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EX-32.1 - WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPex321to10q07689_09302009.htm
EX-32.2 - WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPex322to10q07689_09302009.htm
EX-31.1 - WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPex311to10q07689_09302009.htm
EX-31.2 - WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPex312to10q07689_09302009.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
 
or

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

For the transition period from                                 to                                

Commission File Number: 001-13650

Western Sizzlin Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
86-0723400
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

401 Albemarle Ave SE, Roanoke, Virginia
24013
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(540) 345-3195
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 x     No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes o     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
   
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes o    No x
 
As of November 12, 2009, there were 2,844,402 shares of common stock outstanding.


 
Western Sizzlin Corporation

Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
Table of Contents

   
Page
     
     
   
     
   
3
       
   
4
       
   
5
       
   
6
       
   
7-21
     
 
21-29
     
 
29-30
     
 
30
     
     
 
30
     
 
31
     
 
31
     
 
32
     
 
33
     
     
 
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION
 
Item 1.  Fianancial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

   
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,538,840     $ 330,998  
Money market investments
    2,176,728       3,735,821  
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $486,551 in 2009 and $339,752 in 2008
    963,804       1,064,389  
Current installments of notes receivable, less allowance for impaired notes of $62,926 in 2009 and 2008
    250,731       198,912  
Other receivables
    68,792       78,982  
Income taxes receivable
    82,066       98,362  
Inventories
    69,327       59,126  
Prepaid expenses
    205,465       133,785  
Deferred income taxes
    380,959       494,926  
Total current assets
    5,736,712       6,195,301  
Notes receivable, less allowance for impaired notes receivable of $6,980 in 2009 and 2008, excluding current installments
    345,771       449,990  
Property and equipment, net
    1,220,565       1,500,149  
Investment in real estate
    3,745,152       3,745,152  
Investments in marketable securities
    1,156,553       727,721  
Investments in marketable securities held by limited partnerships
    28,538,208       15,980,758  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $169,089  in 2009 and $73,762 in 2008
    1,250,911       1,346,238  
Goodwill
    4,995,262       4,995,262  
Financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $195,641  in 2009 and $194,639 in 2008
    4,570       5,572  
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture
    294,156       304,695  
Deferred income taxes
          665,805  
Other assets
    39,469       36,180  
    $ 47,327,329     $ 35,952,823  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Note payable — line of credit
  $ 100,000     $  
Current installments of long-term debt
    2,495,478       373,925  
Accounts payable
    621,423       812,839  
Accrued expenses and other
    1,245,350       1,423,092  
Total current liabilities
    4,452,251       2,609,856  
                 
Long-term debt, excluding current installments
    366,611       2,833,587  
Other long-term liabilities
    1,419,809       1,208,147  
Deferred income taxes
    123,924        
      6,372,595       6,651,590  
                 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
    14,519,875       11,288,681  
                 
                 
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Common stock, $0.01 par value.  Authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,840,384 in 2009 and 2,831,884 in 2008
    28,405       28,320  
Treasury stock, at cost, 9,099 shares in 2009 and 2008
    (90,583 )     (90,583 )
Additional paid-in capital
    22,296,562       22,235,872  
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
    4,426,932       (3,376,054 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss — unrealized holding losses
    (226,457 )     (785,003 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    26,434,859       18,012,552  
    $ 47,327,329     $ 35,952,823  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenues:
                       
Company-operated restaurants
  $ 3,350,238     $ 3,434,035     $ 10,064,358     $ 10,050,437  
Franchise operations
    843,528       1,001,102       2,695,286       3,122,179  
Total revenues
    4,193,766       4,435,137       12,759,644       13,172,616  
                                 
Costs and expenses — restaurant and franchise operations:
                               
Company-operated restaurants — food, beverage and labor costs
    2,443,975       2,607,642       7,376,467       7,410,127  
Restaurant occupancy and other
    606,915       629,125       1,740,383       1,762,936  
Franchise operations — direct support
    211,898       309,570       696,241       923,491  
Subleased restaurant property expenses
          362,766             427,257  
Corporate expenses
    359,858       725,693       1,210,077       1,641,389  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    93,057       258,062       286,205       786,676  
Corporate litigation fees and expenses
    5,225       4,056       35,413       162,820  
Total costs and expenses — restaurant and franchise operations
    3,720,928       4,896,914       11,344,786       13,114,696  
                                 
Equity in income of joint venture
    80,309       43,258       219,462       150,585  
Income from restaurant and franchise operations
    553,147       (418,519     1,634,320       208,505  
                                 
Investment advisory fee income
    101,600       124,024       286,710       124,024  
Net realized gains (losses) on sales of marketable securities
    588,293       24,122       1,123,815       (15,730 )
Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities held by limited partnerships
    5,482,399       3,255,469       8,931,320       (3,187,655 )
Amortization expense – investment operations
    (33,810 )           (95,327 )      
Reimbursements (expenses) of investment activities, including interest of  $16,706 and $30,374 for the three month periods and $49,272 and $84,060 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    (212,008 )     174,318       (475,547 )     (794,355 )
Purchase obligation adjustment
    (253,416 )           (245,773 )      
Income (loss) from investment operations
    5,673,058       3,577,933       9,525,198       (3,873,716 )
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense
    (14,100 )     (15,827 )     (45,566 )     (70,022 )
Interest income
    32,491       69,801       103,702       102,168  
Other, net
    (478 )     (74 )     28,670       118  
Total other income, net
    17,913       53,900       86,806       32,264  
                                 
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
    6,244,118       3,213,314       11,246,324       (3,632,947 )
                                 
Income tax expense (benefit):
                               
Current
    11,537       (19,877     34,751       (5,256
Deferred
    673,062       (57,966 )     1,033,414       (161,005 )
Total income tax expense (benefit)
    684,599       (77,843 )     1,068,165       (166,261 )
          Net income (loss)
    5,559,519       3,291,157       10,178,159       (3,466,686
       (Income) losses attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
    (1,981,057 )     (351,444 )     (2,375,173 )     599,384  
Net income (loss) attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation
  $ 3,578,462     $ 2,939,713     $ 7,802,986     $ (2,867,302 )
Earnings (loss) per share (basic and diluted):
                               
Net income (loss) attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation – basic
  $ 1.26     $ 1.04     $ 2.75     $ (1.04 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation – diluted
  $ 1.26     $ 1.04     $ 2.75     $ (1.04 )

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
(Unaudited)
 
   
Common stock
   
Treasury stock
   
Additional
Paid-
   
Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
       
   
Shares
   
Dollars
   
Shares
   
Dollars
   
in Capital
   
Deficit)
   
Income (Loss)
   
Total
 
Balances, December 31, 2008
    2,831,884     $ 28,320       9,099     $ (90,583 )   $ 22,235,872     $ (3,376,054 )   $ (785,003 )   $ 18,012,552  
                                                                 
Net income attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation
                                  7,802,986             7,802,986  
Change in unrealized holding  losses, net of tax benefit of $129,718
                                        558,546       558,546  
Comprehensive income
                                                               
Stock options exercised
    8,500       85                   60,690                   60,775  
Balances, September 30, 2009
    2,840,384     $ 28,405       9,099     $ (90,583 )   $ 22,296,562     $ 4,426,932     $ (226,457 )   $ 26,434,859  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited)
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
             
Net income (loss)
  $ 10,178,159     $ (3,466,686 )
                 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Restaurant and franchise activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
    284,165       311,447  
Amortization of franchise royalty contracts and other assets
          472,722  
Amortization of finance costs
    1,002       2,507  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    153,000       90,580  
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint venture, net of distributions
of $230,000 in 2009 and $150,000 in 2008
    10,539       (585 )
Provision for deferred income taxes (benefit)
    1,033,414       (206,303 )
(Increase) decrease in current assets and other assets
    (58,699 )     138,866  
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities and other liabilities
    (359,485 )     495,847  
      1,063,936       1,305,081  
Investment operations:
               
Change in money market investments
    1,559,093       970,521  
Realized (gains) losses on sales of marketable securities, net
    (1,123,815 )     15,730  
Unrealized  (gains) losses on marketable securities, net
    (8,931,320 )     3,187,655  
Amortization expense of investment management customer relationships
    95,327        
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities held by limited partnerships
    8,314,505       4,293,837  
Purchases of marketable securities
    (10,816,824 )     (5,943,630 )
Decrease in due to broker
          (290,411 )
Change in purchase obligation
    245,773       (18,275 )
Provision for deferred income taxes
          45,298  
Decrease in current liabilities
          (128,807 )
      (10,657,261 )     2,131,918  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    584,834       (29,687 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Additions to property and equipment
    (4,581 )     (22,505 )
Purchases of marketable securities
          (803,314 )
Purchase of Mustang Capital Advisors, LP, net of cash acquired of $10,219
          (379,872 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (4,581 )     (1,205,691 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Cash received from exercise of stock options
    60,775       165,148  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
          2,641,220  
Payments on long-term debt
    (345,423 )     (92,954 )
Proceeds from (payments on) line of credit borrowings, net
    100,000       (2,000,000 )
Capital contributions from  noncontrolling interests
in limited partnerships, net
    812,237       540,000  
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    627,589       1,253,414  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,207,842       18,036  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
    330,998       727,378  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $ 1,538,840     $ 745,414  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash payments for interest
  $ 95,433     $ 154,848  
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
  $ 19,884     $ 27,508  
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Gross unrealized (gains) losses from marketable equity securities
  $ 428,828     $  
Issuance of common stock for marketable securities
  $     $ 800,744  
Issuance of common stock for ownership interest in Mustang Capital Advisors, LP
  $     $ 855,548  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
WESTERN SIZZLIN CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited)

