At their meeting on March 1, 2001, members of our Audit Committee unanimously
approved the following report to shareholders:
As members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of 7-Eleven,
Inc., we have reviewed and discussed with management the Company's audited
financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2000.
We have discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the matters required to
be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with
Audit Committees, as amended, by the Auditing Standards Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by Independence Standard No. 1,
Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, by the
Independence Standards Board, and have discussed with the auditors the
auditors' independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we have
recommended to the Board of Directors that the financial statements
referred to above be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2000.
We have also considered whether the provision of services by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP not related to the audit of the financial
statements referred to above and to the reviews of the interim financial
statements included in the Company's Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000, and September 30, 2000, is compatible with
maintaining the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
JAY CHAI, CHAIRMAN
GARY FERNANDES
ASHER O. PACHOLDER
4
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The compensation for members of the Board of Directors is established by
resolution adopted by the Board. The annual fee for a director who is not
employed by us, Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. or Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. is set at
$30,000 a year, plus $1,000 for attendance at each regular or special meeting
of the Board or of any Board committee, including meetings held by means of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment. If a director
participates in a committee meeting in conjunction with attending another
meeting of the Board of Directors or another Board committee, the director does
not receive additional pay for attending the committee meeting. In addition, we
do not compensate directors for signing any consents in lieu of meetings. The
annual fee for a director who is an employee of Ito-Yokado or of Seven-Eleven
Japan is set at $18,000 a year. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an
additional fee of $5,000 a year.
During 1998, the Board approved and adopted the Stock Compensation Plan
for Non-Employee Directors. Under this plan, a non-employee director can elect
to receive all, none or a portion of his director's fees in shares of our
common stock, instead of in cash. Shares are valued as of the closing price on
the last trading day of the calendar quarter during which the fees were earned
and are issued shortly thereafter. Directors who are our employees receive only
their compensation as an employee; they receive no director's fees for their
service on the Board or any Board committee.
In addition, as described on page 7, Mr. Ashida is paid $11,500 per
month, including any director's fees to which he would otherwise be entitled,
under an Independent Consultant's Agreement entered into on July 1, 1991, and
amended in 1995, pursuant to which he serves as liaison with the Board of
Directors. Mr. Asakura is one of our Senior Vice Presidents and receives
compensation from us for his service as one of our directors and officers under
an agreement entered into in 1997 concerning his service (see "Proposal 1.
Election of Directors - Information About Nominees," below, for additional
details concerning Mr. Ashida's and Mr. Asakura's compensation).
5
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
INFORMATION ABOUT NOMINEES
The following biographical information includes the names, ages and year
first elected a director, the principal occupation or employment, as of March
15, 2001, of each person nominated, including all positions and offices with
7-Eleven, and the principal directorships held by such persons in non-7-Eleven
companies. Also included is information about compensation paid to certain of
our directors.
YEAR FIRST ELECTED
NAME AGE POSITION WITH 7-ELEVEN DIRECTOR
---- --- ---------------------- ------------------
Masatoshi Ito 76 Chairman of the Board and Director 1991
Toshifumi Suzuki 68 Vice Chairman of the Board and Director 1991
Clark J. Matthews, II 64 Co-Vice Chairman of the Board and Director 1981-1987 and 1991
James W. Keyes 45 President and Chief Executive Officer; Director 1997
Yoshitami Arai 69 Director 1991
Masaaki Asakura 58 Senior Vice President; Director 1997
Timothy N. Ashida 61 Director 1991
Jay W. Chai 67 Director 1991
Gary J. Fernandes 57 Director 1991
Masaaki Kamata 61 Director 1991
Kazuo Otsuka 54 Director 1991
Nobutake Sato 62 Director 1991
MASATOSHI ITO has served as our Chairman of the Board and as a
Director since March 1991. He also serves as a Director and as Honorary
Chairman of Ito-Yokado Group, which includes Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd., Seven-Eleven
Japan Co., Ltd. and Denny's Japan Co., Ltd., as well as other companies. From
1958 until 1992, Mr. Ito served as President of Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. He served
as the Chairman of the Board of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., from 1978 until
1992, and as its President from 1973 until 1978. From 1981 until 1992, Mr. Ito
served as the Chairman of the Board of Denny's Japan Co., Ltd., and from 1973
until 1981 as its President. He was Chairman of the Board of Famil Co., Ltd.
from 1986 to 1999, Chairman of the Board of York Mart Co., Ltd. from 1979 to
1996, Chairman of the Board of Robinson's Japan Co., Ltd. from 1995 to 1996,
Chairman of the Board of Maryann Co., Ltd. from 1977 to 1996, and President of
Oshman's Japan Co., Ltd. from 1984 to 1996. In addition, Mr. Ito has served as
Statutory Auditor of Steps Co., Ltd. since 1992, Chairman of the Board of
York-Keibi Co., Ltd. from 1989 to 1996, President of Union Lease Co., Ltd.
since 1985, Statutory Auditor of Daikuma Co., Ltd. since 1982 and Chairman of
the Board of Marudai Co., Ltd. from 1989 to 1996. He has been a Director of
Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc. since 1989 and Chairman of the Board of Umeya Co.,
Ltd. from 1981 to 1998. He also has served as Director and Chairman of the
Board of IYG Holding Co. since 1990.
TOSHIFUMI SUZUKI has served as our Vice Chairman of the Board and as a
Director since March 1991. He has served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. since October 1992, as a Director since 1971,
and previously served as Executive Vice President from 1985 to 1992, as Senior
Managing Director from 1983 to 1985, as Managing Director from 1977 to 1983 and
has been an employee since 1963. Mr. Suzuki has served as a
6
Director of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., since 1973, its Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer since October 1992, its President from 1975 until
1992 and its Senior Managing Director from 1973 to 1965. Since 1984 Mr. Suzuki
has served as Statutory Auditor of Robinson's Japan Co., Ltd. He has served as
Chairman of the Board of Daikuma Co., Ltd. since 1985, President of
Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc. since 1989; Chairman of 7dream.com Co., Ltd. since
2000 and President and Director of IYG Holding Co. since 1990.
CLARK J. MATTHEWS, II was elected Director in March 1991 and
previously served in that capacity from 1981 until 1987. He was appointed
Co-Vice Chairman of the Board in May 2000. He served as our President and Chief
Executive Officer from March 1991 until April 2000, and as Secretary from April
1995 until April 2000. From 1979 until 1991 Mr. Matthews served as our
Executive Vice President or Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, and from 1973 until 1979 as General Counsel. Prior to his retirement
in April 2000, Mr. Matthews had been employed by us since 1965.
