Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Restaurants / Biglari Holdings Inc.

Biglari Holdings Inc.

bh · NYSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker bh
Exchange NYSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Restaurants
Employees 2535
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FY2019 Annual Report · Biglari Holdings Inc.
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2019

Dear Shareholders of Biglari Holdings Inc.:  

The governing aim of Biglari Holdings is to grow its collection of businesses without allegiance 
to a specific industry but  with an unyielding allegiance to maximizing per-share intrinsic value.1 As a 
multifaceted enterprise, Biglari Holdings advances by way of opportunism. We weigh each opportunity 
against a multitude of others in determining capital allocation.  

Our holding company structure provides the ideal vehicle for acquisitions and  investments; its 
flexibility enhances the efficacy with which capital is redeployed. To achieve our economic objective, 
our  preference  is  to  purchase  businesses  in  their  entirety,  but  partial  ownership  via  the  stock  market 
usually  offers  a  better  value-per-dollar  investment.  As  the  architect  of  our  corporate  structure,  I  have 
designed a system whose virtue lies in its simplicity.  

Much  in  the  way  an  art  museum  counts  Matisse  and  Picasso  among  its  collection,  Biglari 
Holdings counts an insurance company and a restaurant chain among its holdings. We continually seek 
the economic equivalents of Renoirs, Cézannes, and Rembrandts. Our economic museum enables us to 
assemble the best pieces, just as an art collector selects masterworks. Phil Cooley, Vice Chairman of the 
company,  and  I  derive  great  pleasure  from  acquiring  profitable  businesses  under  the  aegis  of  Biglari 
Holdings. 

There  is  a  clear  advantage  in  amalgamating  operating  businesses.  By  controlling  individual 
enterprises, we are in a position to reallocate the excess cash our subsidiaries generate. The possibilities 
for reinvestment become far greater when a company becomes a constituent of Biglari Holdings. After 
all, we are under no constraints to reinvest the money where it was earned; rather, we operate in a wider 
sphere of activity — surveying a broad range of investment opportunities — which invariably improves 
the allocation of capital.  

Despite  the  centralization  of  capital  deployment  at  the  parent  company,  we  employ  extreme 
delegation of operating decisions at the subsidiary level. Our main contribution is to stay out of the way. 
We place great trust in our managers to run their operations.   

After five and a half years devoid of an acquisition, we purchased Southern Oil Company and, 
subject to regulatory approval,  will complete the acquisition of  Southern Pioneer Property & Casualty 
Insurance Company. The former closed in fall 2019, and the latter is scheduled to close by the end of the 
first quarter. Both businesses will continue to diversify our sources of earnings. (It is mere coincidence 
that both firms have the word Southern in their name.)  

Over  the  last  eleven  years  we  have  built  Biglari  Holdings  —  the  parent  company  of  Steak  n 
Shake  Inc.,  Western  Sizzlin  Corporation,  First  Guard  Insurance  Company,  Maxim  Inc.,  Southern  Oil 
Company,  and  in  due  course,  Southern  Pioneer  Property  &  Casualty  Insurance  Company  —  into  a 
mosaic of operating subsidiaries along with substantial investment holdings. This gives Biglari Holdings 
the decided edge of diversified cash flows and abundant liquidity. 

Despite operating in a corporate world populated by managers overly concerned with the next 
quarter, we make decisions concerned with the next quarter century. Our interest lies in creating wealth, 
not  in  generating  reported  earnings.  There  is  no  sense  turning  our  advantage  into  a  handicap  by 

1 Intrinsic value is  measured by taking all  future cash  flows into and out of the business  and discounting the  net 

figures at an appropriate interest rate. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
                                                   
participating  in  a  short-term  performance  derby.  The  adoption  of  capital  allocation  policies  with 
maximum flexibility has  accounted for much of our economic gain. By seizing remunerative business 
and investment opportunities over the past eleven years, Biglari Holdings’ cash and investments grew 
from $1.6 million to $778.8 million — even while allocating funds toward the acquisition of businesses.  

Here is the year-by-year development of cash and investments: 

(In Millions) 

Cash and  
Cash Equivalents 

Marketable 
Securities  

The Lion Fund 

Total  
Investments 

2008 .........................................     $ 
2009 .........................................    
2010 .........................................    
2011 .........................................    
2012 .........................................    
2013 .........................................    
2014 .........................................    
2015 .........................................    
2016 .........................................    
2017 .........................................    
2018 .........................................    
2019 .........................................    

1.6 
51.4 
47.6 
99.0 
60.4 
94.6 
  124.3 
56.5 
75.8 
58.6 
48.6 
67.8 

  $ 

– 
3.0 
32.5 
  115.3 
  269.9 
85.5 
21.5 
23.8 
26.8 
27.7 
38.3 
44.9 

  $ 

– 
– 
  38.6 
  38.5 
  48.3 
 455.3 
 620.8 
 734.7 
 972.7 
 925.3 
 715.1 
 666.1 

  $ 

1.6 
54.4 
118.7 
252.8 
378.6 
635.4 
766.6 
815.0 
1,075.3 
1,011.6 
802.0 
 778.8 

Notes:  The  years  2015  through  2019  were  calendar  years.  The  years  2009  through  2014  were  fiscal  years  that  ended  on  the  last 
Wednesday in September. The 2008 data is for the fiscal quarter ending on July 2, 2008, the nearest fiscal quarter prior to present 
management assuming control.  

Biglari  Holdings’  investments  in  The  Lion  Fund,  L.P.  and  The  Lion  Fund  II,  L.P.  do  not  include  other  limited  partners’ 
interests. Both partnerships throughout this letter will be referenced as The Lion Fund. 

With no debt at the parent company, the corporation is constructed to weather economic storms. 
Our emancipation from external capital markets for funding emanates from our financial strength. We 
are not debt-averse so long as debt does not compromise the company under  any economic or market 
conditions.  Besides,  we  have  long  held  the  view  that  to  achieve  prosperity,  one  must  be  prepared  for 
adversity.  

Operating the headquarters with a staff of  five, we sidestep layers and layers of personnel and 
their  associated costs.  We  eschew  the  typical  departments,  such as  public  relations, investor  relations, 
legal,  and  acquisitions.  For  example,  the  responsibility  for  capital  allocation  is  highly  centralized  and 
managed exclusively by me rather than through a committee. Additionally, we employ neither analysts 
nor advisors in the evaluation of acquisitions or investments. Biglari Holdings does not suffer from the 
diseconomies  of  scale  caused  by  a  bloated  corporate  bureaucracy,  which  invariably  chokes 
responsiveness. It turns out that the bureaucracy of others is our opportunity. 

Among  the  reasons  for  our  swiftness  in  decision-making  concerning  acquisitions  is  our 
avoidance of the deep-rooted standard practice of “due diligence.” Biglari Holdings is an old-fashioned 
sort of place. We rely on our own judgment, measuring not everything that is measurable but only that 
which we deem meaningful.  

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
  
 
   
    
 
  
 
   
    
 
  
 
   
    
 
  
 
   
    
 
  
 
   
    
 
  
 
   
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
An  absolutely  critical  factor  in  acquisitions  is  the  character  of  the  people  with  whom  we 
associate.  The  ideal  purchase  is  First  Guard,  an  outstanding  business  operated  by  an  exceptional 
manager. Edmund B. Campbell, III, the virtuoso behind the enterprise, is responsible for First Guard’s 
creation and its first-class operation. Here is a man who has no financial need to work but he does so for 
the love of the business and the thrill of achievement.  

Our  association  with  First  Guard  was  beneficial  when,  in  late  November  2019,  we  agreed  to 
purchase another family business, Southern Pioneer Property & Casualty Insurance Company. Much as 
with  First  Guard,  we  are  uniting  with  a  skilled,  honorable  family  in  joining  with  the  Hynemans.  The 
transaction  appeals  to  the  Hynemans  because  it  diversifies  the  family’s  holdings.  Yet  the  family  will 
continue to  run  the  company  just  as  it did  before  the  ownership  change.  We  were  spoiled  in  the  First 
Guard acquisition — and we just got spoiled again with Southern Pioneer.  

We offer what most business buyers — financial or strategic — do not or cannot offer family-
owned and -managed businesses: continuity and permanency. We are able to provide such companies a 
permanent home — without any changes to their operations, their headquarters, or their personnel. Our 
capital is permanent, unlike that of exit-driven private equity firms. Indeed, we buy to own indefinitely. 
Because I am the controlling stockholder of Biglari Holdings, we can promise sellers there will be no 
change in control.  

Our  idiosyncratic  approach  has  the  added  benefit  of  appealing  to  strong-willed,  like-minded 
entrepreneurs  who  are  accustomed  to  running  their  own  show.  But  for  such  a  rare  breed  of  owner-
operators to join our union, we must provide them with unusual managerial freedom. Extreme autonomy 
is not only what we offer but also what we seek. With the purchase of First Guard and  now Southern 
Pioneer, we continue to build on our reputational advantage. We expect other uncommon entrepreneurs 
to join Biglari Holdings’ family of companies.  

Many who engage in acquisitions soon share the sentiments of a trapped mouse squealing, “The 
hell  with  the  cheese;  get  me  out  of  here.”  To  avoid  being  caught  in  the  same  trap,  we  are  quite 
discerning. Logic backed by long experience indicates that to succeed in the business of acquisitions we 
need the advantages of structure, capital, and reputation working in our favor. Creating  value through 
acquisitions is far from easy. For that reason, it is exceedingly infrequent that an acquisition opportunity 
meets our high standards. In the words of Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza, “All things excellent are 
as difficult as they are rare.” For every hundred businesses we review, only one or two may interest us. 
When  we  do  find  one  that  meets  our  criteria  —  strong  economics,  solid  management,  and  a  sensible 
price — we press forward expeditiously.  

Our corporate performance is the result of cash generated by operating subsidiaries along with 
capital allocation work, which according to our criterion must outdo the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 
eleven years we believe Biglari Holdings’ gain in per-share intrinsic value has far outstripped the S&P 
500. Two components are critical in assessing the company’s progress: its investments and its operating 
businesses. 

Investments 

By  the  end  of  2019,  total  investments  (cash,  marketable  securities,  and  Biglari  Holdings’ 
investments  in  The  Lion  Fund)  amounted  to  $778.8  million;  most  of  that  sum  came  from  investment 
profits. Our investment activities are largely conducted through The Lion Fund, whose origin dates from 
the year 2000 when I founded it. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Through  The  Lion  Fund,  we  have  invested  the  corporation’s  capital,  your  capital,  in  select 
common stocks. Below are The Lion Fund’s unaffiliated common stock investments, each with a year-
end market value of more than $50 million. Also shown are the total investment profits — realized and 
unrealized gains, including dividends — derived from securities related to these holdings.  

Number 
of Shares  

 Company 

Market 
Value 

2,000,000  

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. ............................. 

$307,480 

375,000  

Tiffany & Co. ......................................................................  

50,119 

Investment 
Profits 

$747,628 

36,309 

(Dollars in 000’s) 

As indicated in the table above, at year-end The Lion Fund’s largest common stock holding was 
Cracker  Barrel  Old  Country  Store,  Inc.  Between  2018  and  2019  we decreased  our  holding  in  Cracker 
Barrel  from  19.7%  to  8.3%  of  the  company’s  outstanding  shares.  We  originally  purchased  4,737,794 
shares  of  Cracker  Barrel  for  $241.1  million  from  May  2011  through  December  2012,  with  a  dollar-
weighted purchase date of December 2011. At last year’s dividend of $8.10 per share, the pre-tax yield 
is 15.9% on our average cost per share of $50.89.  

By year-end 2019, we received proceeds of $472.7 million from the sale of Cracker Barrel stock 
(including derivative positions), $208.5 million in dividends, plus we held a remaining stake of $307.5 
million.  In  sum,  over an eight-year  period,  our  investment  in  Cracker  Barrel  of  $241.1  million turned 
into $988.7 million in value. 

In  selecting  common  stocks,  we  concentrate  on  very  few  investments.  We  do  not  substitute 
diversification for a lack of knowledge. By raising our level of knowledge, we lower the possibility of 
loss. Clearly, a concentrated approach engenders volatility  — accentuating the vicissitudes inherent in 
common  stock  ownership  —  which  we  blissfully  accept,  as  long  as  the  ultimate  verdict  is  increased 
long-term  profit.  Our  investing  style,  we  acknowledge,  is  unorthodox.  But  it  is  not  a  matter  of  being 
contrarian; it is a matter of being correct on the basis of facts and logical reasoning.  

The  art  of  shrewd  investing  in  equities  depends  on  the  art  of  skillful  business  appraisal. 
Twentieth-century economist Joseph A. Schumpeter, in his book Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, 
coined  the  term  “creative  destruction”  to  describe  the  process  by  which  entrepreneurs,  through  their 
innovations, destroy old business paradigms to make room for the new. We concern ourselves not with 
the  early  identification  of  creative  destructors,  but  with  whether  the  businesses  we  are  interested  in 
owning are vulnerable to destruction themselves. We therefore start with a clear conception: To achieve 
a  superior  long-term  result  in  a  specific  company,  the  business  must  possess  superior  long-term 
prospects. Of course, one can overpay for competitive superiority, negating the merits of the investment. 
We  are  willing  to  wait  as  long  as  necessary  for  an  outstanding  business,  operating  with  a  built-in 
advantage, to be priced in the market below our appraisal of its intrinsic worth.  

At  year-end  2019,  Biglari  Holdings  had  a  $666.1  million  investment  in  The  Lion  Fund 
partnerships.  Biglari  Holdings’  investment  in  the  partnerships  excludes  deferred  income  taxes 
on  unrealized  gains.  As  is  evident  in  Biglari  Holdings’  financial  statements,  we  would  owe  taxes  of 
$56.5  million  if  the  partnerships  liquidated  their  holdings  at  year-end  values.  The  tax  liability,  we 
regard,  is  tantamount  to  an  interest-free  loan  from  the  government  for  the  company’s  benefit.  We  are 

4 

gaining the upside of leverage without its associated downside. Hence, we control $56.5 million more in 
assets funded by liabilities carrying no cost, no covenants, and no maturity date — except the loan must 
be paid as assets are sold. Plainly, the character of deferred tax liabilities is a source of value.  

The  high  growth  rate  in  investments  has  created  funds  for  the  acquisition  of  operating 
businesses. Let us review the two companies we agreed to acquire in 2019, both of which will add to the 
earning power of Biglari Holdings.  

Southern Oil Company 

We struck oil — and better yet, we did so after it was discovered, with production in full swing. 

On September 9, 2019, we acquired Southern Oil of Louisiana Inc. for $51.5 million in cash. It 
operates  through  our  wholly  owned  subsidiary  Southern  Oil  Company.  From  the  date  of  acquisition 
through year-end 2019, the company generated $8.0 million in pre-tax earnings, and sent us, its parent 
company,  $3.2  million  in  cash.  We  purchased  a  business  in  which  we  benefit  from  large  capital 
expenditures  made  prior  to  our  arrival.  In  fact,  the  producing  wells  we  purchased  should  more  than 
cover our acquisition cost. 

Southern Oil primarily operates offshore in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Its assets 
can be traced to the former publicly owned company RAAM Global Energy Company, which filed for 
Chapter  11  bankruptcy  in  October  2015.  The  aftermath  was  that  its  senior  lender  acquired  the  assets 
under  a  newly  formed  entity  a  few  months  later.  The  new  owners  subsequently  pursued  a  sale.  Since 
Wall Street was steering clear of the industry, possibilities emerged for Biglari Holdings. Southern Oil is 
a good fit for us because we like the assets, the people operating it, and the price we paid.   

We  took  ownership  of  an  established  business  whose  offshore  platforms,  in  combination  with 
developed pipelines, will readily permit oil and gas production from new wells. We have the operational 
capabilities to build oil and gas reserves. However, we aim to team up with outside partners to pursue 
exploration on our properties.  

It should be noted that our interest in the oil and gas business sprang not from a master plan but 
from an emergent opportunity. We judge Southern Oil’s economic performance not by the amount of oil 
produced  or  the  level  of  profit;  rather,  we  measure  results  based  on  cash  generated  relative  to  capital 
invested.  

Southern Pioneer Property & Casualty Insurance Company 

As  mentioned  in  last  year’s  report,  we  have  been  seeking  to  acquire  additional  insurance 
companies in an endeavor to construct a formidable insurance operation. Because the insurance business 
is a tough one — owing to the competitive pricing of a commodity-like product — we look to partner 
with  highly  skilled  operators.  Many  have  entered  the  insurance  business  expecting  mouthwatering 
profits only to experience hard-to-swallow losses. To avoid the fate of the irrational optimist, we have 
been biding our time to discover gems in the industry.  

5 

Southern Pioneer was chartered in 1981 with $500,000. As principal owners of Southern Pioneer 
for  about  four  decades,  Hyneman  brothers  Ben  and  Hal  built  the  business  by  underwriting  garage 
liability,  commercial  property,  and  dealer  license  bonds  for  independent  auto  dealers,  a  specialty  they 
perfected in their home state and then in four contiguous states. Along with the company’s other lines of 
insurance,  in  2019,  net  written  premium  totaled  $23.4  million.  The  Hynemans  have  displayed 
unwavering  underwriting  discipline,  staying  within  certain  niches  and  registering  a  lifetime  combined 
ratio below 100%.2 

Ben serves as Southern Pioneer’s Chairman of the Board and Hal as its President. In the steady 
hands  of  the  Hynemans  —  Ben,  Hal,  Brian,  Matt,  and  Hunter  —  the  company  has  flourished.  The 
family runs the business as one cohesive unit, and while each is extremely able, their collective strength 
exceeds the sum of their individual talents. 

I first spoke with the family on November 18. At my request they agreed to meet with Phil and 
me  the  following  day  in  their  hometown  of  Jonesboro,  Arkansas.  (When  you  find  something  special, 
why wait?) It was immediately clear that the Hynemans care deeply about the business and its people — 
and that unstinting devotion created a great company. Southern Pioneer was not on the market, nor was 
the family contemplating a sale. Notwithstanding, about a week later, on the day before Thanksgiving, 
we struck a deal. The rest is mere formality. Once we receive regulatory approval, we will close on our 
purchase  of  Southern  Pioneer  Property  &  Casualty  Insurance  Company  and  its  affiliated  agency, 
Southern Pioneer Insurance Agency.  

Over  the  years  the  Hynemans  had  been  approached  by  other  potential  buyers,  but  the  idea  of 
putting  their  creation  under  the  control  of  a  strategic  acquirer  or  private  equity  firm  had  no  appeal 
because  of  the  disruptions  such  owners  would  cause  for  the  business  and  its  employees.  Just  as  with 
First Guard, we were in an advantageous position because we did not merely want to buy the business; 
we wanted the entire team to continue to operate in the future as they had in the past. The only exception 
is Biglari Holdings assuming responsibility for the investment portfolio.  

By  joining  the  Biglari  Holdings  family  of  companies,  Southern  Pioneer  can  benefit  from  the 
parent  company’s  enduring  financial  strength,  a  new  potential  the  team  is  sure  to  maximize.  We  are 
honored to be associated with the Hynemans and Southern Pioneer.  

Operating Businesses 

Biglari  Holdings  was  created  from  two  allied  companies:  Steak  n  Shake  and  Western  Sizzlin. 
The  holding  company  now  has  five  major  controlled  businesses,  each  100%-owned:  Steak  n  Shake, 
Western  Sizzlin,  First  Guard,  Maxim,  and  Southern  Oil,  with  Southern  Pioneer  soon  to  become  the 
sixth. By reallocating funds unneeded at our subsidiaries into other businesses, new streams of cash are 
added with each acquisition.  

Because we are driven by intrinsic value, not by an income statement, in our view our reported 
earnings  do  not  represent  a  meaningful  measure  of  our  economic  progress.  We  assess  business 
performance not on a single year’s profits or cash flows but rather on the present value of future cash 

2 The combined ratio represents losses incurred plus expenses as compared to revenue from premiums. A combined 

ratio below 100 percent denotes an underwriting profit, whereas a ratio above 100 percent denotes a loss. 

6 

flows.  As  a  first  step  in  evaluating  Biglari  Holdings’  performance,  the  following  table  delineates  an 
unconventional  breakdown  of  our  earnings  in  a  form  that  Phil  and  I  find  more  useful  than  the 
conventional one in our consolidated statements. 

Operating Earnings: 

Steak n Shake ....................................................... 
Western Sizzlin .................................................... 
First Guard ........................................................... 
Maxim .................................................................. 
Southern Oil ......................................................... 
Corporate and Other............................................. 

Operating Earnings Before Interest and Taxes ........  
Interest Expense .......................................................  
Income Taxes ...........................................................  

Net Operating Earnings............................................  
The Lion Fund (net of taxes) ...................................  

(In 000’s) 

2019 

2018 

$  (18,575) 
1,756 
7,103 
742 
8,032 
 (9,608) 

(10,550) 
12,442 
(7,599) 

    (15,393) 
60,773 

$ 

(10,657) 
2,046 
6,215 
1,068 
– 
 (10,651) 

(11,979) 
11,677 
(9,808) 

(13,848) 
33,240 

Total Earnings ..........................................................  

