
when required and maintenance delayed during fiscal 2002 has been completed. 

Payroll expenses as a percentage of total revenues was 31.2% in fiscal 2004 compared to 32.3% 
in  fiscal  2003  and  31.6%  in  fiscal  2002.    Payroll  expense  was  $36,045,000,  $33,176,000  and 
$32,084,000 in fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In fiscal 2003 and 2002, the Company 
had  aggressively  adapted  its  cost  structure  in  response  to  lower  sales  expectations  following 
September 11th.  Due to the increase in sales during fiscal 2004, the Company had increased its 
payroll expenses incrementally.  The Company continually evaluates its payroll expenses as they 
relate to sales.  

No  pre-opening  expenses  and  early  operating  losses  were  incurred  during  fiscal  2004,  2003  or 
2002.    The  Company  did  not  open  any  new  restaurants  during  fiscal  2003  and  the  Company 

10

 
 
received  a  construction  and  operating  allowance  from  the  landlord  for  the  Saloon  at  the 
Neonopolis  Center  at  Freemont  Street  in  downtown  Las  Vegas,  the  one  restaurant  opened  in 
fiscal 2002. The Company typically incurs significant pre-opening expenses in connection with 
its  new  restaurants  that  are  expensed  as  incurred.    Furthermore,  it  is  not  uncommon  that  such 
restaurants experience operating losses during the early months of operation.   

General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of total revenue, were 5.6% in fiscal 2004, 
6.5% in fiscal 2003 and 6.4% in fiscal 2002.  The decrease in these expenses as a percentage of 
total  revenue  during  fiscal  2004  is  primarily  due  to  increased  total  revenue  during  this  period. 
General and administrative expenses were adversely impacted by a $370,000 increase in casualty 
insurance costs during fiscal 2002.   

The  Company  managed  two  restaurants  it  did  not  own  (The  Saloon  and  El  Rio  Grande)  at 
October  2,  2004.  The  Company  managed  one  restaurant  it  did  not  own  (El  Rio  Grande)  at 
September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002.  Sales of El Rio Grande, which are not included in 
consolidated sales, were $2,786,000 in fiscal 2004, $2,765,000 in fiscal 2003 and $2,973,000 in 
fiscal 2002.  The Company’s lease of The Saloon is currently being converted into a management 
agreement, effective as of August 22, 2004, whereby the Company will receive a management fee 
of  $7,000  per  month,  regardless  of  the  results  of  operations  of  this  restaurant.  The  Company 
entered  into  agreements,  during  fiscal  2004,  to  manage  11  fast  food  restaurants  located  in  the 
Hard  Rock  Casinos  in  Hollywood  and  Tampa,  Florida.    Sales  from  these  operations  totaled 
$6,036,000 during the 2004 fiscal year. 

Interest  expense  was  $190,000  in  fiscal  2004,  $732,000  in  fiscal  2003  and $1,201,000  in  fiscal 
2002.  The significant decreases during these periods was due to lower outstanding borrowings on 
the Company’s credit facility and the benefit from rate decreases in the prime-borrowing rate.  As 
of  October  2,  2004,  the  Company  had no  borrowings  on  its  credit  facility.  Interest  income  was 
$138,000 in fiscal 2004, $162,000 in fiscal 2003 and $133,000 in fiscal 2002.   

Other  income,  which  generally  consists  of  purchasing  service  fees  and  other  income  at  various 
restaurants was $595,000, $973,000 and $461,000 for fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. 
Other income was impacted during fiscal 2003 by the Company’s receipt of $508,000 in World 
Trade  Center  Grants  for  four  restaurants  located  in  downtown  New  York  that  were  adversely 
impacted by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 

Income Taxes 

The provision for income taxes reflects Federal income taxes calculated on a consolidated basis 
and state and local income taxes calculated by each New York subsidiary on a non-consolidated 
basis.  Most of the restaurants owned or managed by the Company are owned or managed by a 
separate subsidiary. 

For state and local income tax purposes, the losses incurred by a subsidiary may only be used to 
offset that subsidiary's income, with the exception of the restaurants operating in the District of 
Columbia.    Accordingly,  the  Company's  overall  effective  tax  rate  has  varied  depending  on  the 
level of losses incurred at individual subsidiaries.  During fiscal 2002 the Company abandoned its 
restaurant  and  food  court  operations  at  the  Desert  Passage,  the  retail  complex  at  the  Aladdin 
Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.  In fiscal 2002, the Company was able to utilize the deferred tax 
asset  created  in  fiscal  2001,  by  the  impairment  of  these  operations.    During  the  years  ended 
September 27, 2003 and October 2, 2004, the Company decreased its allowance for the utilization 
of  the  deferred  tax  asset  arising  from  state  and  local  operating  loss  carryforwards  by  $395,000 

11

 
 
and  $445,000  in  such  years  based  on  the  merger  of  certain  unprofitable  subsidiaries  into 
profitable ones. 

The Company's overall effective tax rate in the future will be affected by factors such as the level 
of losses incurred at the Company's New York facilities, which cannot be consolidated for state 
and  local  tax  purposes,  pre-tax  income  earned  outside  of  New  York  City  and  the  utilization  of 
state and local net operating loss carry forwards.  Nevada has no state income tax and other states 
in which the Company operates have income tax rates substantially lower in comparison to New 
York.    In  order  to  utilize  more  effectively  tax  loss  carry  forwards  at  restaurants  that  were 
unprofitable,  the  Company  has  merged  certain  profitable  subsidiaries  with  certain  loss 
subsidiaries. 

The  Revenue  Reconciliation  Act  of  1993  provides  tax  credits  to  the  Company  for  FICA  taxes 
paid  by  the  Company  on  tip  income  of  restaurant  service  personnel.    The  net  benefit  to  the 
Company was $591,000 in fiscal 2004, $132,000 in fiscal 2003 and $755,000 in fiscal 2002. 

During fiscal 2002, the Company and the Internal Revenue Service finalized the adjustments to 
the Company’s Federal income tax returns for fiscal years 1995 through 1998.  The settlement did 
not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

Liquidity and Sources of Capital 

The  Company's  primary  source  of  capital  has  been  cash  provided  by  operations  and  funds 
available from its main bank, Bank Leumi USA.  The Company from time to time also utilizes 
equipment  financing  in  connection  with  the  construction  of  a  restaurant  and  seller  financing  in 
connection with the acquisition of a restaurant.  The Company utilizes capital primarily to fund 
the  cost  of  developing  and  opening  new  restaurants,  acquiring  existing  restaurants  owned  by 
others and remodeling existing restaurants owned by the Company.  

The net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2004 of ($1,336,000) was primarily used for the 
replacement  of  fixed  assets  at  existing  restaurants.    The  net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  in 
fiscal 2003 of ($1,434,000) was used for the expansion of an existing restaurant in Las Vegas and 
for the replacement of fixed assets at existing restaurants.  

The net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2004 ($5,106,000), fiscal 2003 ($8,356,000) and 
fiscal 2002 ($8,072,000) was principally due to repayments of long-term debt on the Company’s 
main credit facility in excess of borrowings on such facility.     

The Company had a working capital surplus of $1,263,000 at October 2, 2004 as compared to a 
working capital deficit of $4,802,000 at September 27, 2003.  The restaurant business does not 
require  the  maintenance  of  significant  inventories  or  receivables;  thus  the  Company  is  able  to 
operate with negative working capital. 

The  Company’s  Revolving  Credit  and  Term  Loan  Facility  (the  “Facility”)  with  its  main  bank 
(Bank Leumi USA), as amended in November 2001, December 2001, April 2002, and February 
2003,  included  a  $26,000,000  credit  line  to  finance  the  development  and  construction  of  new 
restaurants  and  for  working  capital  purposes  at  the  Company’s  existing  restaurants.  On  July  1, 
2002, the Facility converted into a term loan in the amount of $17,890,000 payable in 36 monthly 
installments of approximately $497,000. Upon amendment in February 2003, the term loan was 
converted into a revolving loan.  The credit line was reduced to $11,500,000 on June 29, 2003 
and  $8,500,000  on  September  29,  2003  until  the  maturity  date  of  February  12,  2005.    As  of 

12

 
 
October 2, 2004, the Company had no borrowings on its credit facility.  The loan bears interest at 
½% above the bank’s prime rate. The Facility also includes a $500,000 Letter of Credit Facility 
for  use  in  lieu  of  lease  security  deposits.  The  Company  has  delivered  $354,000  in  irrevocable 
letters of credit on this Facility at October 2, 2004.  The Company generally is required to pay 
commissions of 1½% per annum on outstanding letters of credit. 

The Company's subsidiaries each guaranteed the obligations of the Company under the Facility 
and  granted  security  interests  in  their  respective  assets  as  collateral  for  such  guarantees.  In 
addition,  the  Company  pledged  stock  of  such  subsidiaries  as  security  for  obligations  of  the 
Company under such Facility. 

The  Facility  includes  restrictions  relating  to,  among  other  things,  indebtedness  for  borrowed 
money,  capital  expenditures,  mergers,  sale  of  assets,  dividends  and  liens  on  the  property of  the 
Company. The Facility also requires the Company to comply with certain financial covenants at 
the  end  of  each  quarter  such  as  minimum  cash  flow  in  relation  to  the  Company's  debt  service 
requirements, ratio of debt to equity, and the maintenance of minimum shareholders' equity. 

During  the  year  ended  September  27,  2003,  the  Company  violated  covenants  related  to  a 
limitation on employee loans and maintaining minimum cash flow in relation to the Company’s 
debt  service  requirements.  During  the  year  ended  October  2,  2004,  the  Company  violated 
covenants  related  to  a  restriction  on  the  payment  of  dividends  and  maintaining  minimum  cash 
flow  in  relation  to  the  Company’s  debt  service  requirements.  The  Company  received  waivers 
from the bank for the covenants it was not in compliance with, for the years ended September 27, 
2003 and October 2, 2004 through December 31, 2004. 

In April 2000, the Company borrowed $1,570,000 from its main bank at an interest rate of 8.8% 
to  refinance  the  purchase  of  various  restaurant  equipment  at  the  Venetian.  The  note  which  is 
payable  in  60  equal  monthly  installments  through  May  2005,  is  secured  by  such  restaurant 
equipment.  At October 2, 2004 the Company had $251,000 outstanding on this facility. 

The  Company  entered  into  a  sale  and  leaseback  agreement  with  GE  Capital  for  $1,652,000  in 
November  2000  to  refinance  the  purchase  of  various  restaurant  equipment  at  its  food  and 
beverage facilities in a hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The lease bears interest at 8.65% 
per  annum  and  is  payable  in  48  equal  monthly  installments  of  $32,000  until  maturity  in 
November  2004  at  which  time  the  Company  has  an  option  to  purchase  the  equipment  for 
$519,000.    Alternatively,  the  Company  can  extend  the  lease  for  an  additional  12  months  at  the 
same monthly payment until maturity in November 2005 and repurchase the equipment at such 
time for $165,000.  

