prec14a06824004_01232008.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
 
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.  )

Filed by the Registrant   ¨

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   x 

Check the appropriate box:

x           Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨           Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule14a-6(e)(2))

¨           Definitive Proxy Statement

¨           Definitive Additional Materials

¨           Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

THE STEAK N SHAKE COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
THE LION FUND L.P.
BIGLARI CAPITAL CORP.
WESTERN SIZZLIN CORP.
WESTERN ACQUISITIONS L.P.
WESTERN INVESTMENTS INC.
SARDAR BIGLARI
PHILIP L. COOLEY
(Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x           No fee required.

¨           Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 


(1)           Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 

(2)           Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 

 
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 

(4)           Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 

(5)           Total fee paid:
 

¨           Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
 

¨           Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
 
 
(1)           Amount previously paid:
 

(2)           Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 

(3)           Filing Party:
 

(4)           Date Filed:
 

 
PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
DATED JANUARY 23, 2008

THE COMMITTEE TO ENHANCE STEAK N SHAKE
 
________, 2008
 
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
 
The members of The Committee to Enhance Steak n Shake (the “Committee”) are the beneficial owners of an aggregate of 2,423,945 shares of common stock of The Steak n Shake Company (“Steak n Shake” or the “Company”), representing approximately 8.5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company.  We do not believe the current Board of Directors of the Company is acting in your best interests as discussed in further detail in the attached Proxy Statement.  We are therefore seeking your support at the annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) scheduled to be held on [______], [______], 2008 at [______ __].m. local time at [____________________________] for the following:
 
 
1.
To elect our slate of nominees to the Board of Directors to serve as directors of the Company in opposition to the Company’s incumbent directors whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting, and
 
 
2.
To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending September 24, 2008.
 
Through the attached Proxy Statement, we are soliciting proxies to elect not only our two director nominees, but also the candidates who have been nominated by the Company other than Alan B. Gilman and James Williamson, Jr.  This gives shareholders the ability to vote for the total number of directors up for election at the Annual Meeting.  The names, backgrounds and qualifications of the Company’s nominees, and other information about them, can be found in the Company’s proxy statement.  There is no assurance that any of the Company’s nominees will serve as directors if our nominees are elected.
 
We are not seeking control of the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting.  However, we hope that this election contest will result in Alan B. Gilman and James Williamson, Jr. NOT being re-elected to the Board of Directors and send a strong message to the remaining incumbent directors that shareholders are not satisfied with the Company’s operating performance and management.
 
We urge you to carefully consider the information contained in the attached Proxy Statement and then support our efforts by signing, dating and returning the enclosed GOLD proxy card today.  The attached Proxy Statement and the enclosed GOLD proxy card are first being furnished to the shareholders on or about [_______], 2008.
 
If you have already voted for the incumbent management slate you have every right to change your vote by signing, dating and returning a later dated proxy card or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
 


If you have any questions or require any assistance with your vote, please contact Morrow & Co., LLC, which is assisting us, at their address and toll-free numbers listed below.

 
Thank you for your support,
 
 /s/ Sardar Biglari
Sardar Biglari 
 




 
 
 
 




 
If you have any questions, require assistance in voting your GOLD proxy card,
or need additional copies of our proxy materials, please call
Morrow & Co., LLC at the phone numbers listed below.

Morrow & Co., LLC

470 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 658-9400

Banks and Brokerage Firms, Please Call: (203) 658-9400
Shareholders Call Toll Free: (800) 607-0088
E-mail: enhancesteaknshake@morrowco.com
 
 

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ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF
THE STEAK N SHAKE COMPANY
_________________________
 
PROXY STATEMENT
OF
THE COMMITTEE TO ENHANCE STEAK N SHAKE
 
_________________________
 
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY
 
The members of The Committee to Enhance Steak n Shake (collectively referred to herein as the “Committee” or “we”), who are named as participants in this Proxy Statement, are shareholders of The Steak n Shake Company, an Indiana corporation (“Steak n Shake” or the “Company”).  We are writing to you in connection with the election of our two nominees to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) at the annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) scheduled to be held on [______], [_________________], 2008 at [______ __].m. local time at [________________________________], including any adjournments or postponements thereof and any meeting which may be called in lieu thereof.  This Proxy Statement and the enclosed GOLD proxy card are first being furnished to shareholders on or about [________], 2008.
 