     $ 

45,380 

$  19,392 

Our reported earnings are materially affected by the volatility in the carrying value of The Lion 
Fund.  Yet  we  are  indifferent  to  variability  in  reported  earnings  triggered  by  the  accounting  of  the 
investment partnerships. To correct the resultant distortions in our earnings figures, we simply separate 
changes  in  the  partnerships’  values  from  those  in  the  operating  businesses  when  we  report  Biglari 
Holdings’ earnings.  

Last  year’s  performance  was  dismal  because  our  largest  subsidiary,  Steak  n  Shake,  was  once 
again  a  drag  on  results.  Our  net  operating  loss  of  $15.4  million  in  2019  compares  with  a  loss  of 
$13.8 million in 2018. Whereas Steak n Shake was the engine of compound growth from 2009 through 
2016, in the last two years it has recorded significant losses.  

Nevertheless,  we  have  been  consistent  in  our  view  that  such  annual  figures  provide  an 
incomplete evaluation of our performance. Although we do not disregard yearly earnings, neither do we 
regard  them  as  vital.  As  a  corollary,  the  logical  approach  for  shareholders  to  take  when  appraising 
Biglari Holdings is to review the performance of each operating subsidiary.  

Restaurant Operations 

Our  restaurant  operations  consist  of  Steak  n  Shake  and  Western  Sizzlin  for  a  combined  662 
units.  However,  the  business  models  differ.  Steak  n  Shake,  totaling  610  locations,  primarily  operates 
restaurants  but  continues  its  shift  toward  franchising.  Western  Sizzlin  is  primarily  engaged  in 
franchising restaurants, with 52 units — all but 4 are franchisee-run.  

7 

Western Sizzlin Corp. 

Phil and I trace our introduction to the restaurant business back to Western Sizzlin Corp., a then 
publicly owned company that we took control of in March 2006. Robyn Mabe serves as the company’s 
CFO,  a  position  she  has  held  since  1999.  For  the  past  decade  she  has  been  responsible  for  the  entire 
operation. And what an extraordinary job she has done. Biglari Holdings acquired Western Sizzlin on 
March  30,  2010,  for  a  net  purchase  price  of  $21.7  million.  Under  Robyn’s  skilled  leadership,  the 
company has been a cash machine, with distributions to Biglari Holdings totaling $25.7 million.  

Steak n Shake Inc. 

Present  management  took  over  Steak  n  Shake  on  August  5,  2008.  From  2009  through  2019, 
Steak  n  Shake  dispatched  nearly  $300  million  of  cash  to  Biglari  Holdings,  which  fueled  the  holding 
company’s  growth.  Steak  n  Shake  prospered  for  eight  years  despite  brutal  competition.  Over  the  past 
three  years,  however,  results  have  gone  from  bad  to  worse.  Here  is  a  review  of  Steak  n  Shake’s 
performance since 2008: 

Operating 
Earnings 

Same-Store 
Sales 

2008 .......................... 

$  (30,754) 

(7.1%) 

2009 (53 weeks) ........ 

2010 .......................... 

2011 .......................... 

2012 .......................... 

2013 .......................... 

2014 .......................... 

2015 .......................... 

2016 .......................... 

2017 .......................... 

11,473 

38,316 

41,247 

45,622 

28,376 

26,494 

39,749 

34,717 

431 

2018 .......................... 
2019 .......................... 

(10,657) 
(18,575) 

4.1% 

7.5% 

4.2% 

3.8% 

2.2% 

2.9% 

3.6% 

(0.4%) 

(1.8%) 

(5.1%) 
(6.9%) 

(Dollars in 000’s) 
Number of 
Company- 
Operated 
Units 

Number of 
Franchise 
Partner Units 

Number of 
Traditional  
Franchise 
Units 

423 

412 

412 

413 

414 

415 

416 

417 

417 

415 

411 
368 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2 
29 

  75 

  73 

  71 

  76 

  83 

104 

124 

144 

173 

200 

213 
213 

Notes: The years 2015 through 2019 were calendar years. The years 2008 through 2014 were fiscal years that ended on the last Wednesday in 

September.

Steak n Shake has 610 restaurants, of which 213 are operated by traditional franchisees. In 2019, 
we  took  decisive  steps  to  address  Steak  n  Shake’s  problems.  These  measures  include  reducing  the 
company-operated base of stores; we temporarily closed 107 units in order to fix issues that led to the 
operating shortfall. We refused to keep any unit open that could not deliver excellent customer service.  

8 

Our staunch dedication to high-quality products and low prices was not matched by the type of 
equipment  and  kitchen  design  necessary  for  high-volume  production.  The  combination  of  labor-
intensive,  slow  production  with  high-cost  table  service  has  led  our  overall  labor  costs  to  be  6  to  8 
percentage points above those incurred by our competitors. As a result, most of the temporarily closed 
units will reopen, but with counter service rather than table service.  

A monumental change underway at Steak n Shake is our franchise partnership program, which 
has  provided  clear  and  convincing  evidence  of  success.  Let  us  first  review  how  the  program  works, 
because it is not the typical franchise arrangement. Our franchise partner agreement stipulates that the 
franchisee make an upfront investment totaling $10,000, a modest figure for the opportunity. Because of 
our significant investment in the business, including the construction of the restaurant and its equipment, 
we  assess  a  fee  of  up  to  15%  of  sales  as  well  as  50%  of  profits.  Under  our  arrangement,  a  franchise 
partner is able to earn considerable sums, which is the way we want it. 

In  the  end,  nothing  is  as  important  as  the  way  our  customers  are  treated.  It  takes  the  right 
leadership in a unit for customers to be served in a warm, caring, and hospitable manner. To achieve our 
goal, we are building a culture of ownership at the unit level. For operators to think and act like owners, 
we believe they must be owners. We are on our way to becoming a company of owners, changing the 
culture of the organization in our quest for service excellence.  

Thus far, we have converted 29 company-operated units into single-unit franchise partnerships. 
Same-store sales for franchise partners increased by 2.2% last year, compared with a decrease of 6.9% 
for company-operated units. Moreover, our 50% share of profits from these units exceeded the sum they 
generated  in  the  prior  year,  when  we  claimed  100%  of  profits.  I  should  emphasize  that  this  group  of 
entrepreneurs is a rare breed of the most resourceful, able, and energetic individuals ever assembled as 
restaurant operators. 

To become a franchise partner is no easy task. The road to the summit is steep. In the process of 
admitting the 29, we received roughly 17,000 applications from franchisee candidates, which represents 
an acceptance rate of 0.17%. To put that in perspective, last year Harvard University had an acceptance 
rate  of  4.5%.  Doubtless,  our  success  will  come  from  selecting  men  and  women  of  extraordinary 
character and competence.  

The financial effect for a franchise partner can be substantial. Some of our 29 franchisees are on 
their way to earning north of $200,000 in their first year. A good number of our franchise partners will 
become millionaires. But make no mistake: We are not minting millionaires but are merely providing 
the means — they are earning every penny.  

The American dream is alive and well at Steak n Shake. Becoming a franchise partner does not 
involve great capital but it does require great talent. The touchstone of our program is performance, an 
opportunity available to all based on ability rather than birthright, race, religion, or any other arbitrary 
characteristic. Steak n Shake offers equality of opportunity — distinct from equality of outcome — the 
very  concept  that  created  an  increasingly  productive  American  society.  Our  ideals  match  up  with  the 
same ideals that built America.  

Steak  n  Shake’s  franchise  partnership  system  is  about  putting  the  interests  of  our  people  first. 
And they in turn place the interests of our customers first. The franchise partnership is a federation of 
individualist  entrepreneurs.  Our  job  is  to  provide  central  direction  to  maintain  uniformity  in  product 
quality, but we rely on our remarkable partners to provide the gold standard in service.  

9 

In last year’s report I estimated that it would take about three years to transition to a network of 
franchise  partners.  Although  we  do  not  anticipate  that  our  acceptance  rate  will  change  materially,  by 
virtue  of  the  successful  new  franchise  owners  in  the  system,  we  expect  program  enrollment  to  gain 
momentum.   

Steak n Shake now has two franchise arrangements: (1) franchise partner, outlined above; and 
(2) traditional franchisee, which is our means of growing unit count. The latter is a traditional franchise-
based  model  that  allows  us  to  grow  without  a  major  capital  outlay.  Here,  the  funding  necessary  to 
expand  the  brand is  borne  by  third  parties. The  noncapital-intensive  strategy  of  traditional  franchising 
generates high-return, annuity-like cash flows. Thus, it is a business that not only produces cash instead 
of consuming it but concomitantly reduces operating risk.  

Beginning in 2010, we invested substantial sums to advance our traditional franchise business. 

Displayed below are the number of franchise units and the revenue derived from them:  

(Dollars in 000’s) 

Franchise 
Royalties and 
Other Fees 
(A) 

Franchise 
Marketing  
Contributions 
(B) 

Franchise 
Revenue 
(A) + (B) 

Number of 
Franchise 
Units 

2010* .................  

$ 

4,316 

$  6,516 

$  10,832 

2019 ...................  

16,956 

7,815 

24,771 

Gain  ..................  

$  12,640 

$  1,299 

$  13,939 

71 

213 

142 

* Franchise royalties and other fees have been adjusted to reflect the accounting standard adopted in 2018.

Phil and I disregard the franchise marketing contributions because the vast majority of these are 
advertising  dollars  spent  on  behalf  of  the  franchisees,  as  required  by  our  contractual  obligations.  Our 
attention is instead centered on franchise royalties and other fees we receive from franchisees.  

Steak  n  Shake  was  founded  in  1934  in  Normal,  Illinois,  and  the  first  franchise  unit  opened  in 
1939. From 1939 to 2010, Steak n Shake grew by an average of one franchise unit per year. Over the 
last  nine  years,  on  average,  we  have  increased  unit  count  by  more  than  15  per  year,  changing  the 
company’s trajectory and expanding its reach. Steak n Shake continues to grow in universities, casinos, 
airports, gas stations, shopping centers, and other arenas. Our international operations now account for 
nearly one-seventh of our traditional franchise units.  

For the period 2011 through 2015, the franchise business operated at a loss but intrinsic value 
advanced.  We  allocated  capital  to  develop  the  franchising  business  with  the  expectation  of  creating 
greater  dollar  value  for  each  dollar  spent.  Our  traditional  franchise  business  —  domestic  and 
international  combined  —  is  now  a  prodigious  cash  generator.  In  2019,  franchise  operations  posted  a 
record profit of $8.5 million.  

10 

Steak n Shake comprises both restaurant operations and franchise operations, the latter profitable 
and the former unprofitable. The Steak n Shake team is working assiduously to achieve profitability in 
both divisions — and in short order.  

First Guard Insurance Company 

Ed Campbell designed First Guard like a Swiss watch — with a craftsmanship and quality that is 
built to last. First Guard is a direct underwriter of commercial truck insurance — with no agent between 
the insurer and the insured — rendering the company a low-cost operator with a sustainable competitive 
advantage.  First  Guard  is  not  our  biggest  subsidiary,  but  it  is  the  brightest  jewel  in  the  collection  of 
business gems we have assembled for Biglari Holdings.  

Many dream of creating a business masterpiece but few actually do so. What separates Ed from 
the rest of the insurance industry is that he has been generating significant underwriting profit year after 
year. He and his team have been able to achieve a truly remarkable feat, underwriting profitability for 23 
consecutive years, a record writ large in the annals of the American property and casualty industry.  

Shown  below  are  First  Guard’s  underwriting  results  for  the  last  six  years.  Note  that  2014  is 
presented as a full year, that is, as if we had owned the company throughout the year rather than from 
the date of acquisition: 

Premiums 
Earned 

(Dollars in 000’s) 

Underwriting 
Profit 

Combined 
Ratio 

2014  .............................  

$ 10,757 

$ 2,293 

2015  .............................  

16,719 

2016  .............................  

22,397 

2017  .............................  

24,242 

2018  .............................  

26,465 

2019  .............................  

28,746 

3,357 

4,913 

4,518 

5,634 

6,477 

78.7 

79.9 

78.1 

81.4 

78.7 

77.5 

Since  Biglari  Holdings  acquired  First  Guard  in  2014,  it  has  earned  $29.1  million  pre-tax.  In 
2019,  the  company  generated  an  underwriting  profit  of  $6.5  million,  or  22.5%  of  premiums,  a  far 
superior profitability compared with the industry average. Moreover, First Guard grows because it is the 
best insurer for truckers.  

First Guard’s investment income continues to benefit from  an accumulation of invested assets. 
Our policy has been to retain all earnings within our insurance company for additional capital strength. 
We have arranged our affairs to meet contractual commitments under any scenario. 

11 

When we entered the insurance business on March 19, 2014, Phil and I could not have asked for 
a better company than First Guard or a better owner-operator than Ed Campbell. Purchasing one of the 
most profitable insurers in the industry, as measured by underwriting margin percentage, has created a 
rock-solid  foundation  from  which  to  build  our  insurance  operations.  With  the  addition  of  Southern 
Pioneer, Biglari Holdings’ insurance group should experience a near doubling of premiums. To be sure, 
we prioritize underwriting profit over premium volume, a discipline  critical to our insurance  business. 
We look  forward to  finding our next insurance company while we marvel  at the performance of  First 
Guard and Southern Pioneer.  

Maxim Inc. 

In February 2014, we purchased Maxim, one of the most recognizable magazine properties, not 
with  the  intention  of  entering  the  magazine  business  per  se;  rather,  we  purchased  an  underexploited 
brand  with  the  intention  of  generating  nonmagazine  revenue,  notably  through  licensing,  a  cash-
generating business related to consumer products, services, and events.  

We  first  addressed  the  cost  structure  of  the  traditional  side  of  the  business,  print  publishing, 
while creating a sophisticated periodical that is aspirational and inspirational. We greatly amplified the 
quality  of  paper,  photography,  and  content  and  have  repositioned  the  brand  with  a  luxury  lifestyle 
magazine and an online presence that together provide a launching pad for high-profit lines of business.  

The ability to build profits will rest mainly on our licensing business. Our results are sure to be 
uneven  because  licensing  projects  themselves  materialize  with  irregularity.  Although  Maxim  is  a 
profitable  enterprise,  it  must  continue  to  improve  for  us  to  obtain  a  satisfactory  return  on  our  total 
investment.   

Shareholder Communications 

My communications with shareholders are generally limited to the annual report and the annual 
meeting.  We  do  not  provide  earnings  guidance,  nor  do  we  hold  quarterly  conference  calls  because 
neither  activity  would  be  consistent  with  our  ethos  and  style  of  management.  Moreover,  we  wish  to 
provide  all  shareholders  simultaneously  with  the  same  information.  One-on-one  meetings  are  neither 
productive nor practicable.  

Past  Chairman’s  Letters  are  also  essential  to  help  you  gain  more  knowledge  of  our  business. 
These  letters  can  be  easily  accessed  on  our  website,  biglariholdings.com.  To  keep  you  abreast  of 
the company, we will issue press releases concerning 2020 quarterly results after the market closes on 
May 8, August 7, and November 6. The 2020 annual report will be posted on our website on Saturday, 
February 27, 2021. 

Our annual meeting will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 23, 2020, in New York City at 
the St. Regis Hotel. The meeting is just for our owners; to attend, you must own shares and show proof 
thereof. As an owner, you may bring up to two pre-registered guests with you. The bulk of the gathering 
is  a  question-and-answer  session  that  usually  lasts  about  five  hours,  covering  myriad  topics  on 
shareholders’ minds. Phil and I look forward to spending that time answering your questions. We find 
the annual meeting to be an effective channel to communicate with you. 

* * * 

12 

Biglari  Holdings  is  a  dynamic  corporation  with  significant  capital  strength.  Heavy  leverage  is 
inimical  to  us,  for  we  have  witnessed  far  too  many  speculatively  capitalized  businesses  become 
casualties of economic strife, a situation we do not wish to experience ourselves. Besides, it would be 
unimaginable for us to exploit profitable opportunities without the backing of ample liquid resources. 

Phil  and  I  possess  an  irrepressible  drive to  create  value  for  our  long-term  shareholders,  whom 

we view as partners. It will be our pleasure to see many of you at the next annual meeting. 

Sardar Biglari  
Chairman of the Board  

February 21, 2020 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 

  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT 
OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 

or 

  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 
ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from ____ to ____ 

Commission file number 001-38477 

BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

INDIANA 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 

17802 IH 10 West, Suite 400 
San Antonio, Texas 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

82-3784946 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 

78257 
(Zip Code) 

(210) 344-3400 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class 
Class A Common Stock, no par value 
Class B Common Stock, no par value 

Trading Symbols  
 BH.A 
BH 

Name of each exchange on which registered 
New York Stock Exchange 
New York Stock Exchange 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  
NONE 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes 

 No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes 

 No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the 
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the 
past 90 days. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation 
S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging 
growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 
of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 

Large accelerated filer  

Accelerated filer  

Non-accelerated filer   

Smaller reporting company  

Emerging growth company   

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised 
financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  No 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2019 was approximately $137,552,014. 

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of February 17, 2020: 

Class A common stock –  
Class B common stock –  

   206,864 
2,068,640   

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 
Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this 
Form 10-K. 

14 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
    
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents 

Part I 

  Page No. 

Item 1.  Business  ...........................................................................................................................................................    
Item 1A.  Risk Factors  ....................................................................................................................................................    
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments  ..........................................................................................................................    
Properties  ........................................................................................................................................................    
Item 2. 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings  ...........................................................................................................................................    
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures ..................................................................................................................................   

16   
18   
23   
24  
25   
25   

Part II 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 

Equity Securities  .............................................................................................................................................  
Selected Financial Data  ..................................................................................................................................    
Item 6. 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  ...................    
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  ....................................................................    
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ...........................................................................................    
Item 8. 
   Consolidated Balance Sheets  .........................................................................................................................   
   Consolidated Statements of Earnings  ............................................................................................................   
   Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income  ....................................................................................   
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  .......................................................................................................   
   Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity  ......................................................................   
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  .................................................................................................   
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  ..................    
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures  ...............................................................................................................................    
Item 9B.  Other Information  ..........................................................................................................................................    

25   
27   
28   
36   
37  
39   
40   
   40   
41   
42   
43  
63   
63   
63   

Part III 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance  .........................................................................    
Item 11.  Executive Compensation  ................................................................................................................................    
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 

Matters  .........................................................................................................................................................  
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence  ........................................    
Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services  .......................................................................................................    

63   
63   

63   
63   
63   

Signatures  ...........................................................................................................................................................................    

64   

15 

 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
Item 1. 

Business 

Part I 

Biglari Holdings Inc. is a  holding company owning  subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities,  including 
property and casualty insurance, media and licensing, restaurants, and oil and gas. The Company’s largest operating subsidiaries 
are involved in the franchising and operating of restaurants. Biglari Holdings is founded and led by Sardar Biglari, Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company’s long-term objective is to maximize per-share intrinsic value. All major 
investment and capital allocation decisions are made for the Company and its subsidiaries by Mr. Biglari.  

As of December 31, 2019, Mr. Biglari’s beneficial ownership was approximately 64.4% of the Company’s outstanding Class A 
common stock and 55.4% of the Company’s outstanding Class B common stock. 

Restaurant Operations 
The Company’s restaurant operations are conducted through two subsidiaries: Steak n Shake Inc. (“Steak n Shake”) and Western 
Sizzlin  Corporation  (“Western  Sizzlin”).  As  of  December  31, 2019,  Steak  n  Shake  had  368  company-operated  restaurants,  29 
franchise partner units, and 213 traditional franchise units.  As of December 31, 2019, 107 of the company-operated restaurants 
were temporarily closed.  We anticipate re-opening the temporarily closed stores as counter service units. Western Sizzlin had 4 
company-operated restaurants and 48 franchise units. 

Steak n Shake is engaged in the ownership, operation, and franchising of Steak n Shake restaurants. Founded in 1934 in Normal, 
Illinois, Steak n Shake is a classic American brand serving premium burgers and milkshakes. Steak n Shake is headquartered in 
Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Western Sizzlin is engaged primarily in the franchising of restaurants. Founded in 1962 in  Augusta, Georgia, Western Sizzlin 
offers signature steak dishes as well as other classic American menu items. Western Sizzlin also operates two other concepts: Great 
American Steak & Buffet, and Wood Grill Buffet. Western Sizzlin is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia. 

Operations 
A typical company-operated restaurant management team consists of a general manager, a restaurant manager and other managers 
depending  on  the  operating  complexity  and  sales  volume  of  the  restaurant.  Each  restaurant’s  general  manager  has  primary 
responsibility  for  the  day-to-day  operations  of  his  or  her  unit.  Restaurant  operations  obtain  food  products  and  supplies  from 
independent national distributors. Purchases are centrally negotiated to ensure uniformity in product quality.  

Franchising 
Restaurant operations’ traditional franchising program extends the brands to areas in which there are no current development plans 
for  company  stores.  The  expansion  plans  include  seeking  qualified  new  franchisees  and  expanding  relationships  with  current 
franchisees.  Restaurant  operations  typically  seek  franchisees  with  both  the  financial  resources  necessary  to  fund  successful 
development  and  significant  experience  in  the  restaurant/retail  business.  Both  restaurant  chains  assist  franchisees  with  the 
development  and  ongoing  operation  of  their  restaurants.  In  addition,  personnel  assist  franchisees  with  site  selection,  approve 
restaurant sites, and provide prototype plans, construction support, and specifications.  Restaurant operations’ staff provides both 
on-site and off-site instruction to franchise restaurant management and associates.  