The Company originally accounted for this agreement as an operating lease and did not record the 
assets  or  the  lease  liability  in  the  financial  statements.    During  the  year  ended  September  29, 
2001,  the  Company  recorded  the  entire  amount  payable  under  the  lease  as  a  liability  of 
$1,600,000  based  on  the  anticipated  abandonment  of  the  Aladdin  operations.    In  2002,  the 
operations at the Aladdin were abandoned and at October 2, 2004 $496,000 remained accrued in 
other current liabilities representing future operating lease payments. 

In  September  2001,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company  entered  into  a  lease  agreement  with  World 
Entertainment  Centers  LLC  regarding  the  leasing  of  premises  at  the  Neonopolis  Center  at 
Freemont Street for the restaurant Saloon.  The Company provided a lease guaranty (“Guaranty”) 
to induce the landlord to enter into the lease agreement.  The Guaranty is for a term of two years 
from the date of the opening of the Saloon, May 2002, and during the first year of the Guaranty 

13

 
 
 
 
was in the amount of $350,000.  Upon the first  anniversary of the opening of the Saloon, May 
2003, the Guaranty was reduced to $175,000 and it expired in May 2004. 

A quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.35 per share was declared and paid beginning on 
November 1, 2004, resulting in a payment of $1,187,000 to shareholders of record as of October 
22,  2004.  Prior  to  this,  the  Company  has  not  paid  any  cash  dividends  since  its  inception.  The 
Company intends to continue to pay such quarterly cash dividend for the foreseeable future. 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments 

To facilitate an understanding of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, the 
following data is provided:  

Contractual Obligations:

Debt

Operating Leases

Total

Within
1 year

Payments Due by Period

2-3 years
(in thousands of dollars)

4-5 years

After 5
years

 $           251   $           251 

 - 

 $              -     $              -   

         35,534             7,356           12,073             6,198             9,907 

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

 $      35,785   $        7,607   $      12,073   $        6,198   $        9,907 

Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period

Total

Within

1 year

2-3 years

4-5 years

(in thousands of dollars)

After 5

years

Other Commercial Commitments:

Letters of Credit

$           

354

$            
-

$           

354

$            
-

$            
-

Total Commercial Commitments

$           

354

$            
-

$           

354

$            
-

$            
-

Restaurant Expansion 

The  Company  recently  entered  into  agreements  to  operate  a  Gallagher’s  Steakhouse  restaurant 
and  a  separate  bar,  yet  to  be  named,  to  be  constructed  in  the  Resorts  Atlantic  City  Hotel  and 
Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

Recent Restaurant Dispositions and Charges 

In fiscal 2003, the Company determined that its restaurant, Lutece, located in New York City, had 
been  impaired  by  the  events  of  September  11th  and  the  continued  weakness  in  the  economy. 
Based upon the sum of the future undiscounted cash flows related to the Company's long-lived 
fixed  assets  at  Lutece,  the  Company  determined  that  impairment  had  occurred.  To  estimate  the 
fair value of such long-lived fixed assets, for determining the impairment amount, the Company 
used  the  expected  present  value  of  the  future  cash  flows.  The  Company  projected  continuing 

14

 
 
 
 
 
negative operating cash flow for the foreseeable future with no value for subletting or assigning 
the  lease  for  the  premises.  As  a  result,  the  Company  determined  that  there  was  no  value  to the 
long-lived fixed assets. The Company had an investment of $667,000 in leasehold improvements, 
furniture  fixtures  and  equipment.  The  Company  believed  that  these  assets  would  have  nominal 
value upon disposal and recorded an impairment charge of $667,000 during fiscal 2003. Due to 
continued  weak  sales,  the  Company  closed  Lutece  during  the  second  quarter  of  2004.    The 
Company  recorded  a  net  operating  losses  of  $804,000  during  the  fiscal  year  ended  October  2, 
2004  which  is  included  in  losses  from  discontinued  operations.  The  Company  also  incurred  a 
one-time charge of $470,000 related to pension plan contributions required in connection with the 
closing of Lutece which is payable monthly over a nine year period beginning May 17, 2004 and 
bears interest at a rate of 8% per annum.  

On December 1, 2003, the Company sold a restaurant, Lorelei, for approximately $850,000.  The 
book  value  of  inventory,  fixed  assets,  intangible  assets  and  goodwill  related  to  this  entity  was 
approximately $625,000.  The Company recorded a gain on the sale of approximately $225,000 
during the first quarter of fiscal 2004 which is included in losses from discontinued operations.  
Net operating losses of $145,000 were recorded in discontinued operations for fiscal 2004.  There 
were  no  additional  expenses  related  to  this  restaurant  during  the  fiscal  year  ended  October  2, 
2004.  

The Company’s restaurant Ernie’s, located on the upper west side of Manhattan, opened in 1982.  
As a result of a steady decline in sales, the Company felt that a new concept was needed at this 
location.    The  restaurant  was  closed  June  16,  2003  and  reopened  in  August  2003.    Total 
conversion costs were approximately $350,000.  Sales at the new restaurant, La Rambla, failed to 
reach the level sufficient to achieve the results the Company required.  As a result, the Company 
sold  this  restaurant  on  January  1,  2004  and  realized  a  gain  on  the  sale  of  this  restaurant  of 
approximately  $214,000.      Net  operating  losses  of  $230,000  were  included  in  losses  from 
discontinued operations for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2004. 

The  Company’s  restaurant  Jack  Rose  located  on  the  west  side  of  Manhattan  has  experienced 
weak sales for several years.  In addition, this restaurant did not fit the Company’s desired profile 
of  being  in  a  landmark  destination  location.    As  a  result,  the  Company  sold  this  restaurant  on 
February 23, 2004.  The Company realized a loss on the sale of this restaurant of $137,000 which 
was  recorded  during  the  second  quarter  of  fiscal  2004.  The  Company  recorded  net  operating 
losses of $148,000 during fiscal 2004 for this restaurant.  These losses are included in losses from 
discontinued operations. 

The Company’s restaurant America, located in New York City, has experienced declining sales 
for several years.  In March 2004, the Company entered into a new lease for this restaurant at a 
significantly increased rent.  The Company entered into this lease with the belief that due to the 
location and the uniqueness of the space the lease had value.  During fiscal 2004 the Company 
identified  a  buyer  for  this  restaurant  and  is  currently  completing  negotiations  for  its  sale.  The 
carrying  amount  of  the  fixed  assets  held  for  sale  was  approximately  $128,000  as  of  October  2, 
2004.  Net income of $60,000 has been included in losses from discontinued operations for fiscal 
2004.  The Company expects the sale of this restaurant to be completed during the second quarter 
of fiscal 2005. 

15

 
 
 
 
 
Critical Accounting Policies 

Financial  Reporting  Release  No.  60,  published  by  the  SEC,  recommends  that  all  companies 
include  a  discussion  of  critical  accounting  policies  used  in  the  preparation  of  their  financial 
statements. The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to 
the Company's consolidated financial statements.  While all these significant accounting policies 
impact  its  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations,  the  Company  views  certain  of  these 
policies  as  critical.  Policies  determined  to  be  critical  are  those  policies  that  have  the  most 
significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements  and require  management 
to use a greater degree of judgment and estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates.  

The Company believes that given current facts and circumstances, it is unlikely that applying any 
other  reasonable  judgments  or  estimate  methodologies  would  cause  a  material  effect  on  the 
Company's  consolidated  results  of  operations,  financial  position  or  liquidity  for  the  periods 
presented in this report. 

Below are listed certain policies that management believes are critical:  

Use of Estimates 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  requires  the  application  of  certain  accounting  policies, 
which  may  require  the  Company  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions  of  future  events.    In  the 
process of preparing its consolidated financial statements, the Company estimates the appropriate 
carrying value of certain assets and liabilities, which are not readily apparent from other sources.  
The  primary  estimates  underlying  the  Company’s  financial  statements  include  allowances  for 
potential  bad  debts  on  accounts  and  notes  receivable,  the  useful  lives  and  recoverability  of  its 
assets, such as property and intangibles, fair values of financial instruments, the realizable value 
of its tax assets and other matters.  Management bases its estimates on certain assumptions, which 
they  believe  are  reasonable  in  the  circumstances,  and  actual  results  could  differ  from  those 
estimates.  Although management does not believe that any change in those assumptions in the 
near term would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the 
results of operation, differences in actual results could be material to the financial statements.   

Long-Lived Assets  

The Company annually assesses any impairment in value of long-lived assets to be held and used.  
The  Company  evaluates  the  possibility  of  impairment  by  comparing  anticipated  undiscounted 
cash flows to the carrying amount of the related long-lived assets.  If such cash flows are less than 
carrying  value  the  Company  then  reduces  the  asset  to  its  fair  value.    Fair  value  is  generally 
calculated  using  discounted  cash  flows.    Various  factors  such  as  sales  growth  and  operating 
margins and proceeds from a sale are part of this analysis.  Future results could differ from the 
Company’s projections with a resulting adjustment to income in such period. 

Deferred Income Tax Valuation Allowance 

The Company provides such allowance due to uncertainty that some of the deferred tax amounts 
may not be realized. Certain items, such as state and local tax loss carry forwards, are dependent 
on future earnings or the availability of tax strategies.  Future results could require an increase or 
decrease in the valuation allowance and a resulting adjustment to income in such period. 

16

 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 

During  2001,  the  FASB  issued  FAS 142,  which  requires  that  for  the  Company,  effective 
September  28,  2002,  goodwill,  including  the  goodwill  included  in  the  carrying  value  of 
investments  accounted  for  using  the  equity  method  of  accounting,  and  certain  other  intangible 
assets deemed to have an indefinite useful life, cease amortizing. FAS 142 requires that goodwill 
and certain intangible assets be assessed for impairment using fair value measurement techniques. 
Specifically,  goodwill  impairment  is  determined  using  a  two-step  process.  The  first  step  of  the 
goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of 
the reporting unit (the Company is being treated as one reporting unit) with its net book value (or 
carrying amount), including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying 
amount,  goodwill  of  the  reporting  unit  is  considered  not  impaired  and  the  second  step  of  the 
impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, 
the  second  step  of  the  goodwill  impairment  test  is  performed  to  measure  the  amount  of 
impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test  compares the implied 
fair  value  of  the  reporting  unit’s  goodwill  with  the  carrying  amount  of  that  goodwill.  If  the 
carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, 
an  impairment  loss  is  recognized  in  an  amount  equal  to  that  excess.  The  implied  fair  value  of 
goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business 
combination.  That  is,  the  fair  value  of  the  reporting  unit  is  allocated  to  all  of  the  assets  and 
liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had 
been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase 
price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The impairment test for other intangible assets consists of 
a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value 
of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal 
to that excess. 