(1)
Introduction and Basis of Presentation

Western Sizzlin Corporation is a holding company which owns a number of subsidiaries, with its primary business activities conducted through Western Sizzlin Franchise Corporation and Western Sizzlin Stores, Inc, which franchise and operate restaurants. Financial decisions are centralized at the holding company level, and management of operating businesses is decentralized at the business unit level. The Company’s prime objective centers on achieving above-average returns on capital in pursuit of maximizing the eventual net worth of its stockholders. While the Company has historically been principally engaged, and intends at this time to remain principally engaged, in franchising and operating restaurants, it has recently made selective investments in other companies. At September 30, 2009, the Company had 96 franchised, 5 Company-operated and 1 joint venture restaurants operating in 19 states.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Western Sizzlin Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Western Sizzlin Franchise Corporation, The Western Sizzlin Stores, Inc., Western Sizzlin Stores of Little Rock, Inc., Austins of Omaha, Inc., Western Investments, Inc., Western Properties, Inc., a majority-owned limited partnership, Western Acquisitions, L.P., a solely-owned limited partnership, Western Real Estate, L.P., Western Mustang Holdings, L.L.C., a majority-owned limited liability company, Mustang Capital Management, L.L.C., a majority-owned limited partnership, Mustang Capital Advisors, L.P., and two limited partnerships, Mustang Capital Partners I, L.P. and Mustang Capital Partners II, L.P., (collectively the Company). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Western Sizzlin Corporation, (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all material reclassifications and adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for each period shown have been included. The unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

(2)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) approved its Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) (formerly SFAS No.168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162).  The codification is the source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities.  Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.  On the effective date of SFAS No. 168, the codification supersedes all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards.  All other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the codification will become nonauthoritative.  The codification is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009 and was adopted by the Company for the periods ended September 30, 2009.   The codification did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 820, (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements) for financial assets and liabilities.   FASB ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FASB ASC 820 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, FASB ASC 820 does not require any new fair value measurements. In the first quarter of 2009, using the transition provision contained in FASB ASC 820-10, (formerly FSP FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement 157) the Company adopted the guidance in FASB ASC 820 for its nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured on a non-recurring basis. The nonfinancial assets for which the Company deferred adoption include goodwill and long-lived assets. As of September 30, 2009, the Company does not have any significant non-recurring measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities.
 
 
In the first quarter of 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 805-10 and FASB ASC 810-10-65 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), Business Combinations, and Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 160, Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51).  FASB ASC 805-10 and FASB ASC 810-10-65 significantly changed the accounting for and reporting for business combinations and noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated financial statements. FASB ASC 805-10 and FASB ASC 810-10-65 were effective for the first fiscal period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  FASB ASC 805-10 will impact the Company if it completes an acquisition or obtains additional minority interests after the effective date. FASB ASC 810-10-65 amends previously issued guidance to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Among other requirements, this statement requires that the consolidated net income (loss) attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interests be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of operations. The redeemable noncontrolling interests reported in the consolidated balance sheet represent limited partner ownership in investment fund subsidiaries consolidated into the Company’s financial statements. The limited partnership agreements of these funds contain certain redemption features that are not solely within control of the Company. As such, in accordance with FASB ASC 480-10 (formerly EITF Topic No. D-98), the redeemable noncontrolling interests are classified outside of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Certain reclassifications resulting from the adoption of FASB ASC 810-10-65 and FASB ASC 480-10 have been made to the 2008 amounts to conform to the current year’s presentation.

In the first quarter of 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 815-10-65 (formerly Statement of Financial Account Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133). FASB ASC 815-10-65 requires entities to provide greater transparency about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. FASB ASC 815-10-65 was effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of FASB ASC 815-10-65 did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 350-30 and FASB ASC 275-10-50 (formerly FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets).  FASB ASC 350-30 and FASB ASC 275-10-50 amend the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and requires enhanced related disclosures.  The adoption of FASB ASC 350-30 and FASB ASC 275-10-50 did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 820-10-65 (formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly”). FASB ASC 820-10-65 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly for fair value measurements. The adoption of FASB ASC 820-10-65 did not impact the determination of fair value or reporting of its financial results.

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 320-10-65 (formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments”).  This FASB ASC amends previously issued guidance to make the other-than-temporary impairments guidance more operational and to improve the presentation of other-than-temporary impairments in the financial statements. FASB ASC 320-10-65 replaces the existing requirement that the entity’s management assert it has both the intent and ability to hold an impaired debt security until recovery with a requirement that management assert it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. FASB ASC 320-10-65 provides increased disclosure about the credit and noncredit components of impaired debt securities that are not expected to be sold and also requires increased and more frequent disclosures regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and an aging of securities with unrealized losses. Although FASB ASC 320-10-65 does not result in a change in the carrying amount of debt securities, it does require that the portion of an other-than-temporary impairment not related to a credit loss for a held-to-maturity security be recognized in a new category of other comprehensive income and be amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security. FASB ASC 320-10-65 was effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The adoption of FASB ASC 320-10-65 did not have a significant impact on the determination or reporting of its financial results but did result in additional disclosures.
 
 
In the second quarter of 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 825-10-65 (formerly FASB Staff Position FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (See Note 11).  FASB ASC 825-10-65 required an entity to provide interim disclosure about the fair value of all financial instruments and to include disclosures related to the methods and significant assumptions used in estimating those instruments.  FASB ASC 825-10-65 was effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009.

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 855-10, (formerly SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events). FASB ASC 855-10 requires management to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are either issued, or available to be issued. Companies are required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated.  FASB ASC 855-10 was effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The adoption of FASB ASC 855-10 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

(3)
Investments in Marketable Securities

Investment and capital allocation decisions of Western Sizzlin Corporation and Western Acquisitions, LP are made by Mr. Sardar Biglari, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  For investment decisions for Western Sizzlin Corporation the Board of Directors for Western Sizzlin Corporation has delegated limited authority including the authority to borrow funds in connection with making investments in marketable securities or derivative securities at the holding company level, subject to Board reporting requirements and various limitations. As of the date of this filing, Mr. Biglari has authority to manage surplus cash up to $10 million, and in addition, has authority to borrow a maximum of $5 million. The Company has a margin securities account with a brokerage firm. The margin account bears interest at the Federal Funds Target Rate quoted by the Wall Street Journal, plus .5%, or approximately .75% as of the date of this report, with the minimum and maximum amount of any particular loan to be determined by the brokerage firm, in its discretion, from time to time. The margin loan balances at September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $0. The collateral securing the margin loans are the Company’s holdings in marketable securities. The minimum and maximum amount of any particular margin may be established by the brokerage firm, in its discretion, regardless of the amount of collateral delivered to the brokerage firm, and the brokerage firm may change such minimum and maximum amounts from time to time.  Mr. Biglari has full capital allocation decisions over Western Acquisitions, LP.

The noncontrolling interest holder in Mustang Capital Advisors, LP and Mustang Capital Management, LLC, has been delegated authority to manage the investments in these particular Funds.

In the normal course of business, substantially all of the Company’s securities transactions, money balances and security positions are transacted with a broker. The Company is subject to credit risk to the extent any broker with whom they conduct business is unable to fulfill contractual obligations on their behalf. The Company monitors the financial conditions of such brokers and does not anticipate any losses from these counterparties.

 
·
Marketable Securities held by Western Sizzlin Corporation (the holding company)

Marketable equity securities held by Western Sizzlin Corporation (the holding company) are held for an indefinite period and thus are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value in Investments in Marketable Securities on the consolidated balance sheet, with the change in fair value during the period excluded from earnings and recorded, net of tax, as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Substantially all of the marketable securities held by Western Sizzlin Corporation have been in a continuous loss position for approximately twelve months as of September 30, 2009.
 
 
Following is a summary of marketable equity securities held by Western Sizzlin Corporation (the holding company) as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
 
   
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
September 30, 2009
                       
Itex Corporation
  $ 1,487,631     $     $ (345,817 )   $ 1,141,814  
Other
    25,097             (10,358 )     14,739  
    $ 1,512,728     $     $ (356,175 )   $ 1,156,553  
December  31, 2008
                               
Itex Corporation
  $ 1,487,631     $     $ (771,867 )   $ 715,764  
Other
    25,093             (13,136 )     11,957  
    $ 1,512,724     $     $ (785,003 )   $ 727,721  
 
There were no realized gains or losses from marketable equity securities held by Western Sizzlin Corporation (the holding company) for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2009 or 2008.

On a quarterly basis, the Company performs an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a marketable equity security with an unrealized loss has suffered other-than-temporary impairment, pursuant to FASB ASC 320-10-65 (formerly FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2).  Western Sizzlin Corporation’s (the holding company) investments in Itex Corporation account for substantially all of its unrealized losses at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  Unrealized losses on the investments in Itex Corporation did not occur until August 2008. In management’s judgment, the future earnings potential and underlying business economics are favorable and the Company intends to hold this position for the long term.