In addition to the traditional franchise arrangements described above, Steak n Shake initiated a franchise partner program during 
2018 to transition company-operated restaurants to franchise partnerships. The franchise agreement stipulates that the franchisee 
make an upfront investment totaling $10,000. Steak n Shake, as the franchisor, assesses a fee of up to 15% of sales as well as 50% 
of profits. Potential franchise partners are screened based on entrepreneurial attitude and ability, but they become franchise partners 
based on achievement. Each must meet the gold standard in service. Franchise partners are required to be hands-on operators, 
limited to a single location. 

International 
We  have  a  corporate  office  in  Monaco  and  an  international  organization  with  personnel  in  various  functions  to  support  our 
international business. As of December 31, 2019, we operated three company locations in Europe to promote the Steak n Shake 
brand  to  prospective  franchisees.  Similar  to  our  traditional  domestic  franchise  agreements,  a  typical  international  franchise 
development agreement includes development and franchise fees in addition to subsequent royalty fees based on the gross sales of 
each restaurant. As of December 31, 2019, there were a total of 31 franchise units in Europe and the Middle East. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Competition 
The restaurant business is one of the  most intensely competitive  industries.  As there are virtually no barriers to entry into the 
restaurant business, competitors may include national, regional and local establishments. There may be established competitors 
with financial and other resources that are greater than the Company’s  restaurant operations capabilities. Restaurant businesses 
compete on the basis of price, menu, food quality, location, and customer service. The restaurant business is often affected  by 
changes in consumer tastes and by national, regional, and local economic conditions.  The performance of individual restaurants 
may be impacted by factors such as traffic patterns, demographic trends, weather conditions, and competing restaurants.  

Government regulations 
The Company is subject to various global, federal, state and local laws affecting its restaurant operations. Each of the restaurants 
must comply with licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities, i.e., health, sanitation, safety and fire agencies 
in  the  jurisdiction  in  which  the  restaurant  is  located.  Various  federal  and  state  labor  laws  govern  our  relationship  with  our 
employees, e.g., minimum wage, overtime pay,  unemployment tax, health insurance, and workers’ compensation. Federal state 
and local government agencies have established regulations requiring that we disclose nutritional information. To date, none of the 
Company’s restaurant operations have been materially adversely affected by such laws or been affected by any difficulty, delay or 
failure to obtain required licenses or approvals. 

Trademark and licenses 
The  name  and  reputation  of  Steak  n  Shake  is  a  material  asset  and  management  protects  it  and  other  service  marks  through 
appropriate registrations.   

Insurance Business 
Our insurance business is composed of First Guard Insurance Company and its agency, 1st Guard Corporation (collectively “First 
Guard”).  First  Guard  is  a  direct  underwriter  of  commercial  truck  insurance,  selling  physical  damage  and  nontrucking  liability 
insurance to truckers. First Guard is headquartered in Venice, Florida.  

First Guard competes for truck insurance with other companies. The commercial truck insurance business is highly competitive in 
the  areas  of  price  and  service.  Vigorous  competition  is  provided  by  large,  well-capitalized  companies  and  by  small  regional 
insurers. First Guard’s insurance products are marketed primarily through direct response methods via the Internet or by telephone. 
First Guard’s cost-efficient direct response marketing methods enable it to be a low-cost truck insurer. First Guard uses its own 
claim staff to manage claims. Seasonal variations in First Guard’s insurance business are not significant. However, extraordinary 
weather conditions or other factors may have a significant effect upon the frequency or severity of claims. 

The  insurance  business  is  stringently  regulated  by  state  insurance  departments.  First  Guard  operates  under  licenses  issued  by 
various insurance authorities. Such supervision and regulation include matters relating to authorized lines of business, capital and 
surplus requirements, licensing of insurers, investments, the filing of annual and other financial reports prepared on the basis of 
Statutory  Accounting  Principles,  the  filing  and  form  of  actuarial  reports,  dividends,  and  a  variety  of  other  financial  and  non-
financial matters.  

Oil and Gas Business 
On September 9, 2019, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Southern Oil Company, acquired the stock of Southern Oil of 
Louisiana Inc. (collectively “Southern Oil”).  Southern Oil primarily operates oil and natural gas properties offshore in the shallow 
waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Southern Oil is headquartered in Metairie, Louisiana.   

The  oil  and  gas  industry  is  fundamentally  a  commodity  business.  Southern  Oil’s  operations  and  earnings,  therefore,  may  be 
significantly affected by changes in oil and natural gas prices. Southern Oil competes with fully integrated, major global petroleum 
companies, as well as independent and national petroleum companies. In addition, the company is subject to a variety of risks 
inherent in the oil and gas businesses, including a wide range of local, state, and federal regulations.   

Media and Licensing Business 
Maxim’s business lies principally in media and licensing. Maxim is headquartered in New York City, New York. 

Maxim competes for licensing business with other companies. The nature of the licensing business is predicated on projects that 
materialize  with  irregularity.  In  addition,  publishing  is  a  highly  competitive  business.  The  Company's  magazines  and  related 
publishing products and services compete with other mass media, including the Internet.  

Maxim products are marketed under various registered brand names, including, but not limited to, “MAXIM®” and “Maxim®”. 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments 
The Company and its subsidiaries have invested in The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion Fund II, L.P. (collectively, “the investment 
partnerships”). The investment partnerships operate as private investment funds. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of the 
investments  was  $666.1  million.  These  investments  are  subject  to  a  rolling  five-year  lock-up  period  under  the  terms  of  the 
respective partnership agreements.   

Employees 
The Company employs 10,906 persons. 

Additional information with respect to Biglari Holdings’ businesses 
Information related to our reportable segments may be found in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. 

Biglari  Holdings  maintains  a  website  (www.biglariholdings.com)  where  its  annual  reports,  press  releases,  interim  shareholder 
reports  and  links  to  its  subsidiaries’  websites  can  be  found.    Biglari  Holdings’  periodic  reports  filed  with  the  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which include Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K and amendments thereto, may be accessed 
by the public free of charge from the SEC and through Biglari Holdings’ website. In addition, corporate governance documents 
such as Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct, Compensation Committee Charter and Audit Committee Charter are 
posted  on  the  Company’s  website  and  are  available  without  charge  upon  written  request.  The  Company’s  website  and  the 
information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be incorporated into this report on Form 10-K. 

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors  

Biglari Holdings and its subsidiaries (referred to herein as “we,”  “us,” “our,” or similar expressions) are subject to certain risks 
and uncertainties in its business operations which are described below. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only 
risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that are currently deemed immaterial may also impair our 
business operations. 

Risks relating to Biglari Holdings 

We are dependent on our Chairman and CEO. 
Our success depends on the services of Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. All major  investment and capital 
allocation decisions are made for the Company and its subsidiaries by Mr. Biglari. If for any reason the services of Mr. Biglari 
were to become unavailable, a material adverse effect on our business could occur.  

Sardar Biglari, Chairman and CEO, beneficially owns over 50% of our outstanding shares of common stock, enabling Mr. 
Biglari to exert control over matters requiring shareholder approval.  
Mr. Biglari has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election or 
removal of directors, the amendment of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws,  along with other significant transactions.  In 
addition, Mr. Biglari has the ability to control the management and affairs of the Company. This control position may conflict with 
the interests of some or all of the Company’s passive shareholders, and reduce the possibility of a merger proposal, tender offer or 
proxy contest for the removal of directors. 

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules and thus can rely on exemptions 
from certain corporate governance requirements.  
Because Mr. Biglari beneficially owns more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding voting stock, we are considered a “controlled 
company”  pursuant  to  New  York  Stock  Exchange  rules.  As  a  result,  we  are  not  required  to  comply  with  certain  director 
independence and board committee requirements.  The Company does not have a governance and nominating committee.   

Our historical growth rate is not indicative of our future growth. 
When  evaluating  our  historical  growth  and  prospects  for  future  growth,  it  is  important  to  consider  that  while  our  business 
philosophy has remained constant our mix of business has changed and will continue to change. Our business model makes it 
difficult to assess our prospects for future growth.  

Biglari Holdings’ access to capital is subject to restrictions that may adversely affect its ability to satisfy its cash requirements 
or implement its growth strategy. 
We are a holding company and are largely dependent upon dividends and other sources of funds from our subsidiaries in order to 
meet our needs. Steak n Shake’s credit facility contains restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to Biglari Holdings. In addition, 
the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to Biglari Holdings is regulated by state insurance laws, which limit the 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
amount of, and in certain circumstances may prohibit the payment of, cash dividends. Furthermore, as a result of our substantial 
investments in The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion Fund II, L.P., investment partnerships controlled by Mr. Biglari, our access to 
capital is restricted by the terms of their respective partnership agreements, as described more fully below. There is also a high 
likelihood that we will make additional investments in these investment partnerships. Taken together, these restrictions may result 
in our having insufficient funds to satisfy our cash requirements. As a result, we may need to look to other sources of capital which 
may be more expensive or may not be available. 

Competition. 
Each of our operating businesses faces intense competitive pressure within the markets in which they operate. Competition may 
arise  domestically as  well as  internationally. Accordingly, future operating results  will depend to some degree on whether our 
operating units are successful in protecting or enhancing their competitive advantages. If our operating businesses are unsuccessful 
in these efforts, our periodic operating results may decline from current levels in the future. We also highlight certain competitive 
risks in the sections below.  

Unfavorable domestic and international economic, societal and political conditions could hurt our operating businesses. 
To the extent that the economy worsens for a prolonged period of time, one or more of our significant operations could be materially 
harmed. In addition, our restaurant operations depend on having access to borrowed funds through the capital markets at reasonable 
rates. To the extent that access to credit is restricted or the cost of funding increases, our business could be adversely affected. 

Our operating businesses face a variety of risks associated with doing business in foreign markets. 
There is no assurance that our international operations will remain profitable. Our international operations are subject to all of the 
risks associated with our domestic operations, as well as a number of additional risks, varying substantially country by country. 
These include, inter alia, international economic and political conditions, corruption, terrorism, social and ethnic unrest, foreign 
currency fluctuations, differing cultures and consumer preferences.  

In addition, we may become subject to foreign governmental regulations that impact the way we do business with our international 
franchisees and vendors. These include antitrust and tax requirements, anti-boycott regulations, international trade regulations, the 
USA Patriot Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and applicable local law. Failure to comply with any such legal requirements 
could subject us to monetary liabilities and other sanctions, which could harm our business and our financial condition. 

Potential changes in law or regulations may have a negative impact on our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. 
In prior years, bills have been introduced in Congress that, if enacted, would have prohibited the listing of common stock on a 
national  securities  exchange  if  such  common  stock  was  part  of  a  class  of  securities  that  has  no  voting  rights  or  carries 
disproportionate voting rights. Although these bills have not been acted upon by Congress, there can be no assurance that such a 
bill (or a modified version thereof) will not be introduced in Congress in the future. Legislation or other regulatory developments 
could make the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock ineligible for trading on the NYSE or other national 
securities exchanges.  

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property, which could decrease the value of our brand and products. 
The success of our business depends on the continued ability to use the existing trademarks, service marks, and other components 
of our brand to increase brand awareness and further develop branded products. While we take  steps to protect our intellectual 
property, our rights to our trademarks could be challenged by third parties or our use of these trademarks may result in a liability 
for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, or unfair competition, adversely affecting our profitability. We may also become 
subject to these risks in the international markets in which we operate and in which we plan to expand.  Any impairment of our 
intellectual property or brands, including due to changes in U.S. or foreign intellectual property laws or the absence of effective 
legal protections or enforcement measures, could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.  

Litigation could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows and results of operations. 
We are or may be from time to time a party to various legal actions, investigations and other proceedings brought by employees, 
consumers, policyholders, suppliers, shareholders, government agencies or other third parties in connection with matters pertaining 
to our business, including related to our investment activities. The outcome of such matters is often difficult to assess or quantify 
and the cost to defend future proceedings may be significant. Even if a claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative 
publicity surrounding any negative allegation regarding our Company, our business or our products could adversely  affect our 
reputation. While we believe that the ultimate outcome of routine legal proceedings individually and in the aggregate will not have 
a material impact on our financial position, we cannot assure that an adverse outcome on, or reputational damage from, any of 
these matters would not, in fact, materially impact our business and results of operations for the period when these matters are 
completed or otherwise resolved. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risks Relating to Our Restaurant Operations 

Our restaurant operations face intense competition from a wide range of industry participants. 
The restaurant business is one of the  most competitive industries. As there are virtually no barriers to entry into the restaurant 
business, competitors may include national, regional and local establishments. There may be established competitors with financial 
and other resources that are greater than the Company’s restaurant operations capabilities. Restaurant businesses compete on the 
basis of price, menu, food quality, location, and customer service. The restaurant business is often affected by changes in consumer 
tastes and by national, regional, and local economic conditions. The performance of individual restaurants may be impacted by 
factors such as traffic patterns, demographic trends, weather conditions, and competing restaurants. Additional factors that may 
adversely affect the restaurant industry include, but are not limited to, food and wage inflation, safety, and food-borne illness. 

Changes in economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our restaurant operations. 
Our restaurant operations are subject to normal economic cycles affecting the economy in general or the restaurant industry in 
particular. The restaurant industry has been affected by economic factors, including the deterioration of global, national, regional 
and local economic conditions, declines in employment levels, and shifts in consumer spending patterns.  Declines in consumer 
restaurant spending could be harmful to our financial position and results of operations. As a result, decreased cash flow generated 
from our business may adversely affect our financial position and our ability to fund our operations. In addition, macroeconomic 
disruptions could adversely impact the availability of financing for our franchisees’ expansions and operations. 

Steak n Shake’s credit facility matures on March 19, 2021. 
The  term  loan  under  Steak  n  Shake’s  credit  facility  matures  on  March  19,  2021.  As  of  December  31,  2019,  $181,498  was 
outstanding.  Biglari Holdings and other affiliates (other than Steak n Shake’s subsidiaries) do not guarantee any of the debt.  Steak 
n Shake may need to seek additional financing, which may not be available on terms commensurate  with its current financing 
arrangement. The inability to refinance the debt would negatively impact our operations and financial condition. 

Our  cash  flows  and  financial  position  could  be  negatively  impacted  if  we  are  unable  to  comply  with  the  restrictions  and 
covenants in Steak n Shake’s debt agreements. 
Covenants in Steak n Shake’s credit facility include restrictions on, among other things, its ability to incur additional indebtedness 
and to make distributions to the Company. Steak n Shake’s ability to make payments on its credit facility and to fund operations 
depends on its ability to generate cash, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors 
that are beyond our control. Steak n Shake may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service this debt or to fund its 
other liquidity needs. Steak n Shake’s failure to service its debt could constitute an event of default that, if not cured or waived, 
could result, among other things, in the acceleration of their indebtedness, which would negatively impact our operations. However, 
neither the Company nor any of our affiliates (other than Steak n Shake’s subsidiaries) provide any guarantees of Steak n Shake’s 
indebtedness. 

Steak n Shake’s re-opening of temporarily closed stores may not be successful in reversing its declining sales or profitability.    
Since 2017, Steak n Shake has experienced declining sales and profitability.  As of December 31, 2019, a total of  107 Steak n 
Shake restaurants were temporarily closed. Steak n Shake is actively working to re-open these stores as counter service units. There 
are no assurances that Steak n Shake will be able to restore profitability after re-opening closed stores.    

Fluctuations in commodity and energy prices and the availability of commodities, including beef and dairy, could affect our 
restaurant business. 
The cost, availability and quality of ingredients restaurant operations use to prepare their food is subject to a range of factors, many 
of  which  are  beyond  their  control.  A  significant  component  of  our  restaurant  business’  costs  is  related  to  food  commodities, 
including beef and dairy products, which can be subject to significant price fluctuations due to seasonal shifts, climate conditions, 
industry  demand,  changes  in  commodity  markets,  and  other  factors.  If  there  is  a  substantial  increase  in  prices  for  these  food 
commodities,  our  results  of  operations  may  be  negatively  affected.  In  addition,  our  restaurants  are  dependent  upon  frequent 
deliveries of perishable food products that meet certain specifications.  Shortages or interruptions in the supply of perishable food 
products  caused  by  unanticipated  demand,  problems  in  production  or  distribution,  disease  or  food-borne  illnesses,  inclement 
weather, or other conditions  could adversely affect the availability, quality, and cost of ingredients,  which  would likely lower 
revenues, damage our reputation, or otherwise harm our business. 

Adverse weather conditions or losses due to casualties could negatively impact our operating performance. 
Property damage caused by casualties and natural disasters, instances of inclement weather, flooding, hurricanes, fire, and other 
acts of nature can adversely impact sales in several ways.  Many of Steak n Shake’s and Western Sizzlin’s restaurants are located 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
in the Midwest and Southeast portions of the United States.  During the first and fourth quarters, restaurants in the Midwest may 
face harsh winter weather conditions. During the third and fourth quarters, restaurants in the Southeast may experience hurricanes 
or tropical storms. Our sales and operating results may be negatively affected by these harsh weather conditions, which could make 
it more difficult for guests to visit our restaurants, necessitate the closure of restaurants, cause physical damage, or lead to a shortage 
of employees. 

We are subject to health, employment, environmental, and other government regulations, and failure to comply with existing 
or future government regulations could expose us to litigation or penalties, damage our reputation, and lower profits. 
We are subject to various global, federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting our restaurant  operations. Changes in 
existing laws, rules and regulations applicable to us, or increased enforcement by governmental authorities, may require us to incur 
additional  costs  and  expenses  necessary  for  compliance.  If  we  fail  to  comply  with  any  of  these  laws,  we  may  be  subject  to 
governmental action or litigation, and our reputation could be accordingly harmed. Injury to our reputation would, in turn, likely 
reduce revenues and profits. 

The development and construction of restaurants is subject to compliance with applicable zoning, land use, and environmental 
regulations. Difficulties in obtaining, or failure to obtain, the required licenses or approvals could delay or prevent the development 
of a new restaurant in a particular area. 

In recent years, there has been increased legislative, regulatory, and consumer focus on nutrition and advertising practices  in the 
food industry. As a result, restaurant operations have become subject to regulatory initiatives in the area of nutrition disclosure or 
advertising, such as requirements to provide information about the nutritional content of our food products. The operation of the 
Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin franchise system is also subject to franchise laws and regulations enacted by a number of states, 
and to rules promulgated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Any future legislation regulating franchise relationships may 
negatively affect our operations, particularly our relationship with franchisees. Failure to comply with new or existing franchise 
laws and regulations in any jurisdiction or to obtain required government approvals could result in a ban or temporary suspension 
on future franchise sales. Further national, state and local government initiatives, such as mandatory health insurance coverage, or 
proposed increases in minimum wage rates could adversely affect our business. 

Risks Relating to Our Investment Activities 

Our investment activities are conducted primarily through outside investment partnerships, The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion 
Fund II, L.P., which are controlled by Mr. Biglari. 
Our investment activities are conducted mainly through these outside investment partnerships. Under the terms of their partnership 
agreements, each contribution made by the Company to the investment partnerships is subject to a five-year lock-up period, and 
any distribution upon our withdrawal of funds will be paid out over a two-year period (and may be paid in-kind rather than in cash, 
thus increasing the difficulty  of liquidating these investments).  As a result of  these provisions and our consequent inability to 
access this capital for a defined period, our capital invested in the investment partnerships may be subject to an increased risk of 
loss of all or a significant portion of value, and we may become unable to meet our capital requirements.  There is a high likelihood 
that we will make additional investments in these investment partnerships in the future. 

We also have a services agreement with Biglari Capital Corp., the general partner of the investment partnerships (“Biglari Capital”), 
and Biglari Enterprises LLC (collectively, the “Biglari Entities”), in which the Company pays a fixed fee to the Biglari Entities for 
business and administrative-related services. The Biglari Entities are owned by Mr. Biglari. There can be no assurance that the fees 
paid will be commensurate with the benefits received. 

The incentive allocation to which Mr. Biglari, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Capital, is entitled under the 
terms of the respective partnership agreements is equal to 25% of the net profits allocated to the limited partners in excess of a 6% 
hurdle rate over the previous high-water mark.     

Our investments are unusually concentrated and fair values are subject to a loss in value. 
Our investments are predominantly held through the investment partnerships, which generally invest in common stocks. These 
investments are largely concentrated in the common stock of one investee, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.  A significant 
decline in the major values of these investments may produce a large decrease in our consolidated shareholders’ equity and can 
have a material adverse effect on our consolidated book value per share and earnings. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We are subject to the risk of possibly becoming an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. 
We  run  the  risk  of  inadvertently  becoming  an  investment  company,  which  would  require  us  to  register  under  the  Investment 
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Registered investment companies are subject to extensive, 
restrictive and potentially adverse regulations relating to, among other things, operating methods, management, capital structure, 
dividends  and  transactions  with  affiliates.  Registered  investment  companies  are  not  permitted  to  operate  their  business  in  the 
manner in which we operate our business, nor are registered investment companies permitted to have many of the relationships 
that we have with our affiliated companies. 