Determining the fair value of the reporting unit under the first step of the goodwill impairment 
test  and  determining  the  fair  value  of  individual  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  reporting  unit 
(including unrecognized intangible assets) under the second step of the goodwill impairment test 
is  judgmental  in  nature  and  often  involves  the  use  of  significant  estimates  and  assumptions. 
Similarly,  estimates  and  assumptions  are  used  in  determining  the  fair  value  of  other  intangible 
assets.  These  estimates  and  assumptions  could  have  a  significant  impact  on  whether  or  not  an 
impairment  charge  is  recognized  and  also  the  magnitude  of  any  such  charge.  To  assist  in  the 
process of determining goodwill impairment, the Company obtains appraisals from independent 
valuation  firms.  In  addition  to  the  use  of  independent  valuation  firms,  the  Company  performs 
internal  valuation  analyses  and  considers  other  market  information  that  is  publicly  available. 
Estimates  of  fair  value  are  primarily  determined  using  discounted  cash  flows  and  market 
comparisons and recent transactions. These approaches use significant estimates and assumptions 
including projected future cash flows (including timing), discount rate reflecting the risk inherent 
in future cash flows, perpetual growth rate, determination of appropriate market comparables and 
the determination of whether a premium or discount should be applied to comparables.  Based on 
the  above  policy,  no  impairment  charge  was  recorded  upon  adoption  or  during  the  fiscal  years 
ended 2003 and 2004. 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

In  December  2004,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  SFAS  No.  123  (R), 
“Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation.”  SFAS  No.  123  (R)  establishes  standards  for  the 
accounting  for  transactions  in  which  an  entity  exchanges  its  equity  instruments  for  goods  or 
services.    This  Statement  focuses  primarily  on  accounting  for  transactions  in  which  an  entity 

17

 
 
obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions.  SFAS No. 123 (R) requires that 
the  fair  value  of  such  equity  instruments  be  recognized  as  expense  in  the  historical  financial 
statements  as  services  are  performed.    Prior  to  SFAS  No.  123  (R),  only  certain  pro  forma 
disclosures of fair value were required.  SFAS No. 123 (R) shall be effective for public entities 
that  do  not  file  as  small  business  issuers  as  of  the  beginning  of  the  first  interim  or  annual 
reporting  period  that  begins  after  June  15,  2005.    The  Company  has  not  determined  if  the 
adoption  of  this  new  accounting  pronouncement  is  expected  to  have  a  material  impact  on  the 
financial statements of the Company for fiscal 2006. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

None. 

Market Information 

The Company’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, is traded in the over-the-counter market on the 
Nasdaq  National  Market  under  the  symbol  “ARKR.”    The  high  and  low  sale  prices  for  the 
Common Stock from September 28, 2002 through October 1, 2004 are as follows: 

Calendar 2002 

Fourth Quarter 

Calendar 2003 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

Calendar 2004 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 

High 

$ 7.42 

Low 

$ 6.05 

7.24 
7.75 
11.99 
14.35 

17.70 
23.55 
26.11 

5.75 
6.20 
7.45 
11.15 

13.50 
17.01 
21.62 

Dividends 

A quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.35 per share was declared and paid beginning on 
November 1, 2004. Prior to this, the Company has not paid any cash dividends since its inception. 
The Company intends to continue to pay such quarterly cash dividend for the foreseeable future.  

Number of Shareholders 

As  of  December  16,  2004,  there  were  54  holders  of  record  of  the  Company’s  Common  Stock, 
$.01 par value.  This does not include the number of persons whose stock is in nominee or “street 
name” accounts through brokers. 

18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
Job: 39349

File:  349F.;12

Seq: 1

Cust: ARK  RESTAURANTS

Fr: 3530D

Nxt: 0D

Fmt: house.fmt

Doc: AR
Vj: R

e:0        V:.4

  3-MAR-05

User: BUD
3:53

  10745

REPORT  OF  INDEPENDENT  REGISTERED  PUBLIC  ACCOUNTING  FIRM

To  the  Board  of  Directors  and  Shareholders  of
Ark  Restaurants  Corp.

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheet  of  Ark  Restaurants  Corp.  and  Subsidiaries
as  of  October  2,  2004,  and  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  operations,  shareholders’  equity  and  cash
flows  for  the  year  then  ended.  These  consolidated  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the
Company’s  management.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these  consolidated  financial
statements  based  on  our  audit.

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight
Board  (United  States).  Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable
assurance  about  whether  the  financial  statements  are  free  of  material  misstatement.  An  audit  includes
examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements.  An
audit  also  includes  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by
management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement  presentation.  We  believe  that  our  audit
provides  a  reasonable  basis  for  our  opinion.

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material
respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  of  Ark  Restaurants  Corp.  and  Subsidiaries  as  of  October  2,
2004,  and  their  consolidated  results  of  operations  and  cash  flows  for  the  year  then  ended,  in  conformity
with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America.

/s/ J.H.  Cohn  LLP

New  York,  New  York

December  27,  2004

F-1

R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
Job: 39349

File:  349F.;12

Seq: 2

Cust: ARK  RESTAURANTS
Nxt: 0D

Fr: 3410D

Fmt: house.fmt

Doc: AR
Vj: R

e:0  PB      V:.4

  3-MAR-05

User: BUD
3:53

  51917

REPORT  OF  INDEPENDENT  REGISTERED  PUBLIC  ACCOUNTING  FIRM

To  the  Board  of  Directors  and  Shareholders  of
Ark  Restaurants  Corp.

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheet  of  Ark  Restaurants  Corp.  and  subsidiaries
(the  “Company’’)  as  of  September  27,  2003,  and  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  operations,
shareholders’  equity  and  cash  flows  for  each  of  the  two  fiscal  years  in  the  period  then  ended.  These
financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the  Company’s  management.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express
an  opinion  on  these  financial  statements  based  on  our  audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight
Board  (United  States).  Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable
assurance  about  whether  the  financial  statements  are  free  of  material  misstatement.  An  audit  includes
examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements.  An
audit  also  includes  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by
management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement  presentation.  We  believe  that  our  audits
provide  a  reasonable  basis  for  our  opinion.

In  our  opinion,  such  consolidated  financial  statements  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial
position  of  Ark  Restaurants  Corp.  and  subsidiaries  as  of  September  27,  2003,  and  the  results  of  their
operations  and  their  cash  flows  for  each  of  the  two  fiscal  years  in  the  period  then  ended,  in  conformity
with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America.

/s/ Deloitte  and  Touche  LLP

New  York,  New  York

December  24,  2003
(December  30,  2004  as  to  the  reclassifications  described  in  the  final  paragraph  of  Note  2)

F-2

R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
Job: 39349

File:  349F1.;13

Seq: 1

Fr: 155D

Nxt: 0D

Fmt: house.fmt

Cust: ARK  RESTAURANTS

Doc: AR
Vj: R

e:0        V:.4

  3-MAR-05

User: BUD
3:54

  51378

ARK  RESTAURANTS  CORP.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE  SHEETS
(In  thousands)

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

A S S E T S

CURRENT  ASSETS:

Cash  and  cash  equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts  receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee  receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current  portion  of  long-term  receivables  (Note  3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred  income  taxes  (Note  12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid  expenses  and  other  current  assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assets  held  for  sale  (Note  2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total  current  assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LONG-TERM  RECEIVABLES  (Note  3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FIXED  ASSETS—At  cost:

Leasehold  improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Furniture,  fixtures  and  equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less  accumulated  depreciation  and  amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INTANGIBLE  ASSETS—Net  (Note  4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GOODWILL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DEFERRED  INCOME  TAXES  (Note  12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OTHER  ASSETS  (Note  5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

L I A B I L I T I E S   A N D   S H A R E H O L D E R S ’   E Q U I T Y

CURRENT  LIABILITIES:

Accounts  payable—trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued  expenses  and  other  current  liabilities  (Note  6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current  maturities  of  long-term  debt  (Note  7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued  income  taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total  current  liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LONG  TERM  DEBT—Net  of  current  maturities  (Note  7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OPERATING  LEASE  DEFERRED  CREDIT  (Notes  1  and  8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LIABILITIES  HELD  FOR  DISPOSITION  (Note  2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL  LIABILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COMMITMENTS  AND  CONTINGENCIES  (Note  8)
SHAREHOLDERS’  EQUITY  (Notes  7,  9,  10  and  16):

Common  stock,  par  value  $.01  per  share—authorized,  10,000  shares;  issued  and
outstanding  5,462  and  5,249  at  October  2,  2004  and  September  27,  2003,
respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional  paid-in  capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained  earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less  stock  options  receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less  treasury  stock  of  2,070  and  2,068  shares  at  October  2,  2004  and

September  27,  2003,  respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total  shareholders’  equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 4,435
2,171
330
208
1,731
—
1,615
128
10,618
1,082

29,720
27,178
56,898
33,437
23,461

224
3,515
5,221
773
$44,894

$ 2,230
4,781
251
2,093
9,355
—
899
440
10,694

54
17,202
25,694
42,950
364

8,386
34,200
$44,894

See  notes  to  consolidated  financial  statements.

F-3

$

486
1,677
255
193
1,997
281
886
—
5,775
1,291

34,385
29,427
63,812
36,748
27,064

473
3,515
4,622
895
$43,635

$ 3,443
5,586
350
1,198
10,577
7,226
1,006
—
18,809

52
14,743
19,037
33,832
655

8,351
24,826
$43,635

R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
Job: 39349

File:  349F2.;10

Seq: 1

Fr: 240D

Nxt: 0D

Fmt: house.fmt

Cust: ARK  RESTAURANTS

Doc: AR
Vj: R

e:0        V:.4

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User: BUD
3:54

  58153

ARK  RESTAURANTS  CORP.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  OPERATIONS
(In  thousands,  except  per  share  data)

Years  Ended

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

September  28,
2002

REVENUES:

Food  and  beverage  sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other  income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$114,848
850

$102,054
679

Total  revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

115,698

102,733

COST  AND  EXPENSES:

Food  and  beverage  cost  of  sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payroll  expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Occupancy  expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other  operating  costs  and  expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General  and  administrative  expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation  and  amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

29,554
36,045
15,900
14,492
6,499
3,591

Total  cost  and  expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

106,081

OPERATING  INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9,617

$101,151
474

101,625

24,863
32,084
14,890
12,109
6,548
4,659

95,153

6,472

1,201
(133)
(461)

607

5,865
1,474

4,391

(217)
(55)

(162)

4,229

1.38
(0.05)

1.33

1.37
(0.05)

1.32

3,181

3,206

25,392
33,176
15,525
12,312
6,665
3,910

96,980

5,753

732
(162)
(973)

(403)

6,156
1,486

4,670

190
(138)
(595)

(543)

10,160
2,804

7,356

(965)
(266)

(699)

6,657

2.22
(0.21)

2.01

2.13
(0.20)

1.93

3,305

3,444

$

$
$

$

$
$

$

(1,781)
(430)

(1,351)

3,319

1.46
(0.42)

1.04

1.45
(0.42)

1.03

3,181

3,213

$

$
$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$
$

$

OTHER  (INCOME)  EXPENSE:

Interest  expense  (Note  7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest  income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other  income  (Note  13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INCOME  FROM  CONTINUING  OPERATIONS  BEFORE

INCOME  TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PROVISION  FOR  INCOME  TAXES  (Note  12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INCOME  FROM  CONTINUING  OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DISCONTINUED  OPERATIONS:
LOSS  FROM  OPERATIONS  OF  DISCONTINUED

RESTAURANTS  (INCLUDING  NET  LOSSES  ON  DISPOSAL
OF  $168,000  FOR  THE  YEAR  ENDED  OCTOBER  2,  2004)
(Note  2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BENEFIT  FOR  INCOME  TAXES  (Note  12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LOSS  FROM  DISCONTINUED  OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NET  INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PER  SHARE  INFORMATION—BASIC  AND  DILUTED
Continuing  operations  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued  operations  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NET  BASIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Continuing  operations  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued  operations  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NET  DILUTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WEIGHTED  AVERAGE  NUMBER  OF  SHARES—Basic . . . . . . . .