JAMES W. KEYES was elected Director in April 1997 and has served as
our President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2000. From May 1998 until
April 2000 he served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer. Mr. Keyes also served as our Chief Financial Officer from May 1996
until April 1998, as Senior Vice President of Finance from June 1993 until
April 1996, as Vice President of Planning & Finance from August 1992 until June
1993, as Vice President and/or Vice President, National Gasoline, from August
1991 until August 1992 and as General Manager, National Gasoline, from 1986
until 1991. He has been an employee since 1985.
YOSHITAMI ARAI was elected Director in March 1991. Mr. Arai has been
the Chairman of the Board of Systems International Incorporated, a consulting
firm for international joint ventures, licensing and investment arrangements,
since 1977, and served as its President from 1970 until 1977. From 1977 until
1989 he served as the President of Tokyo Hotels International. He is the
Chairman of Catalina Pacific Media L.L.C. and a Director of Catalina Marketing
Japan K.K., Entry Strategies Inc., Industrial Suppliers S.A., Pacific Media
K.K., American Malls International (Japan) K.K. and Parallel Inc. Mr. Arai is a
member of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, APEC Business Advisory Council
and other international non-profit organizations. Since 1996, he has served as
Senior Advisor to the Welsh Development Agency, a British government
organization.
MASAAKI ASAKURA was elected Director in April 1997 and has served as
our Senior Vice President since May 1998. He previously served as Vice
President from May 1997 until April 1998. Mr. Asakura served as the General
Manager and Overseas Liaison, Planning Department, for Seven-Eleven Japan Co.,
Ltd., from 1995 until 1997 and as Executive Vice President and General Manager
of Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc., from 1991 until 1994. He has been an employee
of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., since 1976.
TIMOTHY N. ASHIDA was elected Director in March 1991. Since 1972 he
has served as the President of A.K.K. Associates, Inc., a consulting firm based
in Glendale, California for Japanese/American investments. Mr. Ashida has also
served as a Director of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., since 1991. From 1969
until 1972 he was General Manager of the Far East Division of Travel Systems
International and from 1966 until 1969 he was an interpreter and technical
coordinator for Kawaguchi Tour Services. Mr. Ashida has entered into an
"Independent Consultant's Agreement" with us pursuant to which he is paid
$11,500 per month to serve as liaison with our Board of Directors. This fee is
inclusive of any director's fees to which he would otherwise be entitled.
7
JAY W. CHAI was elected Director in March 1991. He is Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of ITOCHU International Inc., serving in that
capacity since April 1991. He has held several other positions with ITOCHU
International, including Chief Operating Officer from 1989 until 1991,
Executive Vice President from 1986 until 1991 and Senior Vice President from
1982 until 1985. He also has served as a Director of ITOCHU International since
1983. Since 2000, Mr. Chai has been Vice Chairman of ITOCHU Corporation, a
Japanese trading company. Other positions he has held at ITOCHU include
Executive Vice President from 1993 until 2000, Senior Managing Director from
1991 until 1993, Managing Director from 1989 until 1991, Director from 1986
until 1989. Since 1989 Mr. Chai has served as Managing Director with
Representation Rights. He also has served as a Director of Isuzu Motors Limited
since 1984 and as a strategic planning advisor with General Motors Corporation
throughout 1982.
GARY J. FERNANDES was elected Director in April 1991. Since January
2000 he has served as Chief Executive Officer of GroceryWorks.com, a privately
owned home fulfillment internet service with warehouse and distribution
facilities, currently enabling people to purchase groceries over the internet.
Mr. Fernandes was a partner in Convergent Partners, Ltd., a venture capital
partnership, from January to December 1999. He has served as a Director of Vast
Solutions, Inc. since February 2001. Mr. Fernandes has held the positions of
Vice Chairman, Senior Vice President and Director of Electronic Data Systems
Corporation, an information technology service company, from 1996 until 1998,
1984 until 1996 and 1981 until 1998, respectively. From 1995 until 1998 he
served as Director and Chairman of A.T. Kearney, Inc. He is Governor of the
Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of
Greater Dallas, Inc.
MASAAKI KAMATA was elected Director in March 1991. He has held several
positions with Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., including Director since 1978,
Vice Chairman since 1997, Executive Vice President from 1992 until 1997, Senior
Managing Director from 1989 until 1992, Managing Director from 1985 until 1989
and employee since 1973. Since 1989 he has served as Director, and since 1992
as President, of Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc. He has served as Director and
Treasurer of IYG Holding Co. since 1990.
KAZUO OTSUKA was elected Director in March 1991. Since 1986 he has
served as General Manager, Corporate Development, for Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. and
from 1982 until 1986 served as Manager, Corporate Development. He has also
served as assistant to Mr. Masatoshi Ito, from 1978 until 1982, and has been
employed by Ito-Yokado since 1975. Since 2000, Mr. Otsuka has served as
Statutory Auditor of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. He has served as Assistant
Secretary of IYG Holding Co. since 1990.
NOBUTAKE SATO was elected Director in March 1991. He has held several
positions with Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd., including Director since 1977, Executive
Vice President since 1993, Chief Financial Officer from 1996 until 1998, Senior
Managing Director from 1985 until 1993 and Managing Director from 1983 until
1985. Mr. Sato has been an employee of Ito-Yokado since 1964. He serves on the
board of directors of several companies, including Denny's Japan Co., Ltd.
since 1973, Managing Co., Ltd. since 1982, Oshman's Japan Co., Ltd. since 1984
and Marudai Co., Ltd. since 1989. Mr. Sato was appointed President of Urawa
Building Co., Ltd. in 1985, of Nitsa Systems Kaihatsu Co., Ltd. in 1986 and of
Waiaru Kiahatsu Co., Ltd. in 1988 and still serves in those positions. He has
been Chairman of York Benimaru Co., Ltd. since 2000 and President of Shiba Park
Publishing Co., Ltd. since 1995. He has served as Director and Vice President
of IYG Holding Co. since 1990.
8
Our Board of Directors has recommended each of the nominees presented
for election. All nominees are currently members of the Board of Directors.
Each nominee has consented to serve as a director if elected. If any nominee
becomes unavailable for any reason or should a vacancy occur before the
election, proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee. A director elected to
fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in
office.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE
NOMINEES, WHICH REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES
REPRESENTED AND ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE MEETING. VOTES WILL BE TABULATED BY AN
INSPECTOR OF ELECTION. AN ABSTENTION FROM VOTING OR A BROKER NON-VOTE WILL BE
TABULATED AS A VOTE WITHHELD ON THE ELECTION, AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN COMPUTING
THE NUMBER OF SHARES PRESENT FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF A
QUORUM FOR THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING AND WHETHER NOMINEES HAVE RECEIVED THE VOTE
OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES PRESENT AT THE MEETING.
9
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
At March 2, 2001, the record date for the Annual Meeting, we were aware
of the following beneficial owners of 5% or more (as determined under the
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) of the our shares
of common stock (our only class of voting security). As of the record date,
104,795,957 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. The
following table, however, in accordance with the applicable requirements,
includes certain shares which Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan have the
power to acquire within the next 60 days, but which are not currently
outstanding.