 
·
Marketable Securities held by Western Acquisitions, LP

Western Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary, serves as the general partner of Western Acquisitions, LP, a Delaware limited partnership that operates as a private investment fund. Through Western Investments, Inc., Mr. Biglari operates as the portfolio manager to the fund. Cash contributions from outside investors of $0 and $540,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were made to the limited partnership.

As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Western Investments, Inc. owned 85.3% of Western Acquisitions, LP.  As such, Western Acquisitions, LP has been consolidated into the accompanying financial statements with the 14.7% ownership by noncontrolling limited partners presented as redeemable noncontrolling interests on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets totaling $2,716,454 and $1,396,092 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively,  pursuant to FASB ASC 810-20 (formerly EITF 04-05 – Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners have Certain Limited Rights).

Western Acquisitions, LP is considered, for GAAP purposes, an investment company under the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies. The Company has retained the specialized accounting for Western Acquisitions, LP pursuant to FASB ASC 810-10-25 (formerly EITF Issue No. 85-12, Retention of Specialized Accounting for Investment in Consolidation). As such, marketable equity securities held by Western Acquisitions, LP are recorded at fair value in Investments in Marketable Securities held by limited partnerships, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of September 30, 2009, Western Acquisitions, LP owned a total of 1,553,545 shares of The Steak n Shake Company’s common stock.

 
Following is a summary of marketable equity securities held by Western Acquisitions, LP as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
 
   
As of September 30, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
The Steak n Shake Co.
  $ 19,159,412     $ 18,285,225     $ 19,159,412     $ 9,243,593  
Other
    139,881       154,243       139,881       80,737  
                                 
Total marketable equity securities
  $ 19,299,293     $ 18,439,468     $ 19,299,293     $ 9,324,330  

Net realized gains (losses) and net change in unrealized gains (losses) from marketable equity securities held by Western Acquisitions, LP were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Realized gains.
  $     $     $     $  
Realized losses
                      (39,852 )
Net realized gains (losses) on sales of marketable securities
                    $ (39,852 )
                                 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities
  $ 4,791,594     $ 3,597,201     $ 9,115,139     $ (2,845,923 )

The limited partners of Western Acquisitions, LP can redeem their investments after two years from contribution dates.  Pursuant to a request for redemption from certain limited partners of Western Acquisitions, LP, subsequent to September 30, 2009, an in-kind stock distribution was made to such limited partners having an aggregate value of approximately $1.36 million.

 
·
Marketable Securities held by Mustang Capital Advisors, LP

Western Mustang Holdings, LLC owns a 50.5% controlling interest in Mustang Capital Advisors, LP (“MCA”) and a 51% controlling interest in its general partner, Mustang Capital Management, LLC (“MCM”).

MCM owns a 1% interest in, and serves as general partner of MCA.  MCA is a registered investment advisor and serves as the investment advisor to, and the general partner of, Mustang Capital Partners I, LP and Mustang Capital Partners II, LP (the "Funds”). The Funds are private investment funds organized for the purpose of trading and investing in securities.

As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, MCA’s ownership interest in the Funds was 2.8% and 5.0%, respectively, with the remaining interests in the Funds held by various limited partners who are unrelated to the Company.  The combined equity of the unrelated limited partners in the Funds totaled 97.2% and 95.0% of the net assets of the Funds as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.   As a result of the significant investments in the Funds by these limited partners, as well as the 49.5% non-controlling interest in MCA and the 49% non-controlling interest in MCM (which owns 1% of MCA), the Company owned approximately 1.4% of the combined net assets of the Funds as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  However, through its majority interest in MCA, the General Partner of the Funds, the Company controls the investments and operations of the Funds.  As such, the balance sheets of the Funds and the results of their operations are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements pursuant to ASC 810-20 (formerly EITF 04-05 – Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners have Certain Limited Rights).

The assets of the Funds consist primarily of money market investments totaling $2,176,728 and $3,735,821 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, (representing 100% of the amounts included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets under Money market investments as of each balance sheet date), and of marketable securities totaling $10,098,740 and $6,656,428 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, (representing 35% and 42%, respectively, of the amounts included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets under the line item “investments in marketable securities held by limited partnerships” at each balance sheet date).
 
The combined equity of the unrelated limited partners in the Funds and the non-controlling interests in MCA and MCM totaled $11,803,421 and $9,892,589 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and is included in redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
 
Western Mustang Holdings, LLC, is, for GAAP purposes, an investment company under the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies. The Company has retained the specialized accounting for Mustang Capital Advisors, LP pursuant to FASB ASC 810-10-25 (formerly EITF Issue No. 85-12, Retention of Specialized Accounting for Investment in Consolidation). As such, marketable equity securities held by Mustang Capital Advisors, LP are recorded at fair value in Investments in Marketable Securities held by limited partnerships, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Following is a summary of marketable equity securities held by Western Mustang Holdings, LLC as of September 30. 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
As of September 30, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
The Steak n Shake Co.
  $ 1,811,202     $ 2,059,750     $ ——     $  
Other
    8,530,193       8,038,990       6,621,658       6,656,428  
                                 
Total marketable equity securities
  $ 10,341,395     $ 10,098,740     $ 6,621,658     $ 6,656,428  

Net realized gains (losses) and net change in unrealized gains (losses) for the nine months ended September  30, 2009, from marketable equity securities held by Mustang Capital Advisors, LP were as follows:


   
Three Months Ended
 September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Realized gains.
  $ 617,299     $ 52,210     $ 1,263,572     $ 52,210  
Realized losses
    (29,006 )     (28,088 )     (139,757 )     (28,088 )
Net realized gains (losses) on sales of marketable securities
    588,293     $ 24,122       1,123,815     $ 24,122  
                                 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities
  $ 690,805     $ (341,732 )   $ (183,819 )   $ (341,732 )


 (4)
Stock Options

The Company has two stock option plans: the 2005 Stock Option Plan and the 2004 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. The 1994 Incentive and Non-qualified Stock Option Plan was terminated in 2008 with the exercise of all outstanding options under this plan during year ended December 31, 2008. Under the 2005 and 2004 Plans, employees and directors may be granted options to purchase shares of common stock at the fair market value on the date of the grant.

Options granted under the 2005 and 2004 Plans vest at the date of the grant. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Assumptions utilized in the model are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and experience on the respective dates of grant. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period equal to the expected term of the options. The expected term of the options represents the period of time that options granted are outstanding and is estimated using historical exercise and termination experience.

Prior to the adoption of FASB ASC 718 (formerly SFAS No. 123R), the benefit of tax deductions in excess of recognized stock compensation expense was reported as a reduction of taxes paid within operating cash flows. FASB ASC 718 requires that such benefits be recognized as a financing cash flow. The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized stock compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were immaterial.

There were no options granted during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.
 
 
The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2009, as well as activity during the nine month period then ended:
 
   
Options
Outstanding
   
Exercise Price
Per Share
Weighted
Average
   
Contractual
Term
Weighted
Average
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    12,500     $ 7.25       1.83     $ 64,284  
Granted
                       
Exercised
    8,500                    
Expired/Forfeited
                       
Balance, September 30, 2009
    4,000     $ 7.46       1.46     $ 24,173  
 
All options outstanding at September 30, 2009 are fully vested and exercisable. At September 30, 2009, there were 40,000 shares available for future grants under the plans, however, on April 25, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors elected to suspend future grants under all plans indefinitely.  Subsequent to September 30, 2009, the remaining 4,000 options outstanding were exercised.

(5)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company conforms to the provisions of FASB ASC 350 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets). Under FASB ASC 350, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment and written down and charged to results of operations when their carrying amount exceeds their estimated fair value. The Company is required to perform impairment tests each year at the end of the calendar year, or between yearly tests in certain circumstances, for goodwill. There can be no assurance that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.

Amortizing Intangible Assets
 
   
As of September 30, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Gross
carrying
amount
   
Weighted
average
amortization
period
   
Accumulated
amortization
   
Gross
carrying
amount
   
Weighted
average
amortization
period
   
Accumulated
amortization
 
Amortizing intangible assets:
                                   
Investment in management customer relationships
  $ 1,420,000       10.5     $ 169,089     $ 1,420,000       10.5     $ 73,762  
    $ 1,420,000       10.5     $ 169,089     $ 1,420,000       10.5     $ 73,762  
 
In connection with the acquisition of Mustang Capital Advisors, L.P in 2008, the Company acquired certain customer related intangible assets. The value assigned to these intangible assets of $1,420,000 was determined based on the present value of the estimated cash flows to be generated by the assets.

Amortization expense for amortizing intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $33,810         and $95,327, respectively. Franchise royalty contracts, originally acquired in January 2004, were fully amortized as of December 31, 2008. The estimated annual amortization expense for the remaining amortizing intangible asset is $135,240 per year through 2018.

(6)
Debt

At September 30, 2009, there was $100,000 outstanding on a $1,500,000 line of credit with a bank.  The line is payable on demand, subject to annual renewal by the bank (January 30, 2010), carries an interest rate of prime (3.25% at September 30, 2009 and at December 31, 2008), with a floor of 4%, collateralized by trade accounts receivable and the assignment of all franchise royalty contracts.