WEIGHTED  AVERAGE  NUMBER  OF  SHARES—Diluted . . . . . . .

See  notes  to  consolidated  financial  statements.

F-4

R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
Job: 39349

File:  349F3.;9

Seq: 1

Cust: ARK  RESTAURANTS

Fr: 160D

Nxt: 0D

Fmt: house.fmt

Doc: AR
Vj: R

e:0        V:.4

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User: BUD
3:55

  701

ARK  RESTAURANT  CORP.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  CASH  FLOWS
(In  thousands)

CASH  FLOWS  FROM  OPERATING  ACTIVITIES:

Income  from  continuing  operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustments  to  reconcile  income  from  continuing  operations

to  net  cash  provided  by  operating  activities:

Deferred  income  taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation  and  amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating  lease  deferred  credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes  in  operating  assets  and  liabilities

Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee  receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid  expenses  and  other  current  assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid  income  taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other  assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts  payable—trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued  income  taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued  expenses  and  other  current  liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Years  Ended

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

September  28,
2002

$ 7,356

$ 4,670

$ 4,391

318
3,591
53

(514)
(75)
133
(1,025)
—
208
(1,213)
895
(805)

(355)
3,910
4

288
790
(65)
18
957
(314)
111
1,198
(770)

1,786
4,659
(16)

(521)
(257)
181
49
162
(380)
(900)
—
(388)

Net  cash  provided  by  operating  activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8,922

10,442

8,766

CASH  FLOWS  FROM  INVESTING  ACTIVITIES:

Additions  to  fixed  assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issuance  of  demand  notes  and  long-term  receivables . . . . . . .
Payments  received  on  note  receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net  cash  (used  in)  provided  by  investing  activities . . . . . .

CASH  FLOWS  FROM  FINANCING  ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds  from  issuance  of  long-term  debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principal  payment  on  long-term  debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise  of  stock  options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payment  received  under  stock  options  receivables . . . . . . . . .
Payment  of  debt  issuance  costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase  of  treasury  stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net  cash  used  in  financing  activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NET  CASH  PROVIDED  BY  CONTINUING  OPERATIONS . . . . . .
NET  CASH  PROVIDED  BY  (USED  IN)  DISCONTINUED

OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NET  INCREASE  (DECREASE)  IN  CASH—AND  CASH

EQUIVALENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CASH  AND  CASH  EQUIVALENTS—Beginning  of  year . . . . . . . .

(1,529)
—
193

(1,336)

—
(7,328)
1,966
291
—
(35)

(5,106)

2,480

1,469

3,949
486

(1,603)
—
169

(1,434)

1,100
(9,355)
—
61
(162)
—

(8,356)

652

(985)

(333)
819

CASH  AND  CASH  EQUIVALENTS—End  of  year . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 4,435

$

486

$

(704)
(125)
282

(547)

1,500
(9,616)
—
44
—
—

(8,072)

147

672

819
—

819

SUPPLEMENTAL  INFORMATION:

Cash  payments  for:

Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

264

Income  taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 1,455

$

$

768

114

$ 1,271

$

187

See  notes  to  consolidated  financial  statements.

F-5

R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
Job: 39349

File:  349F4.;11

Seq: 1

Fr: 2870D

Nxt: 0D

Fmt: house.fmt

Cust: ARK  RESTAURANTS

Doc: AR
Vj: R

e:0        V:.4

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User: BUD
3:55

  40219

ARK  RESTAURANTS  CORP.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  SHAREHOLDERS’  EQUITY
YEARS  ENDED  OCTOBER  2,  2004,  SEPTEMBER  27,  2003  AND  SEPTEMBER  28,  2002
(In  thousands)

Common  Stock

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Stock
Options
Receivable

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

BALANCE,  September  29,

2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,249

$52

$14,743

$11,489

$(8,351)

$(760)

$17,173

Purchase  of  treasury  stock
Net  income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
—

BALANCE—September  28,

2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,249

Net  payment  on  stock

options  receivables . . . . .
Net  income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
—

BALANCE—September  27,

2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,249

Exercise  of  stock  options
Tax  benefit  on  exercise  of
options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase  of  treasury  stock
Payment  on  stock  options
receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

213

—
—

—
—

—
—

52

—
—

52

2

—
—

—
—

—
—

—
4,229

—
—

44
—

44
4,229

14,743

15,718

(8,351)

(716)

21,446

—
—

—
3,319

—
—

61
—

14,743

19,037

(8,351)

(655)

1,964

495
—

—
—

—

—
—

—
6,657

—

—
(35)

—
—

—

—
—

291
—

61
3,319

24,826

1,966

495
(35)

291
6,657

BALANCE—October  2,  2004

5,462

$54

$17,202

$25,694

$(8,386)

$(364)

$34,200

See  notes  to  consolidated  financial  statements.

F-6

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ARK  RESTAURANTS  CORP.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES  TO  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
YEARS  ENDED  OCTOBER  2,  2004,  SEPTEMBER  27,  2003  AND  SEPTEMBER  28,  2002

1. BUSINESS  AND  SUMMARY  OF  SIGNIFICANT  ACCOUNTING  POLICIES

Ark  Restaurants  Corp.  and  subsidiaries  (the  “Company’’)  own  and  operate  22  restaurants,  26  fast  food
concepts,  catering  operations  and  wholesale  and  retail  bakeries.  Nine  restaurants  are  located  in  New
York  City,  nine  in  Las  Vegas,  Nevada  and  four  in  Washington,  D.C.  The  Las  Vegas  operations  include
three  restaurants  within  the  New  York-New  York  Hotel  &  Casino  Resort  and  operation  of  the  resort’s
room  service,  banquet  facilities,  employee  dining  room  and  nine  food  court  concepts.  Four  restaurants
and  bars  are  within  the  Venetian  Casino  Resort  as  well  as  four  food  court  concepts;  one  restaurant  is
within  the  Forum  Shops  at  Caesar’s  Shopping  Center  and  one  restaurant  is  in  downtown  Las  Vegas  at
the  Neonopolis  Center.  The  Company  also  manages  five  fast  food  facilities  in  Tampa,  Florida  and  eight
fast  food  facilities  in  Hollywood,  Florida,  each  at  a  Hard  Rock  Hotel  and  Casino  owned  by  the
Seminole  Indian  Tribe  at  these  locations.

Accounting  Period—The  Company’s  fiscal  year  ends  on  the  Saturday  nearest  September  30.  The  fiscal
year  ended  October  2,  2004  included  53  weeks.  The  fiscal  years  ended  September  27,  2003,  and
September  28,  2002,  included  52  weeks.

Significant  Estimates—In  the  process  of  preparing  its  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  Company
estimates  the  appropriate  carrying  value  of  certain  assets  and  liabilities  which  are  not  readily  apparent
from  other  sources.  The  primary  estimates  underlying  the  Company’s  financial  statements  include
allowances  for  potential  bad  debts  on  long-term  receivables,  the  useful  lives  and  recoverability  of  its
assets,  such  as  property  and  intangibles,  fair  values  of  financial  instruments,  the  realizable  value  of  its
tax  assets  and  other  matters.  Management  bases  its  estimates  on  certain  assumptions,  which  they
believe  are  reasonable  in  the  circumstances,  and  while  actual  results  could  differ  from  those  estimates,
management  does  not  believe  that  any  change  in  those  assumptions  in  the  near  term  would  have  a
material  effect  on  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial  statements.

Principles  of  Consolidation—The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  the  Company
and  its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries.  All  significant  intercompany  accounts  and  transactions  have  been
eliminated  in  consolidation.

Cash  Equivalents—Cash  equivalents  include  instruments  with  original  maturities  of  three  months  or
less.

Accounts  Receivable—Accounts  receivable  is  primarily  composed  of  normal  business  receivables  such
as  credit  card  receivables  that  are  paid  off  in  a  short  period  of  time.  See  Notes  16  and  17  for  a
discussion  of  related  party  receivables.

Inventories—Inventories  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  (first-in,  first-out)  or  market,  and  consist  of  food
and  beverages,  merchandise  for  sale  and  other  supplies.

Fixed  Assets—Leasehold  improvements  and  furniture,  fixtures  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost.
Depreciation  of  furniture,  fixtures  and  equipment  (including  equipment  under  capital  leases)  is  computed
using  the  straight-line  method  over  the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the  respective  assets  (three  to  seven
years).  Amortization  of  improvements  to  leased  properties  is  computed  using  the  straight-line  method
based  upon  the  initial  term  of  the  applicable  lease  or  the  estimated  useful  life  of  the  improvements,
whichever  is  less,  and  ranges  from  5  to  35  years.

The  Company  includes  in  leasehold  improvements  in  progress  restaurants  that  are  under  construction.
Once  the  projects  have  been  completed  the  Company  will  begin  amortizing  the  assets.  Start-up  costs
incurred  during  the  construction  period  of  restaurants,  including  rental  of  premises,  training  and  payroll,
are  expensed  as  incurred.

The  Company  follows  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  (“SFAS’’)  No.  144,  Accounting  for
the  Impairment  or  Disposal  of  Long-Lived  Assets,  which  requires  impairment  losses  to  be  recorded  on

F-7

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long-lived  assets  used  in  operations  when  indicators  of  impairment  are  present  and  the  undiscounted
cash  flows  estimated  to  be  generated  by  those  assets  are  less  than  the  asset’s  carrying  amount.  In  the
evaluation  of  the  fair  value  and  future  benefits  of  long-lived  assets,  the  Company  performs  an  analysis
of  the  anticipated  undiscounted  future  net  cash  flows  of  the  related  long-lived  assets.  If  the  carrying
value  of  the  related  asset  exceeds  the  undiscounted  cash  flows,  the  carrying  value  is  reduced  to  its  fair
value.  Various  factors  including  future  sales  growth  and  profit  margins  are  included  in  this  analysis.
Management  believes  at  this  time  that  carrying  values  and  useful  lives  continue  to  be  appropriate.