NAME AND ADDRESS AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
TITLE OF CLASS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF CLASS
-------------- ------------------- -------------------- ----------------
Common Stock, IYG Holding Co. 76,124,428 Shares (a) 72.64%
$.0001 par value 4-1-4, Shibakoen
Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan 105
Common Stock, Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. 10,671,275 Shares (b) 9.24% (b)
$.0001 par value 4-1-4, Shibakoen
Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan 105
Common Stock, Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. 10,252,794 Shares (b) 8.91% (b)
$.0001 par value 4-1-4, Shibakoen
Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan 105
(a) IYG Holding Co. is a Delaware corporation, created specifically for
the purpose of purchasing shares of our common stock. IYG is a
jointly owned subsidiary of Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. and Seven-Eleven
Japan Co., Ltd. Ito-Yokado owns 51%, and Seven-Eleven Japan Co.,
Ltd. owns 49%, of IYG's outstanding common stock. Ito-Yokado owns
51% of Seven-Eleven Japan's outstanding common stock. Messrs. Ito,
Suzuki, Sato, Kamata and Otsuka are officers and directors of IYG
(see "Security Ownership of Management" and "Information About
Nominees"). They each individually disclaim beneficial ownership of
the shares held by IYG.
(b) As required by the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, the
numbers shown in this table include shares of common stock
acquirable by Ito-Yokado (7,355,415 shares) and Seven-Eleven Japan
(7,066,968 shares) upon conversion of $300 million 4.5% Convertible
Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2010. We issued these debt
securities in November 1995. They are convertible into a total of
14,422,383 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of
$20.80 per share. The numbers shown in this table also include
shares of common stock acquirable by Ito-Yokado (3,315,860 shares)
and Seven-Eleven Japan (3,185,826 shares), upon conversion of $80
million 4.5% Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2013.
We issued these debt securities in February 1998. They are
convertible into a total of 6,501,686 shares, at a conversion price
of $12.3045 per share.
The percentage ownership shown in this table and the table that follows is
calculated as required by Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Exchange Act. IYG currently
owns 72.6% of our outstanding common stock. Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan do
not directly own any shares of our common stock.
10
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table, and the footnotes that follow, show the beneficial
ownership of our common stock as of March 15, 2001, as required by the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, by each director and each
person nominated for director, by the Chief Executive Officer and our next four
most highly compensated executive officers, and by all our executive officers
and directors as a group.
AMOUNT AND NATURE
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(a) PERCENT OF CLASS(a)
------------------------ -------------------------- -------------------
Masatoshi Ito 403,719 (b) .39% (b)
Toshifumi Suzuki 201,945 (c) .19% (c)
Clark J. Matthews, II 483,808 (d) .46% (d)
Yoshitami Arai 8,067 (e) *
Masaaki Asakura 2,000 (f) *
Timothy N. Ashida 6,000 (g) *
Rodney A. Brehm 66,114 (h) *
Jay W. Chai 0 (i) *
Gary J. Fernandes 16,383 (j) *
Masaaki Kamata 23,241 (k) *
James W. Keyes 199,100 (l) .19% (l)
Kazuo Otsuka 8,480 (m) *
Gary R. Rose 38,292 (n) *
Nobutake Sato 22,480 (o) *
Ezra Shashoua 26,139 (p) *
Bryan F. Smith, Jr. 82,178 (q) *
All executive officers and directors 98,669,535 (r) 77.93% (r)
as a group (17 PERSONS) (r)
--------------------------------------
*Rounds to less than one-tenth of one percent
(a) At March 15, 2001, there were 104,795,957 shares of common stock
outstanding. The nature of beneficial ownership of the shares reported, if
not direct, is described in this footnote (a) and the footnotes that
follow. Included in the numbers of shares shown, as required by the rules
and regulations of the Commission, are those shares as to which such
persons have or share voting and/or investment power, or with respect to
which they have a right to receive such power within 60 days.
(b) Mr. Ito owns 403,719 shares directly, of which 3,719 shares were acquired
under the 7-Eleven, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors. Additionally, Mr. Ito is Chairman of the Board and a Director
of IYG Holding Co. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,"
above.
(c) Mr. Suzuki owns 201,945 shares directly, of which 1,945 shares were
acquired under the 7-Eleven, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors. Additionally, Mr. Suzuki is President and a Director of IYG
Holding Co. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners," above.
(d) Mr. Matthews owns 30,208 shares directly, of which 28,666 shares were
acquired under our Grant Stock Plan; and holds options to acquire 657,600
shares pursuant to options granted under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan,
453,600 of which are currently exercisable (see "Compensation of Directors
and Officers - Executive Officers' Compensation," below).
(e) Mr. Arai owns 8,067 shares directly, of which 2,066 shares were acquired
under the 7-Eleven, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors.
(f) Mr. Asakura disclaims beneficial ownership of 2,000 shares held in a
brokerage account for his daughter.
(g) Mr. Ashida owns 6,000 shares directly.
(h) Mr. Brehm owns 1,666 shares directly which were acquired under our Grant
Stock Plan; and holds options to acquire 166,064 shares pursuant to
options granted under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, 64,448 of which are
currently exercisable (see "Compensation of Directors and Officers -
Executive Officers' Compensation," below).
(i) Mr. Chai owns no shares directly. ITC Asset Management, a wholly owned
subsidiary of ITOCHU International, Inc., of which Mr. Chai is Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer, owns 2,439,783 shares of our common
stock and ITOCHU Corporation, of which Mr. Chai is Vice Chairman, owns
1,639,783 shares of our common stock. Mr. Chai disclaims beneficial
ownership of all shares owned by ITC Asset Management and ITOCHU
Corporation.
11
(j) Mr. Fernandes owns 16,383 shares directly, of which 8,383 shares were
acquired under the 7-Eleven, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors.
(k) Mr. Kamata owns 23,241 shares directly, of which 3,241 shares were
acquired under the 7-Eleven, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors. Additionally, Mr. Kamata is Treasurer and a Director of IYG
Holding Co. and a Director and Executive Vice President of Seven-Eleven
Japan. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners," above.
(l) Mr. Keyes owns 9,100 shares which are held in his IRA custodial account;
and holds options to acquire 696,000 shares pursuant to options granted
under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, of which 190,000 are currently
exercisable (see "Compensation of Directors and Officers - Executive
Officers' Compensation," below).
(m) Mr. Otsuka owns 8,480 shares directly, of which 2,480 shares were acquired
under the 7-Eleven, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors. Additionally, Mr. Otsuka is Assistant Secretary of IYG Holding
Co. and General Manager, Corporate Development, of Ito-Yokado. See
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners," above.
