SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 23, 2002
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Outback Steakhouse, Inc.(R)
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-15935 59-3061413
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(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.)
incorporation
2202 North Westshore Boulevard, 5th Floor
Tampa, Florida 33607
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(Address of principal executive (Zip Code)
offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (813) 282-1225
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Not applicable.
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5. Other Events.
At its regular meeting on October 23, 2002, the Company's
Board of Directors increased the number of the Company's
directors from 13 to 14 and appointed Thomas James to the Board.
On October 23, 2002, the Company issued a press release
announcing this action, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
At its regular meeting on October 23, 2002, the Company's
Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12
per common share payable December 6, 2002 to the shareholders of
record as of November 22, 2002. On October 23, 2002, the Company
issued a press release announcing this action, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated by reference
herein.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.(R)
DATED: October 24, 2002 By: /s/Joseph J. Kadow
Joseph J. Kadow, Senior Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
Number
99.1 Press Release dated October 23, 2002.
99.2 Press Release dated October 23, 2002.
NEWS.....
October 23, 2002 Contact: Robert S. Merritt
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (813) 282-1225
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
ANNOUNCES TOM JAMES AS NEW DIRECTOR
Tampa, Florida, October 23, 2002 -- Outback Steakhouse, Inc.
(NYSE: OSI) today announced that Tom James, Chairman of Raymond
James Financial, Inc. has been elected to the Board of Director's
of Outback.
In making the announcement, Outback Chairman Chris Sullivan
said, "Tom's success as a business and community leader will
strengthen our Board and Company. Tom brings a new level of
experience and will play a key role in moving our Company
forward".
Tom James, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Raymond
James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF), and Chairman of its subsidiary,
Raymond James and Associates, Inc., graduated magna cum laude
from Harvard College in 1964 and from Harvard Business School in
1966, where he was a Baker Scholar and graduated with high
distinction. He also holds a Juris Doctor from Stetson College
of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida, and passed the Certified
Financial Planner exam in 1978.
Mr. James is Chairman of the Heritage Family of Funds, and
Raymond James Bank, FSB, and has served as a director of numerous
other public corporations.
The Company operates 775 Outback Steakhouses, 117 Carrabba's
Italian Grills, 14 Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars, 14
Roy's, one Lee Roy Selmon's, ten Bonefish Grills and one
Cheeseburger in Paradise in 50 states and 21 countries
internationally.
EXHIBIT 99.2
Press Release dated October 23, 2002
NEWS.....
October 23, 2002 Contact: Robert S. Merritt
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (813) 282-1225
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.
ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND
Tampa, Florida, October 23 --- At its meeting today, the
Board of Directors of Outback Steakhouse, Inc. (NYSE - OSI)
declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share of the Company's
common stock, payable December 6, 2002 to shareholders of record
as of November 22, 2002.
Chairman and CEO Chris Sullivan said, "The Board's decision
to begin paying quarterly dividends while continuing to fund
expansion reflects the strong financial position and earnings
power of the Company."
The Company will conduct a conference call today, Wednesday,
October 23, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss its
financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2002.
The discussion will be carried live on the Internet and can be
accessed via the Company's web site at www.outback.com under the
Investor Relations tab. Replay of the conference call via the
Internet will be available at this location for two weeks.
The Company operates 775 Outback Steakhouses, 117 Carrabba's
Italian Grills, 14 Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bars, 14
Roy's, one Lee Roy Selmon's, ten Bonefish Grills and one
Cheeseburger in Paradise in 50 states and 21 countries
internationally.