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed GOLD proxy card are being furnished by the Committee in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders for the following:
 
 
1.
To elect the Committee’s director nominees, Sardar Biglari and Philip L. Cooley (the “Nominees”), to serve as directors of the Company, in opposition to the Company’s incumbent directors whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting, and
 
 
2.
To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending September 24, 2008.
 
This Proxy Statement is soliciting proxies to elect not only our two Nominees, but also the candidates who have been nominated by the Company other than Alan B. Gilman and James Williamson, Jr.  This gives shareholders who wish to vote for our two Nominees the ability to vote for nine nominees in total.
 
The members of the Committee are The Lion Fund L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Lion Fund”), Western Sizzlin Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Western Sizzlin”), Biglari Capital Corp., a Texas corporation (“Biglari Capital”), Western Acquisitions L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Western Acquisitions”), Western Investments Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Western Investments”) and the two Nominees.  The members of the Committee are deemed participants in this proxy solicitation.
 

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The Company has set the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting as [______], 2008 (the “Record Date”).  The mailing address of the principal executive offices of the Company is 36 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.  Shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  According to the Company, as of the Record Date, there were [______] shares of common stock, $.50 par value per share (the “Shares”), outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  As of the Record Date, the members of the Committee were the beneficial owners of an aggregate of [______] Shares, which represents approximately [______]% of the Shares outstanding.  The Committee intends to vote such Shares for the election of the Nominees and the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as described herein.
 
THIS SOLICITATION IS BEING MADE BY THE COMMITTEE AND NOT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY.  THE COMMITTEE IS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER MATTERS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.  SHOULD OTHER MATTERS, WHICH THE COMMITTEE IS NOT AWARE OF A REASONABLE TIME BEFORE THIS SOLICITATION, BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING, THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES IN THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD WILL VOTE ON SUCH MATTERS IN THEIR DISCRETION.
 
THE COMMITTEE URGES YOU TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE GOLD PROXY CARD IN FAVOR OF THE ELECTION OF ITS NOMINEES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
 
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT A PROXY CARD FURNISHED BY COMPANY MANAGEMENT OR THE BOARD, YOU MAY REVOKE THAT PROXY AND VOTE FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD.  THE LATEST DATED PROXY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS.  ANY PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING BY DELIVERING A WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION OR A LATER DATED PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OR BY VOTING IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.  ALTHOUGH A REVOCATION IS EFFECTIVE IF DELIVERED TO THE COMPANY, THE COMMITTEE REQUESTS THAT EITHER THE ORIGINAL OR PHOTOSTATIC COPIES OF ALL REVOCATIONS BE MAILED TO THE COMMITTEE IN CARE OF MORROW & CO., LLC AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH ON THE BACK COVER OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
 

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IMPORTANT
 
Your vote is important, no matter how many Shares you own.  We urge you to sign, date, and return the enclosed GOLD proxy card today to vote FOR the election of our Nominees.
 
 
·
If your Shares are registered in your own name, please sign and date the enclosed GOLD proxy card and return it to the Committee, c/o Morrow & Co., LLC, in the enclosed envelope today.
 
 
·
If your Shares are held in a brokerage account or bank, you are considered the beneficial owner of the Shares, and these proxy materials, together with a GOLD voting form, are being forwarded to you by your broker or bank.  As a beneficial owner, you must instruct your broker, trustee or other representative how to vote. Your broker cannot vote your Shares on your behalf without your instructions.
 
 
·
Depending upon your broker or custodian, you may be able to vote either by toll-free telephone or by the Internet. Please refer to the enclosed voting form for instructions on how to vote electronically. You may also vote by signing, dating and returning the enclosed voting form.
 
Since only your latest dated proxy card will count, we urge you not to return any proxy card you receive from the Company.  Even if you return the management proxy card marked “withhold” as a protest against the incumbent directors, it will revoke any proxy card you may have previously sent to the Committee.  Remember, you can vote for our two independent Nominees only on our GOLD proxy card.  So please make certain that the latest dated proxy card you return is the GOLD proxy card.
 