(n) Mr. Rose owns 200 shares directly, and holds options to acquire 132,896
shares pursuant to options granted under 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, of
which 38,092 are currently exercisable (see "Compensation of Directors and
Officers - Executive Officers' Compensation," below).
(o) Mr. Sato owns 22,480 shares directly, of which 2,480 shares were acquired
under the 7-Eleven, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors. Additionally, Mr. Sato is Chief Financial Officer and a
Director of IYG Holding Co. and Chief Financial Officer of Ito-Yokado. See
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners," above.
(p) Mr. Shashoua owns 139 shares directly and 2,000 shares in a trust for the
benefit of his children. Mr. Shashoua resigned from the Company as of
January 26, 2001. At that time, all of Mr. Shashoua's unvested options
expired immediately, while his vested options remained exercisable for
60 days. As of March 15, 2001, Mr. Shashoua had 24,000 vested and
unexercised options, which, although underwater, technically remain
exercisable through March 27, 2001.
(q) Mr. Smith owns 50 shares directly and holds options to acquire 224,304
shares pursuant to options granted under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan,
82,128 of which are currently exercisable (see "Compensation of Directors
and Officers - Executive Officers' Compensation," below).
(r) The total shares shown are as follows: 733,678 shares owned by executive
officers and directors directly or with family members; 887,360 shares
pursuant to options currently exercisable by five current officers and
Messrs. Matthews and Shashoua under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan;
76,124,428 shares held by IYG Holding Co. as of March 15, 2001, and
20,924,069 shares acquirable by Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan upon
conversion of the convertible debt securities we issued in 1995 and 1998,
as described on page 10. In addition, seven of the listed non-employee
directors who participate in the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors will receive additional shares after April 1, 2001, but the
exact number cannot be determined until after the close of business on
March 30, 2001. Therefore, these acquirable shares are not included in
this table. Messrs. Ito, Suzuki, Sato, Kamata and Otsuka are directors
and officers of IYG Holding Co., and, in addition to Mr. Asakura, are
directors and/or officers of Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan, but all
of these directors disclaim beneficial ownership of any shares held, or
to be acquired, by IYG, Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan.
Section 16(a) Reporting
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires our directors, executive
officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the
Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of
our common stock and other equity securities. We believe that during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2000, our executive officers, directors and holders of
more than 10% of our common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing
requirements. In making this statement, we have relied upon the written
representations of our directors and executive officers.
12
PROPOSAL 2. RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Audit
Committee, has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PricewaterhouseCoopers")
to be our independent accountants for 2001. Although not legally required to do
so, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, our Board is submitting to
the shareholders for ratification at this meeting the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers as our independent accountants for 2001. We expect that
our shareholders will approve this proposal, but if the proposal is not
approved, our Board will revisit its decision to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers
as our independent accountants for 2001.
The services provided to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2001 will
include, in addition to performing our audit, audits of certain domestic and
foreign subsidiaries and related companies and those of various employee
benefit plans; review of quarterly reports; issuance of letters to underwriters
in connection with registration statements, if any, we may file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission; and consultation on accounting, financial
reporting, tax and related matters.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, a nationally known firm, has no direct or
indirect interest in our company. The firm of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
predecessor to PricewaterhouseCoopers, was originally appointed as our
independent accountants in 1992.
Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers will be at the meeting, will
have an opportunity to make a statement, and will be available to respond to
questions.
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees we were billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for
professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements
for 2000 and the reviews of the financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q
for 2000 were $1,084,000.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES
PricewaterhouseCoopers did not render any services to us during 2000
related to financial information systems design and implementation.
Therefore, we were not billed for any services of that type.
ALL OTHER FEES
The aggregate fees we were billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for
professional services other than those described above under the captions of
"Audit Fees" and "Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees"
were $1,186,000.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION OF THESE FEES
Our Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the
services covered under the categories of "Financial Information Systems Design
and Implementation Fees" and "All Other Fees" is compatible with maintaining
the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
13
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP TO BE OUR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS,
WHICH REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED AND
ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE MEETING. VOTES WILL BE TABULATED BY AN INSPECTOR OF
ELECTION. AN ABSTENTION FROM VOTING AND BROKER NON-VOTES WILL BE INCLUDED IN
COMPUTING THE NUMBER OF SHARES PRESENT FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE PRESENCE
OF A QUORUM FOR THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING AND WHETHER THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A
MAJORITY OF THE SHARES PRESENT AT THE MEETING HAS BEEN RECEIVED, BUT WILL NOT
BE COUNTED AS A VOTE EITHER "FOR" OR "AGAINST" RATIFICATION.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS' COMPENSATION
Our Board of Directors is provided with information about our executive
compensation program. The Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of
Directors is composed of three directors, as follows: Mr. Suzuki (Chairman of
the Committee), Mr. Fernandes and Mr. Otsuka. From time to time, the Committee
may be consulted on matters relating to executive compensation. Mr. Suzuki is
Vice Chairman of our Board of Directors. He is also President of Ito-Yokado
Co., Ltd. and IYG Holding Co. and Chairman of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. IYG
Holding Co., which, as of the record date, owned more than 72% of our common
stock, is a jointly owned subsidiary of Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan.
Ito-Yokado has, since 1992, unconditionally guaranteed our commercial paper
facility for which Ito-Yokado has received no fee.
Seven-Eleven Japan, a 51%-owned subsidiary of Ito-Yokado, is our area
licensee in Japan and, through its subsidiary, Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc., is
our area licensee in Hawaii. In addition, Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan
acquired an aggregate of $300 million of convertible debt securities in 1995,
and an additional $80 million of convertible debt securities in 1998, as
described on page 10. Interest is payable quarterly to Ito-Yokado and
Seven-Eleven Japan on these convertible debt securities.
Our executive officers, as well as all other management personnel,
receive annual compensation consisting of base salary and annual variable
incentive pay, or "bonus," under our Annual Performance Incentive Plan. The
amount paid as API under this plan is based upon the employee's or officer's
base salary, salary administration grade level and the achievement of certain
pre-established performance criteria each year, as more fully described in
the Report of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, pages 19-20.