For  the  years  ended  October  2,  2004  and  September  28,  2002,  no  impairment  charges  were  deemed
necessary.  For  the  year  ended  September  27,  2003,  an  impairment  charge  of  $667,000  was  incurred  on
the  restaurant  Lutece  (Note  2).

Intangible  Assets  and  Goodwill—As  of  September  29,  2002,  the  Company  adopted  the  provisions  for
SFAS  No.  142,  Accounting  for  Goodwill  and  Other  Intangible  Assets,  This  statement  requires  that
goodwill  and  intangible  assets  with  indefinite  lives  no  longer  be  amortized,  but  instead  be  tested  for
impairment  at  least  annually  and  written  down  with  a  charge  to  operations  when  the  carrying  amount
exceeds  the  estimated  fair  value.  Prior  to  the  adoption  of  SFAS  No.  142,  the  Company  amortized
goodwill.  The  amount  of  such  amortized  goodwill  was  $3,515,000  as  of  September  28,  2002.  In
accordance  with  SFAS  No.  142  the  Company  discontinued  the  amortization  of  goodwill  effective
September  29,  2002.  Had  the  provisions  of  SFAS  No.  142  been  in  effect  during  the  year  ended
September  28,  2002  a  reduction  of  amortization  expense  in  pretax  income  of  $364,000  or  an  increase
of  $0.11  in  basic  and  diluted  earnings  per  share  would  have  been  recorded.  The  Company  has
completed  its  annual  impairment  analysis  as  of  October  2,  2004  and  has  determined  that  there  is  no
impairment  of  goodwill.

Costs  associated  with  acquiring  leases  and  subleases,  principally  purchased  leasehold  rights,  have  been
capitalized  and  are  being  amortized  on  the  straight-line  method  based  upon  the  initial  terms  of  the
applicable  lease  agreements,  which  range  from  10  to  21  years.

Covenants  not  to  compete  arising  from  restaurant  acquisitions  are  amortized  over  the  contractual  period
of  five  years.

Amortization  expense  for  intangible  assets  not  including  goodwill  was  $27,000,  $15,000  and  $39,000
for  the  years  ended  October  2,  2004,  September  27,  2003,  and  September  28,  2002,  respectively.

Other  Assets—Certain  legal  and  bank  commitment  fees  incurred  in  connection  with  the  Company’s
Revolving  Credit  and  Term  Loan  Facility,  as  discussed  in  Note  7,  were  capitalized  as  deferred  financing
fees  and  are  being  amortized  over  two  years,  the  remaining  term  of  the  facility.

Operating  Lease  Deferred  Credit—Several  of  the  Company’s  operating  leases  contain  predetermined
increases  in  the  rentals  payable  during  the  term  of  such  leases.  For  these  leases,  the  aggregate  rental
expense  over  the  lease  term  is  recognized  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  lease  term.  The  excess  of
the  expense  charged  to  operations  in  any  year  and  amounts  payable  under  the  leases  during  that  year
are  recorded  as  a  deferred  credit.  The  deferred  credit  subsequently  reverses  over  the  lease  term
(Note  8).

Occupancy  Expenses—Occupancy  expenses  include  rent,  rent  taxes,  real  estate  taxes,  insurance  and
utility  costs.

Income  Taxes—Income  taxes  are  accounted  for  under  the  asset  and  liability  method.  Deferred  tax  assets
and  liabilities  are  recognized  for  future  tax  consequences  attributable  to  the  temporary  differences
between  the  financial  statement  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  respective  tax  bases
and  operating  loss  and  tax  credit  carryforwards.  Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  measured  using
enacted  tax  rates  expected  to  apply  in  the  years  in  which  those  temporary  differences  are  expected  to
be  recovered  or  settled.  The  effect  on  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  of  a  change  in  tax  rates  is
recognized  in  the  period  that  includes  the  enactment  date.  Deferred  tax  assets  are  reduced  by  a
valuation  allowance  when,  in  the  opinion  of  management,  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  some  portion
or  all  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  will  not  be  realized.

Income  Per  Share  of  Common  Stock—Basic  net  income  per  share  is  computed  in  accordance  with
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standard  (“SFAS’’)  No.  128,  Earnings  Per  Share,  and  is  calculated

F-8

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on  the  basis  of  the  weighted  average  number  of  common  shares  outstanding  during  each  period.
Dilutive  net  income  per  share  reflects  the  additional  dilutive  effect  of  potentially  dilutive  shares
(principally  those  arising  from  the  assumed  exercise  of  stock  options).

Stock  Options—The  Company  accounts  for  its  stock  options  granted  to  employees  under  the  intrinsic
value-based  method  for  employee  stock-based  compensation  and  provides  pro  forma  disclosure  of  net
income  and  earnings  per  share  as  if  the  accounting  provision  of  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards  No.  123,  Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation  (“SFAS  No.  123’’)  had  been  adopted.
The  Company  generally  does  not  grant  options  to  outsiders.

SFAS  No.  123  requires  the  Company  to  disclose  pro  forma  net  income  and  pro  forma  earnings  per
share  information  for  employee  stock  option  grants  to  employees  as  if  the  fair-value  method  defined  in
SFAS  No.  123  had  been  applied.  The  Company  utilized  the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model  to
quantify  the  pro  forma  effects  on  net  income  and  earnings  per  share  of  all  options  granted.  There  were
no  options  granted  during  fiscal  2004  and  2003  and  no  charges  to  operations  for  options  issued  to
employees  during  fiscal  2004,  2003  and  2002.

In  accordance  with  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  148  (“SFAS  No.  148’’)  and
SFAS  123,  the  Company’s  pro  forma  option  expense  is  computed  using  Black-Scholes  option  pricing
model.  To  comply  with  SFAS  148,  the  Company  is  presenting  the  following  table  to  illustrate  the
effect  on  the  net  income  and  income  per  share  if  it  had  applied  the  fair  value  recognition  provisions  of
SFAS  123,  as  amended,  to  options  granted  under  the  stock-based  employee  compensation  plan.  For
purposes  of  this  pro  forma  disclosure,  the  estimated  value  of  the  options  is  amortized  ratably  to
expense  over  the  options’  vesting  periods.

The  pro  forma  impact  was  as  follows:

Years  Ended

October  2,
2004
(In  thousands,  except  per  share  amounts)

September  27,
2003

September  28,
2002

Net  income  as  reported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deduct  stock  based  compensation  expense  computed  under  the
fair  value  method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

85

$6,657

$3,319

Net  income—pro  forma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$6,572

Net  income  per  share  as  reported—basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  income  per  share  as  reported—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net  income  per  share  pro  forma—basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  income  per  share  pro  forma—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 2.01
$ 1.93

$ 1.99
$ 1.91

$4,229

141

$4,088

$ 1.33
$ 1.32

$ 1.29
$ 1.27

118

$3,201

$ 1.04
$ 1.03

$ 1.01
$ 1.00

The  weighted-average  assumptions  which  were  used  for  options  granted  in  fiscal  2002  included  a  risk
free  interest  rate  of  4.25%  and  volatility  of  35%.  An  expected  life  of  four  years  was  used.  No  annual
dividend  yield  was  assumed.  The  weighted  average  grant  date  fair  value  of  options  granted  and
outstanding  during  fiscal  2002  was  $2.05.

Reclassifications—Certain  reclassifications  of  prior  year  balances  have  been  made  to  conform  with
current  year  presentation.

2. RECENT  RESTAURANT  DISPOSITIONS

In  fiscal  2003,  the  Company  determined  that  its  restaurant,  Lutece,  located  in  New  York  City,  had  been
impaired  by  the  events  of  September  11th  and  the  continued  weakness  in  the  economy.  Based  upon  the
sum  of  the  future  undiscounted  cash  flows  related  to  the  Company’s  long-lived  fixed  assets  at  Lutece,
the  Company  determined  that  impairment  had  occurred.  To  estimate  the  fair  value  of  such  long-lived
fixed  assets,  for  determining  the  impairment  amount,  the  Company  used  the  expected  present  value  of
the  future  cash  flows.  The  Company  projected  continuing  negative  operating  cash  flow  for  the
foreseeable  future  with  no  value  for  subletting  or  assigning  the  lease  for  the  premises.  As  a  result,  the
Company  determined  that  there  was  no  value  to  the  long-lived  fixed  assets.  The  Company  had  an
investment  of  $667,000  in  leasehold  improvements,  furniture  fixtures  and  equipment.  The  Company
believed  that  these  assets  would  have  nominal  value  upon  disposal  and  recorded  an  impairment  charge

F-9

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of  $667,000  during  fiscal  2003.  Due  to  continued  weak  sales,  the  Company  closed  Lutece  during  the
second  quarter  of  2004.  The  Company  recorded  net  operating  losses  of  $804,000  for  Lutece  during  the
fiscal  year  ended  October  2,  2004  which  are  included  in  losses  from  discontinued  operations.  In  2004
the  Company  also  incurred  a  one-time  charge  of  $470,000  related  to  pension  plan  contributions  required
in  connection  with  the  closing  of  Lutece  which  is  payable  monthly  over  a  nine  year  period  beginning
May  17,  2004  and  bears  interest  at  a  rate  of  8%  per  annum.

On  December  1,  2003,  the  Company  sold  a  restaurant,  Lorelei,  for  approximately  $850,000.  The  book
value  of  inventory,  fixed  assets,  intangible  assets  and  goodwill  related  to  this  entity  was  approximately
$625,000.  The  Company  recorded  a  gain  on  the  sale  of  approximately  $225,000  during  the  first  quarter
of  fiscal  2004  which  is  included  in  losses  from  discontinued  operations.  Net  operating  losses  of
$145,000  were  recorded  in  discontinued  operations  in  fiscal  2004.  There  were  no  additional  expenses
related  to  this  restaurant  during  the  fiscal  year  ended  October  2,  2004.

The  Company’s  restaurant  Ernie’s,  located  on  the  upper  west  side  of  Manhattan  opened  in  1982.  As  a
result  of  a  steady  decline  in  sales,  the  Company  felt  that  a  new  concept  was  needed  at  this  location.  The
restaurant  was  closed  June  16,  2003  and  reopened  in  August  2003.  Total  conversion  costs  were
approximately  $350,000.  Sales  at  the  new  restaurant,  La  Rambla,  failed  to  reach  the  level  sufficient  to
achieve  the  results  the  Company  required.  As  a  result,  the  Company  sold  this  restaurant  on  January  1,
2004  and  realized  a  gain  on  the  sale  of  this  restaurant  of  approximately  $214,000.  Net  operating  losses
of  $230,000  were  included  in  losses  from  discontinued  operations  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  October  2,
2004.