In 2008, the Company’s purchase of the investment in real estate was refinanced through the issuance of a note payable to a bank of $2,641,220, secured by the land held for investment.  Interest accrues on the unpaid principal balance at prime minus 0.5%, or 2.75% as of September 30, 2009.  The Company made one payment of principal of $264,122 on January 29, 2009, and all remaining principal and accrued interest is due on January 30, 2010.  Accordingly, the outstanding balance of this debt is classified as a current liability at September 30, 2009.
 

The Company has a note payable to a finance company with interest at 10.07% due in equal monthly installments, including principal and interest, of $13,487, with a final payment due on April 13, 2010.  The note payable requires pre-payment premiums in certain circumstances and contains certain restrictive covenants, including debt coverage ratios, periodic reporting requirements and maintenance of operations at certain Company-operated restaurants that collateralize the note payable.  The note payable is collateralized by accounts receivable, inventory and property and equipment.

(7)
Income Taxes
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10 (formerly FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109), on January 1, 2007.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company has a recorded liability of $11,805, including interest of $6,489, for such uncertain tax positions.  The recorded liability was increased by $979 during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.

Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of a valuation allowance of $0, $2,327,000 and $1,074,000 at September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2008, respectively, related to the unrealized losses on marketable securities.

(8)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income (loss) attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share computations for the periods indicated:
 
   
Income (Loss)
(Numerator)
   
Weighted
Average
Shares
(Denominator)
   
Earnings
(Loss)
Per Share
Amount
 
Three months ended September 30, 2009
                 
Net income — basic
  $ 3,578,462       2,833,917     $ 1.26  
Net income — diluted
  $ 3,578,462       2,835,045     $ 1.26  
                         
Three months ended September 30, 2008
                       
Net income — basic
  $ 2,939,713       2,822,637     $ 1.04  
Net income — diluted
  $ 2,939,713       2,826,513     $ 1.04  
 
   
Income (Loss)
(Numerator)
   
Weighted
Average
Shares
(Denominator)
   
Earnings
(Loss)
Per Share
Amount
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2009
                 
Net income — basic
  $ 7,802,986       2,832,569     $ 2.75  
Net income — diluted
  $ 7,802,986       2,834,480     $ 2.75  
                         
Nine months ended September 30, 2008
                       
Net loss — basic
  $ (2,867,302 )     2,750,132     $ (1.04 )
Net loss — diluted
  $ (2,867,302 )     2,750,132     $ (1.04 )
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company excluded from the loss per share calculation all common stock equivalents because the effect on loss per share was anti-dilutive.
 

(9)
Reportable Segments

The Company has organized segment reporting with additional information to reflect how the Company views its business activities.  The Company-operated Restaurant segment consists of the operations of all Company-operated restaurants and derives its revenues from restaurant operations.  The Franchising segment consists primarily of franchise sales and support activities and derives its revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and collection of royalties from franchisees. The Investment Operations segment consists of investment operations and certain direct expenses associated with legal matters. The Company does not allocate certain expenses to any business segment.  These costs include expenses of the following functions: legal, accounting, stockholder relations, personnel not directly related to a segment, information systems and other headquarter activities.  These unallocated expenses are designated as unallocated corporate expenses. Certain other expenses (such as sublease property expense and claims settlement and legal fees associated with a lawsuit) are also not allocated to any reportable segment.

The following table summarizes reportable segment information:
 
 
      Three Months
Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenues from reportable segments:
                       
Restaurants
  $ 3,350,238     $ 3,434,035     $ 10,064,358     $ 10,050,437  
Franchising
    843,528       1,001,102       2,695,286       3,122,179  
Total revenues
  $ 4,193,766     $ 4,435,137     $ 12,759,644     $ 13,172,616  
Depreciation and amortization:
                               
Restaurants
  $ 86,591     $ 92,420     $ 264,571     $ 289,526  
Franchising
    6,466       165,642       21,634       497,150  
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 93,057     $ 258,062     $ 286,205     $ 786,676  
                                 
Income from restaurant and franchise operations:
                               
                                 
Restaurants and equity in joint venture
  $ 293,066     $ 148,106     $ 902,399     $ 738,432  
Franchising
    625,164       525,890       1,977,411       1,701,538  
Subleased properties expenses
          (362,766 )           (427,257 )
Unallocated expenses
    (5,225 )     (4,056 )     (35,413 )     (162,820 )
Corporate
    (359,858 )     (725,693 )     (1,210,077 )     (1,641,388 )
Total income from restaurant and franchise operations:
  $ 553,147     $ (418,519 )   $ 1,634,320     $ 208,505  
                                 
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                               
Investment advisory fee income
  $ 101,600     $ 124,024     $ 286,710     $ 124,024  
Net realized gains (losses) on sales of marketable securities
    588,293       24,122       1,123,815       (15,730 )
Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities held by limited partnership
    5,482,399       3,255,469       8,931,320       (3,187,655 )
Amortization expense – investment operations
    (33,810 )           (95,327 )      
Reimbursements (expenses) of investment operations
    (212,008 )     174,318       (475,547 )     (794,355 )
Purchase obligation adjustment
    (253,416 )           (245,773 )      
Total income (loss) from investment operations
  $ 5,673,058     $ 3,577,933     $ 9,525,198     $ (3,873,716 )
                                 
Interest Expense:
                               
Restaurants
  $ 14,100     $ 15,827     $ 45,566     $ 70,022  
Total interest expense
  $ 14,100     $ 15,827     $ 45,566     $ 70,022  
Interest Income:
                               
Corporate
  $ 32,491     $ 69,801     $ 103,702     $ 102,168  
Total interest income
  $ 32,491     $ 69,801     $ 103,702     $ 102,168  
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Total assets:
           
Restaurants
  $ 7,509,734     $ 6,523,219  
Franchising
    2,428,165       1,920,513  
Corporate
    359,434       1,203,830  
Investment activities
    37,029,996       26,305,261  
Total assets
  $ 47,327,329     $ 35,952,823  
 
   
September 30,
   
December31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Total goodwill:
           
Restaurants
  $ 3,539,057     $ 3,539,057  
Franchising
    771,143       771,143  
Investment activities
    685,062       685,062  
Total goodwill
  $ 4,995,262     $ 4,995,262  
 
 
(10)
Fair Value Measurements

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted FASB ASC 825-10 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities).  FASB ASC 825-10 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The Company did not elect the fair value reporting option for any assets and liabilities not previously recorded at fair value.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 820 (formerly Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements), applicable to all financial assets and liabilities and for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standard also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. FASB ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
Level 1
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
   
Level 2
Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
   
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company’s investments in marketable securities are carried at fair value, based on quoted market prices, in the consolidated balance sheets and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, with the exception of $1.5 million that have been valued, in the absence of observable market prices, by Mustang Capital Advisors, LP.  The Funds investments in Level 1 securities are freely tradable and are listed on a national securities exchange or reported on the NASDAQ national market at their last sales price as of the last business day of the period.

Approximately $1.5 million of the investments held by Mustang Capital Advisors, LP have been classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and have been valued, in the absence of observable market prices, by the management of Mustang Capital Advisors, LP.  Fair value is determined using valuation methodologies after giving consideration to a range of observable factors including last known sales price; any current bids or offers on the stock; comparisons to publicly traded stocks with appropriate discounts for liquidity; size of position; control data research; and current market conditions. Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that can not be reasonably determined. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed.

The Company’s investments in marketable securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  There have been no changes in inputs during the period ended September 30, 2009.
 
(11)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. FASB ASC 825-10 (formerly SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments), defines the fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties:

   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Carrying
amount
   
Fair
value
   
Carrying
amount
   
Fair
value
 
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,538,840     $ 1,538,840     $ 330,998     $ 330,998  
Money market investments
    2,176,728       2,176,728       3,735,821       3,735,821  
Trade-accounts receivable
    963,804       963,804       1,064,389       1,064,389  
Notes receivable
    596,502       592,277       648,902       642,239  
Other receivables
    68,792       68,792       78,982       78,982  
Investments in marketable securities
    29,694,761       29,694,761       16,708,479       16,708,479  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Note payable - line of credit
    100,000       100,000              
Long-term debt
    2,862,089       2,727,692       3,207,512       3,294,575  
Accounts payable
    621,423       621,423       812,839       812,839  
Accrued expenses and other
    1,245,350       1,245,350       1,423,092       1,423,092  
Other liabilities
    1,419,809       1,419,809       1,208,147       1,208,147  
 
 
 The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, other receivables, notes payable-line of credit, due to broker, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities: The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.
 
 
Notes receivable: The fair value is determined as the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the interest rate which approximates the rate currently offered by local lending institutions for loans of similar terms to companies with comparable credit risk.
 
 
Long-term debt: The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument at rates which approximate those currently offered to the Company for similar debt instruments of comparable maturities by the Company’s lenders.
 
There were no changes to the methods or significant assumptions used to estimate fair values for the period ended September 30, 2009.
 