14
The following table shows the compensation paid or earned during 2000
by the two persons who served as our Chief Executive Officer during 2000 and
our next four most highly compensated executive officers.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS PAYOUTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER
ANNUAL RESTRICTED
NAME AND SALARY BONUS COMPEN- STOCK OPTIONS/ LTIP ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION IN 2000 YEAR ($) ($) SATION($)(i) AWARD(S)($) SARs(#) PAYOUTS($) COMPENSATION($)(ii)
---------------------------- ------ --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- --------------- --------------------
James W. Keyes 2000 437,500 99,563 N/A -0- 366,000 -0- 15,707
Director; President and 1999 385,420 203,527 N/A -0- 70,000 -0- 5,968
Chief Executive Officer 1998 350,000 206,500 N/A -0- 70,000 -0- 7,984
[beginning May 1, 2000]
and Director(iii)
Clark J. Matthews, II 2000 163,333 0 N/A -0- 109,600 -0- 3,667,992 (iv)
Director; Co-Vice Chairman 1999 487,000 307,150 N/A -0- 100,000 -0- 6,626
of the Board [beginning 1998 480,000 339,840 N/A -0- 100,000 -0- 8,286
May 1, 2000]; President
and Chief Executive
Officer and Secretary
[through April 30, 2000](iv)
Bryan F. Smith, Jr. 2000 272,875 49,120 N/A -0- 87,384 -0- 14,692
Senior Vice President 1999 256,790 122,300 N/A -0- 27,400 -0- 5,702
and General Counsel and 1998 240,000 127,490 N/A -0- 27,400 -0- 7,592
[beginning May 1, 2000]
Secretary
Rodney A. Brehm 2000 232,500 41,852 N/A -0- 69,344 -0- 8,684
Senior Vice President, 1999 220,625 104,565 N/A -0- 18,000 -0- 5,639
Store Operations 1998 210,000 111,510 N/A -0- 14,000 -0- 7,270
Gary R. Rose 2000 226,250 39,354 N/A -0- 63,816 -0- 13,197
Senior Vice President, 1999 220,625 104,565 N/A -0- 18,000 -0- 5,639
Merchandising and 1998 210,000 111,510 N/A -0- 16,000 -0- 7,270
Development
Ezra Shashoua, 2000 216,500 33,812 N/A -0- 41,120 -0- 14,226
Vice President, Chief 1999 204,250 79,456 N/A -0- 14,000 -0- 5,546
Financial Officer and 1998 200,000 87,320 N/A -0- 11,600 -0- 8,091
Treasurer(v)
(i) No "Other Annual Compensation" is shown because the total amounts paid for
perquisites in 1998, 1999 and 2000 to the five named executive officers did not
exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the named executive officer's salary and
bonus for such years.
(ii) The amounts shown for 2000 include (a) the amount of our contribution to
each of the named executive officer's accounts in the 7-Eleven, Inc. Employees'
Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (the "Savings and Profit Sharing Plan"), a
Section 401(k) defined contribution plan with more than 20,000 participants,
which for 2000 was as follows: $6,701.17 for each of the named executive
officers; (b) for each of the named executive officers, the full premiums paid
for basic term life insurance under our group plan for all employees, which for
2000 were as follows: Mr. Matthews - $4,254; Mr. Keyes - $2,999; Mr. Smith -
$1,984; Mr. Brehm - $1,983; Mr. Rose - $1,376 and Mr. Shashoua - $1,518; (c) our
contribution of $6,007.42 each to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
accounts of Messrs. Keyes, Smith and Shashoua and of $5,120 to the
15
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan account of Mr. Rose; and (d) with regard
to Mr. Matthews only, the one-time payment described below in note (iv).
(iii) Mr. Keyes served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer through April 30, 2000.
(iv) Mr. Matthews retired as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective
April 30, 2000. As we previously disclosed in detail, Mr. Matthews received
certain benefits upon his retirement after more than 35 years of service. These
benefits included a one-time payment in the gross amount of $3,657,037. As we
previously disclosed, we fully accrued this expense in our 1999 results. Because
Mr. Matthews received the one-time payment, he did not receive any payment for
2000 under our Annual Performance Incentive plan.
(v) Mr. Shashoua resigned from the Company as of January 26, 2001.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN 2000 FISCAL YEAR
In 1995, our Board of Directors unanimously approved the adoption of
the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by our shareholders in
1996. Pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan, during 2000 the Board of
Directors approved approximately 90 awards of nonqualified stock options,
granting participants options to purchase a total of 2,063,424 shares of
our common stock. These awards included grants to each of the named
executive officers and all other officers. The options include a standard
vesting period of five years. Under the terms of the plan, vesting
accelerates if we achieve certain target prices for our common stock, if a
participant reaches age 65 or upon the death of a participant.
The following table provides information on the number of options
granted during 2000, the exercise price and expiration date of the options
and our calculation of the options' present value as of the date of grant.
OPTION GRANTS IN 2000 FISCAL YEAR
Individual Grants
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Percent of
Securities Total Options/
Underlying SARs Granted Exercise or Grant date
Options/SARs to Employees Base Price Expiration present
Name Granted (#)(i) in Fiscal Year ($/share) Date value $(ii)
---- -------------- -------------- --------- ---- -----------
James W. Keyes 366,000 17.74% $19.00 05-23-10 $4,561,670
Clark J. Matthews, II 109,600 5.31% $19.00 05-23-10 1,494,538
Bryan F. Smith, Jr. 87,384 4.24% $19.00 05-23-10 1,089,117
Rodney A. Brehm 69,344 3.36% $19.00 05-23-10 864,274
Gary R. Rose 63,816 3.09% $19.00 05-23-10 795,376
Ezra Shashoua(iii) 41,120 1.99% $19.00 05-23-10 512,502
(i) Mr. Matthews's options granted during 2000 are 100 percent vested as of
the date of grant. For Messrs. Keyes, Smith, Brehm, Rose and Shashoua,
options become exercisable as to 20% of the shares on the first through
fifth anniversaries of the grant date. Any shares Mr. Matthews receives
upon his exercise of these options will be free from any restrictions on
transfer. For Messrs. Keyes, Smith, Brehm, Rose and Shashoua, 30% of the
shares received upon exercise will bear a legend restricting the transfer
or sale of those shares for 24 months after the date the shares were
acquired, unless the optionee dies, retires, becomes disabled or his
employment is terminated due to divestiture.
(ii) We calculated grant date present values using the Black-Scholes pricing
model. We employed the following assumptions when using this model: (a)
expected volatility of 52.79%; (b) risk-free rate of return of 6.68%; (c)
dividend yield of 0.00%; (d) option term of
16
10.0 years; and (e) an annual forfeiture rate of 0% for Mr. Matthews and
3% for Messrs. Keyes, Smith, Brehm, Rose and Shashoua. We did not apply a
discount for nontransferability.