Please call Morrow & Co., LLC if you need assistance in voting your GOLD proxy card.
 
 
Morrow & Co., LLC

470 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 658-9400

Banks and Brokerage Firms, Please Call: (203) 658-9400
Shareholders Call Toll Free: (800) 607-0088
E-mail: enhancesteaknshake@morrowco.com
 

 


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BACKGROUND TO SOLICITATION
 
The following is a chronology of events leading up to this proxy solicitation:
 
 
·
We began accumulating Shares of the Company in March 2007.
 
 
·
On August 13, 2007, the Nominees met with Alan B. Gilman, Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, and Jeffrey Blade, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to discuss the business, operations and future plans of the Company. During this meeting, Mr. Biglari requested representation on the Board.
 
 
·
On August 16, 2007, the Lion Fund delivered a letter to the Company nominating the Nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting. The Lion Fund submitted its nomination of the Nominees in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company’s Restated By-Laws.
 
 
·
On August 16, 2007, the Lion Fund, Biglari Capital, Western Sizzlin and our two Nominees entered into a Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement (the “Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement”) in which, among other things, (a) the parties agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D with respect to the securities of the Company, (b) the parties agreed to solicit proxies or written consents for the election of the Nominees, or any other person(s) nominated by the Lion Fund, to the Board at the Annual Meeting, and (c) the Lion Fund and Western Sizzlin agreed to share equally all expenses incurred in connection with the parties’ activities, including approved expenses incurred by any of the parties in connection with this proxy solicitation, subject to certain limitations (the “Shareholder Expenses”).  The Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement was subsequently amended to include Western Acquisitions and Western Investments as parties thereto and to provide that the Shareholder Expenses will be shared pro rata by the Lion Fund, Western Sizzlin and Western Acquisitions based on their pro rata share of the aggregate number of Shares held by all members of the Committee.
 
 
·
On October 1, 2007, Mr. Biglari, on behalf of the Committee, sent a letter to the shareholders of the Company setting forth the Committee’s concerns about the Company and the Board.
 
 
·
On January 23, 2008, Mr. Biglari, on behalf of the Committee, sent a letter to the shareholders of the Company setting forth the Committee’s plan for maximizing shareholder value of the Company and the Committee’s intention to obtain majority representation on the Board after the Annual Meeting.
 

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PROPOSAL NO. 1
 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
The Board is currently composed of nine directors whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting.  We are seeking your support at the Annual Meeting to elect our Nominees in opposition to two of the Company’s director nominees.  Your vote to elect our Nominees will have the legal effect of replacing two incumbent directors of the Company with our Nominees.  If elected, our Nominees will represent a minority of the members of the Board.
 
REASONS WHY WE ARE CHALLENGING THE INCUMBENT DIRECTORS
 
As the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 2,423,945 Shares, representing approximately 8.5% of the issued and outstanding Shares, we are one of the largest shareholders of the Company.  As such, we have a major goal:  to maximize the value of the Shares for all shareholders.  We believe the Board has failed to maximize shareholder value as a result of poor management, flawed expansion strategy, and deficient accountability.   Specifically, our concerns include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
 
·
Deterioration of operational performance
 
 
·
Excessive general and administrative (“G&A”) spending
 
 
·
Broken strategic initiatives
 
 
·
Faulty capital allocation
 
 
·
Weak stock performance as compared to that of the restaurant index
 
Improving store-level profitability, growth through franchising, reduction of corporate G&A, focus on generation of free cash flow, share repurchases, pay-for-performance compensation policy, a more effective governance board —  these and others are departures we have in mind to inject verve into and to augment the value of the Company.  We have made a commitment to own the stock of the Company for the long haul, and our allegiance therefore is to the long-term shareholders of the Company.  Our objective is to obtain representation on the Board at the Annual Meeting and explore all avenues to maximize shareholder value.  We also intend to take all action necessary to obtain majority representation on the Board after the Annual Meeting.
 
THE NOMINEES
 
The following information sets forth the name, age, business address, present principal occupation, and employment and material occupations, positions, offices, or employments for the past five years of each of the Nominees.  This information has been furnished to us by the Nominees.  The Nominees are citizens of the United States of America.
 