(12)
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Commitments

The limited partners of the two investment funds managed by Mustang Capital Advisors, LP can redeem their investments annually.  The limited partners of Western Acquisitions, LP can redeem their investments after two years from contribution dates.  Certain limited partners of Western Acquisitions, LP with redeemable noncontrolling interests totaling $2.3 million at September 30, 2009, have requested complete liquidation of their investments in Western Acquisitions, LP.  Pursuant to that request and subsequent to September 30, 2009, an in-kind stock distribution having an aggregate value of approximately $1.36 million was made to such limited partners.  Additional distributions will be made to these limited partners as permitted by the limited partnership agreement.

The Company has a severance provision contained within the Employment Agreement with its Chief Financial Officer. The agreement provides certain termination benefits in the event that employment with the Company is terminated without cause and upon a change of control. Under the terms of the agreement, in the event of termination without cause the executive will receive termination benefits equal to nine months of the executive’s annual base salary in effect on the termination date and the continuation of health and welfare benefits through the termination date of the agreement. Under a change of control, the executive will receive termination benefits equal to one year of the executive’s base salary in effect on the change of control date and the continuation of health and welfare benefits through the termination date of the agreement.

The Company has a severance provision contained within the Employment Agreement with the President of one of its subsidiaries, Western Sizzlin Franchise Corporation. The agreement provides for an automatic renewal of one year unless the Company or the executive provides notice of termination as specified in the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, in the event of termination without cause, the executive will receive termination benefits on a graduated percentage of base salary and continuation of health and welfare benefits based on length of service.

In connection with the acquisition of controlling interests in Mustang Capital Advisors, LP and Mustang Capital Management, LLC, the Company is obligated to purchase the noncontrolling interest holder’s ownership upon the occurrence of certain events.  The purchase obligation will ultimately be settled in cash and shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company is accounting for this purchase obligation pursuant to FASB ASC 480-10 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150 (As Amended) - Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity). The resulting liability is reported in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  The change in the purchase obligation liability for the third quarter of 2009 is an increase of $253,416 and an increase $245,773 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Contingencies

The Company accrues an obligation for contingencies, including estimated legal costs, when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable.  As facts concerning contingencies become known to the Company, the Company reassesses its position with respect to accrued liabilities and other expenses.  These estimates are subject to change as events evolve and as additional information becomes available during the litigation process.
 
 
Little Rock, Arkansas Lease

In September 2006, the Company was served with a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas, captioned Parks Land Company, LLP, et al. v. Western Sizzlin Corporation, et al. The plaintiffs are owners/landlords of four restaurant premises located in the Little Rock, Arkansas metropolitan area which had been leased pursuant to a single ten year lease agreement.  The Company occupied these locations for a period of time, but before the end of the lease, subleased each of these premises to various operators.  The ten year lease agreement expired on June 30, 2006.   In the lawsuit the plaintiffs sought recovery of alleged damages for certain repair and maintenance expenses on the premises, for the replacement of certain equipment, for diminution of property value, and for loss of rental income, as well as interest and costs.  The case was tried to a 12 person jury in Little Rock, starting February 12, 2008.   The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs on February 20, 2008, in the amount of $689,526.  On February 29, 2008, the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas entered judgment on the jury’s verdict in the case against the Company in the amount of $689,666 plus plaintiff’s legal costs.  On appeal by the Company, on May 14, 2009, the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and remanded the case for a new trial.  On June 25, 2009, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a per curiam order denying Parks Land Company’s petition for a rehearing. The new trial has been scheduled in the Pulaski County Circuit Court for the week of February 22, 2010.   As previously reported, the Company has accrued $900,000 related to this loss contingency. There has been no change in the Company’s loss contingency accrual of $900,000 since December 31, 2007.

Other

The Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of the management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
 
(13)
Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Venture

The Company is a partner in a 50/50 joint venture with a franchisee for a restaurant in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  During October 2005, the joint venture entered into a loan agreement for $3.05 million and the Company guaranteed 50% of the loan obligation.  The estimated fair value of the guarantee of approximately $30,000 is recorded in other long-term liabilities and in investments in unconsolidated joint venture on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  The term of the guarantee extends through July 1, 2026 and the Company would be required to perform under the guarantee should the joint venture not to be able to meet its scheduled principal and interest payments.  Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, a cash contribution of $300,000 from each 50/50 partner was also made at the closing of this financing.  The Company is accounting for the investment using the equity method and the Company’s share of the net income of the joint venture is reported in the accompanying statements of operations as equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture.

Selected Financial Data

The following is selected financial information for the joint venture as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively:

   
Three Months
Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
Selected Statement of Operations Data:
                       
Total revenues
  $ 1,320,228     $ 1,216,010     $ 3,943,194     $ 3,639,345  
Cost of food
    528,614       508,049       1,604,786       1,494,523  
Payroll expense
    359,463       353,545       1,068,412       1,054,087  
Gross profit
    432,151       354,416       1,269,996       1,090,735  
Marketing and operating expense
    48,559       49,128       149,925       140,179  
General and administrative
    121,723       114,502       377,149       336,832  
Depreciation and amortization
    51,615       51,212       154,145       152,131  
Interest
    49,637       53,056       149,855       160,422  
Net income
    160,617       86,518       438,922       301,171  
 
 
                   
September 30, 2009
   
September
 30, 2008
 
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
                               
Cash                                                         
                  $ 113,315     $ 112,464  
Prepaid expenses                                                         
                    10,124       11,934  
Inventory                                                         
                    16,588       16,620  
Land, equipment and building improvements, net 
                    3,433,006       3,616,910  
Loan costs, net                                                         
                    9,277       10,820  
Total assets                                                         
                    3,582,511       3,775,765  
Loan payable                                                         
                    2,801,492       2,999,177  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
                    252,708       225,426  
Members’ equity                                                         
                    528,311       551,161  
 
(14)
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In May 2007, the FASB adopted new standards which provide clarification to the accounting for investments by entities that apply the accounting guidance in FASB ASC 946 (formerly the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies).  FSP FIN 46(R)-7 amends FASB ASC 810 (formerly FIN 46(R), as revised), to make permanent the temporary deferral of the application of FASB ASC 810, to entities within the scope of the guide under FASB ASC 946 (formerly Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 07-1, Clarification of the Scope of the Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies and Accounting by Parent Companies and Equity Method Investors for Investments in Investment Companies).  FSP FIN 46(R)-7 is effective upon adoption of SOP 07-1.  The adoption of FSP FIN 46(R)-7 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

In June 2007, the FASB adopted new standards that address whether the accounting principles of FASB ASC 946 (formerly the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies) may be applied to an entity by clarifying the definition of an investment company and whether those accounting principles may be retained by a parent company in consolidation or by an investor in the application of the equity method of accounting.  The new standards were to be effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2007 with earlier adoption encouraged.  However, in February 2008, the FASB issued new guidance that indefinitely defers the effective date of these new guidelines.

The Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries, Western Acquisitions, LP and Mustang Capital Advisors, LP, are investment companies as currently defined in FASB ASC 946 (formerly the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies).  The Company has retained the specialized accounting for Western Acquisitions, LP and Mustang Capital Advisors, LP pursuant to FASB ASC 810-10-25 (formerly EITF 85-12, Retention of Specialized Accounting for Investments in Consolidation).  As such, marketable equity securities held by Western Acquisitions, LP and Mustang Capital Advisors, LP are recorded at fair value in Investments in Marketable Securities in the consolidated financial statements, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company intends to monitor future developments associated with this Statement in order to assess the impact, if any, which may result.

In June 2009, the FASB adopted new standards which significantly change the accounting for transfers of financial assets and the criteria for determining whether to consolidate a variable interest entity (“VIE”).  The new standards eliminate the qualifying special purpose entity (“QSPE”) concept, establish conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, clarify the financial-asset derecognition criteria, revise how interests retained by the transferor in a sale of financial assets initially are measured, and remove the guaranteed mortgage securitization recharacterization provisions.  The new standards also require reporting entities to evaluate former QSPEs for consolidation, change the approach to determining a VIE’s primary beneficiary from a mainly quantitative assessment to an exclusively qualitative assessment designed to identify a controlling financial interest, and increase the frequency of required reassessments to determine whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. These standards require additional year-end and interim disclosures for public and nonpublic companies that are similar to the disclosures required by FASB ASC 860 (formerly FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities).  The new standards are effective January 1, 2010.  The Company is currently evaluating these new standards but does not believe that they will have a significant impact on the determination or reporting of its financial results.

(15)
Subsequent Events

In accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 855-10 (formerly SFAS No. 165), the Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 13, 2009, which is the date these financial statements were issued.  All subsequent events requiring recognition as of September 30, 2009, have been incorporated into the consolidated financial statements presented herein.
 

The Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with The Steak n Shake Company dated October 22, 2009.  If the merger is completed, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of The Steak n Shake Company and will cease to be a publicly traded company.  The merger is subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders.

In accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, on October 22, 2009 the Company declared a special dividend payable to the Company’s stockholders in the form of 1,322,806 shares of Steak n Shake common stock that was beneficially owned by Western Investments, Inc.  Each stockholder of the Company of record as of November 2, 2009 was entitled to receive this dividend which was distributed on November 6, 2009.  The dividend was payable at the rate of approximately 0.465 shares of Steak n Shake common stock for each share of Company common stock outstanding as of November 2, 2009 (fractional share interests were settled by a cash payment).