(iii) Mr. Shashoua resigned from the Company as of January 26, 2001. The options
granted to Mr. Shashoua during 2000, none of which were vested, terminated
immediately upon his resignation.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table provides information on the number of options
outstanding under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, as well as the value of
unexercised options, both exercisable and unexercisable, under the plan.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN 2000 FISCAL YEAR
AND 2000 YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS/ IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARs
ACQUIRED ON VALUE SARs AT FISCAL YEAR END (#) AT FISCAL YEAR-END($)(iii)
NAME EXERCISE (#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE(i) UNEXERCISABLE(ii) EXERCISABLE(iv) UNEXERCISABLE
------------------------ ---------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- --------------- ---------------
James W. Keyes -- -- 190,000 506,000 n/a n/a
Clark J. Matthews, II -- -- 453,600 204,000 n/a n/a
Bryan F. Smith, Jr. -- -- 82,128 142,176 n/a n/a
Rodney A. Brehm -- -- 64,448 101,616 n/a n/a
Gary R. Rose -- -- 38,092 94,804 n/a n/a
Ezra Shashoua -- -- 31,440 65,280 n/a n/a
(i) The exercisable options shown are held pursuant to the 1995 Stock
Incentive Plan [pursuant to which all of the options granted in 1995,
80% of the options granted in 1996, 60% of the options granted in
1997, 40% of the options granted in 1998, and 20% of the options
granted in 1999 became exercisable on October 23, 1996, September 30,
1997, November 12, 1998, October 13, 1999 and May 23, 2000,
respectively).
(ii) The unexercisable options shown are Nonqualified Stock Options
granted in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 under the 1995 Stock
Incentive Plan, at an exercise price of $15.00 per share, $12.345 per
share, $9.5313 per share, $9.375 per share and $19.00 per share
respectively. The options vest over a five-year period at 20% per
year. The vesting schedule can be accelerated if we achieve certain
share price targets for our common stock.
(iii) Our named executive officers do not hold any SARs. We have no SARs
currently outstanding.
(iv) Based on the closing price of $8.75 on the New York Stock Exchange on
the last business day of our fiscal year; however, the closing price
on March 2, 2001 was $10.20.
DEFINED BENEFIT OR ACTUARIAL PLAN DISCLOSURE
We do not maintain a defined benefit pension plan for our employees. We
do maintain an Executive Protection Plan, covering approximately 70 executives,
including each of the named executive officers. This plan provides three
benefits: (1) salary continuation upon retirement at age 60 (or later) equal to
150% of the executive's "annual compensation," as determined for plan purposes,
payable in ten equal annual installments (if the executive retires after
reaching age 50 but before age 60, a reduced benefit is payable); (2) a life
insurance benefit for the executive's designated beneficiary equal to 200
percent of the executive's annual
17
compensation, payable if the executive dies before retirement; and (3)
disability income in excess of the amount provided under our group long-term
and short-term disability plans. If the executive becomes disabled while a
participant in this plan, the total amount paid to the executive as
disability benefits, assuming the executive is covered under our group
disability plans, will equal 80% of the executive's "final compensation"
prior to the disability. We fund the benefits under the plan through certain
life insurance policies and our general assets.
Under the plan's provisions, the "annual compensation" on which benefits
are calculated for all participants, including each of the named executive
officers, is based on the executive's annualized base salary, plus the target
Annual Performance Incentive for the executive's salary grade, at the time we
prepare the executive's benefits statement. From time to time, we may update
the benefits statements to reflect increases in our executives' compensation.
The annual installment of salary continuation for each named executive
officer, assuming retirement at age 60 and no adjustments to annual
compensation between 2000 and retirement, would be as follows: Mr. Keyes -
$98,438, Mr. Smith - $59,350, Mr. Brehm - $50,569, Mr. Rose - $47,513 and Mr.
Shashoua - $44,491. Because Mr. Shashoua has resigned from the Company,
however, he will not be entitled to any payments under the plan. The plan
allows the executive to select a "joint and survivor" benefit for the annual
installments of salary continuation. If the executive selects this option, we
reduce the amount of the annual installments to reflect the potential
increase in the payout period.
Under the plan, normal retirement age is 60; however, if an executive
retires between the ages of 50 and 60, a reduced benefit is payable under the
plan. At age 50, the benefit is 50% of what would have been paid at age 60;
the benefit increases to 55% at age 51 and increases 5% per year up to age 60.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
For information about compensation of the Board of Directors, see
"Information About The Board of Directors and Committees of the Board -
Compensation of Directors," pages 4-5.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
As described above, the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board
of Directors is composed of three directors, as follows: Mr. Suzuki (Chairman
of the Committee), Mr. Fernandes and Mr. Otsuka. Mr. Suzuki is Vice Chairman of
our Board of Directors. He is also President of Ito-Yokado and IYG Holding Co.
and Chairman of Seven-Eleven Japan. IYG Holding Co., which as of the record
date owned more than 72% of our common stock, is a jointly owned subsidiary of
Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan. Ito-Yokado has, since 1992, unconditionally
guaranteed our commercial paper facility for which Ito-Yokado has received no
fee. Seven-Eleven Japan, a 51%-owned subsidiary of Ito-Yokado, is our area
licensee in Japan and, through its subsidiary, Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc., is
our area licensee in Hawaii. In addition, Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan
acquired an aggregate $380 million of convertible debt securities, as described
on page 10. Interest is payable quarterly to Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan
on these convertible debt securities. Mr. Otsuka is an officer of Ito-Yokado
and of IYG Holding Co.
18
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The functions of the Compensation and Benefits Committee are to review
the level, coverage and competitiveness of the Company's compensation,
incentives, benefits and perquisites and its plans, goals and objectives for
officer-level and other executive positions, in order to retain and reward
high-quality personnel in key positions; to administer the Company's various
incentive plans, including the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan; and to make
recommendations to the Board about amendments to the various plans, the
institution of new plans and other related matters. The Committee also
undertakes such other duties as may be assigned to it by the Board of
Directors.
The Committee seeks to provide an appropriate level of base salary to the
Company's executive officers and to supplement the executives' base salaries
with two types of benefits: (1) cash- and stock-based incentive programs that
reward the Company's executives for achieving operational targets and
increasing shareholder value; and (2) benefit programs comparable to those
offered to executive officers at companies with whom 7-Eleven competes for
executive talent.
BASE SALARY
Adjustments in base salaries for 7-Eleven's executive officers, and for
all of the Company's managerial employees, normally occur in April. Because the
Committee was aware of Mr. Keyes's impending promotion to chief executive
officer, which became effective May 1, 2000, the increase in base salary that
Mr. Keyes received effective April 1, 2000, was awarded in anticipation of Mr.
Keyes's increased responsibilities and in recognition of his significant
contributions to 7-Eleven while serving as chief operating officer. During
1999, the Company exceeded its internal targets for operating earnings, while
continuing to improve the business and strategically expand the store base.
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
The key portion of an executive officer's variable pay at 7-Eleven is the
Company's Annual Performance Incentive plan. The API plan rewards executive
officers and other managers by paying a percentage of the manager's base salary
if the Company meets certain thresholds for operating earnings. As chief
executive officer, Mr. Keyes's API potential is 60% of his base salary, which
is payable at that level when the Company achieves its budgeted operating
earnings for the year. If the Company exceeds its budgeted operating earnings,
the award under the API plan can be as much as double the amount it would have
been had the Company achieved exactly its budgeted operating earnings. During
2000, the Company did not achieve its budgeted operating earnings. Therefore,
for 2000 the API plan paid a lower award, equivalent to 40% of the award that
would have been earned had the Company met its budget for operating earnings.