To avoid becoming and registering as an investment company under the Investment  Company  Act,  we operate  as an ongoing 
enterprise, with approximately 11,000 employees, along with an asset base from which to pursue acquisitions. Furthermore, Section 
3(c)(3) of the Investment Company Act excludes insurance companies from the definition of “investment company”. Because we 
monitor the value of our investments and structure transactions accordingly, we may structure transactions in a less advantageous 
manner than if we did not have Investment Company Act concerns, or we may avoid otherwise economically desirable transactions 
due to those concerns. In addition, adverse developments with respect to our ownership of certain of our operating subsidiaries, 
including significant appreciation or depreciation in the market value of certain of our publicly traded holdings, could result in our 
inadvertently becoming an investment company. If it were established that we were an investment company, there would be a risk, 
among other material adverse consequences, that we could become subject to monetary penalties or injunctive relief, or both,  in 
an action brought by the SEC, that we would be unable to enforce contracts with third parties or that third parties could seek to 
obtain rescission of transactions with us undertaken during the period it was established that we were an unregistered investment 
company. 

Risks Relating to Our Insurance Business 

Our success depends on our ability to underwrite risks accurately and to charge adequate rates to policyholders. 
Our results of operations depend on our ability to underwrite and set rates accurately for risks assumed. A primary role of the 
pricing function is to ensure that rates are adequate to generate sufficient premiums to pay losses, loss adjustment expenses, and 
underwriting expenses.  

Our  insurance  business  is  vulnerable  to  significant  catastrophic  property  loss,  which  could  have  an  adverse  effect  on  its 
financial condition and results of operations. 
Our insurance business faces a significant risk of loss in the ordinary course of its business for property damage resulting  from 
natural disasters, man-made catastrophes and other catastrophic events. These events typically increase the frequency and severity 
of commercial property claims. Because catastrophic loss events are by their nature unpredictable, historical results of operations 
may not be indicative of future results of operations, and the occurrence of claims from catastrophic events may result in significant 
volatility in our insurance business’ financial condition and results of operations from period to period. We attempt to manage our 
exposure to these events through reinsurance programs, although there is no assurance we will be successful in doing so. 

Our insurance business is subject to extensive existing state, local and foreign governmental regulations that restrict its ability 
to do business and generate revenues. 
Our insurance business is subject to regulation in the jurisdictions in which it operates. These regulations may relate to, among 
other things, the types of business that can be written, the rates that can be charged for coverage, the level of capital and reserves 
that must be maintained, and restrictions on the types and size of investments that can be placed. Regulations may also restrict the 
timing and amount of dividend payments. Accordingly, existing or new regulations related to these or other matters or regulatory 
actions imposing restrictions on our insurance business may adversely impact its results of operations.  

Risks Relating to Our Media and Licensing Business 

Our media business faces significant competition from other magazine publishers and other forms of media, including digital 
media, and as a result our media business may not be able to improve its operating results.  
Our media business competes principally with other magazine publishers. The proliferation of choices available to consumers for 
information and entertainment has resulted in audience fragmentation and has negatively impacted overall consumer demand for 
print magazines and intensified competition with other magazine publishers for share of print magazine readership. Our media 
business  also  competes  with  digital  publishers  and  other  forms  of  media.  This  competition  has  intensified  as  a  result  of  the 
proliferation  of  mobile  devices  and  the  shift  in  consumer  preference  from  print  media  to  digital  media  for  the  delivery  and 
consumption of content.  

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Competition among print magazine and digital publishers for advertising is primarily based on the circulation and readership  of 
magazines and the number of visitors to websites, respectively,  and the demographics of customers, advertising rates, plus the 
effectiveness of advertising sales teams. The proliferation of new platforms available to advertisers, combined with continuing 
competition from print platforms, has impacted both the amount of advertising our media business is able to sell  and the rates it 
can command.  

Our pursuit of licensing opportunities for the Maxim brand may prove to be unsuccessful. 
Maxim’s  success  depends  to  a  significant  degree  upon  its  ability  to  develop  new  licensing  agreements  to  expand  its  brand.  
However,  these  licensing  efforts  may  be  unsuccessful.  We  may  be  unable  to  secure  favorable  terms  for  future  licensing 
arrangements, which could lead to, among other things, disputes with licensing partners that hinder our ability to grow the Maxim 
brand.  Future licensing partners may also fail to honor their contractual obligations or take other actions that  can diminish the 
value of the Maxim brand. Disputes could also arise that prevent or delay our ability to collect licensing revenues under these 
arrangements. If any of these developments occur or our licensing efforts are otherwise not successful, the value and recognition 
of the Maxim brand, as well as the prospects of our media business, could be materially, adversely affected. 

Our media business is exposed to risks associated with weak economic conditions.  
Because magazines are generally discretionary purchases for consumers, circulation revenues are sensitive to general economic 
conditions and economic cycles. Certain economic conditions such as general economic downturns, including periods of increased 
inflation, unemployment levels, interest rates, gasoline and other energy prices, or declining consumer confidence, may negatively 
impact consumer spending. Reduced consumer spending or a shift in consumer spending patterns away from discretionary items 
will likely result in reduced demand for our media business’ magazines and may result in decreased revenues.  

Risks Relating to Our Oil and Gas Business 

Our oil and gas business is exposed to the effects of volatile commodity prices. 
The single largest variable that affects Southern Oil’s results of operations is the price of crude oil and natural gas. The price we 
receive for our oil and natural gas production heavily influences Southern Oil’s revenue and profitability. Extended periods of low 
prices for crude oil or natural gas can have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. 

Our scope of business is concentrated in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 
Any  disruption  of  its  extractive  business  would  adversely  affect  Southern  Oil’s  revenues  and  profitability.  Southern  Oil’s 
operations  are  therefore  subject  to  disruption  from  natural  or  human  causes  beyond  its  control,  including  physical  risks  from 
hurricanes, severe storms, and other forms of system failures, any of which could result in suspension of operations or harm to 
people or the natural environment. 

Our oil and gas business can be adversely affected by political or regulatory developments affecting our operations.   
Southern Oil’s operations can be affected by changing economic, regulatory and political environments. Litigation or changes in 
national,  state,  or  local  environmental  regulations  or  laws,  including  those  designed  to  stop  or  impede  the  development  or 
production of oil and natural gas, could adversely affect Southern Oil’s operations and profitability. 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.   

Properties 

Restaurant Properties 
As of December 31, 2019, restaurant operations included 662 company-operated and franchise locations. Restaurant operations 
own the land and building for 152 restaurants. The following table lists the locations of the restaurants, as of December 31, 2019.  

As of December 31, 2019, 107 of the 368  Steak n Shake  company-operated stores  were temporarily closed. We anticipate  re-
opening the temporarily closed stores as counter service units.  

Oil and Gas Properties 
Southern Oil operates oil and natural gas wells in Texas and Louisiana.  Its operations are primarily offshore in the shallow waters 
of the Gulf of Mexico. 

24 

Steak n ShakeCompany OperatedFranchisePartnerTraditionalFranchiseCompany OperatedFranchiseTotalDomestic:Alabama .........................2                    -                 7                    -                 6                    15              Arizona ..........................1                    -                 1                    -                 -                 2                Arkansas ........................-                 -                 7                    -                 13                  20              California ........................1                    -                 7                    -                 1                    9                Colorado .........................1                    -                 2                    -                 -                 3                Delaware ........................-                 -                 1                    -                 -                 1                Florida ............................71                  9                    7                    -                 -                 87              Georgia ...........................20                  1                    15                  -                 5                    41              Illinois ............................57                  2                    10                  -                 -                 69              Indiana ............................61                  5                    5                    -                 -                 71              Iowa ...............................3                    -                 -                 -                 -                 3                Kansas ............................-                 -                 4                    -                 -                 4                Kentucky .......................12                  2                    12                  -                 -                 26              Louisiana ........................-                 -                 2                    -                 -                 2                Maryland .......................-                 -                 1                    -                 1                    2                Michigan ........................19                  -                 -                 -                 -                 19              Mississippi ....................-                 -                 6                    -                 1                    7                Missouri .........................31                  2                    23                  -                 -                 56              Nebraska ........................-                 -                 1                    -                 -                 1                Nevada ...........................-                 -                 6                    -                 -                 6                North Carolina ...............5                    1                    9                    -                 6                    21              Ohio ...............................55                  2                    3                    -                 1                    61              Oklahoma .......................-                 -                 3                    -                 5                    8                Pennsylvania ..................7                    -                 4                    -                 -                 11              South Carolina ................1                    -                 3                    -                 2                    6                Tennessee .......................7                    2                    17                  -                 3                    29              Texas ..............................11                  3                    19                  -                 1                    34              Virginia ...........................-                 -                 2                    3                    3                    8                Washington ....................-                 -                 1                    -                 -                 1                Washington DC ..............-                 -                 1                    -                 -                 1                West Virginia ..................-                 -                 3                    1                    -                 4                International:France .............................2                    -                 23                  -                 -                 25              Italy ................................-                 -                 1                    -                 -                 1                Portugal ..........................-                 -                 4                    -                 -                 4                Qatar ..............................-                 -                 1                    -                 -                 1                Saudi Arabia ...................-                 -                 1                    -                 -                 1                Spain ..............................1                    -                 1                    -                 -                 2                Total ...............................368                29                  213                4                    48                  662            Western Sizzlin 
 
 
 
 
Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings 

We are involved in various legal proceedings and have certain unresolved claims pending. We believe, based on examination of 
these matters and experiences to date, that the ultimate liability, if any, in excess of amounts already provided in our consolidated 
financial statements is not likely to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flow.  

On January 29, 2018, a shareholder of the Company filed a purported class action complaint against the Company and the members 
of our Board of Directors in the Superior Court of Hamilton County, Indiana. The shareholder generally alleges claims of breach 
of fiduciary duty by the  members of our Board of Directors and unjust enrichment to Mr. Biglari as a result of the dual class 
structure.  

On March 26, 2018, a shareholder of the Company filed a purported class action complaint against the Company and the members 
of our Board of Directors in the Superior Court of Hamilton County, Indiana. This shareholder generally alleges claims of breach 
of fiduciary duty by the members of our Board of Directors. This shareholder sought to enjoin the shareholder vote on April 26, 
2018 to approve the dual class structure. On April 16, 2018, the shareholder withdrew their motion to enjoin the shareholder vote 
on April 26, 2018. 

On May 17, 2018, the shareholders who filed the January  29, 2018 complaint and the  March 26, 2018 complaint filed a new, 
consolidated complaint against the Company and the members of our Board of Directors in the Superior Court of Hamilton County, 
Indiana. The shareholders generally allege claims of breach of fiduciary duty by the members of our Board of Directors and unjust 
enrichment to Mr. Biglari arising out of the dual class structure. The shareholders seek, for themselves and on behalf of all other 
shareholders as a class, a declaration that the defendants breached their duty to the shareholders and the class, and to recover 
unspecified damages, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and an award of their attorneys’ fees and other costs. 

On December 14, 2018, the judge of the Superior Court of Hamilton County, Indiana issued an order granting the Company’s 
motion to dismiss the shareholders’ lawsuits. On January 11, 2019, the shareholders filed an appeal of the judge’s order dismissing 
the lawsuits. On December 4, 2019, the Indiana Court of Appeals issued a unanimous decision affirming the trial court’s decision 
to dismiss the shareholder litigation. On January 20, 2020, the shareholders filed a petition to transfer with the Indiana Supreme 
Court seeking review of the decision of the Court of Appeals.  The Company opposed the petition.  The Indiana Supreme Court 
has not ruled upon the petition to transfer. 

On September 8, 2014, two former restaurant manager employees filed a purported class action lawsuit against Steak n Shake 
(Drake v. Steak n Shake).   On January 30, 2017, a former restaurant  manager employee filed a  purported class action lawsuit 
against Steak n Shake (Clendenen v. Steak n Shake).  The plaintiffs generally allege claims that Steak n Shake improperly classified 
its managerial employees as exempt.  On July 26, 2019, the Company agreed to settle both cases for $8,350 and the Court approved 
the terms of the settlement. The settlement is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement 
of earnings. 

Item 4. 

Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not applicable. 

Part II 

Item 5. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities 

Market Information 
Biglari Holdings’ Class A common stock and Class B common stock are listed for trading on the NYSE, trading symbol: BH.A 
and BH, respectively. 

Shareholders 
Biglari Holdings had 2,630 beneficial shareholders of its Class A common stock and 5,314 beneficial shareholders of its Class B 
common stock as of February 10, 2020.   

Dividends 
Biglari Holdings has never declared a dividend. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 
From  November 5, 2019 through  November 26, 2019, Sardar Biglari purchased  7,699 shares of Class  A common  stock  at an 
average price paid per share of $557.33. Mr. Biglari may be deemed to be an “affiliated purchaser” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The purchases were made through open market transactions. 

Performance Graph 
The graph below matches Biglari Holdings Inc.'s cumulative 5-year total shareholder return on  its Class A common stock and 
Class B common stock with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Restaurants Index. The graph tracks 
the  performance  of  a  $100  investment  in  our  common  stock  and  in  each  index  (with  the  reinvestment  of  all  dividends)  from 
December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2019. 

The preceding stock price performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” 
with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference 
into such filings. 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans 
Biglari Holdings does not have any equity compensation plans. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.    

Selected Financial Data 

(dollars in thousands except per share data) 

Earnings per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.  The issuance 
of dual class common stock on April 30, 2018 is applied to years 2015 through 2017 on a retrospective basis for the calculation of 
earnings per share.  The Company has applied the “two-class method” of computing earnings per share as prescribed in Accounting 
Standards Codification 260, “Earnings Per Share.” 

For total assets, periods prior to 2016 were adjusted for the reclassifications of debt issuance costs and deferred taxes. For long-
term notes payable and other borrowings, periods prior to 2016 were adjusted for the reclassification of debt issuance.   

As  of  January  1,  2018,  franchise  royalties  and  fees  are  composed  of  royalties  and  fees  from  Steak  n  Shake  and  Western  Sizzlin 
franchisees. Royalties are based upon a percentage of sales of the franchise restaurant and are recognized as earned. Franchise 
royalties are billed on a monthly basis. Initial franchise fees when a new restaurant opens or at the start of a new franchise term are 
recorded as deferred revenue when received and recognized as revenue over the term of the franchise agreement. This represents a 
change  in  methodology  under  the  January  1,  2018  adoption  of  Accounting  Standards  Codification  606  for  we  have  historically 
recognized initial franchise fees upon the opening of a franchise restaurant. Comparative prior periods have not been adjusted. 

27 

20192018201720162015Revenue: Total revenues ........................................................668,838$    809,894$    839,804$    850,076$    861,452$    Earnings:Net earnings (loss) .................................................45,380$      19,392$      50,071$      99,451$      (15,843)$     Net earnings (loss) per equivalent Class A share ...131.64$      55.71$        136.01$      271.22$      (33.94)$       Year-end data:Total assets ............................................................1,139,309$ 1,029,493$ 1,063,584$ 1,096,967$ 987,079$    Long-term notes payable and other borrowings ....263,182$    240,001$    256,994$    281,555$    296,062$    Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders’ equity .............616,298$    570,455$    571,328$    531,940$    451,372$     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

(dollars in thousands except per share data) 

Biglari Holdings Inc. is a  holding company owning  subsidiaries engaged in a  number of diverse business activities,  including 
property and casualty insurance, media and licensing, restaurants, and oil and gas. The Company’s largest operating subsidiaries 
are involved in the franchising and operating of restaurants. Biglari Holdings is founded and led by Sardar Biglari, Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Holdings. The Company’s long-term objective is to maximize per-share intrinsic value. All 
major investment and capital allocation decisions are made for the Company and its subsidiaries by Mr. Biglari. 

As of December 31, 2019, Mr. Biglari’s beneficial ownership was approximately 64.4% of the Company’s outstanding Class A 
common stock and 55.4% of the Company’s outstanding Class B common stock. 

Business Acquisition 
On September 9, 2019, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Southern Oil Company, acquired the stock of Southern Oil of 
Louisiana Inc. (collectively “Southern Oil”) for $51,505 in cash. Southern Oil primarily operates oil and natural gas properties 
offshore in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Company’s financial results include the results of Southern Oil from the 
acquisition date to the end of the year.  

Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings shareholders are disaggregated in the table that follows.  Amounts are recorded after 
deducting income taxes.   

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Item 1, Business and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the 
notes thereto included in this Form 10-K. The following discussion should also be read in conjunction with the “Cautionary Note 
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A, Risk Factors set forth above.   

Our Management Discussion and Analysis generally discusses 2019 and 2018 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2019 
and  2018.  Discussions  of  2017  items  and  year-to-year  comparisons  between  2018  and  2017  can  be  found  in  “Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2019. 

28 

 2019  2018  2017 Operating businesses:Restaurant ........................................................................................................(10,734)$         (2,613)$           9,725$            Insurance ..........................................................................................................5,584              4,915              3,097              Oil and gas .......................................................................................................5,921              -                  -                  Media ...............................................................................................................572                 796                 435                 Other ................................................................................................................742                 472                 506                 Total operating businesses .................................................................................2,085              3,570              13,763            Corporate ............................................................................................................(8,661)             (8,661)             32,072            Investment partnership gains .............................................................................60,773            33,240            11,080            Interest expense on notes payable ......................................................................(8,817)             (8,757)             (6,844)             45,380$          19,392$          50,071$           
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (continued) 

Restaurants 

Our  restaurant  businesses,  which  include  Steak  n  Shake  and  Western  Sizzlin,  comprise  662  company-operated  and  franchise 
restaurants as of December 31, 2019. 

As of December 31, 2019, 107 of the 368  Steak n Shake  company-operated stores  were temporarily closed. We anticipate  re-
opening the temporarily closed stores as franchise partner or company-operated counter service units.  The term “same-store sales” 
refers to the sales of company-operated units that have been open at least 18 months at the beginning of the current period and 
have remained open through the end of the period. Same-store traffic measures the number of patrons who walk through the same 
units. 

Restaurant operations for 2019, 2018 and 2017 are summarized below.  

  Cost of food, restaurant operating costs and rent expense are expressed as a percentage of net sales. 
  General and administrative, marketing, other expenses, impairments and depreciation and amortization are expressed as a percentage of total revenue. 

29 

Company- operatedFranchisePartnerTraditionalFranchiseCompany-operatedFranchiseTotalTotal stores as of December 31, 2016 ........417             -             173             3                 64               657             Net restaurants opened (closed) .................(2)               -             27               1                 (6)               20               Total stores as of December 31, 2017 ........415             -             200             4                 58               677             Net restaurants opened (closed) .................(2)               -             13               -             (3)               8                 Total stores as of December 31, 2018 ........413             -             213             4                 55               685             Corporate stores transitioned ................(29)             29               -             Net restaurants opened (closed) .............(16)             -             -             -             (7)               (23)             Total stores as of December 31, 2019 ....368             29               213             4                 48               662             Steak n ShakeWestern Sizzlin 2019  2018  2017 RevenueNet sales ...............................................................578,164$        740,922$        781,856$        Franchise royalties and fees ..................................27,189            30,998            20,773            Other revenue .......................................................4,867              3,770              4,524              Total revenue ...........................................................610,220          775,690          807,153          Restaurant cost of salesCost of food ..........................................................176,346          30.5%223,273          30.1%238,143          30.5%Restaurant operating costs ...................................307,337          53.2%393,348          53.1%404,373          51.7%Rent ......................................................................17,266            3.0%19,835            2.7%18,514            2.4%Total cost of sales ....................................................500,949          636,456          661,030          Selling, general and administrativeGeneral and administrative ...................................47,685            7.8%57,684            7.4%60,527            7.5%Marketing .............................................................39,476            6.5%55,063            7.1%49,589            6.1%Other expenses .....................................................1,753              0.3%2,383              0.3%2,222              0.3%Total selling, general and administrative ..................88,914            14.6%115,130          14.8%112,338          13.9%Impairments .............................................................8,186              1.3%5,677              0.7%1,789              0.2%Depreciation and amortization ................................21,174            3.5%18,831            2.4%20,623            2.6%Interest on finance leases and obligations ................7,816              8,207              9,082              Earnings (loss) before income taxes .........................(16,819)           (8,611)             2,291              Income tax expense (benefit) ...................................(6,085)             (5,998)             (7,434)             Contributions to net earnings ..................................(10,734)$         (2,613)$           9,725$             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (continued) 

Net sales during 2019 were $578,164 representing a decrease of $162,758 when compared to 2018. The decreased performance of 
our restaurant operations in 2019 was driven by a decline in Steak n Shake’s same-store sales of $35,250 and the balance of the 
decrease was attributable to the closure of stores.  Same-store sales decreased 6.9% whereas customer traffic decreased by 11.2%.     

Franchise  royalties and  fees in 2019  were $27,189 compared  to $30,998 in 2018. The decrease in  franchise royalties  and fees 
during 2019 compared to 2018 was attributable to decreases in marketing fees of $1,858 and forfeited development fees of $1,698. 
During 2019, Steak n Shake opened 29 franchise units and closed 29. Western Sizzlin did not open any new franchise units and 
closed seven.  