The limited partners of Western Acquisitions, LP can redeem their investments after two years from contribution dates.  Pursuant to a request for redemption from certain limited partners of Western Acquisitions, LP, subsequent to September 30, 2009, an in-kind stock distribution was made to such limited partners having an aggregate value of approximately $1.36 million.
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Overview

The following discussion may include forward-looking statements including anticipated financial performance, business prospects, the future opening of Company-operated and franchised restaurants, anticipated capital expenditures, and other matters.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.  Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended) provide safe harbors for forward-looking statements.  In order to comply with the terms of these safe harbors, the Company notes that a variety of factors, individually or in the aggregate, could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the following: the ability of the Company or its franchises to obtain suitable locations for restaurant development; consumer spending trends and habits; competition in the restaurant segment with respect to price, service, location, food quality and personnel resources; weather conditions in the Company’s operating regions; laws and government regulations; general business and economic conditions; availability of capital; success of operating initiatives and marketing and promotional efforts; and changes in accounting policies.  In addition, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update those forward-looking statements.

Western Sizzlin Corporation is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities.  The Company’s primary business activities are conducted through Western Sizzlin Franchise Corporation and Western Sizzlin Stores, Inc., which franchise and operate 102 restaurants in 19 states, including five Company-owned, 96 franchise restaurants, and one joint venture restaurant.  The Company currently operates and/or franchises the following concepts:  Western Sizzlin, Western Sizzlin Wood Grill, Great American Steak & Buffet, and Quincy’s Steakhouses.

Financial decisions are centralized at the holding company level, and management of operating businesses is decentralized at the business unit level.  Investment and all other capital allocation decisions are made for the Company and its subsidiaries by Mr. Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
 
While the Company has historically been principally engaged, and intends at this time to remain principally engaged, in franchising and operating restaurants, its recent investment activities could bring it within the definition of an “investment company” and require it to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  The Board of Directors has adopted a policy requiring management to restrict the Company’s operations and investment activities to avoid becoming an investment company, until and unless the Board approves otherwise.  Although the Company does not presently intend to change its principal business, and the Board has not approved any such change, the Company has expanded its investment operations, and may decide in the future to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.  Under certain circumstances, if it is successful in investment operations, then the Company may inadvertently fall within the definition of an investment company, in which event it may be required to register as an investment company.  If the Company decides or is required to register as an investment company, then it would become subject to various provisions of the Investment Company Act and the regulations adopted under such Act, which are very extensive and could adversely affect its operations.
 

The Company seeks to invest, at the holding company level and through its subsidiaries, including Western Acquisitions, L.P., in stocks of businesses at prices below their intrinsic business value.  The Company’s preferred strategy is to allocate a meaningful amount of capital in each investee, resulting in concentration.  The carrying values of these investments are exposed to market price fluctuations, which may be accentuated by a concentrated equity portfolio.  A significant decline in the price of major investments may produce a large decrease in the Company’s net earnings and its stockholders’ equity (See Note 3 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report).

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Western Sizzlin Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Western Sizzlin Franchise Corporation, The Western Sizzlin Stores, Inc., Western Sizzlin Stores of Little Rock, Inc., Austins of Omaha, Inc., Western Investments, Inc., Western Properties, Inc., a majority-owned limited partnership, Western Acquisitions, L.P., solely-owned limited partnerships, Western Real Estate, L.P. and Western Mustang Holdings, L.L.C. (collectively the Company). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with The Steak n Shake Company dated October 22, 2009.  If the merger is completed, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of The Steak n Shake Company and will cease to be a publicly traded company.  The merger is subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders.

In accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, on October 22, 2009 the Company declared a special dividend payable to the Company’s stockholders in the form of 1,322,806 shares of Steak n Shake common stock that was beneficially owned by Western Investments, Inc.  Each stockholder of the Company of record as of November 2, 2009 was entitled to receive this dividend which was distributed on November 6, 2009.  The dividend was payable at the rate of approximately 0.465 shares of Steak n Shake common stock for each share of Company common stock outstanding as of November 2, 2009 (fractional share interests were settled by a cash payment).

Results of Operations

Net income attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $3,578,462 and $7,802,986 compared to net income (loss) attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation of $2,588,269 and ($2,267,918) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The significant improvement was primarily attributable to targeted reduced expenses in restaurant and franchise operations and improvements in the performance of investment operations.  Income from investment operations that impacted net income (loss) attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation, excluding income (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $5,673,058 and $9,525,198 compared to net income (loss) from investment operations of $3,557,933 and ($3,873,716) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.   This improvement in results of investment operations was largely due to recoveries in marketable securities over the prior period.

The following table sets forth for the periods presented the percentage relationship to total revenues of certain items included in the consolidated statements of income and certain restaurant data for the periods presented:
 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenues:
                       
Company-operated restaurants
    79.9 %     77.4 %     78.9 %     76.3 %
Franchise operations
    20.1       22.6       21.1       23.7  
Total revenues
    100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0  
                                 
Costs and expenses — restaurant and franchise operations:
                               
Company-operated restaurants — food, beverage and labor costs
    58.3       58.7       57.8       56.3  
Restaurant occupancy and other
    14.5       14.2       13.6       13.4  
Franchise operations — direct support
    5.1       7.0       5.5       7.0  
Subleased restaurant property expenses
          8.2             3.2  
Corporate expenses
    8.6       16.4       9.5       12.5  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    2.2       5.8       2.2       6.0  
Corporate litigation fees and expenses
    .1       .1       .3       1.2  
Total costs and expenses — restaurant and franchise operations
    88.8       110.4       88.9       99.6  
                                 
                                 
Equity in income of joint venture
    1.9       1.0       1.7       1.2  
Income (loss) from restaurant and franchise operations
    13.1       (9.4     12.8       1.6  
 
 
Investment advisory fee income
    2.4       2.8       2.2       .9  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities held by limited partnerships
    130.7       73.8       70.0       (24.1 )
Net realized gains (losses) on sales of marketable securities
    14.0       .6       8.8       (.1 )
Amortization expense – investment activities
    (.8 )           (.7 )      
Expense of investment operations
    (5.1 )     3.9       (3.7 )     (6.0 )
Purchase obligation adjustment
    (6.0 )           (1.9 )      
Income (loss) from investment operations
    135.3       81.1       74.7       (29.3 )
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense
    (.3 )     (.4 )     (.4 )     (.5 )
Interest income
    .8       1.1       .8       .6  
Other, net
                .2        
Total other income (expense), net
    .5       .7       .6       .1  
                                 
Income (loss) before income tax (benefit)
    148.9       72.4       88.1       (27.6 )
Income tax expense (benefit):
                               
Current
    .3             .3        
Deferred
    16.0       (1.8 )     8.1       (1.3 )
Total income tax expense (benefit)
    16.3       (1.8 )     8.4       (1.3 )
Net income (loss)
    132.6       74.2       79.7       (26.3 )
(Income) losses attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
    (47.2 )     (7.9 )     (18.6 )     4.6  
Net income (loss) attributable to Western Sizzlin Corporation
    85.4       66.3       61.1       (21.8 )
 

   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Restaurant Data
                       
Number of Company-Operated Restaurants:
                       
Beginning of period
    5       5       5       5  
Opened
          1             1  
Closed
                       
Franchised
                       
End of period
    5       6       5       6  
Number of U.S. Franchised Restaurants:
                               
Beginning of period
    99       111       104       116  
Opened
                       
Closed
    (3 )     (5 )     (8 )     (10 )
End of period
    96       106       96       106  
Number of Joint Venture Restaurants:
                               
Beginning of period
    1       1       1       1  
Opened
                       
Closed
                       
End of period
    1       1       1       1  

Revenues

Total revenues decreased 5.4% to $4.19 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from $4.43 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Total revenues decreased 3.2% to $12.76 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $13.17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The decreases in total revenues were due to the decreases in franchise revenues over the same periods, which were partially offset by increases in Company- operated restaurant revenues for the nine months ended, as further described below.

Company-operated restaurant revenues decreased 2.3% to $3.35 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $3.43 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Company-operated restaurant revenues increased 0.14% to $10.06 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $10.05 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Franchise revenues decreased 15.6% to $844,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $1.00 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Franchise revenues decreased 13.5% to $2.70 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $3.12 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The overall decrease in franchise revenues is attributable to fewer franchised units in the system during the relevant periods in 2009 as compared to the relevant periods in 2008.  Same store sales at franchise operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, experienced overall decreases of 5.22% and 4.17%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2008.

Costs and Expenses —restaurant and franchise operations

Costs of company-operated restaurants, consisting primarily of food, beverage, and labor costs decreased $164,000 (6.5%) to $2.44 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from $2.61 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.   These costs for the three month period as a percentage of Company-operated restaurants revenue were 72.8% and 76.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Costs of Company-operated restaurants decreased $34,000 (.0.4%) to $7.38 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $7.41 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.   These costs for the nine month period as a percentage of Company-operated restaurants revenue were 73.3% and 73.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  These costs have decreased due to cost savings on commodities purchases.

Restaurant occupancy and other, which include utilities, insurance, maintenance, rent and other such costs of the Company-operated restaurants, decreased by $22,000 (3.5%) for the three months ended September 30, 2009 versus the prior year’s comparable period. These costs for the three month period decreased as a percentage of Company-operated restaurant revenues from 18.3% in 2008 to 18.1% in 2009.  Restaurant occupancy and other decreased by $23,000 (1.3%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.  These costs for the nine month period decreased slightly as a percentage of Company-operated restaurant revenues from 17.5% in 2008 to 17.3% in 2009.
 