The  Company’s  restaurant  Jack  Rose  located  on  the  west  side  of  Manhattan  has  experienced  weak  sales
for  several  years.  In  addition,  this  restaurant  did  not  fit  the  Company’s  desired  profile  of  being  in  a
landmark  destination  location.  As  a  result,  the  Company  sold  this  restaurant  on  February  23,  2004.  The
Company  realized  a  loss  on  the  sale  of  this  restaurant  of  $137,000  which  was  recorded  during  the
second  quarter  of  fiscal  2004.  The  Company  recorded  net  operating  losses  of  $148,000  during  fiscal
2004  for  this  restaurant.  These  losses  are  included  in  losses  from  discontinued  operations.

The  Company’s  restaurant  America,  located  in  New  York  City,  has  experienced  declining  sales  for
several  years.  In  March  2004,  the  Company  entered  into  a  new  lease  for  this  restaurant  at  a
significantly  increased  rent.  The  Company  entered  into  this  lease  with  the  belief  that  due  to  the
location  and  the  uniqueness  of  the  space  the  lease  had  value.  During  fiscal  2004  the  Company
identified  a  buyer  for  this  restaurant  and  is  currently  completing  negotiations  for  its  sale.  The  carrying
amount  of  the  net  assets  held  for  sale  was  approximately  $128,000  as  of  October  2,  2004.  Net  income
of  $60,000  has  been  included  in  losses  from  discontinued  operations  for  fiscal  2004.  The  Company
expects  the  sale  of  this  restaurant  to  be  completed  during  the  second  quarter  of  fiscal  2005.

In  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  144,  all  prior  years  included  in  the  accompanying  consolidated
statements  of  operations  and  cash  flows  have  been  reclassified  to  separately  show  the  results  of
operations  and  cash  flows  of  these  discontinued  operations.  Total  revenues  of  these  discontinued
operations  were  $6,501,000,  $13,860,000  and  $14,968,000  in  fiscal  2004,  2003  and  2002,  respectively.

F-10

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3. LONG-TERM  RECEIVABLES

Long-term  receivables  consist  of  the  following:

Note  receivable  collateralized  by  fixed  assets  and  lease  at  a  restaurant  sold
by  the  Company,  at  8%  interest;  due  in  monthly  installments  through
December  2006  (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note  receivable  colleteralized  by  fixed  assets  and  lease  at  a  restaurant  sold
by  the  Company,  at  7.5%  interest;  due  in  monthly  installments  through
December  2008  (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note  receivable  collateralized  by  fixed  assets  and  lease  at  a  restaurant  at

7.0%  interest;  due  in  monthly  installments  through  December  2007  (c) . . . . .

Less  current  portion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

(In  thousands)

$ 192

$ 268

1,009

89

1,290
208

1,104

112

1,484
193

$1,082

$1,291

(a) In  December  1996,  the  Company  sold  a  restaurant  for  $900,000.  Cash  of  $50,000  was  received  on

sale  and  the  balance  is  due  in  installments  through  December  2006.

(b) In  October  1997,  the  Company  sold  a  restaurant  for  $1,750,000,  of  which  $200,000  was  paid  in

cash  and  the  balance  is  due  in  monthly  installments  under  the  terms  of  two  notes  bearing  interest
at  a  rate  of  7.5%.  One  note,  with  an  initial  principal  balance  of  $400,000,  was  paid  in  24  monthly
installments  of  $19,000  through  April  2000.  The  second  note,  with  an  initial  principal  balance  of
$1,150,000,  will  be  paid  in  104  monthly  installments  of  $15,000  commencing  May  2000  and
ending  December  2008.  At  December  2008,  the  then  outstanding  balance  of  $519,000  matures.

The  Company  recognized  a  gain  of  approximately  $585,000  in  the  fiscal  year  ended  September  27,
2003  in  connection  with  the  sale  of  this  restaurant.  The  gain  recognized  reflected  the  realization  of
a  gain  that  had  been  deferred  originally  due  to  the  length  of  the  note  and  the  substantial  balance
due  upon  maturity  ($519,000).  A  review  of  the  performance  of  this  note  and  the  security
underlying  it  has  lead  management  to  conclude  that  the  full  amount  will  likely  be  collected  and,
accordingly,  the  note  no  longer  requires  a  reserve.  Consequently,  the  Company  eliminated  this
reserve  and  included  the  amount  in  revenue,  in  other  income,  for  the  year  ended  September  27,
2003.  As  a  result  of  the  reclassification  of  discontinued  operations  this  gain  is  included  in  losses
from  discontinued  operations  for  fiscal  2003.

(c) In  June  2000,  the  Company  sold  this  restaurant  for  $438,000.  Cash  of  $188,000  was  received  on
sale  and  the  balance  was  due  in  installments  through  June  2006.  In  February  2001,  the  buyer
defaulted  and  the  Company  took  possession  of  this  restaurant  and  sold  it  to  another  party  in  June
2002.  The  total  price  was  $270,000,  cash  of  $145,000  was  received  on  sale  and  the  balance  is  due
in  installments  through  December  2007.

The  Company  recognized  a  gain  during  the  year  ended  September  28,  2002  of  $105,000,  the  net  of
funds  received  from  the  buyer  and  the  outstanding  $165,000  note  which  was  written  down  on  the
default.

The  carrying  value  of  the  Company’s  long-term  receivables  approximates  their  current  aggregate  fair
value.

F-11

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4. INTANGIBLE  ASSETS

Intangible  assets  consist  of  the  following:

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

(In  thousands)

Purchased  leasehold  rights  (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Noncompete  agreements  and  other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less  accumulated  amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 611
600

1,211
987

Total  intangible  assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 224

(a) Purchased  leasehold  rights  arise  from  acquiring  leases  and  subleases  of  various  restaurants.

$ 751
926

1,677
1,204

$ 473

5. OTHER  ASSETS

Other  assets  consist  of  the  following:

Deposits  and  other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred  financing  fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Landlord  receivable  (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

(In  thousands)

$350
27
396

$773

$378
117
400

$895

(a) This  balance  represents  certain  costs  paid  by  the  Company  on  behalf  of  a  landlord,  that  under  an

agreement  with  the  landlord  will  be  used  as  a  future  offset  to  contingent  rent  payments  for  certain
Las  Vegas  restaurants.

6.  ACCRUED  EXPENSES  AND  OTHER  CURRENT  LIABILITIES

Accrued  expenses  and  other  current  liabilities  consist  of  the  following:

Sales  tax  payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued  wages  and  payroll  related  costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer  advance  deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued  and  other  liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Abandonment  accrual  (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

(In  thousands)

$ 833
1,430
853
1,169
496

$4,781

$ 737
1,390
815
1,770
874

$5,586

(a) During  the  year  ended  September  29,  2001,  the  Company  recorded  the  entire  amount  payable
under  an  operating  lease  for  restaurant  equipment  for  the  Aladdin  operations  as  a  liability  of
$1,600,000  based  on  their  anticipated  abandonment.  During  the  year  ended  September  28,  2002,
the  operations  at  the  Aladdin  were  abandoned  (see  Note  2).

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7.  NOTES  PAYABLE  AND  CREDIT  FACILITY

The  Company’s  debt  consists  of  the  following:

Notes  issued  in  connection  with  refinancing  of  restaurant  equipment,  with

interest  at  8.80%,  payable  in  monthly  installments  through  May  2005  (a)

Revolving  Credit  and  Term  Loan  Facility  with  interest  at  the  prime  rate,

plus  1⁄2%,  due  February  16,  2005  (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less  current  maturities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

(In  thousands)

$251

—

251
251

$ —

$ 601

6,975

7,576
350

$7,226

(a) In  April  2000,  the  Company  borrowed  from  its  main  bank  $1,570,000  to  refinance  the  purchase  of
various  restaurant  equipment  at  its  food  and  beverage  facilities  in  a  hotel  and  casino  in  Las  Vegas,
Nevada.  The  notes  bear  interest  at  8.80%  per  annum  and  are  payable  in  60  equal  monthly
installments  of  $32,439  inclusive  of  interest,  until  maturity  in  May  2005.

(b) As  of  October  2,  2004,  the  Company’s  Revolving  Credit  and  Term  Loan  Facility  (the  “Facility’’)

with  its  main  bank  (Bank  Leumi  USA),  included  a  $8,500,000  credit  line  to  finance  the
development  and  construction  of  new  restaurants  and  for  working  capital  purposes  at  the
Company’s  existing  restaurants.  The  credit  line  has  a  maturity  date  of  February  12,  2005.  The
Company  had  no  borrowings  outstanding  on  the  Facility  at  October  2,  2004.  Borrowings  on  the
Facility  bear  interest  at  1⁄2%  above  the  bank’s  prime  rate.  The  Facility  also  includes  a  $500,000
letter  of  credit  facility  for  use  in  lieu  of  lease  security  deposits.  The  Company  had  delivered
$354,000  in  irrevocable  letters  of  credit  on  this  Facility.  The  Company  generally  is  required  to  pay
commissions  of  11⁄2%  per  annum  on  outstanding  letters  of  credit.

The  Company’s  subsidiaries  each  guaranteed  the  obligations  of  the  Company  under  the  foregoing
Facility  and  granted  security  interests  in  their  respective  assets  as  collateral  for  such  guarantees.  In
addition,  the  Company  pledged  stock  of  such  subsidiaries  as  security  for  obligations  of  the
Company  under  such  Facility.

The  Facility  includes  restrictions  relating  to,  among  other  things,  indebtedness  for  borrowed
money,  capital  expenditures,  mergers,  sale  of  assets,  dividends  and  liens  on  the  property  of  the
Company.  The  Facility  also  requires  the  Company  to  comply  with  certain  financial  covenants  at
the  end  of  each  quarter  such  as  minimum  cash  flow  in  relation  to  the  Company’s  debt  service
requirements,  ratio  of  debt  to  equity,  and  the  maintenance  of  minimum  shareholders’  equity.  In
December  2001  and  April  2002,  certain  covenants  in  the  Facility  were  modified  for  fiscal  2002
and  beyond.  The  Company  violated  a  covenant  related  to  a  limitation  on  cash  flow  during  the
quarter  ended  October  2,  2004.  The  Company  received  a  waiver  through  December  31,  2004  from
Bank  Leumi  USA  for  the  covenant  with  which  it  was  not  in  compliance.  The  Company  has
historically  received  waivers  for  any  covenant  violation.

In  September  2001,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Company  entered  into  a  lease  agreement  with  World
Entertainment  Centers  LLC  regarding  the  leasing  of  premises  at  the  Neonopolis  Center  at
Freemont  Street  in  Las  Vegas,  Nevada  for  the  restaurant  Saloon.  The  Company  provided  a  lease
guaranty  (“Guaranty’’)  to  induce  the  landlord  to  enter  into  the  lease  agreement.  The  Guaranty  was
for  a  term  of  two  years  from  the  date  of  the  opening  of  the  Saloon,  May  2002,  and  during  the
first  year  of  the  Guaranty  was  in  the  amount  of  $350,000.  Upon  the  first  anniversary  of  the
opening  of  the  Saloon,  May  2003,  the  Guaranty  was  reduced  to  $175,000  and  expired  in
May  2004.