The cost of food in 2019 was $176,346 or 30.5% of net sales, compared with $223,273 or 30.1% of net sales in 2018. Restaurant 
operating  costs  during  2019  were  $307,337  or  53.2%  of  net  sales,  compared  to  $393,348  or  53.1%  of  net  sales  in  2018. The 
decrease in cost of food and restaurant operating costs during 2019 compared to 2018 was attributable to lower net sales resulting 
from store closures and decreased same-store sales. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses during 2019 were $88,914 or 14.6% of total revenues compared to $115,130 or 14.8% 
of total revenues during 2018.  General and administrative expenses decreased by $9,999 during 2019 compared to 2018, primarily 
because of decreased personnel costs of $17,918, offset by settlements of class action complaints of $8,350. Marketing expense 
decreased by $15,587 in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by a reduction in television and print advertising.   

Asset impairments increased $2,509 during 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to store closures.  Depreciation and amortization 
expense increased $2,343 during 2019 compared to 2018 primarily as a result of the depreciation of finance lease assets. 

Interest on obligations under leases was $7,816 during 2019, versus $8,207 during 2018. The year-over-year decrease in interest 
expense is primarily attributable to the maturity and retirement of lease obligations. The total obligations under leases outstanding 
on December 31, 2019 were $78,749 compared to $64,200 on December 31, 2018. 

Insurance 

First Guard is a direct underwriter of commercial truck insurance, selling physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to 
truckers. Earnings of our insurance business are summarized below. 

First Guard’s insurance products are marketed primarily through direct response methods via the Internet or by telephone. First 
Guard’s cost-efficient direct response marketing methods enable it to be a low-cost trucking insurer.  

In 2019, premiums earned increased $2,281 or 8.6% compared to 2018. Pre-tax underwriting gain during 2019 was $6,477, an 
increase of $843 or 15.0% compared to 2018.  

Insurance  premiums  and  other  on  the  consolidated  statement  of  earnings  includes  premiums  written,  investment  income  and 
commissions. In the preceding table, investment income and commissions are included in other income. 

30 

 2019  2018  2017 Premiums written ...........................................................................................28,746$          26,465$          24,242$          Insurance losses ..............................................................................................16,924            15,457            14,959            Underwriting expenses ....................................................................................5,345              5,374              4,765              Pre-tax underwriting gain .................................................................................6,477              5,634              4,518              Other income and expensesInvestment income and commissions .............................................................1,337              1,163              701                 Other income (expense) ................................................................................(711)                (582)                (449)                Total other income .......................................................................................626                 581                 252                 Earnings before income taxes ...........................................................................7,103              6,215              4,770              Income tax expense .........................................................................................1,519              1,300              1,673              Contribution to net earnings .............................................................................5,584$            4,915$            3,097$             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (continued) 

Oil and Gas 

Southern Oil primarily operates oil and natural gas properties offshore in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Southern Oil 
was acquired on September 9, 2019. The financial results for Southern Oil from the acquisition date to the end of the year are 
summarized below. 

Media and Licensing 

Maxim’s business lies principally in media and licensing.  Earnings of our media and licensing operations are summarized below. 

We acquired Maxim with the idea of transforming its business model. The magazine developed the Maxim brand, a franchise we 
are utilizing to generate nonmagazine revenue, notably through licensing, a cash-generating business related to consumer products, 
services, and events. 

Investment Partnership Gains 

Earnings from our investments in partnerships are summarized below. 

Investment partnership gains include gains and losses from changes in the market values of underlying investments and dividends 
earned by the partnerships. Dividend income has a lower effective tax rate than income from changes in market values.  Changes 
in  the  market  values  of  investments  can  be  highly  volatile.  The  investments  held  by  the  investment  partnerships  are  largely 
concentrated in the common stock of one investee, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.  

31 

2019Oil and gas revenue .............................................................................................................................................24,436$           Oil and gas production costs .................................................................................................................................7,259              Depreciation, depletion and accretion ....................................................................................................................8,218              General and administrative expenses ......................................................................................................................927                 Earnings before income taxes ................................................................................................................................8,032              Income tax expense .............................................................................................................................................2,111              Contribution to net earnings ..................................................................................................................................5,921$             2019  2018  2017 Media and licensing revenue ..............................................................................4,099$            6,576$             7,708$             Media and licensing cost ....................................................................................3,181              4,152               6,527               General and administrative expenses ..................................................................176                 1,329               1,570               Depreciation and amortization ............................................................................-                  27                   50                   Earnings (loss) before income taxes ...................................................................742                 1,068               (439)                Income tax expense (benefit) .............................................................................170                 272                  (874)                Contribution to net earnings ................................................................................572$               796$                435$                201920182017Investment partnership gains ..............................................................................78,133$          40,411$            6,965$             Tax expense (benefit) ........................................................................................17,360            7,171               (4,115)              Contribution to net earnings ................................................................................60,773$          33,240$            11,080$             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (continued) 

The investment partnerships hold the Company’s common stock as investments. The Company’s pro-rata share of its common 
stock held by the investment partnerships is recorded as treasury stock even though these shares are legally outstanding. Gains and 
losses on Company common stock included in the earnings of the partnerships are eliminated. 

Interest Expense 

The Company’s interest expense is summarized below. 

Interest expense during 2019 increased by $765 compared to 2018 primarily due to higher average interest rates during 2019.   

Income Taxes 

Consolidated income tax expense was $9,761 in 2019 versus a benefit of $2,637 in 2018.  Income tax expense increased by $12,398 
during 2019 compared to 2018, primarily due to an increase in tax expense for investment partnership gains of $10,189.   

Corporate 

Corporate  expenses  exclude  the  activities  in  the  restaurant,  insurance,  media  and  licensing,  oil  and  gas,  and  other  companies. 
Corporate net losses of $8,661 during 2019 remained flat compared to 2018. 

Financial Condition  

Our consolidated shareholders’ equity on December 31, 2019 was $616,298, an increase of $45,843 compared to the December 
31, 2018 balance. The increase was primarily due to net income of $45,380.  

Consolidated cash and investments are summarized below. 

Unrealized  gains/losses  of  Biglari  Holdings’  stock  held  by  the  investment  partnerships  are  eliminated  in  the  Company’s 
consolidated financial results.  

Liquidity 
Our balance sheet continues to maintain significant liquidity. Consolidated cash flow activities are summarized below. 

32 

201920182017Interest expense on notes payable and other borrowings ......................................(12,442)$         (11,677)$          (11,040)$          Tax benefit .......................................................................................................(3,625)             (2,920)              (4,196)              Interest expense net of tax .................................................................................(8,817)$           (8,757)$            (6,844)$            20192018Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................................................................................67,772$          48,557$          Investments ..............................................................................................................................44,856            33,860            Investments reported in other current assets .................................................................................-                 4,463              Fair value of interest in investment partnerships ...........................................................................666,123          715,102          Total cash and investments ........................................................................................................778,751          801,982          Less: portion of Company stock held by investment partnerships ...................................................(160,581)         (157,622)         Carrying value of cash and investments on balance sheet ..............................................................618,170$         644,360$         December 31,201920182017Net cash provided by operating activities ..........................................................93,683$          20,678$          25,780$          Net cash used in investing activities ...................................................................(69,982)           (25,290)           (11,548)           Net cash used in financing activities ...................................................................(8,010)             (7,530)             (23,000)           Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ..............................................................(5)                    (78)                  165                 Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash .......................15,686$          (12,220)$         (8,603)$            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (continued) 

In 2019, cash from operating activities increased by $73,005 compared to 2018, primarily because of increased distributions from 
investment  partnerships.  Distributions  from  investment  partnerships  were  $129,329  and  $29,660  during  2019  and  2018, 
respectively.  Distributions  to  partners  were  higher  during  2019  primarily  because  of  tax  liabilities  from  capital  gains  in  the 
partnerships.  Changes  in  working  capital  accounts  decreased  by  $2,131  and  $12,043  during  2019  and 2018, respectively.  The 
decrease of working capital accounts during 2018 was primarily tied to the payment of the 2017 CEO incentive fee of $7,353. No 
incentive fees were accrued during 2019 and 2018. 

Net cash used in investing activities increased during 2019 by $44,692 compared to 2018. The purchase price of Southern Oil 
during 2019, net of cash acquired was $51,062. Capital expenditures during 2019 were $2,386 higher than capital expenditures 
during 2018. The increase during 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily because of $7,594 in capitalized development costs by 
Southern Oil, which was offset by decreased capital expenditures by our restaurant businesses of $5,020. Purchases of investments, 
net of redemptions of fixed maturity securities were $5,818 during 2019 compared to $10,084 during 2018. Distributions from 
investment partnerships of $40,000 during 2019 and $39,040 during 2018 were reinvested into the investment partnerships in each 
year. 

During 2019 and 2018 we incurred debt payments of $8,010 and $7,579, respectively.  

We intend to meet the working capital needs of our operating subsidiaries principally through anticipated cash flows generated 
from operations, cash on hand, existing credit facilities, and the sale of excess properties. We continually review available financing 
alternatives. 

Steak n Shake Credit Facility 
On March 19, 2014, Steak n Shake and its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement which provided for a senior secured term 
loan  facility  in  an  aggregate  principal  amount  of  $220,000.  The  term  loan  is  scheduled  to  mature  on  March  19,  2021.  As  of 
December 31, 2019, $181,498 was outstanding. The Company is evaluating refinancing options although alternatives may not be 
available  on  terms  commensurate  with  its  current  financing  arrangement.  Biglari  Holdings  is  not  a  guarantor  under  the  credit 
facility. 

The term loan amortizes in equal quarterly installments at an annual rate of 1.0% of the original principal amount of the term loan, 
subject  to  mandatory  prepayments  from  excess  cash  flow,  asset  sales  and  other  events  described  in  the  credit  agreement.  The 
balance will be due at maturity.  

Borrowings bear interest at a rate per annum equal to a base rate or a Eurodollar rate (minimum of 1%) plus an applicable margin. 
Interest on the term loan is based on a Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin of 3.75% or on the prime rate plus an applicable 
margin of 2.75%. The interest rate on the term loan was 5.55% and 6.28% as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

The credit agreement includes customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. As of December 31, 2019, we 
were in compliance with all covenants. Steak n Shake’s credit facility contains restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to Biglari 
Holdings.   

The term loan is secured by first priority security interests in substantially all the assets of Steak n Shake.  Disruptions in debt 
capital markets that restrict access to funding when needed could adversely affect the results of operations, liquidity and capital 
resources of Steak n Shake.  

Western Sizzlin Revolver 
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, Western Sizzlin had no debt outstanding under its revolver. 

Critical Accounting Policies 
Certain accounting policies require us to make estimates and judgments in determining the amounts reflected in the consolidated 
financial statements. Such estimates and judgments necessarily involve varying, and possibly significant, degrees of uncertainty. 
Accordingly, certain amounts currently recorded in the  financial statements  will likely  be adjusted in the  future based on new 
available information and changes in other facts and circumstances. A discussion of our principal accounting policies that required 
the application of significant judgments as of December 31, 2019 follows. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (continued) 

Consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Biglari Holdings Inc. and the wholly owned subsidiaries of Biglari 
Holdings Inc. We consolidate limited partnership entities if we are the general partner of such entities and for which no substantive 
removal  rights  exist.  The  analysis  as  to  whether  to  consolidate  an  entity  is  subject  to  a  significant  amount  of  judgment.  All 
intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. 

Our interests in the investment partnerships are accounted for as equity method investments because of our retained limited partner 
interest in the investment partnerships.  The Company records gains from investment partnerships (inclusive of the investment 
partnerships’ unrealized gains and losses on their securities) in the consolidated statement of earnings based on our proportional 
ownership interest in the investment partnerships. 

Impairment of Restaurant Long-lived Assets 
We review company-operated restaurants for impairment on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis when events or circumstances indicate 
a  possible  impairment.  Assets  included  in  the  impairment  assessment  generally  consist  of  property,  equipment  and  leasehold 
improvements directly associated with an individual restaurant as well as any related finance or operating lease assets. We test for 
impairment by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the 
asset. If the total estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the carrying value is written down to 
the estimated fair value, and a loss is recognized in earnings. The future cash flows expected to be generated by an asset requires 
significant judgment regarding future performance of the asset, fair market value if the asset were to be sold, and other financial 
and economic assumptions. 

Oil and Natural Gas Reserves 
The estimation of proved reserves,  which is based on the  requirement of reasonable certainty, is an ongoing process based on 
rigorous technical evaluations, commercial and market assessments and detailed analysis of well and reservoir information such 
as flow rates and reservoir pressures. Although we are reasonably confident that proved reserves will be produced, the timing and 
amount recovered can be affected by a number of factors including, reservoir performance, government policies, and significant 
changes in long-term oil and natural gas price levels. In addition, proved reserves could be affected by an extended period of low 
prices which could reduce the level of our partners’ capacity to fund their share of joint projects. Accordingly, reserve estimates 
are generally different from the quantities of natural gas and oil that are ultimately recovered. We cannot predict the amounts or 
timing of future reserve revisions.   

Income Taxes 
We record deferred tax assets or liabilities based on differences between financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities 
using currently enacted rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. We record deferred tax 
assets to the extent we believe there will be sufficient future taxable income to utilize those assets prior to their expiration. To the 
extent deferred tax assets would be unable to be utilized; we would record a valuation allowance against the unrealizable amount 
and record that amount as a charge against earnings. Due to changing tax laws and state income tax rates, significant judgment is 
required to estimate the effective tax rate expected to apply to tax differences that are expected to reverse in the future. We must 
also make estimates about the sufficiency of taxable income in future periods to offset any deductions related to deferred tax assets 
currently recorded.  

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 
We  evaluate  goodwill  and  any  indefinite-lived  intangible  assets  for  impairment  annually,  or  more  frequently  if  circumstances 
indicate impairment may have occurred. Goodwill impairment occurs when  the estimated fair value of goodwill is less than its 
carrying value. The valuation methodology and underlying financial information included in our determination of fair value require 
significant management judgments. We use both market and income approaches to derive fair value. The judgments in these two 
approaches include, but are not limited to, comparable market multiples, long-term projections of future financial performance, 
and the selection of appropriate discount rates used to determine the present value of future cash flows.  

Leases 
We determine whether a contract is or contains a lease at contract inception based on the presence of identified assets and our right 
to obtain substantially all of the economic benefit from or to direct the use of such assets. When we determine a lease exists, we 
record a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability on our consolidated balance sheets. Right-of-use assets represent our 
right to use an underlying asset for the lease term. Lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from 
the lease. Right-of-use assets are recognized at commencement date at the value of the lease liability and are adjusted for any 
prepayments, lease incentives received, and initial direct costs incurred.  Lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (continued) 

date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term.  As the discount rate implicit in the lease is not 
readily  determinable  in  most  of  our  leases,  we  use  our  incremental  borrowing  rate  based  on  the  information  available  at 
commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Our lease terms include options to extend or terminate 
the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We do not record lease contracts with a term of 12 months 
or less on our consolidated balance sheets. We recognize fixed lease expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the 
lease term. For finance leases, we recognize amortization expense on the right-of-use asset and interest expense on the lease liability 
over the lease term.  

Contractual Obligations  
Our significant contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2019 are shown in the following table. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements. 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements 
For  detailed  information  regarding  recently  issued  accounting  pronouncements  and  the  expected  impact  on  our  consolidated 
financial  statements,  see  Note 1,  “Summary  of  Significant  Accounting  Policies”  in  the  accompanying  notes  to  consolidated 
financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K. 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In 
general, forward-looking statements include estimates of future revenues, cash flows, capital expenditures, or other financial items, 
and assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding 
future events and use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “may,” and other similar terminology. A forward-looking 
statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may 
not occur. Investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this 
report. These forward-looking statements are all based on currently available operating, financial, and competitive information and 
are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Our actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of 
factors, many beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A, Risk Factors set 
forth above. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise them, except as may be required by law. 

35 

Less thanMore than1 year1 – 3 years3 – 5 years5 yearsTotal11,859$      181,703$    -$            -$            193,562$    13,266        23,338        17,674        16,254        70,532        15,584        27,381        19,473        18,577        81,015        12,399        6,553          -              -              18,952        -              -              -              2,174          2,174          53,108$      238,975$    37,147$       37,005$      366,235$    (1)(2)(3)(4)Operating leases (2) ..........................................................Purchase commitments (3) ...............................................Other long-term liabilities (4) ...........................................Total .................................................................................IncludesliabilitiesforNon-QualifiedDeferredCompensationPlan.Excludesourunrecognizedtaxbenefitsof$348asofDecember 31, 2019 because we cannot make a reliable estimate of the timing of cash payments.Includes principal and interest and assumes payoff of indebtedness at maturity date.Excludes amounts to be paid for contingent rents. Includes amounts to be paid for subleased properties.Includesagreementstopurchasegoodsorservicesthatareenforceableandlegallybindingonusandthatspecifyallsignificantterms. Excludes agreements that are cancelable without penalty.Long-term debt (1) ...........................................................Finance obligations and finance lease liabilities (1) ..........Payments due by periodContractual Obligations 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

The majority of our investments are conducted through investment partnerships, which generally hold common stocks. We also 
hold marketable securities directly. Through investments  in the investment partnerships we hold a concentrated position in the 
common stock of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.  A significant decline in the general stock market or in the prices of major 
investments may produce a large net loss and decrease in our consolidated shareholders’ equity. Decreases in values of equity 
investments can have a materially adverse effect on our earnings and on consolidated shareholders’ equity. 

We prefer to hold equity investments for very long periods of time so we are not troubled by short-term price volatility with respect 
to our investments.  Our interests in the investment partnerships are committed on a rolling 5-year basis, and any distributions upon 
our withdrawal of funds will be paid out over two years (and may be paid in kind  rather than in cash). Market prices for equity 
securities are subject to fluctuation. Consequently, the amount realized in the subsequent sale of an investment may significantly 
differ from the reported market value.  A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the market price of our investments would result 
in a respective increase or decrease in the fair market value of our investments of $55,040, along with a corresponding change in 
shareholders’ equity of approximately 7%. 

Borrowings on Steak n Shake’s credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to a base rate or a Eurodollar rate (minimum 
of 1%) plus an applicable margin. Interest on the term loan is based on a Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin of 3.75% or on 
the prime rate plus an applicable margin of 2.75%. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates to the debt outstanding 
on December 31, 2019 would have an impact of approximately $1,400 on our net earnings.  

We have had minimal exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in 2019, 2018 and 2017.  

Southern  Oil’s  business  is  fundamentally  a  commodity  business.  This  means  Southern  Oil’s  operations  and  earnings  may  be 
significantly affected by changes in oil and gas prices. Such commodity prices  depend on local,  regional and global events or 
conditions that affect supply  and demand for oil and  gas. Any  material decline in crude oil or natural gas prices could have a 
material adverse effect on Southern Oil’s operations. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

To Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Biglari Holdings Inc.  

Opinion on the Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Biglari Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of 
December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ 
equity,  and  cash  flows  for  each  of  the  three  years  in  the  period  ended  December  31,  2019,  and  the  related  notes  (collectively 
referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity  with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America. 

We  have  also  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States) 
(PCAOB),  the  Company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2019,  based  on  criteria  established  in 
Internal  Control  —  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission and our report dated February 22, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over 
financial reporting.  

Change in Accounting Principle 

As discussed in Note 1 and Note 12 to the financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards 
Codification Topic 842, Leases, effective January 1, 2019 using the Comparatives Under ASC 840 approach.  

Basis for Opinion  

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required 
to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and 
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error 
or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether 
due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, 
evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting 
principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  presentation  of  the  financial 
statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.  

Emphasis of a Matter 

As discussed in Note 3 and Note 13 to the financial statements, the Company and its subsidiaries have invested in investment 
partnerships  in  the  form  of  limited  partnership  interests.  These  investment  partnerships  represent  related  parties,  and  such 
investments are subject to a rolling five-year lock up period under the terms of the respective partnership agreements. The value 
of these investments reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 totals $505,542,000 
and $557,480,000, respectively. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter. 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 
Indianapolis, Indiana 
February 22, 2020 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2003. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Biglari Holdings Inc.  

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting  

We have  audited the internal  control over financial reporting of Biglari  Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (the  “Company”) as of 
December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, 
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — 
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.  

We  have  also  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States) 
(PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, of the Company, and our report 
dated February 22, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph 
relating to the Company’s adoption of the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases, and an emphasis 
of a matter paragraph relating to the Company’s investment in related party investment partnerships.  

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment 
the internal control over financial reporting at Southern Oil Company and its related subsidiaries which was acquired on September 
9, 2019, and whose financial statements constitute approximately 7.2% of total assets, 3.7% of revenues and 13.0% of net earnings 
of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019.  Accordingly, our audit did not 
include the internal control over financial reporting at Southern Oil. 

Basis for Opinion  

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal 
Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with 
respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities 
and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material 
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material 
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and 
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable 
basis for our opinion.  

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting  

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability 
of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted 
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 
of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being  made  only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  company;  and  (3)  provide  reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that 
could have a material effect on the financial statements.  