1995 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
This plan permits the Company to award a variety of stock-based
incentives, including options, stock units, restricted stock, phantom stock and
stock appreciation rights. The Company's executive officers and other key
employees have received grants of options under the plan each year beginning in
1995. Approximately 4.7 million shares of the Company's authorized but unissued
common stock are now subject to outstanding options under the plan.
19
The option exercise price is $15.9375 for the options granted in 1995,
$15.00 for the options granted in 1996, $12.345 for the options granted in
1997, $9.5313 for the options granted in 1998, $9.375 for the options granted
in 1999, and $19.00 for the options granted in 2000. The plan provides for an
accelerated vesting schedule if the Company's stock price reaches and stays
above certain levels for a significant period of time. The Committee believes
this plan has the potential to reward the executive officers and other key
employees who are responsible for the Company's long-term growth and encourage
them to focus on initiatives that will have a positive effect on the price of
the Company's common stock.
The option grants under the plan for 2000 were approved by the full Board
of Directors, including all members of the Committee. Therefore, the Committee
took no separate action during 2000 with regard to the option grants.
OTHER EXECUTIVE BENEFITS
The Company also offers an Executive Protection Plan for its executive
officers and certain other key employees. The plan is described more fully on
pages 17-18 of this proxy statement.
In February 1998, the Company initiated the Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan for Eligible Employees to assist the Company's executive
officers and other key employees in planning for their retirement. Eligible
employees are permitted to defer up to 12 percent of their income into their
plan account until their retirement or such other date as the employee may
select. The amounts deferred earn interest, which is set each December at 120
percent of the federal long-term rate for compounding annually. The Company has
the option to match a portion of the participant's deferrals to the plan, which
may approximate the amount a participant was prevented from receiving under the
Company's Savings and Profit Sharing Plan due to federally mandated
discrimination testing. For 2000, the Company elected to match a portion of
deferrals made by executives under the plan during that year.
Two additional benefit programs complete the compensation package for the
Company's executives. 7-Eleven's Executive Physical Program pays the cost of a
comprehensive annual physical examination for the Company's executive officers
and other covered executives. The Company's Executive Car Allowance Program
provides a monthly payment intended to cover or subsidize an executive's use of
an automobile.
The Company continues to refine its overall compensation program for
executive officers and other key employees. Consistent with the goals of
rewarding good performance and retaining executive talent, the Committee may
consider enhancing the program as it deems appropriate.
TOSHIFUMI SUZUKI, CHAIRMAN
GARY J. FERNANDES
KAZUO OTSUKA
20
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The Performance Graph, below, shows the value, at year-end 1996, 1997,
1998, 1999 and 2000, of a $100 investment in our common stock on January 1,
1996. Also shown are the values, assuming $100 invested in the New York Stock
Exchange Market Index and a peer group index selected by us consisting of three
publicly traded convenience store companies (Casey's General Stores, Inc.,
Dairy Mart Convenience Stores, Inc. and Uni-Marts, Inc.) and two food retailers
(The Kroger Co. and Safeway, Inc.), also beginning on January 1, 1996, and at
year-end 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. In addition, two of our major
convenience store competitors: the Circle K Corporation and National
Convenience Stores (operator of "Stop N Go") are not included in the peer
group. Both companies have been acquired and do not issue securities to the
public at this time. We may decide, in future years, to change the composition
of the peer group if we believe that better comparative data is available.
[Performance Graph]
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON JANUARY 1, 1996
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR-END DECEMBER 31
COMPANY
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
7-Eleven, Inc. 89.62 64.15 57.55 53.78 52.83
Peer Group 143.37 216.70 387.94 234.15 380.39
Broad Market 120.46 158.48 188.58 206.49 211.42
21
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
We have a commercial paper program under which we can issue up to $650
million based on our needs. The commercial paper facility is unconditionally
guaranteed by Ito-Yokado.
On March 1, 2000, IYG Holding Co. signed a Subscription Agreement to
purchase an additional 22,736,842 newly issued shares of our common stock for
$540.0 million. The purchase closed on March 16, 2000. As a result of the
purchase, as of the record date of March 2, 2001, IYG owned approximately 72.6%
of our outstanding common stock. IYG is jointly owned by Ito-Yokado and
Seven-Eleven Japan.
In November 1995, we issued $300 million principal amount of Convertible
Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2010 to Ito-Yokado ($153 million) and
Seven-Eleven Japan ($147 million). These debt securities have an interest rate
of 4.5%. In February 1998, we issued an additional $80 million principal amount
of Convertible Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2013, also with an interest
rate of 4.5% to Ito-Yokado ($40.8 million) and Seven-Eleven Japan ($39.2
million). Interest on both series of debt securities is payable quarterly, and
for 2000, we paid aggregate interest to Ito-Yokado of $8,721,000 and to
Seven-Eleven Japan of $8,379,000 on both series of debt securities. We may
defer the interest payments for up to 20 consecutive quarters, but we currently
intend to make interest payments as they come due. In addition, the debt
securities issued in 1995 are convertible into a total of 14,422,383 shares of
our common stock at a conversion price of $20.80 per share and the debt
securities issued in 1998 are convertible into a total of 6,581,686 shares of
our common stock, at a conversion price of $12.3045 per share, at which time,
if certain conditions with regard to the closing price of our common stock are
met, these debt securities mandatorily convert into shares of our common stock.
Seven-Eleven Japan is our largest area licensee, operating, as of
December 2000, more than 8,000 7-Eleven(R) stores in Japan under an area
license agreement entered into in 1973. In 1988, we entered into a
yen-denominated financing arrangement pursuant to which it pledged the
royalty stream from Seven-Eleven Japan as collateral for the financing until
the earlier of twenty years or the date the indebtedness is paid in full. In
1998, we anticipated that the payments would be satisfied earlier than the
20-year term. We then entered into an additional yen-denominated financing
related to subsequent royalties. As we have previously disclosed, pursuant to
our amended agreement the subsequent royalties will be paid at a reduced
rate. In 2000, royalties paid to us by Seven-Eleven Japan totaled
approximately $57.6 million.
In addition, Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc., our area licensee in Hawaii, is
a subsidiary of Seven-Eleven Japan, and operates 50 stores in Hawaii. During
2000, Seven-Eleven (Hawaii), Inc. paid us approximately $78,000 in connection
with the area license arrangement.