Cost of franchise operations direct support expense decreased by $98,000 and $227,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 versus the prior years’ comparable periods.  The decreases were largely attributable to targeted expense reductions for 2009.

Subleased properties include net costs associated with subleasing former Company-operated restaurants and maintenance of vacant premises.  There were no such expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and were $362,766 and $427,257 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Subleasing arrangements expired at the end of 2008.

Unallocated corporate expenses consist of certain expenses not allocated to any business segment.  These expenses include legal, accounting, stockholder relations, personnel not directly related to a segment, information systems, and other headquarter’s activities.  These expenses decreased by $365,000 and $431,000 for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 versus the prior year’s comparable periods.  The decreases are a result of managing expenses at the corporate level and targeted expense reductions for 2009.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $165,000 and $500,000 for the three and nine months period ended September 30, 2009 versus the prior year’s comparable periods.  The variance is largely attributable to franchise royalty contracts being fully amortized as of December 31, 2008.

Corporate litigation fees increased by $1,200 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 versus the prior year’s comparable period and decreased $127,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 versus the prior year’s comparable period.  These expenses relate to legal fees associated with the trial and appeal of the lawsuit involving the Company in Little Rock, Arkansas.  (See Note 12 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report).

Equity in income of Joint Venture

Equity in income of joint venture increased $37,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, versus the prior year’s comparable period  and increased $69,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, versus the prior year’s comparable period due to increased performance of the restaurant during the relevant periods in 2009.  (See Note 13 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report).

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations

Investment operations include investment advisory fee income of $102,000 and $287,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $124,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Net realized gains (losses) on sales of marketable securities were $588,000 and $1,123,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $24,000 and ($16,000) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities held by the limited partnerships, Western Acquisitions, L.P. and Mustang Capital Advisors, L.P., were $5.5 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and $3.3 million and ($3.2 million) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.   Amortization expense associated with investment activities of $34,000 and $95,000 were recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $0 for the comparable periods in 2008.  Purchase obligation adjustments of ($253,000) and $(246,000) were recorded in the three and months ended September 30, 2009, respectively and $0 for the comparable periods in 2008. Reimbursement (expenses) associated with investment activities were ($212,000) and ($476,000) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $174,000 and ($795,000) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease in expenses for the relevant periods in 2009 versus the prior year’s comparable period is attributable to expenses in 2008 associated with the Steak n Shake proxy contest, the ITEX tender offer, and other investment related activities.  There was no management fees charged or collected from outside investors by Western Acquisitions LP in first nine months of 2009 or 2008.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense decreased $1,700 and decreased $25,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 over the comparable period in 2008.    Interest income fluctuates according to the levels of available cash balances.

Other, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was comparable to the same periods in 2008.

Income tax expense is directly affected by the levels of pretax income and the valuation allowance established on deferred tax assets. The Company’s effective tax rate was 11.0% and (2.4%) for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and 9.5% and (4.6%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The provisions for deferred income taxes for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 includes provision decreases for the valuation allowance of $1,048,000 and $2,327,000, respectively, which decreased the Company’s effective tax rate for the periods.
 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had $1.5 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $745,000 as of September 30, 2008.

Investment of Available Capital

The Company’s cash flows from restaurant and franchise activities have exceeded its working capital, financing and capital investment needs of its restaurant and franchise operations, and management expects that the Company’s cash flows will continue to exceed its operating cash needs for the foreseeable future.  The Company regularly evaluates how best to use available capital to increase stockholder value.  The Company may pursue investments in the form of acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships where the Company believes attractive returns can be obtained.  Further, the Company may determine under certain market conditions that available capital is best utilized to fund investments that it believes offers the Company attractive return opportunities, whether or not related to its ongoing business activities.

As previously discussed in Note 3 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report, the Company’s Board of Directors has delegated authority to direct investment of the Company’s surplus cash to its Chairman, Sardar Biglari, subject to Board reporting requirements and various limitations that have been or may be from time to time adopted by the Board of Directors.  These investments may include significant and highly concentrated direct investments with respect to the equity securities of public companies.  Any such investments will involve risks, and stockholders should recognize that the Company’s balance sheet may change depending on the performance of investments.  Furthermore, such investments could be subject to volatility that may affect both the recorded value of the investments as well as the Company’s periodic earnings.

Operating Activities and Cash Flows

The Company provided approximately $585,000 and used $30,000 in operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, including the purchase of marketable securities of $10.8 million and $5.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Proceeds from sales of marketable securities were $8.3 million and $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities were $8.9 million and ($3.2 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Net realized gains (losses) were $1.1 million and ($16,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The Company’s primary source of operating cash flows is the operating profits generated from Company’s restaurant and franchise operations.  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by restaurant and franchise activities were approximately $1.1 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) investment activities were approximately ($10.7 million) and $2.1 million  for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Investing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company spent $4,600 and $23,000 on capital expenditures on Company restaurants.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, amounts included purchases of marketable securities of $803,000 and purchase of Mustang Capital Advisors, LP of $380,000.

Financing Activities

The Company made scheduled payments on long-term debt of $345,000 and $93,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net proceeds of $100,000 were received from borrowings on the line of credit.  Proceeds of $2 million were received from the issuance of a note payable for nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Net capital contributions of $812,000 and $540,000 were received from capital contributions from noncontrolling interests in limited partnerships for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.   Cash received from exercise of stock options were $61,000 and $165,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 

Certain notes payable require prepayment premiums in certain circumstances.  In addition, certain notes payable contain certain restrictive covenants including debt coverage ratios, periodic reporting requirements and maintenance of operations at certain Company-operated restaurants that collateralize the notes payable. At September 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants on the notes payable.

Liquidity

The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations and, if needed, borrowings under its existing line of credit. The Company continually reviews its available financing alternatives.  In addition, the Company may consider, on an opportunistic basis, strategic decisions to create value and improve operational performance.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The table below sets forth a summary of contractual obligations that will impact future liquidity as of September 30, 2009:

   
Payment due by period
 
Contractual Obligations
 
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Totals
 
Long-term debt
  $ 2,564,761     $ 62,214     $ 134,189     $ 148,342     $ 52,583           $ 2,962,089  
Operating leases
    165,867       639,880       367,611       399,171       405,086       766,908       2,744,523  
Interest expense (1)
    28,470       40,459       27,655       13,501       1,101               111,186  
Tax obligations (2)
    11,805                                     11,805  
Other long-term liabilities (3)
                                  527,770       527,770  
Totals
  $ 2,770,903     $ 742,553     $ 529,455     $ 561,014     $ 458,770     $ 1,294,678     $ 6,357,373  
 

(1)
Reflects future interest payments through scheduled maturity dates based upon average borrowing rates, outstanding debt balances and scheduled principal payments on long-term debt.  Interest on the Company’s variable rate debt is based on the interest rate in effect at September 30, 2009.

(2)
Reflects recognized liabilities for uncertain tax positions under the provision FIN 48.  (See Note 7 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report).

(3)
Reflects the cash portion of the Company’s purchase obligation to purchase the ownership percentage of the minority interest holder of Mustang Capital Advisors, LP.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Application of the critical accounting policies discussed below requires significant judgments by management. Often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.  If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.  The Company is not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstance that would result in materially different results. The Company’s senior management has reviewed the critical accounting policies and estimates and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis regarding them with the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.

The following are areas requiring significant judgments and estimates due to uncertainties as of the reporting date: trade accounts and notes receivable and the allowance for doubtful accounts, investments, determination of useful lives and the evaluation of any impairment of long-lived assets (including franchise royalty contracts, investment management contracts, and limited partnership agreements, goodwill and property and equipment), commitments and contingencies, and income taxes.
 

Trade Accounts and Notes Receivable and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company collects royalties, and in some cases rent, from franchisees.  The Company views trade accounts and notes receivable and the related allowance for doubtful accounts as a critical accounting estimate since the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on judgments and estimates concerning the likelihood that individual franchisees will pay the amounts included as receivables from them.  In determining the amount of allowance for doubtful accounts to be recorded for individual franchisees, the Company considers the age of the receivable, the financial stability of the franchisee, discussions that may have occurred with the franchisee and a judgment as to the overall collectability of the receivable from the franchisee.  In addition, the Company establishes an allowance for all other receivables for which no specific allowances are deemed necessary.  If average sales or the financial health of franchisees were to deteriorate, the Company might have to increase the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Investments

Marketable equity securities held by Western Sizzlin Corporation are held for an indefinite period and thus are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value in Investments in Marketable Securities on the consolidated balance sheet, with the change in fair value during the period excluded from earnings and recorded net of tax as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).  Fair value is determined through the use of quoted market values on national exchanges.  On a quarterly basis, the Company performs an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a marketable equity security with an unrealized loss has suffered other-than-temporary impairment, pursuant to FASB ASC 320-10-65 (formerly FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2).