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements.  Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 
Indianapolis, Indiana  
February 22, 2020  

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
 (dollars in thousands) 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

39 

20192018AssetsCurrent assets:Cash and cash equivalents ............................................................................................ $            67,772  $            48,557 Investments ................................................................................................................               44,856                33,860 Receivables ................................................................................................................               21,640                15,743 Inventories .................................................................................................................                 4,674                  7,537 Other current assets .....................................................................................................                 6,449                  9,236 Total current assets ........................................................................................................             145,391              114,933 Property and equipment ..................................................................................................             350,627              274,716 Operating lease assets .....................................................................................................               59,719                       -   Goodwill .......................................................................................................................               40,040                40,052 Other intangible assets ....................................................................................................               27,349                28,114 Investment partnerships ..................................................................................................             505,542              557,480 Other assets ...................................................................................................................               10,641                14,198 Total assets .................................................................................................................. $       1,139,309  $       1,029,493 Liabilities and shareholders’ equityLiabilitiesCurrent liabilities:Accounts payable and accrued expenses ........................................................................ $          121,079  $          117,265 Current portion of operating lease liabilities ....................................................................               11,635                       -   Current portion of notes payable and other borrowings ...................................................                 7,103                  5,720 Total current liabilities ....................................................................................................             139,817              122,985 Long-term notes payable and other borrowings .................................................................             263,182              240,001 Operating lease liabilities .................................................................................................               53,271                       -   Deferred taxes ...............................................................................................................               54,230                86,871 Asset retirement obligations .............................................................................................               10,447                       -   Other liabilities ...............................................................................................................                 2,064                  9,181 Total liabilities .............................................................................................................             523,011              459,038 Shareholders’ equityCommon stock ..............................................................................................................                 1,138                  1,138 Additional paid-in capital .................................................................................................             381,788              381,904 Retained earnings ...........................................................................................................             611,039              564,160 Accumulated other comprehensive loss ............................................................................               (2,810)               (2,516)Treasury stock, at cost ...................................................................................................            (374,857)            (374,231)Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders’ equity ....................................................................             616,298              570,455 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity ...................................................................... $       1,139,309  $       1,029,493 December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS 
(dollars in thousands except per-share amounts) 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(dollars in thousands) 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

40 

201920182017RevenuesRestaurant operations ...................................................................................610,220$      775,690$      807,153$      Insurance premiums and other ......................................................................30,083          27,628          24,943          Oil and gas ..................................................................................................24,436          -               -               Media and licensing ......................................................................................4,099            6,576            7,708            668,838        809,894        839,804        Cost and expensesRestaurant cost of sales ................................................................................500,949        636,456        661,030        Insurance losses and underwriting expenses ....................................................22,269          20,831          19,724          Oil and gas production costs .........................................................................7,259            -               -               Media and licensing cost ...............................................................................3,181            4,152            6,527            Selling, general and administrative .................................................................100,150        127,232        129,019        Impairments ................................................................................................8,186            5,677            1,789            Depreciation and amortization .......................................................................29,578          19,318          21,448          671,572        813,666        839,537        Other income (expenses)Interest expense ...........................................................................................(12,442)         (11,677)         (11,040)         Interest on finance leases and obligations .......................................................(7,816)           (8,207)           (9,082)           Investment partnership gains .........................................................................78,133          40,411          6,965            Total other income (expenses) ...................................................................57,875          20,527          (13,157)         Earnings (loss) before income taxes ..............................................................55,141          16,755          (12,890)         Income tax expense (benefit) ........................................................................9,761            (2,637)           (62,961)         Net earnings ..................................................................................................45,380$        19,392$        50,071$        Earnings per share Net earnings per equivalent Class A share *  .....................................................131.64$        55.71$          136.01$        Year EndedDecember 31,* Net earnings per equivalent Class B share outstanding are one-fifth of the equivalent Class A share or $26.33 for 2019, $11.14 for 2018 and $27.20 for 2017.201920182017Net earnings  .................................................................................................45,380$        19,392$        50,071$        Other comprehensive income:Reclassification to earnings ........................................................................-               (73)               -               Applicable income taxes ............................................................................-               15                -               Net change in unrealized gains on investments .............................................-               -               284               Applicable income taxes ............................................................................-               -               (89)               Foreign currency translation .......................................................................(294)             (1,054)           1,985            Other comprehensive income (loss), net ............................................................(294)             (1,112)           2,180            Total comprehensive income ...........................................................................45,086$        18,280$        52,251$        Year EndedDecember 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(dollars in thousands) 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

41 

201920182017Operating activitiesNet earnings ....................................................................................................45,380$        19,392$        50,071$        Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:Depreciation and amortization ..................................................................29,578          19,318          21,448          Provision for deferred income taxes ..........................................................(38,545)         (2,153)           (64,321)         Asset impairments and other non-cash expenses .....................................9,113            6,481            3,860            (Gains) losses on disposal of assets .........................................................264               993               (777)              Investment (gains) losses ..........................................................................(1,172)           (559)              -                Investment partnership gains ....................................................................(78,133)         (40,411)         (6,965)           Distributions from investment partnerships ............................................129,329        29,660          9,395            Changes in receivables and inventories .....................................................3,669            (359)              (2,235)           Changes in other assets .............................................................................10,450          536               268               Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses .................................(16,250)         (12,220)         15,036          Net cash provided by operating activities ..................................................93,683          20,678          25,780          Investing activitiesCapital expenditures .................................................................................(17,679)         (15,293)         (8,034)           Purchases of perpetual lease rights ...........................................................-                (2,503)           -                Proceeds from property and equipment disposals ...................................4,577            2,590            1,004            Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired ...........................................(51,062)         -                -                Distributions from investment partnerships ............................................40,000          39,040          -                Purchases of limited partner interests .......................................................(40,000)         (39,040)         (3,707)           Purchases of investments ..........................................................................(154,848)       (58,642)         (42,648)         Redemptions of fixed maturity securities .................................................149,030        48,558          41,837          Net cash used in investing activities ..........................................................(69,982)         (25,290)         (11,548)         Financing activitiesPayments on revolving credit facility .......................................................-                (175)              (202)              Principal payments on long-term debt ......................................................(2,200)           (2,200)           (17,200)         Principal payments on direct financing lease obligations ..........................(5,810)           (5,204)           (5,628)           Proceeds for exercise of stock options ......................................................-                49                 30                 Net cash used in financing activities .........................................................(8,010)           (7,530)           (23,000)         Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ....................................................(5)                  (78)                165               Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash ....................15,686          (12,220)         (8,603)           Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period ..................55,010          67,230          75,833          Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period ...................70,696$        55,010$        67,230$        Year EndedDecember 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
 (dollars in thousands) 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

42 

Common StockAdditional Paid-In CapitalRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Treasury Stock   TotalBalance at December 31, 2016 ..................1,071$       381,906$   515,433$   (3,584)$              (362,886)$ 531,940$     Net earnings ..............................................50,071       50,071         Other comprehensive income, net ............2,180                 2,180           Adjustment to treasury stock for holdings in investment partnerships ......116            (13,009)     (12,893)       Exercise of stock options ..........................(8)              38              30                Balance at December 31, 2017 ..................1,071$       382,014$   565,504$   (1,404)$              (375,857)$ 571,328$     Net earnings ..............................................19,392       19,392         Adoption of accounting standards ............90              90                Other comprehensive income, net ............(1,112)                (1,112)         Conversion of common stock ...................67              (67)            (20,826)     20,826       -              Adjustment to treasury stock for holdings in investment partnerships ......(19,292)     (19,292)       Exercise of stock options ..........................(43)            92              49                Balance at December 31, 2018 ..................1,138$       381,904$   564,160$   (2,516)$              (374,231)$ 570,455$     Net earnings ...........................................45,380       45,380         Adoption of accounting standards ........1,499         1,499           Other comprehensive income, net .......(294)                   (294)            Adjustment to treasury stock for holdings in investment partnerships (116)          (626)          (742)            Balance at December 31, 2019 ..............1,138$       381,788$   611,039$   (2,810)$              (374,857)$ 616,298$      
 
 
 
 
 
BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
(Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017) 
 (dollars in thousands, except share and per-share data) 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Description of Business 
Biglari Holdings Inc. is a  holding company owning  subsidiaries engaged in a  number of diverse business activities,  including 
property and casualty insurance, media and licensing, restaurants, and oil and gas. The Company’s largest operating subsidiaries 
are involved in the franchising and operating of restaurants. Biglari Holdings is founded and led by Sardar Biglari, Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company’s long-term objective is to maximize per-share intrinsic value. All major 
investment and capital allocation decisions are made for the Company and its subsidiaries by Mr. Biglari.  

As of December 31, 2019, Mr. Biglari’s beneficial ownership was approximately 64.4% of the Company’s outstanding Class A 
common stock and 55.4% of the Company’s outstanding Class B common stock. 

Business Acquisition 
On September 9, 2019, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Southern Oil Company, acquired the stock of Southern Oil of 
Louisiana Inc. (collectively “Southern Oil”) for $51,505 in cash. Southern Oil primarily operates oil and natural gas properties 
offshore in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Company’s financial results include the results of Southern Oil from the 
acquisition date to the end of the year.  

Acquired assets included oil and gas properties of $69,881 and accounts receivable of $6,735. Acquired liabilities included asset 
retirement  obligations  of  $10,542,  income  taxes  payable  of  $4,302,  deferred  tax  liabilities  of  $5,671  and  accounts  payable  of 
$3,949. Acquisition related expenses were recorded as general and administrative expenses. 

Principles of Consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries including Steak n 
Shake Inc. (“Steak n Shake”), Western Sizzlin Corporation (“Western Sizzlin”), Maxim Inc. (“Maxim”), First Guard Insurance 
Company  and  its  agency,  1st  Guard  Corporation  (collectively  “First  Guard”),  and  Southern  Oil. Intercompany  accounts  and 
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash  
Cash equivalents primarily consist of U.S. Government securities and money market accounts, all of which have original maturities 
of three months or less. Cash equivalents are carried at fair value. The statement of cash flows includes restricted cash with cash 
and cash equivalents. 

Cash as reported on the statements of cash flows consists of the following. 

Investments 
Our investments are carried at fair value with net unrealized gains or losses reported in the statements of earnings. Realized gains 
and losses on disposals of investments are determined by the specific identification of cost of investments sold. 

43 

201920182017Cash and cash equivalents .................................................................................67,772$          48,557$        58,577$        Restricted cash included in other long-term assets ............................................2,924              6,453            8,653            Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash ........................................................70,696$          55,010$        67,230$        December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

Investment Partnerships 
The  Company  holds  a  limited  interest  in  The  Lion  Fund,  L.P.  and  The  Lion  Fund  II,  L.P.  (collectively  the  “investment 
partnerships”).  Biglari  Capital  Corp.  (“Biglari  Capital”),  an  entity  solely  owned  by  Mr.  Biglari,  is  the  general  partner  of  the 
investment partnerships.  Our interests in the investment partnerships are accounted as equity method investments because of our 
retained limited partner interests. The Company records investment partnership gains (inclusive of the investment partnerships’ 
unrealized gains and losses on their securities) as a component of other income based on our proportional ownership interest in the 
partnerships. The investment partnerships are, for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), investment 
companies under the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies.  

Concentration of Equity Price Risk  
The majority of our investments are conducted through investment partnerships which generally hold common stocks. We also 
hold marketable securities directly. Through the investment partnerships we hold a concentrated position in the common stock of 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. A significant decline in the general stock market or in the prices of major investments may 
have a materially adverse effect on our earnings and on consolidated shareholders’ equity. 

Receivables 
Our accounts receivable balance consists primarily of franchisee, customer, and other receivables. We carry our accounts receivable 
at cost less an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is based on a history of past write-offs and collections and current credit 
conditions.  Allowance for doubtful accounts was $4,857 and $3,901 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

Inventories 
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market, and consist primarily of restaurant food items and 
supply inventory. 

Property and Equipment 
Restaurants 
Property  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation  and  amortization.  Depreciation  and  amortization  are 
recognized  on  the  straight-line  method  over  the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the  assets  (10  to  30  years  for  buildings  and  land 
improvements, and 3 to 10  years for equipment). Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line  method over the 
shorter  of  the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the  improvements  or  the  term  of  the  related  leases.  Interest  costs  associated  with  the 
construction  of  new  restaurants  are  capitalized.  Major  improvements  are  also  capitalized  while  repairs  and  maintenance  are 
expensed as incurred. We review our long-lived restaurant assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their 
carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For purposes of this assessment, assets are evaluated at the lowest level for which there 
are  identifiable  cash  flows  which  is  generally  at  the  individual  restaurant  level.  Assets  included  in  the  impairment  assessment 
generally consist of property, equipment and leasehold improvements directly associated with an individual restaurant as well as 
any related finance or operating lease assets.  If the future undiscounted cash flows of an asset are less than the recorded value, an 
impairment is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the asset.  

Oil and Gas Properties 
The successful efforts method is used for crude oil and natural gas exploration and production activities. All costs for development 
wells, related plant and equipment, proved mineral interests in crude oil and natural gas properties, and related asset retirement 
obligation  assets  are  capitalized.  Costs  of  exploratory  wells  are  capitalized  pending  determination  of  whether  the  wells  found 
proved reserves. Costs of wells that are assigned proved reserves remain capitalized. Costs also are capitalized for exploratory 
wells that have found crude oil and natural gas reserves even if the reserves cannot be classified as proved when the drilling is 
completed, provided the exploratory well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well 
and the company is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. All 
other exploratory wells and costs are expensed. There were no capitalized costs for exploratory activities during 2019. 

The Company continues to capitalize exploratory well costs after the completion of drilling when (a) the well has found a sufficient 
quantity of reserves to justify completion as a producing well, and (b) sufficient progress has been made in assessing the reserves 
and the economic and operating viability of the project. If either condition is not met or if the Company obtains information that 
raises substantial doubt about the economic or operational viability of the project, the exploratory well  would be assumed to be 
impaired, and its costs, net of any salvage value, would be charged to expense. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

Asset retirement obligations 
Asset retirement obligations relate to future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells, the removal 
of equipment and facilities from leased acreage, and the return of such land to its original condition.  The Company determines its 
asset retirement obligation amounts by calculating the present value of the estimated future cash outflows associated with its plug 
and abandonment obligations.  The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is 
incurred, and the cost of such liability increases the  carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount.  The 
liability is accreted each period through charges to depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, and the capitalized cost is 
depleted on a unit-of-production basis over the proved developed reserves of the related asset. If an asset retirement obligation is 
settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized. 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 
Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are not amortized, but are tested for potential impairment on an annual basis, or more 
often if events or circumstances change that could cause goodwill or indefinite life intangible assets to become impaired. Other 
purchased intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally on a straight-line basis. We perform reviews 
for impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may 
not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset 
and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying value. When an impairment is identified, we reduce the carrying value of the 
asset to its estimated fair value. No impairments were recorded on goodwill or intangible assets during 2019, 2018 or 2017. Refer 
to Note 7 for information regarding our goodwill and other intangible assets. 

Dual Class Common Stock 
Beginning in 2018, the Company has two classes of common stock, designated Class A common stock and Class B common stock.  
Each Class A common share is entitled to one vote.  Class B common stock possesses economic rights equal to one-fifth (1/5th) of 
such rights of Class A common stock; however, Class B common stock has no voting rights.  

The following table presents shares authorized, issued and outstanding. 

On an equivalent Class A common stock basis, there were 620,592 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and 
620,284 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017.   

Earnings Per Share 
Earnings per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year.  The shares 
of Company stock attributable to our limited partner interest in the investment partnerships — based on our proportional ownership 
during this period — are considered treasury stock on the consolidated balance sheet and thereby deemed not to be included in the 
calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding.  However, these shares are legally outstanding. 

The  Company  has  applied  the  “two-class  method”  of  computing  earnings  per  share  as  prescribed  in  Accounting  Standards 
Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings Per Share.”  The equivalent Class A common stock applied for computing earnings per 
share excludes the proportional shares of Biglari Holdings’ stock held by the investment partnerships.  The equivalent Class A 
common stock for the earnings per share calculation was 344,736, 348,108 and 368,150 for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 
There are no dilutive securities outstanding. 

45 

Class AClass BClass AClass BDecember 31, 2017Common stock authorized ........................500,000          10,000,000     500,000            10,000,000        2,500,000         Common stock issued ..............................206,8642,068,640206,8642,068,6402,142,202Treasury stock held by the Company ........-                  -                  -                  -                  (74,589)Outstanding shares ..................................206,8642,068,640206,8642,068,6402,067,613December 31, 2018December 31, 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

Revenue Recognition 
In  May  2014,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  (“FASB”)  issued  Accounting  Standards  Update  (“ASU”)  2014-09, 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). On January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 
606 (“ASC 606”). In accordance with ASC 606, we changed certain characteristics of our revenue recognition accounting policy 
as  described below.  ASC  606  was  applied  using  the  modified  retrospective  method,  where  the  cumulative  effect  of  the  initial 
application is recognized as an adjustment to opening retained earnings at January 1, 2018. Comparative prior periods have not 
been adjusted. 

The impact of ASC 606 on the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 was not material. The cumulative change in 
retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 was $90. Upon adoption of  ASC 606, the  Company changed its restaurant operations 
accounting  policies  for  the  recognition  of  franchise  fees,  recording  of  advertising  arrangements,  and  recognition  of  gift  card 
revenue. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have any significant impact on our insurance or media/licensing businesses. 

Restaurant operations 
Restaurant operations revenues were disaggregated as follows. 

Net sales are composed of retail sales of food through company-operated stores. Company-operated store revenues are recognized, 
net of discounts and sales taxes, when our obligation to perform is satisfied at the point of sale. Sales taxes related to these sales 
are collected from customers and remitted to the appropriate taxing authority and are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated 
statements of earnings as revenue. 

Franchise royalties and fees are composed of royalties and fees from Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin franchisees. Royalties are 
based  upon  a  percentage  of  sales  of  the  franchise  restaurant  and  are  recognized  as  earned.  Franchise  royalties  are  billed  on  a 
monthly basis. Initial franchise fees when a new restaurant opens or at the start of a new franchise term are recorded as deferred 
revenue when received and recognized as revenue over the term of the franchise agreement.  

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, restaurant operations recognized $1,725 and $3,096, respectively, in revenue 
related to initial franchise fees. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, restaurant operations had deferred revenue recorded in accrued 
expenses related to franchise fees of $7,976 and $9,075, respectively. Restaurant operations expects to recognize approximately 
$928 in 2020 and the balance in the years 2021 through 2040.   

Our advertising arrangements with franchisees are reported in franchise royalties and fees.  During the years ended December 31, 
2019 and 2018, restaurant operations recognized $7,815 and $9,675, respectively, in revenue related to franchisee advertising fees. 
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, restaurant operations had deferred revenue recorded in accrued expenses related to franchisee 
advertising fees of $3,043 and $2,255, respectively. Restaurant operations expects to recognize approximately $1,522 of deferred 
revenue during 2020 and the balance in 2021. 

Restaurant operations sells gift cards to customers which can be redeemed for retail food sales within our stores. Gift cards are 
recorded  as  deferred  revenue  when  issued  and  are  subsequently  recorded  as  net  sales  upon  redemption.  Restaurant  operations 
estimates breakage related to gift cards when the likelihood of redemption is remote. This estimate utilizes historical trends based 
on the vintage of the gift card. Breakage on gift cards is recorded as other revenue in proportion to the rate of gift card redemptions 
by vintage.   

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, restaurant operations recognized $22,869 and $27,081, respectively, of revenue 
from gift card redemptions. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, restaurant operations had deferred revenue recorded in accrued 
expenses related to unredeemed gift cards of $20,730 and $22,685, respectively. The Company expects to recognize approximately 
$15,931 in 2020 and the balance in the years 2021 through 2023.   

46 

201920182017Net sales ............................................................................................................578,164$        740,922$        781,856$        Franchise royalties and fees ...............................................................................27,189            30,998            20,773            Other ..................................................................................................................4,867              3,770              4,524              610,220$        775,690$        807,153$         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

Insurance premiums and commissions 
Insurance premiums are earned over the terms of the related policies. Expenses incurred in connection with acquiring new insurance 
business, including acquisition costs, are charged to operations as incurred. Premiums earned are stated net of amounts ceded to 
reinsurer.  

Oil and gas 
Revenues are derived from the sale of produced oil and natural gas. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is 
satisfied, which typically occurs at the point in time when control of the product transfers to the customer. Payment is due  within 
30 days of delivery. 

Media advertising and other 
Magazine subscription and advertising revenues are recognized at the magazine cover date. The unearned portion of magazine 
subscriptions is deferred until the magazine’s cover date, at which time a proportionate share of the gross subscription price is 
recognized as revenues, net of any commissions paid to subscription agents. Also included in subscription revenues are revenues 
generated from single-copy sales of magazines through retail outlets such as newsstands, supermarkets, convenience stores and 
drugstores and on certain digital devices, which may or may not result in future subscription sales. Revenues from retail outlet 
sales are recognized based on gross sales less a provision for estimated returns. License revenue is recognized when earned. We 
derive value and revenues from intellectual property assets through a range of licensing and business activities, including licensing 
and syndication of our trademarks and copyrights in the United States and internationally. 

Restaurant Cost of Sales 
Cost of sales includes the cost of food, restaurant operating costs and restaurant rent expense.  Cost of sales excludes depreciation 
and amortization, which is presented as a separate line item on the consolidated statement of earnings. 