As of December 31, 2000, the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan leased to us
a total of 549 operating convenience stores. We paid total rentals of
approximately $18.3 million, including percentage rents, to the Savings and
Profit Sharing Plan for 2000. During 2000, the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan
sold 36 locations to third parties, 19 of which were leased to us at the time
of the sale and which leases were assigned to the buyer. We terminated leases
on five locations with the Profit Sharing Plan by paying approximately $100,000
in termination fees, approximately half of which was payment for deed
restrictions requested in connection with the sale of one site. In addition, we
purchased 19 properties from the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan during 2000.
22
Mr. Chai is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ITOCHU International
Inc. and Vice Chairman of ITOCHU Corporation. Both ITOCHU International and
ITOCHU Corporation are general trading companies and each has a 10% direct
equity interest in Prime Deli, Inc., a company that operates a fresh food
commissary for 7-Eleven, Inc., serving approximately 300 7-Eleven(R) stores in
Texas. During 2000, we purchased fresh food products from the commissary for
approximately $7 million.
In addition, SIG Logistics, which is partially owned by ITOCHU
Corporation and ITOCHU International, operated five combined distribution
centers in Florida and Virginia that served a total of 875 7-Eleven(R) stores.
During 2000, we paid SIG Logistics distribution fees totaling approximately
$13.8 million.
C. Itoh & Co. (now ITOCHU Corporation) entered into a Consulting
Agreement with The Southland Corporation (now 7-Eleven, Inc.) and Seven-Eleven
Japan Co., Ltd. in 1973, related to the 7-Eleven(R) stores operating in Japan,
and has performed under this agreement since then.
In addition, ITOCHU International and ITOCHU Corporation may, from time
to time, negotiate with us to provide additional goods or services.
Mr. Chai has no personal material interest in any transactions between us
and ITOCHU Corporation and ITOCHU International Inc. other than as a director
and/or officer of such companies.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If you want to present a proposal and have it included in the proxy
statement for our 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is expected to be
held during April or May 2002, you must send your proposal to us at our
principal office, 2711 North Haskell Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75204, Attn: Office
of the Secretary. We must receive a proposal by December 1, 2001, for the
proposal to be considered, and the proposal must comply with the then-current
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to shareholder
proposals.
FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our SEC filings are
available to the public over the internet at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the
SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York, and
Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
an important part of this proxy, and information we file later with the SEC
will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by
reference our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.
23
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INVESTOR
RELATIONS, 7-ELEVEN, INC., 2711 NORTH HASKELL AVENUE, DALLAS, TEXAS 75204.
Telephone (214) 828-7011.
Our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2000 is being mailed to
shareholders with this proxy statement, but the Annual Report is not
incorporated in this proxy statement and is not deemed to be part of the proxy
soliciting material.
OTHER BUSINESS
We do not know of any other matters that will be presented at this
meeting. However, if other business does come before the meeting, each person
named in the proxy will vote such proxy in accordance with his or her
respective judgment on such matters. Minutes of the last Annual Meeting of
Shareholders will be approved. Management's reports will be heard and received.
Even though you hear the reports and approve the minutes, it does not mean that
you approve or disapprove of the matters contained in the reports or minutes.
INDEMNIFICATION
Pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and the Texas
Business Corporation Act, from time to time we have indemnified certain current
and former officers and directors in connection with pending litigation as well
as with other actions they may have taken while serving as directors or
officers.
24
[Back Cover]
On the outside back cover of the proxy statement of 7-Eleven, Inc. there is a
map of the intersection of North Central Expressway and Lemmon Avenue and North
Central Expressway and Haskell Avenue, in Dallas, Texas, showing the entrances
to Cityplace Center.
Cityplace Center is located on the southeast corner of the intersection of
Haskell Avenue and Central Expressway.
To enter the underground parking garages, use Ramp #2, Ramp #3, or Ramp #5.
- Enter Ramp #2 from the left lane while eastbound on Haskell.
- Enter Ramp #3 from the left lane while westbound on Haskell.
- Enter Ramp #5 from southbound Weldon.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NEW PROCEDURES FOR THE CITYPLACE CENTER UNDERGROUND
PARKING GARAGES:
- At entrance ramp gate, push the button to TAKE A TICKET.
- Enter the garage after the gate is raised.
- BRING THE TICKET WITH YOU to the registration table for the meeting;
WE WILL VALIDATE YOUR TICKET so you will not be charged for parking.
- Proceed along roadway to entrance of garage "A," "B," "C" or "D"
(note compact car spaces).
- Locate garage elevators, take elevator to Concourse Level "C."
- Exit Level "C" at the elevator lobby and follow signs to Cityplace
Center entrance.
- Enter Cityplace Center at revolving door and proceed through the
corridor to information kiosk.
- Take the Concourse Level elevator to the ground floor lobby and
conference center.
PROXY PROXY
7-ELEVEN, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - APRIL 25, 2001
By signing this card, I appoint James W. Keyes, Bryan F. Smith, Jr. and
David T. Fenton, and each of them (acting by majority, or if only one be
present, then by that one alone) as my true and lawful agents and proxies,
with full power of substitution and revocation, to vote, as designated on
the reverse side of this card, all the common stock of 7-Eleven, Inc. I have
power to vote, with all powers I would possess if personally present, at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of 7-Eleven, Inc. to be held on April 25, 2001
and at any adjournments of the meeting.
Unless otherwise marked, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of
the nominees named and FOR Proposal No. 2. The proxy holders will use their
discretion with respect to any other matter that is properly brought before
the meeting, as referred to in Item No. 3.
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
7-ELEVEN, INC.
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. / /
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: NOMINEES: For Withhold For All
01 Masatoshi Ito 02 Toshifumi Suzuki All All Except*
03 Clark J. Matthews II 04 Yoshitami Arai / / / / / /
05 Masaaki Asakura 06 Timothy N. Ashida
07 Jay W. Chai 08 Gary J. Fernandes
09 Masaaki Kamata 10 James W. Keyes
11 Kazuo Otsuka 12 Nobutake Sato
*Nominee exception(s) written below.
2. Ratification of the appointment of the accounting For Against Abstain
firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as independent / / / / / /
accountants of 7-Eleven, Inc. for 2001.
3. Other Business. In their discretion, the proxies are
authorized to vote upon such other matters as may For Against Abstain
properly come before the meeting or any adjournments / / / / / /
thereof.
If your plan to attend the meeting in person
please mark this oval. / /
----------------------------------------------------------
Signature(s)_____________________ DATE___________
Signature(s)_____________________ DATE___________
Date and sign exactly as your name appears hereon.
THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR ADDRESSING Joint owners should each sign. When signing as an
(key lines do not print) administrator, executor, trustee, attorney, guardian,
corporate officer, or in any other capacity, please
give full title as such. Receipt of 2000 Annual Report
---------------------------------------------------------- and March 26, 2001 Notice and Proxy Statement is
hereby acknowledged.
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
Next Section
Previous Section