8.  COMMITMENTS  AND  CONTINGENCIES

Leases—The  Company  leases  its  restaurants,  bar  facilities,  and  administrative  headquarters  through  its
subsidiaries  under  terms  expiring  at  various  dates  through  2025.  Most  of  the  leases  provide  for  the

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payment  of  base  rents  plus  real  estate  taxes,  insurance  and  other  expenses  and,  in  certain  instances,  for
the  payment  of  a  percentage  of  the  restaurants’  sales  in  excess  of  stipulated  amounts  at  such  facility.

As  of  October  2,  2004,  future  minimum  lease  payments,  net  of  sublease  rentals,  under  noncancelable
leases  are  as  follows:

Fiscal  Year

Amount
(In  thousands)

2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 7,356
7,451
4,622
3,342
2,856
9,907

Total  minimum  payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$35,534

In  connection  with  the  leases  included  in  the  table  above,  the  Company  obtained  and  delivered
irrevocable  letters  of  credit  in  the  aggregate  amount  of  $354,000  as  security  deposits  under  such
leases.

Rent  expense  was  $12,104,000,  $11,027,000  and  $10,737,000  during  the  fiscal  years  ended  October  2,
2004,  September  27,  2003  and  September  28,  2002,  respectively.  Contingent  rentals,  included  in  rent
expense,  were  $4,153,000,  $3,366,000  and  $3,198,000  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  October  2,  2004,
September  27,  2003  and  September  28,  2002,  respectively.

In  August  2004,  the  Company  entered  into  a  lease  agreement  to  operate  a  Gallagher’s  Steakhouse  and
separate  bar,  yet  to  be  named,  at  the  Resorts  International  Hotel  and  Casino  in  Atlantic  City,  New
Jersey.  The  landlord  has  agreed  to  contribute  up  to  $3,000,000  towards  the  construction  of  these
facilities  which  the  Company  believes  will  be  sufficient  to  complete  construction.  The  restaurant  and
bar  are  scheduled  to  open  in  July  2005.  The  future  minimum  lease  payments  from  these  lease
agreements  are  included  in  the  above  schedule.

Legal  Proceedings—In  the  ordinary  course  of  its  business,  the  Company  is  a  party  to  various  lawsuits
arising  from  accidents  at  its  restaurants  and  worker’s  compensation  claims,  which  are  generally
handled  by  the  Company’s  insurance  carriers.

The  employment  by  the  Company  of  management  personnel,  waiters,  waitresses  and  kitchen  staff  at  a
number  of  different  restaurants  has  resulted  in  the  institution,  from  time  to  time,  of  litigation  alleging
violation  by  the  Company  of  employment  discrimination  laws.  The  Company  does  not  believe  that  any
of  such  suits  will  have  a  materially  adverse  effect  upon  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial
statements  or  operations.

Several  unfair  labor  practice  charges  were  filed  against  the  Company  in  1997  with  the  National  Labor
Relations  Board  (NLRB)  with  respect  to  the  Company’s  Las  Vegas  subsidiary.  The  charges  were  heard
in  October  1997.  At  issue  was  whether  the  Company  unlawfully  terminated  nine  employees  and
disciplined  six  other  employees  allegedly  in  retaliation  for  their  union  activities.  An  Administrative
Law  Judge  (ALJ)  found  that  six  employees  were  terminated  unlawfully,  three  were  discharged  for
valid  reasons,  four  employees  were  disciplined  lawfully  and  two  employees  were  disciplined
unlawfully.  On  appeal,  the  NLRB  found  that  the  Company  lawfully  disciplined  five  employees,  and
unlawfully  disciplined  one  employee.  The  Company  appealed  the  adverse  rulings  of  the  NLRB  to  the
D.C.  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals.  In  July  2003,  the  D.C.  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  affirmed  the
determinations  of  the  NLRB.  The  Company  offered  to  reinstate  the  employees  during  fiscal  2004  and
they  refused.  The  Company  incurred  no  liability  as  a  result.

9. COMMON  STOCK  REPURCHASE  PLAN

In  August  1998,  the  Company  authorized  the  repurchase  of  up  to  500,000  shares  of  the  Company’s
outstanding  common  stock.  In  April  1999,  the  Company  authorized  the  repurchase  of  an  additional
300,000  shares  of  the  Company’s  outstanding  common  stock.  For  the  year  ended  October  2,  2004  the

F-14

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Company  repurchased  2,500  shares  at  a  total  cost  of  $35,000.  For  the  years  ended  September  27,
2003  and  September  28,  2002,  there  were  no  repurchases  of  common  stock.

10. STOCK  OPTIONS

The  Company  has  a  Stock  Option  Plan  (the  “Plan’’)  pursuant  to  which  the  Company  reserved  for
issuance  an  aggregate  of  1,098,000  shares  of  common  stock.  Options  granted  under  the  Plan  to  key
employees  are  exercisable  at  prices  at  least  equal  to  the  fair  market  value  of  such  stock  on  the  dates  the
options  were  granted.  The  options  expire  five  years  after  the  date  of  grant  and  are  generally  exercisable
as  to  25%  of  the  shares  commencing  on  the  first  anniversary  of  the  date  of  grant  and  as  to  an
additional  25%  commencing  on  each  of  the  second,  third  and  fourth  anniversaries  of  the  date  of  grant.

Additional  information  follows:

2004

2003

2002

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Shares

Shares

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Shares

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Outstanding,  beginning  of  year . . . . . .

392,500 $ 7.91

392,500

$7.91

330,000 $10.72

Options:

Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled  or  expired . . . . . . . . . . .

—
(212,500)
(2,000)

Outstanding,  end  of  year  (a) . . . . . . . .

178,000

Exercise  price,  outstanding  options . . $6.30–7.50
Weighted  average  years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.14  Years
371,000
Shares  available  for  future  grant . . . .
60,500
Options  exercisable  (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9.18
10.00

6.30

6.30

—
—
—

392,500

7.91

240,000
—
(177,500)

392,500

6.30

10.24

7.91

$6.30–10.00
2.06  Years
371,000
220,000

$6.30–10.00
3.06  Years
371,000
168,000

9.10

10.00

(a) Options  become  exercisable  at  various  times  until  expiration  dates  ranging  from  December  2003

through  December  2006.

11.  MANAGEMENT  FEE  INCOME

As  of  October  2,  2004,  the  Company  provides  management  services  to  two  fast  food  courts  and  one
restaurant  it  does  not  own.  In  accordance  with  the  contractual  arrangements,  the  Company  earns
management  fees  based  on  operating  profits  as  defined  by  the  agreement.

Management  fee  income  relating  to  these  services  was  $386,000,  $120,000  and  $30,000  for  the  years
ended  October  2,  2004,  September  27,  2003  and  September  28,  2002,  respectively.

Restaurants  managed  had  sales  of  $9,566,000,  $2,765,000  and  $2,973,000  during  the  management
periods  within  the  years  ended  October  2,  2004,  September  27,  2003  and  September  28,  2002,
respectively,  which  are  not  included  in  consolidated  net  sales  of  the  Company.

12.  INCOME  TAXES

The  provision  for  income  taxes  reflects  Federal  income  taxes  calculated  on  a  consolidated  basis  and
state  and  local  income  taxes  calculated  by  each  subsidiary  on  a  nonconsolidated  basis.  For  New  York
State  and  City  income  tax  purposes,  the  losses  incurred  by  a  subsidiary  may  only  be  used  to  offset
that  subsidiary’s  income.

F-15

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The  provision  (benefit)  for  income  taxes  attributable  to  continuing  and  discontinued  operations  consists
of  the  following:

Current  provision  (benefit):

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State  and  local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Deferred  provision  (benefit):

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State  and  local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Years  Ended

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

September  28,
2002

(In  thousands)

$2,168
514

2,682

259
(403)

(144)

$1,534
316

1,850

3
(797)

(794)

$(2,151)
872

(1,279)

2,784
(86)

2,698

$2,538

$1,056

$ 1,419

The  provision  for  income  taxes  differs  from  the  amount  computed  by  applying  the  Federal  statutory
rate  due  to  the  following:

Years  Ended

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

September  28,
2002

(In  thousands)

Provision  for  Federal  income  taxes  (34%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State  and  local  income  taxes  net  of  Federal  tax  benefit . . . . . . .
Amortization  of  goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax  credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State  and  local  net  operating  loss  carryforward  allowance

adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$3,126
334
—
(591)

(414)
83

$1,488
208
—
(132)

(445)
(63)

$1,920
575
26
(755)

—
(347)

$2,538

$1,056

$1,419

Deferred  tax  assets  or  liabilities  are  established  for:  (a)  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying
amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  for  financial  reporting  purposes  and  the  amounts  used  for  income  tax
purposes,  and  (b)  operating  loss  carryforwards.  The  tax  effects  of  items  comprising  the  Company’s  net
deferred  tax  asset  are  as  follows:

Deferred  tax  assets  (liabilities):

Operating  loss  carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating  lease  deferred  credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carryforward  tax  credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation  and  amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred  gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valuation  allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension  withdrawal  liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asset  impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

(In  thousands)

$ 2,128
377
5,024
(1,598)
(107)
(486)
(270)
153
—

$ 5,221

$ 2,206
458
5,472
(2,140)
(151)
(900)
(270)
—
228

$ 4,903

A  valuation  allowance  for  deferred  taxes  is  required  if,  based  on  the  evidence,  it  is  more  likely  than
not  that  some  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  will  not  be  realized.  The  Company  believes  that  uncertainty
exists  with  respect  to  future  realization  of  certain  operating  loss  carryforwards  and  operating  lease
deferred  credits.  Therefore,  the  Company  provided  a  valuation  allowance  of  $486,000  at  October  2,
2004,  $900,000  at  September  27,  2003  and  $1,031,000  at  September  28,  2002.  The  Company

F-16

R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
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  7230

decreased  its  allowance  for  the  utilization  of  the  deferred  tax  asset  arising  from  state  and  local
operating  loss  carryforwards  by  $395,000  and  $445,000  for  the  years  ended  October  2,  2004  and
September  27,  2003,  respectively,  based  on  the  merger  of  certain  unprofitable  subsidiaries  into
profitable  ones.  The  Company  has  state  operating  loss  carryforwards  of  $27,371,000,  which  expire  in
the  years  2004  through  2018.

During  the  fiscal  year  ended  September  27,  2003,  the  Company  and  the  Internal  Revenue  Service
finalized  the  adjustments  to  the  Company’s  Federal  income  tax  returns  for  the  fiscal  years  ended
September  30,  1995  through  October  3,  1998.  The  final  adjustments  primarily  relate  to:  (i)  legal  and
accounting  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  new  or  acquired  restaurants  that  the  Internal  Revenue
Service  asserts  should  have  been  capitalized  and  amortized  rather  than  currently  expensed  and  (ii)
travel  and  meal  expenses  for  which  the  Internal  Revenue  Service  asserts  the  Company  did  not  comply
with  certain  record  keeping  requirements  or  the  Internal  Revenue  Code.  These  settlements  did  not
have  a  material  effect  on  the  Company’s  financial  condition.