Insurance Losses and Underwriting Expenses 
Liabilities for estimated unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to claims occurring on or before the balance sheet 
date are established under insurance contracts issued by our insurance subsidiaries. Such estimates include provisions for reported 
claims or case estimates, provisions for incurred but not reported claims and legal and administrative costs to settle claims. The 
estimates of unpaid losses and amounts recoverable under reinsurance are established and continually reviewed by using a variety 
of actuarial, statistical and analytical techniques. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the ceding company of its obligations to 
indemnify policyholders with respect to the underlying insurance contracts. Liabilities for insurance losses of $3,211 and $1,891 
are included in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

Oil and Gas Production Costs 
Oil and gas production costs are composed of lease operating expenses and production taxes. 

Marketing Expense 
Advertising costs are charged to expense at the later of the date the expenditure is incurred or the date the promotional item is first 
communicated. Marketing expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of 
earnings. 

Insurance Reserves 
We  self-insure  a  significant  portion  of  expected  losses  under  our  workers’  compensation,  general  liability,  auto,  directors  and 
officers liability, and medical liability insurance programs, and record a reserve for our estimated losses on all unresolved open 
claims and our estimated incurred but not reported claims at the anticipated cost to us. Insurance reserves are recorded in accrued 
expenses in the consolidated balance sheet. 

Savings Plans 
Several of our subsidiaries also sponsor deferred compensation and defined contribution retirement plans, such as 401(k) or profit 
sharing plans. Employee contributions to the plans are subject to regulatory limitations and the specific plan provisions. Some of 
the plans allow for discretionary contributions as determined by management. Employer contributions expensed with respect to 
these plans were not material. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

Foreign Currency Translation 
The Company has certain subsidiaries located in foreign jurisdictions.  For subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the 
U.S. dollar, the translation of functional currency statements to U.S. dollar statements uses end-of-period exchange rates for assets 
and liabilities, weighted average exchange rates for revenue and expenses, and historical rates for equity. The resulting currency 
translation adjustment is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, as a component of equity. 

Use of Estimates 
Preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  GAAP  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and 
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could 
differ from the estimates. 

New Accounting Standards 
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial 
Instruments. ASU 2016-13 amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale 
debt  securities.  For  available  for  sale  debt  securities,  credit  losses  should  be  measured  in  a  manner  similar  to  current  GAAP; 
however, ASU 2016-13 will require that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. The amendments 
in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods 
within  those  fiscal  years.  The  Company  is  currently  evaluating  the  impact  the  adoption  of  ASU  2016-13  will  have  on  its 
consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842). We 
adopted ASC 842 “Leases” on January 1, 2019. Most significantly, ASC 842 requires a lessee to recognize a liability to make lease 
payments and an asset with respect to its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. We applied ASC 840 to all comparative 
periods which included a cumulative-effect adjustment of $1,499 to retained earnings on January 1, 2019. Adoption of ASC 842 
also resulted in an increase to total assets and liabilities due to the recording of operating lease assets of $63,261 and operating 
lease liabilities of $69,671 as of January 1, 2019 and due to the recording of finance lease assets of $11,638 and finance lease 
liabilities  of  $11,784.  The  difference  between  the  asset  and  liability  amounts  primarily  relates  to  previously  recorded 
deferred/prepaid rent. The standard had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets but did not have a material impact 
on our consolidated statements of earnings and statements of cash flow. The most significant impact was the recognition of right-
of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases.  

In adopting and applying ASC 842, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within 
the new standard which, among other things, allows us to carry forward the historical lease classification. In addition, we elected 
certain practical expedients and accounting policies, including an accounting policy election to keep leases with an initial term of 
12 months or less  from the balance sheet.  We recognize  those lease payments in the consolidated statements of earnings on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term. 

Note 2. Investments 

Investments were $44,856 and $33,860 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Investments in equity securities and a 
related derivative position of $4,463 are included in other current assets as of December 31, 2018. The investments are recorded 
at fair value. 

Note 3.  Investment Partnerships 

The Company reports on the limited partnership interests in investment partnerships under the equity method of accounting.  We 
record  our  proportional  share  of  equity  in  the  investment  partnerships  but  exclude  Company  common  stock  held  by  said 
partnerships. The Company’s pro-rata share of its common stock held by the investment partnerships is recorded as treasury stock 
even  though  they  are  legally  outstanding. The  Company  records  gains/losses  from  investment  partnerships  (inclusive  of  the 
investment partnerships’ unrealized gains and losses on their securities) in the consolidated statements of earnings based on our 
carrying value of these partnerships. The fair value is calculated net of the general partner’s accrued incentive fees. Gains and 
losses  on  Company  common  stock  included  in  the  earnings  of  these  partnerships  are  eliminated  because  they  are  recorded  as 
treasury stock.  

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 3.  Investment Partnerships (continued) 

Biglari Capital is the general partner of the investment partnerships and is an entity solely owned by Mr. Biglari. 

The fair value and adjustment for Company common stock held by the investment partnerships to determine carrying value of our 
partnership interest is presented below. 

The carrying value of the investment partnerships net of deferred taxes is presented below. 

The  Company’s  proportionate  share  of  Company  stock  held  by  investment  partnerships  at  cost  is  $374,857  and  $374,231  at 
December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is recorded as treasury stock. 

The carrying value of the partnership interest approximates fair value adjusted by the value of held Company stock.  Fair value is 
according to our proportional ownership interest of the fair value of investments held by the investment partnerships. The fair value 
measurement is classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.   

Gains/losses from investment partnerships recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings are presented below. 

On December 31 of each year, the general partner of the investment partnerships, Biglari Capital, will earn an incentive reallocation 
fee for the Company’s investments equal to 25% of the net profits above an annual hurdle rate of 6% over the previous high-water 
mark. Our policy is to accrue an estimated incentive fee throughout the year. The total incentive reallocation from Biglari Holdings 
to Biglari Capital includes gains on the Company’s common stock. Gains and losses on the Company’s common stock and the 
related incentive reallocations are eliminated in our financial statements. Our investments in these partnerships are committed on 
a rolling 5-year basis.   

There were no incentive reallocations from Biglari Holdings to Biglari Capital during 2019, 2018 and 2017.  

49 

Fair ValueCompany Common StockCarryingValuePartnership interest at December 31, 2016 ........................................................972,707$        395,070$        577,637$        Investment partnership gains (losses) ................................................................(41,740)           (48,705)           6,965              Distributions (net of contributions of $3,707) ...................................................(5,688)             (5,688)             Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held ....................................12,893            (12,893)           Partnership interest at December 31, 2017 ........................................................925,279$        359,258$        566,021$        Investment partnership gains (losses) ................................................................(180,517)         (220,928)         40,411            Distributions (net of reinvestments of $39,040).................................................(29,660)           (29,660)           Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held ....................................19,292            (19,292)           Partnership interest at December 31, 2018 ........................................................715,102$        157,622$        557,480$        Investment partnership gains (losses) ...........................................................80,350            2,217              78,133            Distributions (net of reinvestments of $40,000)............................................(129,329)         (129,329)         Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held .............................742                 (742)                Partnership interest at December 31, 2019 ...................................................666,123$        160,581$        505,542$        20192018Carrying value of investment partnerships ...................................................................................505,542$         557,480$         Deferred tax liability related to investment partnerships .................................................................(56,518)           (92,703)           Carrying value of investment partnerships net of deferred taxes .....................................................449,024$         464,777$         December 31,201920182017Gains from investment partnerships ................................................................78,133$          40,411$          6,965$            Tax expense (benefit) ........................................................................................17,360            7,171              (4,115)             Contribution to net earnings .............................................................................60,773$          33,240$          11,080$           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 3.  Investment Partnerships (continued) 

Summarized financial information for The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion Fund II, L.P. is presented below. 

Revenue in the above summarized financial information of the investment partnerships includes investment income and unrealized 
gains and losses on investments. 

Note 4. Other Current Assets 

Other current assets include the following. 

Note 5. Property and Equipment 

Property and equipment is composed of the following. 

Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment for 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $18,881, $18,646 and $20,706, 
respectively.   Depletion expense related to oil and gas properties  was  $8,077  during 2019 and  is included in depreciation and 
amortization within the consolidated statement of earnings. 

50 

Lion FundLion Fund IITotal assets as of December 31, 2019 ..............................................................................117,135$            758,663$            Total liabilities as of December 31, 2019 .........................................................................158$                   114,639$            Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 ............................................................10,637$              85,831$              Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2019 .............................................................10,567$              78,604$              Biglari Holdings’ ownership interest ...............................................................................66.1%92.9%Total assets as of December 31, 2018 ...................................................................................107,207$              901,750$              Total liabilities as of December 31, 2018 ................................................................................447$                    202,770$              Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 ....................................................................(92,093)$               (120,431)$             Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2018 ....................................................................(92,159)$               (130,193)$             Biglari Holdings’ ownership interest .......................................................................................65.9%92.2%Total assets as of December 31, 2017 ...................................................................................203,560$              1,060,737$            Total liabilities as of December 31, 2017 ................................................................................157$                    199,974$              Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 ....................................................................(13,322)$               (25,283)$               Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017 ....................................................................(13,383)$               (35,740)$               Biglari Holdings’ ownership interest .......................................................................................64.3%92.3%Equity in Investment Partnerships20192018Deferred commissions on gift cards sold by third parties .....................................................3,379$               3,218$               Prepaid contractual obligations ..............................................................................................3,070                 1,555                 Investment in equity security and related derivative position ..............................................-                    4,463                 Other current assets ...............................................................................................................6,449$               9,236$               December 31,20192018Land .......................................................................................................................................150,147$           146,015$           Buildings ................................................................................................................................144,243             142,658             Land and leasehold improvements .........................................................................................157,141             158,938             Equipment .............................................................................................................................196,264             201,738             Oil and gas properties ............................................................................................................77,475               -                    Construction in progress .......................................................................................................3,789                 1,703                   729,059             651,052             Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ..................................................................(378,432)           (376,336)           Property and equipment, net .................................................................................................350,627$           274,716$           December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 5. Property and Equipment (continued) 

The Company recorded an impairment to restaurant long-lived assets of $8,186, $5,677 and $1,789 during 2019, 2018 and 2017, 
respectively.  The fair value of the long-lived assets was determined based on Level 3 inputs using a discounted cash flow model 
and quoted prices for the properties. The fair value of the assets impaired was not material for any of the applicable periods. 

The  property  and  equipment  cost  related  to  finance  obligations  as  of  December  31,  2019  is  as  follows:  $59,104  of  buildings, 
$49,891 of land, $26,924 of land and leasehold improvements, and $52,240 of accumulated depreciation.  

Note 6. Asset Retirement Obligations 

A reconciliation of the ending aggregate carrying amount of asset retirement obligations is as follows. 

As of December 31, 2019, $184 is classified as current and is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated 
balance sheets. 

Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 

Goodwill 
Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in connection  with business 
acquisitions. No goodwill was recorded with the acquisition of Southern Oil. 

A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows.   

We  evaluate  goodwill  and  any  indefinite-lived  intangible  assets  for  impairment  annually,  or  more  frequently  if  circumstances 
indicate impairment may have occurred. Goodwill impairment occurs when  the estimated fair value of goodwill is less than its 
carrying value. The valuation methodology and underlying financial information included in our determination of fair value require 
significant management judgments. We use both market and income approaches to derive fair value. The judgments in these two 
approaches include, but are not limited to, comparable market multiples, long-term projections of future financial performance, 
and the selection of appropriate discount rates used to determine the present value of future cash flows. Changes in such estimates 
or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. No impairment charges for goodwill 
were recorded in 2019, 2018 or 2017.  

51 

December 31,2019Acquired balance .....................................................................................................................................................10,542$             Liabilities settled .....................................................................................................................................................(88)                    Accretion expense ...................................................................................................................................................177                    Asset retirement obligation ................................................................................................................................10,631$             RestaurantsOtherTotalGoodwill at December 31, 2016 ................................................................................28,090$          11,913$           40,003$        Change in foreign exchange rates during 2017 ...........................................................78                  -                  78                Goodwill at December 31, 2017 ................................................................................28,168$          11,913$           40,081$        Change in foreign exchange rates during 2018 ...........................................................(29)                -                  (29)               Goodwill at December 31, 2018 ................................................................................28,139$          11,913$           40,052$        Change in foreign exchange rates during 2019 ...................................................(12)                -                 (12)              Goodwill at December 31, 2019 ...........................................................................28,127$        11,913$          40,040$       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (continued) 

Other Intangible Assets 
Other intangible assets are composed of the following. 

Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of franchise agreements connected with the purchase of Western Sizzlin as well 
as rights to favorable leases related to prior acquisitions. These intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated weighted 
average of useful lives ranging from eight to twelve years.  

Amortization expense for 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $549, $562 and $567, respectively. The Company’s intangible assets with 
definite lives will fully amortize in 2020.  

During 2018, the Company purchased lease rights totaling $2,503.     

Note 8.  Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses include the following. 

Note 9. Other Liabilities 

Other liabilities include the following. 

52 

Gross carrying amountAccumulated amortizationTotalGross carrying amountAccumulated amortizationTotalFranchise agreement .........................5,310$     (5,178)$         132$        5,310$     (4,647)$       663$        Other ................................................810          (792)              18            810          (774)            36            Total .................................................6,120       (5,970)           150          6,120       (5,421)         699          Intangible assets with indefinite lives:Trade names .....................................15,876     -                15,876     15,876     -              15,876     Other assets with indefinite lives .....11,323     -                11,323     11,539     -              11,539     Total intangible assets ......................33,319$   (5,970)$         27,349$   33,535$   (5,421)$       28,114$   20192018December 31,20192018Accounts payable ...........................................................................................................................32,626$          41,967$          Gift card liability ............................................................................................................................20,745            22,685            Salaries, wages, and vacation ..........................................................................................................10,667            13,107            Deferred revenue .............................................................................................................................10,454            11,681            Taxes payable .................................................................................................................................29,275            11,214            Self-insurance accruals ....................................................................................................................11,070            8,394              Other ...............................................................................................................................................6,242              8,217              Accounts payable and accrued expenses ........................................................................................121,079$        117,265$        December 31, 20192018Non qualified deferred compensation .............................................................................................1,716$            1,801$            Other ...............................................................................................................................................348                 912                 Deferred rent expense .....................................................................................................................-                  6,468              Other liabilities ...............................................................................................................................2,064$            9,181$            December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 10. Income Taxes 

The components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following. 

On December 22, 2017, new federal income tax legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Act”), was signed into law. Effective 
January  1,  2018,  the  U.S.  corporate  federal  statutory  income  tax  rate  was  reduced  from  35.0%  to  21.0%  and  required  re-
measurement of deferred balances to the new statutory rates as of December 31, 2017.  

The Act also imposed a mandatory one-time transition tax on undistributed international earnings. We do not expect to have any 
additional  tax  liability  related  to  a  transition  tax.  The  Company  did  not  have  a  net  tax  expense  or  benefit  on  income  from 
international operations.  Earnings (losses) before income taxes derived from domestic operations during 2019, 2018 and 2017 
were $57,877, $21,700 and $(6,230), respectively.  Losses before income taxes derived from international operations during 2019, 
2018 and 2017 were $2,736, $4,945, and $6,660, respectively.  

As of December 31, 2019, we had $348 of unrecognized tax benefits, including $62 of interest and penalties, which are included 
in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2018, we had $341 of unrecognized tax benefits, 
including $43 of interest and penalties, which are included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Our 
continuing  practice  is  to  recognize  interest  expense  and  penalties  related  to  income  tax  matters  in  income  tax  expense.  The 
unrecognized  tax  benefits  of  $348  would  impact  the  effective  income  tax  rate  if  recognized.  Adjustments  to  the  Company’s 
unrecognized tax benefit for gross increases for the current period tax position, gross decreases for prior period tax positions and 
the lapse of statute of limitations during 2019, 2018 and 2017 were not significant. 

We  file  income  tax  returns  which  are  periodically  audited  by  various  foreign,  federal,  state,  and  local  jurisdictions.  With  few 
exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal, state, and local tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2016. We believe we have 
certain state income tax exposures related to fiscal years 2015 through 2019.  Because of the expiration of the various state statutes 
of limitations for these fiscal years, it is possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately 
$157 within 12 months. 

Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  determined  based  on  differences  between  financial  reporting  and  tax  basis  of  assets  and 
liabilities and are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected 
to reverse.  

53 

201920182017Current:Federal .............................................................................................................41,005$          (1,688)$           544$               State .................................................................................................................7,301              1,204              816                 Deferred ...........................................................................................................(38,545)           (2,153)             (64,321)           Inome tax expense (benefit) ................................................................................9,761$            (2,637)$           (62,961)$         Reconciliation of effective income tax:Tax at U.S. statutory rates ..............................................................................11,579$          3,519$            (4,512)$           State income taxes, net of federal benefit .........................................................1,573              741                 259                 Tax rate changes ...............................................................................................-                  (1,342)             (51,707)           Federal income tax credits ................................................................................(3,004)             (4,587)             (3,158)             Dividends received deduction ..........................................................................(955)                (2,142)             (6,304)             Valuation allowance .........................................................................................441                 658                 742                 Foreign tax rate differences ..............................................................................116                 349                 1,598              Other ................................................................................................................11                   167                 121                 Inome tax expense (benefit) ................................................................................9,761$            (2,637)$           (62,961)$          
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 10. Income Taxes (continued) 

Our deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following. 

Accrued expenses on the balance sheet include income taxes payable of $17,767 as of December 31, 2019.  Receivables on the 
balance sheet include income taxes receivable of $2,022 as of December 31, 2018. Income taxes paid during 2019, 2018 and 2017 
were $30,375, $810 and $3,211, respectively. Income tax refunds during 2019, 2018 and 2017 were $1,546, $8 and $0, respectively. 

Note 11. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings 

Notes payable and other borrowings include the following. 

Steak n Shake Credit Facility 
On March 19, 2014, Steak n Shake and its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement which provided for a senior secured term 
loan  facility  in  an  aggregate  principal  amount  of  $220,000.  The  term  loan  is  scheduled  to  mature  on  March  19,  2021.  As  of 
December 31, 2019, $181,498 was outstanding. The Company is evaluating refinancing options. Alternative financing may not be 
available on terms commensurate  with its current  financing arrangement.   Biglari Holdings is not a guarantor under the credit 
facility. 

54 

20192018Deferred tax assets:Insurance reserves .........................................................................................................................1,304$            1,816$            Compensation accruals ..................................................................................................................438                 677                 Gift card accruals ...........................................................................................................................3,280              2,515              Net operating loss credit carryforward .........................................................................................6,017              5,547              Valuation allowance on net operating losses .................................................................................(5,419)             (4,978)             Fixed assets and depletable assets basis difference .......................................................................4,776              -                  Income tax credit carryforward .....................................................................................................6,300              4,965              Other .............................................................................................................................................(36)                  953                 Total deferred tax assets ................................................................................................................16,660            11,495            Deferred tax liabilities:Investments ...................................................................................................................................56,519            92,743            Fixed asset basis difference ...........................................................................................................-                  934                 Goodwill and intangibles ...............................................................................................................14,371            4,689              Total deferred tax liabilities ...........................................................................................................70,890            98,366            Net deferred tax liability ...................................................................................................................(54,230)$         (86,871)$         December 31,20192018Current portion of notes payable and other borrowingsNotes payable ..............................................................................................................................2,200$            2,200$            Unamortized original issue discount ............................................................................................(348)                (334)                Unamortized debt issuance costs ................................................................................................(634)                (609)                Finance obligations ......................................................................................................................4,252              4,463              Finance lease liabilities .................................................................................................................1,633              -                  Total current portion of notes payable and other borrowings ....................................................7,103$            5,720$            Long-term notes payable and other borrowingsNotes payable ..............................................................................................................................179,298$        181,498$        Unamortized original issue discount ............................................................................................(89)                  (438)                Unamortized debt issuance costs ................................................................................................(163)                (796)                Finance obligations ......................................................................................................................74,497            59,737            Finance lease liabilities .................................................................................................................9,639              -                  Total long-term notes payable and other borrowings ..................................................................263,182$        240,001$        December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 11. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings (continued) 

The term loan amortizes in equal quarterly installments at an annual rate of 1.0% of the original principal amount of the term loan, 
subject  to  mandatory  prepayments  from  excess  cash  flow,  asset  sales  and  other  events  described  in  the  credit  agreement.  The 
balance will be due at maturity.  

Borrowings bear interest at a rate per annum equal to a base rate or a Eurodollar rate (minimum of 1%) plus an applicable margin. 
Interest on the term loan is based on a Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin of 3.75% or on the prime rate plus an applicable 
margin of 2.75%.  The interest rate on the term loan was 5.55% as of December 31, 2019. 

The credit agreement includes customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default.  Steak n Shake’s credit facility 
contains restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to Biglari Holdings.  

The term loan is secured by first priority security interests in substantially all the assets of Steak n Shake. Disruptions in debt 
capital markets that restrict access to funding when needed could adversely affect the results of operations, liquidity and capital 
resources of Steak n Shake.  

Expected principal payments for notes payable as of December 31, 2019, are as follows. 

2020  ....................  
2021  ....................  
Total  ....................   $ 

2,200 
179,298 
181,498 

The fair value of long-term debt, excluding capitalized lease obligations, was approximately $145,000 at December 31, 2019.  The 
fair value of our debt  was estimated  based on quoted  market prices.  The fair value  was  determined to be a Level  3 fair value 
measurement. 

Western Sizzlin Revolver 
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, Western Sizzlin had no debt outstanding under its revolver. 