Western Acquisitions, LP and Mustang Capital Advisors, LP are, for GAAP purposes, investment companies under the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies.  The Company has retained the specialized accounting for Western Acquisitions, LP and Mustang Capital Advisors, LP pursuant to FASB ASC 810-10-25 (formerly EITF Issue No. 85-12, Retention of Specialized Accounting for Investments in Consolidation).  As such, marketable equity securities held by Western Acquisitions, LP and Mustang Capital Advisors, LP are recorded at fair value in Investments in Marketable Securities held by limited partnerships, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value reflected in the Statement of Operations.  Fair value is primarily determined through the use of quoted market values on national exchanges.

Long-lived Assets, Franchise Royalty Contracts and Goodwill

The Company views the determination of the carrying value of long-lived assets, franchise royalty contracts, goodwill, investment management contracts and limited partnership agreements as critical accounting estimates since it must evaluate the estimated economic useful life in order to properly depreciate or amortize the long-lived assets, franchise royalty contracts, and investment management contracts and limited partnership agreements and because it must consider if the value of any of the long-lived assets have been impaired, requiring adjustments to the carrying value.  Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is subject to at least an annual impairment test to determine if the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

Economic useful life is the duration of time the asset is expected to be productively employed, which may be less than its physical life.  The estimated economic useful lives of long-lived assets are monitored to determine if they continue to be appropriate in light of changes in business circumstances.

The Company must also consider whether long-lived assets (including property and equipment and intangible assets) have been impaired to the extent that we must recognize a loss on such impairment, including goodwill impairment. The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment at the restaurant, franchise and investment company levels on an annual basis or whenever changes or events indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company assesses impairment of each level of assets based on the operating cash flows of the restaurant, franchise and investment operations and our plans for each restaurant unit, franchisee contract, or investment. Generally, all restaurant units with negative cash flows from operations for the most recent twelve months at each quarter end are included in the Company’s assessment. In performing our assessment, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows, including estimated proceeds from similar asset sales, and other factors to determine both the recoverability and the estimated fair value of the respective assets. If the long-lived assets of a restaurant are not recoverable based upon estimated future, undiscounted cash flows, the Company writes the assets down to their fair value. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record additional impairment charges.
 

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if an event occurs that triggers an interim impairment test.  The Company determines the fair values of our reporting units using the discounted cash flow method.  This method uses projections of cash flows from each of the reporting units.  Several of the key assumptions in estimating future cash flows include periods of operations, projections of operating profits, and weighted average cost of capital.  These assumptions are derived from the Company’s internal budgets and consideration of available market data.  The factors which contribute the greatest variability in our estimates of fair values are the weighted average cost of capital and estimates of future operating profits.

Purchase Obligation

In connection with our acquisition of a controlling interest in Mustang Capital Advisors, LP and Mustang Capital Management, LLC, the Company is obligated to purchase the minority interest holder’s ownership percentage upon the occurrence of certain events.  The purchase obligation will ultimately be settled in cash and shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company is accounting for this purchase obligation pursuant to FASB ASC 480-10 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150 (As Amended) - Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity). The resulting liability is reported in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying financial statements.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company views accounting for contingencies as a critical accounting estimate since loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources require judgment as to any probable liabilities incurred.  Actual results could differ from the expected results determined based on such estimates.

Income Taxes

The Company records valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, when necessary, in accordance with FASB ASC 740 (formerly SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”). Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable earnings and is therefore uncertain. The Company assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates will be recovered from future taxable income. Deferred tax assets do not include future tax benefits that the Company deems likely not to be realized.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB ASC 740-10 (formerly FASB Interpretation Number 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109).   FASB ASC 740-10 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return.  The Company must determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.  Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.  FASB ASC 740-10 applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to FASB ASC 740.

OTHER

Impact of Inflation

The impact of inflation on the costs of food and beverage products, labor and real estate can affect the Company’s operations.  Management believes the Company has historically been able to pass on increased costs through certain selected menu price increases and has offset increased costs by increased productivity and purchasing efficiencies, but there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so in the future.  Management anticipates that the average cost of restaurant real estate leases and construction costs could increase in the future which could affect the Company’s ability to expand.  In addition, mandated health care or additional increases in the federal or state minimum wages could significantly increase the Company’s costs of doing business.
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s financial instruments are not exposed to significant market risk due to foreign currency exchange risk.  However, the Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in market prices of marketable securities, interest rates related to certain debt obligations, and commodity risks.
 
 
Market Price Risk
 
The Company’s marketable securities are currently concentrated in a few investments. A change in market prices exposes the Company to market risk related to the investments in marketable securities.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company held $29.7 million in available-for-sale marketable securities. A hypothetical 10% decline in the market value of those securities would result in $2.97 million of unrealized losses and a corresponding decline in their fair values at September 30, 2009.  This hypothetical decline would not affect the Company’s cash flows unless the securities were disposed of.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company has exposure to interest rate risk related to certain instruments entered into for other than trading purposes. Specifically, borrowings under the loan associated with the Texas land purchase and revolving credit facility bear interest at variable rates based on the prime rate minus .5%.  The nature and amount of borrowings under the credit facility may vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions and other factors.

Commodity Price Risk

The Company purchases certain food products such as beef, poultry, pork, eggs and coffee, and utilities such as gas and electricity, which are affected by commodity pricing and are, therefore, subject to price volatility caused by weather, production problems, delivery difficulties and other factors that are outside of the Company’s control and which are generally unpredictable. Changes in commodity prices affect the Company and competitors generally and often simultaneously. In general, the Company purchases food products and utilities based upon market prices established with vendors. Although many of the items purchased are subject to changes in commodity prices, the majority of our purchasing arrangements are structured to contain features that minimize price volatility by establishing fixed pricing and/or price ceilings and floors. The Company uses these types of purchase arrangements to control costs as an alternative to using financial instruments to hedge commodity prices. The Company has determined that our purchasing agreements do not qualify as derivative financial instruments or contain embedded derivative instruments. In many cases, the Company believes it will be able to address commodity cost increases which are significant and appear to be long-term in nature by adjusting our menu pricing or changing our product delivery strategy. However, competitive circumstances could limit such actions and, in those circumstances, increases in commodity prices could lower its margins. Because of the often short-term nature of commodity pricing aberrations and our ability to change menu pricing or product delivery strategies in response to commodity price increases, the Company believes that the impact of commodity price risk is not significant.

The Company has established a policy to identify, control and manage market risks which may arise from changes in interest rates, commodity prices and other relevant rates and prices.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended),  the Company’s  Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2009.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in its internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the current quarter ended September 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

In addition to those proceedings discussed in Note 12 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report, the Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions which are routine litigation matters incidental to the business.  In the opinion of the management, the ultimate disposition of these other matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

An investment in the common stock of any company involves a degree of risk.  Investors should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and those other risks described elsewhere in this report, before deciding whether to purchase our common stock.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also become important factors that may harm the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.  The occurrence of risk factors could harm the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations for company operations, as well as franchised operations.  The trading price of the Company’s common stock could decline due to any of these risks and uncertainties, and stockholders may lose part or all of their investment.

The Company has revised and updated the risk factor entitled “Our investment activities could require registration as an Investment Company” included in the “Risk Factors” section of Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as set forth below.  Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes in the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Our investment activities could require registration as an Investment Company.

We have historically been principally engaged in franchising and operating restaurants and we do not presently intend to change our principal business.  However, we may inadvertently fall within the definition of an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, in part if we own investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of our total assets (excluding government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis.  Although investment securities currently represent less than 40% of our total assets, determined based on our current market capitalization (excluding government securities and cash items), the value of the investment securities that we hold, and the total value of our assets, can change significantly from time to time.  As a result, we could fail to satisfy the 40% test in part if the value of our investment positions increases substantially, or if the value of our non-investment assets decreases substantially.  Failure to satisfy the 40% test does not automatically mean that we would be required to register under the Investment Company Act, and the Board has not adopted any strict numerical limit on our investment activities.

If our investment activities inadvertently result in our being determined to be an investment company and we fail to register as an investment company, we might be unable to enforce contracts with third parties, and third parties could seek rescission of transactions with us undertaken during the period that we were an unregistered investment company, subject to equitable considerations set forth in the Investment Company Act.  In addition, we might be subject to monetary penalties or injunctive relief, or both, in an action brought against us by the SEC.

If we decide to register as an investment company, then we would become subject to various provisions of the Investment Company Act and the regulations adopted under such Act, which are very extensive and could adversely affect our operations.  For example, we might be prohibited from entering into or continuing transactions with certain of our affiliates.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

At the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held August 13, 2009, the following persons were elected to the Board of Directors for a one-year term, until the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until their successors are elected and qualified:

Nominees                                              
 
Shares
voted for
   
Shares
withheld
 
             
Sardar Biglari
    2,177,399       52,485  
Philip L. Cooley
    2,177,409       52,475  
Titus W. Greene
    2,201,163       28,721  
Kenneth R. Cooper
    2,201,163       28,721  
Jonathan Dash
    2,177,399       52,485  
Martin S. Fridson
    2,177,409       52,475  

 
Item 6.  Exhibits:

31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
   
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
 
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
   
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.


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.

 
Western Sizzlin Corporation
   
 
By:
/s/ Sardar Biglari
   
Sardar Biglari
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
 
By:
/s/ Robyn B. Mabe
   
Robyn B. Mabe
   
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
     
Date  November 12, 2009
   

33