13. OTHER  INCOME

Other  income  consists  of  the  following:

Purchasing  service  fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
World  Trade  Center  Recovery  Grants  (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Years  Ended

October  2,
2004

September  27,
2003

September  28,
2002

(In  thousands)

$ 61
—
534

$595

$ 58
508
407

$973

$123
—
338

$461

(a) During  the  fiscal  year  ended  September  27,  2003,  the  Company  applied  for  grants  to  the  World
Trade  Center  Business  Recovery  Grant  Program  for  four  restaurants  located  in  downtown  New
York.  The  program  was  established  to  compensate  businesses  for  economic  losses  resulting  from
the  September  11,  2001  disaster.  As  a  result  of  our  applications,  the  Company  received
compensation  of  $508,000  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  the  year  ended  September  27,  2003.

14.  INCOME  PER  SHARE  OF  COMMON  STOCK

A  reconciliation  of  the  numerators  and  denominators  of  the  basic  and  diluted  per  share  computations
for  the  fiscal  years  ended  October  2,  2004,  September  27,  2003  and  September  28,  2002  follows.

Per-Share
Income
(Numerator)
Amount
(In  thousands,  except  per  share  amounts)

Shares
(Denominator)

Year  ended  October  2,  2004:

Basic  EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock  options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diluted  EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Year  ended  September  27,  2003:

Basic  EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock  options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diluted  EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Year  ended  September  28,  2002:

Basic  EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock  options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diluted  EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$6,657
—

$6,657

$3,319
—

$3,319

$4,229
—

$4,229

3,305
139

3,444

3,181
32

3,213

3,181
25

3,206

$ 2.01
(0.08)

$ 1.93

$ 1.04
(0.01)

$ 1.03

$ 1.33
(0.01)

$ 1.32

For  the  years  ended  September  27,  2003  and  September  28,  2002,  stock  options  for  shares  of  168,000
and  178,000,  respectively,  were  not  included  in  the  computation  of  diluted  EPS  because  to  do  so
would  have  been  antidilutive.

F-17

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15.  QUARTERLY  INFORMATION  (UNAUDITED)

The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  quarterly  operating  data.

2004
Food  and  beverage  sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  income  from  continuing  operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  income  (loss)  from  discontinued  operations . . . . . . .
Net  income  (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Per  share  information—basic  and  diluted:
Continuing  operations  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued  operations  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Continuing  operations  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued  operations  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fiscal  Quarters  Ended

December  27, March  27,

2003

2004

June  26,
2004

October  2,
2004

(In  thousands  except  per  share  amounts)

$24,592
418
138
556

$

$
$

$

0.13
0.05
0.18
0.13
0.04
0.17

$24,739
494
(608)
(114)

$

0.15
(0.19)
$ (0.04)
0.15
$
(0.19)
$ (0.04)

$32,504
3,094
(34)
3,060

$

$
$

$

0.89
(0.01)
0.88
0.85
(0.01)
0.84

$33,013
3,350
(195)
3,155

$

0.99
(0.06)
$ 0.93
$ 0.95
(0.06)
$ 0.89

December  28, March  29,

2002

Fiscal  Quarters  Ended
June  28,
2003

2003

September  27,
2003

2003
Food  and  beverage  sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  income  (loss)  from  continuing  operations . . . . . .
Net  (loss)  from  discontinued  operations . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  income  (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Per  share  information—basic  and  diluted:
Continuing  operations  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued  operations  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Continuing  operations  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued  operations  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(In  thousands  except  per  share  amounts)

$22,497
(91)
(25)
(116)

$ (0.03)
(0.01)
$ (0.04)
$ (0.03)
(0.01)
$ (0.04)

$22,338
273
(243)
30

$

$
$

$

0.05
(0.04)
0.01
0.05
(0.04)
0.01

$28,120
1,781
(162)
1,619

$

$
$

$

0.56
(0.05)
0.51
0.55
(0.05)
0.50

$29,099
2,707
(921)
1,786

$

$
$

$

0.85
(0.29)
0.56
0.84
(0.29)
0.55

16.  STOCK  OPTION  RECEIVABLES

Stock  option  receivables  include  amounts  due  from  officers  and  directors  totaling  $364,000  and
$655,000  at  October  2,  2004  and  September  27,  2003,  respectively.  Such  amounts  which  are  due  from
the  exercise  of  stock  options  in  accordance  with  the  Company’s  Stock  Option  Plan  are  payable  on
demand  with  interest  (4.25%  at  October  2,  2004  and  4%  at  September  27,  2003).

17.  RELATED  PARTY  TRANSACTIONS

Receivables  due  from  officers  and  directors,  excluding  stock  option  receivables,  totaled  $52,000  at
October  2,  2004  compared  to  $85,000  at  September  27,  2003.  Other  employee  loans  totaled  $278,000
at  October  2,  2004  compared  to  $166,000  at  September  27,  2003.  Such  loans  bear  interest  at  the
minimum  statutory  rate  (2.24%  at  October  2,  2004  and  1.52%  at  September  27,  2003).

18.  SUBSEQUENT  EVENTS

On  October  12,  2004  the  Company  announced  that  the  Board  of  Directors  instituted  a  dividend  policy
by  declaring  a  regular  quarterly  dividend  of  $.35  a  share  on  the  Company’s  outstanding  common  stock
beginning  November  1,  2004  to  shareholders  of  record  at  the  close  of  business  October  22,  2004.  On
November  1,  2004  the  Company  paid  dividends  of  $1,187,000.

*

*

*

*

*

*

F-18

R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
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Cust: ARK  RESTAURANTS

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Fr: 100D

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  30550

Item  6.  Selected  Consolidated  Financial  Data

The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  financial  data  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  2000  through  2004.  During
fiscal  year  2004,  the  Company  sold  three  of  its  restaurants,  closed  one  restaurant  and  considered  one
restaurant  held  for  sale  in  accordance  with  FAS  144.  The  operations  of  these  restaurants  have  been
presented  as  discontinued  operations  for  the  2004  fiscal  year,  and  the  Company  has  reclassified  its
statements  of  operations  data  for  the  prior  periods  presented  below,  in  accordance  with  FAS  144.  This
information  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  the
notes  thereto  beginning  at  page  F-1.

OPERATING  DATA:
Total  revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost  and  expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating  income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other  income  (expense),  net . . . . . . .
Income  from  continuing  operations

before  provision  for  income  taxes
and  cumulative  effect  of
accounting  change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision  for  income  taxes . . . . . . . . .
Income  from  continuing  operations
before  the  cumulative  effect  of
accounting  change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Loss  from  discontinued  operations
before  benefit  for  income  taxes
and  the  cumulative  effect  of
accounting  change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Benefit  for  income  taxes . . . . . . . . . . .
Income  from  discontinued

operations  before  the  cumulative
effect  of  accounting  change . . . . . .

Cumulative  effect  of  accounting

change—net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NET  INCOME  (LOSS) . . . . . . . . . . . .

NET  INCOME  (LOSS)  PER

SHARE:

Continuing  operations  basic . . . . . . . .
Discontinued  operations  basic . . . . . .
Net  basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Continuing  operations  diluted . . . . . .
Discontinued  operations  diluted . . . . .
Net  diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted  average  number  of

shares

October  2,
2004

Years  Ended
September  28,
2002

September  27,
2003

September  29,
2001
(In  thousands,  except  per  share  data)

September  30,
2000

(a)

(b)

(c)

$ 115,698
(106,081)
9,617
543

$102,733
(96,980)
5,753
403

$101,625
(95,153)
6,472
(607)

$ 106,844
(101,198)
5,646
(2,223)

$ 103,385
(100,669)
2,716
(1,621)

10,160
2,804

6,156
1,486

5,865
1,474

3,423
1,123

1,095
384

7,356

4,670

4,391

2,300

711

(965)
(266)

(1,781)
(430)

(217)
(55)

(13,614)
(4,466)

(699)

(1,351)

—
6,657

—
3,319

$
$
$
$
$
$

2.22
(0.21)
2.01
2.13
(0.20)
1.93

$
$
$
$
$
$

1.46
(0.42)
1.04
1.45
(0.42)
1.03

$
$
$
$
$
$

(162)

—
4,229

1.38
(0.05)
1.33
1.37
(0.05)
1.32

3,181
3,206

(9,148)

—
(6,848)

0.72
(2.88)
(2.16)
0.72
(2.88)
(2.16)

3,181
3,186

$
$
$
$
$
$

(6,535)
(2,290)

(4,245)

(189)
(3,723)

0.16
(1.33)
(1.17)
0.16
(1.33)
(1.17)

3,461
3,476

$
$
$
$
$
$

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,305
3,444

3,181
3,213

BALANCE  SHEET  DATA  (end  of

period):

Total  assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working  capital  (deficit) . . . . . . .
Long-term  debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholders’  equity . . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholders’  equity  per  share
Facilities  in  operations—end  of
year,  including  managed . . . . .

$ 44,894
1,263
—
34,200
10.08

$ 43,635
(4,802)
7,226
24,826
7.80

$ 47,960
(7,990)
9,547
21,446
6.74

$ 53,091
(6,569)
21,700
17,173
5.40

$ 66,297
(5,460)
24,447
24,065
7.55

48

41

49
47
41
(footnotes  continued  on  next  page)

F-19

R.S.  Rosenbaum  &  Co. 212-741-7444
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Cust: ARK  RESTAURANTS
Nxt: 0D

Fr: 5720D

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  59582

(footnotes  continued  from  previous  page)

(a) Fiscal  2003  income  was  adversely  affected  by  an  asset  impairment  charge  of  $667,000  related  to

the  fixed  assets  of  a  restaurant,  Lutece,  located  in  New  York.

(b) Fiscal  2001  income  was  adversely  affected  by  an  asset  impairment  charge  of  $10,045,000  related
to  the  Aladdin  operations  and  a  charge  of  $935,000  due  to  the  cancellation  of  a  development
project.

F-20

CORPORATE INFORMATION 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Michael Weinstein  
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer 

Robert Towers  
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer 

Vincent Pascal  
Senior Vice President --- Operations and Secretary 

Paul Gordon  
Senior Vice President --- Director of Las Vegas Operations  

Marcia Allen  
President, Allen & Associates 

Bruce Lewin  
Member, Continental Hosts, Ltd. 

Steve Shulman 
President, Managing Director, Hampton Group Inc. 

Arthur Stainman  
Senior Managing Director, First Manhattan Co. 

Edward Lowenthal  
President, Ackeman Management, LLC 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE   

AUDITORS 

85 Fifth Avenue 
New York, NY 10003  
(212) 206-8800  

J.H. Cohn LLP 
1212 Avenue of the Americas 
New York, NY 10036 

TRANSFER AGENT 

COUNSEL 

Continental Stock Transfer 
17 Battery Place 
New York, NY 10004 

Vandenberg & Feliu 
110 East 42nd Street 
New York, NY 10017 

20