Interest 
Interest paid on debt and obligations under leases are as follows. 

Note 12. Leased Assets and Lease Commitments 

The Company adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, as discussed in Note 1.  Under ASC 842, leases are generally classified as 
either operating right-of-use assets or finance lease assets. Right-of-use assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying 
asset during the lease term. Right-of-use liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the 
lease. These assets and liabilities are calculated by using the net present value of fixed lease payments over the lease term. The 
Company's  lease  terms include options  to  extend  or  terminate  the  lease  when  it  is  reasonably  certain  that  the  option  will  be 
exercised.  The Company applied an incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments. Finance lease 
agreements include an interest rate that is used to determine the present value of future lease payments. 

A significant portion of our operating and finance lease portfolio includes restaurant locations. The Company’s operating leases 
with a term of 12 months or greater were recognized as operating right-of-use assets and liabilities and recorded as operating lease 
assets  and  operating  lease  liabilities.  Historical  capital  leases  and  certain  historical  build-to-suit  leases  were  reclassified  from 
obligations under leases to finance lease assets and liabilities. Finance lease assets are recorded in property and equipment and 
finance lease liabilities are recorded in notes payable and other borrowings.  Historical sale-and-leaseback transactions in which 
the Company is deemed to have a continued interest in the leased asset are recorded as property and equipment and as finance 
obligations.  Finance obligations are recorded in notes payable and other borrowings. 

Operating lease expense and finance lease depreciation expense are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  

55 

201920182017Interest paid on debt .........................................................................................11,273$          10,655$          9,969$            Interest paid on obligations under leases ...........................................................7,816$            8,207$            9,132$             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 12. Leased Assets and Lease Commitments (continued) 

Total lease cost consists of the following. 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows. 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows.

Weighted-average lease terms and discount rates are as follows.

Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 are as follows. 

56 

2019Finance lease costs:  Amortization of right-of-use assets .....................................................................................................................1,952$                    Interest on lease liabilities ....................................................................................................................................828                       Operating lease costs * ...........................................................................................................................................16,483                  Total lease costs .....................................................................................................................................................19,263$                *Includes short-term leases, variable lease costs and sublease income, which are immaterial.Year EndedDecember 31, 2019Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:Financing cash flows from finance leases ........................................................................................................1,610$                    Operating cash flows from finance leases .......................................................................................................828$                       Operating cash flows from operating leases ....................................................................................................16,863$                  Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:Finance lease liabilities ....................................................................................................................................1,097$                    Operating lease liabilities .................................................................................................................................11,069$                  December 31, 2019Finance leases:Property and equipment, net ................................................................................................................................10,783$             Current portion of notes payable and other borrowings ........................................................................................1,633$               Long-term notes payable and other borrowings ...................................................................................................9,639               Total finance lease liablities .................................................................................................................................11,272$           2019Weighted-average remaining lease terms:  Finance leases ............................................................................................................................................................ 8.4 years  Operating leases ........................................................................................................................................................6.4 yearsWeighted-average discount rates:  Finance leases ............................................................................................................................................................7.1%  Operating leases ........................................................................................................................................................6.9%YearOperating LeasesFinanceLeases2020 ...................................................................................................................................................15,584$        2,377$          2021 ...................................................................................................................................................14,759          2,358            2022 ...................................................................................................................................................12,622          1,869            2023 ...................................................................................................................................................10,794          1,669            2024 ...................................................................................................................................................8,680            1,633            After 2024 ..........................................................................................................................................18,576          5,170            Total lease payments .........................................................................................................................81,015          15,076            Less interest .....................................................................................................................................16,109          3,804            Total lease liabilities............................................................................................................................64,906$        11,272$         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 12. Leased Assets and Lease Commitments (continued) 

On December 31, 2018, obligations under non-cancelable finance obligations, capital leases, and operating leases (excluding real 
estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs) require the following minimum future rental payments. 

Rent expense is presented below. 

Note 13. Related Party Transactions 

Services Agreement 
During 2017, the Company entered into a services agreement with Biglari Enterprises LLC and Biglari Capital Corp. (collectively, 
the “Biglari Entities”) under which the Biglari Entities provide business and administrative related services to the Company. The 
Biglari Entities are owned by Mr. Biglari.  The services agreement has a five-year term, effective on October 1, 2017. The fixed 
fee is $700 per month for the first year with adjustments in years two through five. The monthly fee remained at $700 during 2019.  
The Company paid Biglari Enterprises $8,400 in service fees during 2019 and 2018. The services agreement does not alter the 
hurdle rate connected with the incentive reallocation paid to Biglari Capital Corp. by the Company. 

Investments in The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion Fund II, L.P. 
As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s investments in The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion Fund II, L.P. had a fair value of 
$666,123.    

Contributions to and distributions from The Lion Fund, L.P. and The Lion Fund II, L.P. were as follows. 

57 

YearFinance ObligationsCapital LeasesTotalOperating PropertyNon-Operating Property2019 ...............................................................................11,114$        55$             11,169$        17,914$        483$           2020 ...............................................................................8,040           55               8,095           16,691          554             2021 ...............................................................................5,925           55               5,980           16,787          578             2022 ...............................................................................2,951           5                2,956           15,603          599             2023 ...............................................................................1,587           -             1,587           14,071          539             After 2023 ......................................................................1,673           -             1,673           36,709          1,790          Total minimum future rental payments ..............................31,290          170             31,460          117,775$      4,543$         Less amount representing interest .....................................18,004          60               18,064          Total principal obligations under leases ..............................13,286          110             13,396          Less current portion .........................................................4,433           30               4,463           Non-current principal obligations under leases ...................8,853           80               8,933           Residual value at end of lease term ...................................50,744          60               50,804          Obligations under leases ...................................................59,597$        140$           59,737$        Operating Leases201920182017Minimum rent ..................................................................................................17,968$          20,158$            18,157$            Contingent rent ................................................................................................1,050              1,470               1,839               Rent expense ...................................................................................................19,018$          21,628$            19,996$            201920182017Contributions of cash ........................................................................................40,000$          39,040$            3,707$              Distributions of cash .........................................................................................(169,329)         (68,700)            (9,395)              (129,329)$       (29,660)$           (5,688)$             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 13. Related Party Transactions (continued) 

As  the  general  partner  of  the  investment  partnerships,  Biglari  Capital  on  December  31  of  each  year  will  earn  an  incentive 
reallocation fee for the Company’s investments equal to 25% of the net profits above a hurdle rate of 6% over the previous high-
water  mark. Our  policy  is  to  accrue  an  estimated  incentive  fee  throughout  the  year.  In  2019,  2018  and  2017,  no  incentive 
reallocation was earned.  

License Agreement 
During  2013,  the  Company  entered  into  a  Trademark  License  Agreement  (the  “License  Agreement”)  with  Mr.  Biglari.  The 
Company and its subsidiaries paid no royalties to Mr. Biglari under the License Agreement during its term.  The License Agreement 
was terminated on March 26, 2019.   

Incentive Agreement Amendment 
The  Incentive  Agreement  was  amended  on  March  26,  2019  to  remove  the  annual  limitation  on  Mr.  Biglari’s  incentive 
compensation, as well as the requirement of Mr. Biglari to use 30% of his incentive payments to purchase shares of the Company.  
In connection with the amendment, the change of control and severance provisions contained in the Incentive Agreement were 
eliminated and the License Agreement was terminated.  The amendment was effective in 2019.  

Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies 

We are involved in various legal proceedings and have certain unresolved claims pending. We believe, based on examination of 
these matters and experiences to date, that the ultimate liability, if any, in excess of amounts already provided in our consolidated 
financial statements is not likely to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flow.  

On January 29, 2018, a shareholder of the Company filed a purported class action complaint against the Company and the members 
of our Board of Directors in the Superior Court of Hamilton County, Indiana. The shareholder generally alleges claims of breach 
of fiduciary duty by the  members of our Board of Directors and unjust enrichment to Mr. Biglari as a result of the  dual class 
structure.  

On March 26, 2018, a shareholder of the Company filed a purported class action complaint against the Company and the members 
of our Board of Directors in the Superior Court of Hamilton County, Indiana. This shareholder generally alleges claims of breach 
of fiduciary duty by the members of our Board of Directors. This shareholder sought to enjoin the shareholder vote on April 26, 
2018 to approve the dual class structure. On April 16, 2018, the shareholder withdrew their motion to enjoin the shareholder vote 
on April 26, 2018. 

On May 17, 2018, the shareholders who filed the January  29, 2018 complaint and the March 26, 2018 complaint filed a new, 
consolidated complaint against the Company and the members of our Board of Directors in the Superior Court of Hamilton County, 
Indiana. The shareholders generally allege claims of breach of fiduciary duty by the members of our Board of Directors and unjust 
enrichment to Mr. Biglari arising out of the dual class structure. The shareholders seek, for themselves and on behalf of all other 
shareholders as a class, a declaration that the defendants breached their duty to the shareholders  and the  class, and to recover 
unspecified damages, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and an award of their attorneys’ fees and other costs. 

On December 14, 2018, the judge of the Superior Court of Hamilton County, Indiana issued an order granting the Company’s 
motion to dismiss the shareholders’ lawsuits. On January 11, 2019, the shareholders filed an appeal of the judge’s order dismissing 
the lawsuits. On December 4, 2019, the Indiana Court of Appeals issued a unanimous decision affirming the trial court’s decision 
to dismiss the shareholder litigation. On January 20, 2020, the shareholders filed a petition to transfer with the Indiana Supreme 
Court seeking review of the decision of the Court of Appeals.  The Company opposed the petition.  The Indiana Supreme Court 
has not ruled upon the petition to transfer. 

On September 8, 2014, two former restaurant manager employees filed a purported class action lawsuit against Steak n Shake 
(Drake  v. Steak n Shake).   On January 30, 2017, a former restaurant  manager employee filed a purported class action lawsuit 
against Steak n Shake (Clendenen v. Steak n Shake).  The plaintiffs generally allege claims that Steak n Shake improperly classified 
its managerial employees as exempt.  On July 26, 2019, the Company agreed to settle both cases for $8,350 and the Court approved 
the terms of the settlement. The settlement is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement 
of earnings. 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets 

The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. Considerable 
judgment may be required in interpreting market data  used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair values 
presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in an actual current market exchange. The use of 
alternative market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value.  

The hierarchy for measuring fair value consists of Levels 1 through 3, which are described below.  

  Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in active markets.  

  Level 2 – Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices for 
similar  assets  or  liabilities  exchanged  in  active  or  inactive  markets;  quoted  prices  for  identical  assets  or  liabilities 
exchanged in inactive markets; other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of the assets or liabilities, 
such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates; and 
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Pricing 
evaluations generally reflect discounted expected future cash flows, which incorporate yield curves for instruments with 
similar characteristics, such as credit ratings, estimated durations and yields for other instruments of the issuer or entities 
in the same industry sector.  

  Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Management is required 
to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or 
liabilities and we may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management 
to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in pricing 
assets or liabilities.  

The following methods and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of each class of the following assets recorded at fair 
value in the consolidated balance sheet: 

Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents primarily consist of money market funds which are classified within Level 1 of the fair 
value hierarchy. 
Equity securities: The Company’s investments in equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.   
Bonds: The Company’s investments in bonds are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. 
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan investments: The assets of the non-qualified plan are set up in a rabbi trust. They 
represent mutual funds and publicly traded securities, each of which are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. 
Derivative  instruments: Options related to equity securities are  marked to  market each reporting period and are classified 
within Level 1 or 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the instrument. 

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018 the fair values of financial assets were as follows. 

There were no changes in our valuation techniques used to measure fair values on a recurring basis.   

59 

Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalAssetsCash equivalents .............................43,095$ -$       -$    43,095$ 21,448$ -$       -$    21,448$ Equity securities:   Consumer goods ...........................-         6,397     -      6,397     1,708     4,100     -      5,808     Insurance ......................................25          -         25          -         -         -      -         Bonds ..............................................38,911   -         -      38,911   32,404   -         -      32,404   Options on equity securities ...........-         2,166     -      2,166     -         2,755     -      2,755     Non-qualified deferredcompensation plan investments ...2,175     -         -      2,175     2,149     -         -      2,149     Total assets at fair value .................84,206$ 8,563$   -$    92,769$ 57,709$ 6,855$   -$    64,564$ 20192018December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 16.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 

Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, were as follows. 

There  were  no  reclassifications  from  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  to  earnings  during  2019  and  2017.  
Reclassifications made from accumulated other comprehensive income to the statement of earnings were $58 of income to earnings 
during 2018. 

Note 17. Business Segment Reporting 

Our reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how  management views those business activities. Our 
restaurant operations include Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin. The Company also reports segment information for First Guard, 
Southern Oil and Maxim. Other business activities not specifically identified with reportable business segments are presented in 
“other”  within  total  operating  businesses.  We  report  our  earnings  from  investment  partnerships  separate  from  our  corporate 
expenses. We assess and measure segment operating results based on segment earnings as disclosed below. Segment earnings from 
operations are neither necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash requirements, nor synonymous with cash flow from 
operations. The tabular information that follows shows data of our reportable segments reconciled to amounts reflected in the 
consolidated financial statements.  

A disaggregation of our consolidated data for each of the three most recent years is presented in the tables which follow. 

60 

Foreign Currency Translation AdjustmentsInvestmentGain (Loss)AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossForeign Currency Translation AdjustmentInvestmentGain (Loss)AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossBeginning Balance .........................(2,516)$        -$           (2,516)$              (1,462)$      58$          (1,404)$           Reclassification to (earnings) loss .-             -                     (58)           (58)                  Foreign currency translation .........(294)             (294)                   (1,054)        (1,054)             Ending Balance ..............................(2,810)$        -$           (2,810)$              (2,516)$      -$         (2,516)$           20192018Foreign Currency Translation AdjustmentInvestmentGain (Loss)AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossBeginning Balance ..........................................................................................................(3,447)$      (137)$       (3,584)$           Other comprehensive income (loss)before reclassifications ................................................................................................195          195                 Foreign currency translation ..........................................................................................1,985         1,985              Ending Balance ...............................................................................................................(1,462)$      58$          (1,404)$           2017201920182017Operating Businesses:Restaurant Operations:Steak n Shake .............................................................................................595,004$         760,565$         792,827$         Western .....................................................................................................15,216             15,125             14,326             Total Restaurant Operations ........................................................................610,220           775,690           807,153           First Guard ...................................................................................................30,083             27,628             24,943             Southern Oil .................................................................................................24,436             -                  -                  Maxim ..........................................................................................................4,099               6,576               7,708               668,838$         809,894$         839,804$         Revenue 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 17. Business Segment Reporting (continued) 

61 

201920182017Operating Businesses:Restaurant Operations:Steak n Shake ..........................................................................................(18,575)$         (10,657)$         431$               Western ...................................................................................................1,756              2,046              1,860              Total Restaurant Operations .........................................................................(16,819)           (8,611)             2,291              First Guard .................................................................................................7,103              6,215              4,770              Southern Oil ................................................................................................8,032              -                  -                  Maxim ........................................................................................................742                 1,068              (439)                Other ..........................................................................................................994                 635                 669                 Total Operating Businesses ..............................................................................52                   (693)                7,291              Corporate and investments:Corporate ...................................................................................................(10,602)           (11,286)           (16,106)           Investment partnership gains .........................................................................78,133            40,411            6,965              Total corporate ...............................................................................................67,531            29,125            (9,141)             Interest expense on notespayable and other borrowings .......................................................................(12,442)           (11,677)           (11,040)           55,141$           16,755$           (12,890)$         Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes201920182017Operating Businesses:Restaurant Operations:Steak n Shake ................................................................................................9,951$            14,982$          7,565$            Western .........................................................................................................72                   61                   410                 Total Restaurant Operations ...........................................................................10,023            15,043            7,975              First Guard ......................................................................................................43                   236                 43                   Southern Oil .....................................................................................................7,594              -                  -                  Maxim ..............................................................................................................-                  -                  -                  Other ................................................................................................................19                   14                   16                   Total Operating Businesses ................................................................................17,679            15,293            8,034              Corporate .........................................................................................................-                  -                  -                  Consolidated results ...........................................................................................17,679$          15,293$          8,034$            Capital Expenditures201920182017Operating Businesses:Restaurant Operations:Steak n Shake ................................................................................................20,533$          18,180$          19,987$          Western .........................................................................................................641                 651                 636                 Total Restaurant Operations ...........................................................................21,174            18,831            20,623            First Guard ......................................................................................................85                   76                   56                   Southern Oil (includes depletion expense of $8,077) ......................................8,218              -                  -                  Maxim ..............................................................................................................-                  27                   50                   Other ................................................................................................................66                   287                 287                 Total Operating Businesses ................................................................................29,543            19,221            21,016            Corporate .........................................................................................................35                   97                   432                 Consolidated results ...........................................................................................29,578$          19,318$          21,448$          Depreciation and Amortization 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued) 

Note 17. Business Segment Reporting (continued) 

A disaggregation of our consolidated assets is presented in the table that follows. 

Note 18. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) 

We define gross profit as net revenue less restaurant cost of sales, media cost of sales, oil and natural gas production costs and insurance losses 
and underwriting expenses, which excludes depreciation and amortization. 

Note 19. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information 

Capital expenditures in accounts payable at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were $339, $1,776 and $1,036, respectively.   

In 2019, we had new  finance obligations of $5,026 and retirements of $940. In 2018,  we had new capital lease obligations of 
$1,000 and lease retirements of $11,557. During 2017, we had new capital lease obligations  of $1,952 and lease retirements of 
$5,030.  

62 

20192018Reportable segments:Restaurant Operations:Steak n Shake ................................................................................................................................385,259$        330,100$        Western .........................................................................................................................................18,322            16,444            Total Restaurant Operations ...........................................................................................................403,581          346,544          First Guard ......................................................................................................................................58,808            51,565            Southern Oil .....................................................................................................................................82,257            -                  Maxim ..............................................................................................................................................16,549            18,143            Other ................................................................................................................................................20,732            19,774            Corporate .........................................................................................................................................51,840            35,987            Investment partnerships ..................................................................................................................505,542          557,480          Total assets ....................................................................................................................................1,139,309$     1,029,493$     Identifiable AssetsDecember 31,1st Quarter2nd Quarter3rd Quarter4th Quarter181,859$      168,343$      160,216$         158,420$        22,837          30,454          38,467             43,307            199,384        169,518        157,272           145,398          11,562          27,870          (631)                 16,340            9,818            21,974          (17)                   13,605            28.36$          63.50$          (0.05)$              39.64$            202,225$      208,739$      203,582$         195,348$        36,430          42,727          36,153             33,145            203,391        203,778        204,518           201,979          (2,611)           (8,429)           (24,902)            52,697            (1,814)           (7,539)           (13,703)            42,448            (5.15)$           (21.73)$         (39.50)$            122.53$          Gross profit ..............................................................................Costs and expenses ...................................................................Earnings (loss) before income taxes ..........................................Net earnings (loss) ....................................................................Net earnings (loss) per equivalent Class A share ......................Net earnings (loss) .................................................................Net earnings (loss) per equivalent Class A share ..............For the year ended December 31, 2018Total revenues ...........................................................................For the year ended December 31, 2019Total revenues ........................................................................Gross profit ..............................................................................Costs and expenses .................................................................Earnings (loss) before income taxes ..................................... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Not applicable. 

Item 9A. 

Controls and Procedures 

Based on an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), our 
Chief Executive Officer and Controller have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 
31, 2019. 

On  September  9,  2019,  we  completed  our  acquisition  of  Southern  Oil.  We  have  excluded  Southern  Oil  from  management’s 
assessment of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019. 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 
2019 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 
We excluded the evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting for Southern Oil during the quarter ended December 31, 
2019. 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Management  of  Biglari  Holdings  Inc.  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision of our principal 
executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(c). In making 
this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal 
Control—Integrated Framework (2013), our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective 
as of December 31, 2019.  

We are in the process of evaluating the existing controls and procedures of Southern Oil and integrating Southern Oil into our 
internal control over financial reporting. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission  guidance, we have excluded 
Southern Oil from management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2019.  

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche 
LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein. 

Biglari Holdings Inc. 
February 22, 2020 

Item 9B. 

 Other Information 

None. 

Part III 

Item 10.  
Item 11.  
Item 12.  
Item 13.  
Item 14.  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 
Executive Compensation 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

The information required by Part III Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 will be contained in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for 
its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed on or before April 23, 2020, and such information is incorporated herein by 
reference. 

63 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of  1934, the registrant has duly caused this 
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on February 22, 2020. 

SIGNATURES 

  BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. 

By: 

/s/ BRUCE LEWIS 

Bruce Lewis 
Controller 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons 
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated, on February 22, 2020. 

Signature 

/s/ SARDAR BIGLARI 
Sardar Biglari

/s/ BRUCE LEWIS 
 Bruce Lewis

/s/ PHILIP COOLEY 
 Philip Cooley 

/s/ RUTH J. PERSON 
 Ruth J. Person

/s/ KENNETH R. COOPER
Kenneth R. Cooper 

/s/ JAMES P. MASTRIAN
James P. Mastrian 

/s/ JOHN G. CARDWELL
John G. Cardwell 

  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) 

Title 

Controller (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

  Director 

  Director 

  Director 

Director 

Director 

64