 

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Sardar Biglari (Age 30) has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Capital, the general partner of the Lion Fund, a private investment fund, since its inception in 2000.  He has also served as the Chairman of the Board of Western Sizzlin, a steak and buffet restaurant chain operating and franchising in approximately 122 locations, since March 2006 and as its Chief Executive Officer and President since May 2007.  In 1996, Mr. Biglari founded INTX.  Networking, LLC, an internet service provider sold to Internet America, Inc. in 1999.  Mr. Biglari is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of San Antonio and is a director of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater San Antonio and the CFA Society of San Antonio.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in finance and international business from Trinity University.  The principal business address of Mr. Biglari is c/o Biglari Capital Corp., 9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 1440, San Antonio, Texas 78216.  As a member of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), Mr. Biglari is deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Shares owned in the aggregate by the Committee.  For information regarding purchases and sales during the past two years by the members of the Committee of securities of the Company that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Biglari, see Schedule I.
 
Philip L. Cooley (Age 64) has been an advisory director of Biglari Capital since 2000.  He has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Western Sizzlin since March 2006.  Dr. Cooley has been the Prassel Distinguished Professor of Business at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, since 1985.  Previously, he taught at the University of South Carolina for 12 years and served on the faculties of the U.S. Armed Forces Institute and the Far-East Division of the University of Maryland.  Dr. Cooley is a director of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater San Antonio and the Financial Services Research Program at George Washington University.  He serves on the board of trustees of the Financial Management Association and the Eastern Finance Association.  Dr. Cooley holds a Ph.D. from Ohio State University, an MBA from the University of Hawaii and a BME from the General Motors Institute.  The principal business address of Dr. Cooley is c/o Trinity University, One Trinity Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212.  As a member of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the 1934 Act, Dr. Cooley may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Shares owned in the aggregate by the Committee.  For information regarding purchases and sales during the past two years by the members of the Committee of securities of the Company that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Dr. Cooley, see Schedule I.
 
The Nominees will not receive any compensation from any other member of the Committee for their services as directors of the Company.  Other than as stated herein, there are no arrangements or understandings between the Nominees and any other member of the Committee or any other person or persons pursuant to which the nomination described herein is to be made, other than the consent by each of the Nominees to be named in this Proxy Statement and to serve as a director of the Company if elected as such at the Annual Meeting.  No participant in this solicitation is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any material pending legal proceedings.
 
We do not expect that the Nominees will be unable to stand for election, but, in the event that such persons are unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the Shares represented by the enclosed GOLD proxy card will be voted for substitute nominees, to the extent this is not prohibited under the By-Laws of the Company and applicable law.  In addition, we reserve the right to nominate substitute persons if the Company makes or announces any changes to its By Laws or takes or announces any other action that has, or if consummated would have, the effect of disqualifying the Nominees, to the extent this is not prohibited under the By-Laws and applicable law.  In any such case, Shares represented by
 
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the enclosed GOLD proxy card will be voted for such substitute nominees.  We reserve the right to nominate additional persons, to the extent this is not prohibited under the By-Laws of the Company and applicable law, if the Company increases the size of the Board above its existing size or increases the number of directors whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting.  Additional nominations made pursuant to the preceding sentence are without prejudice to our position that any attempt to increase the size of the current Board constitutes an unlawful manipulation of the Company’s corporate machinery.
 
YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES ON THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD.
 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2
 
COMPANY PROPOSAL TO RATIFY SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS
 
As discussed in further detail in the Company’s proxy statement, prior to the Annual Meeting, the Company’s Audit Committee selected Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal 2008.  The Company is asking shareholders to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the independent auditors of the Company for fiscal 2008.
 
We do not object to the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal 2008.
 

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VOTING AND PROXY PROCEDURES
 
Only shareholders of record on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.  Each Share is entitled to one vote.  Shareholders who sell Shares before the Record Date (or acquire them without voting rights after the Record Date) may not vote such Shares.  Shareholders of record on the Record Date will retain their voting rights in connection with the Annual Meeting even if they sell such Shares after the Record Date.  Based on publicly available information, we believe that the only outstanding class of securities of the Company entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is the Shares.
 
Shares represented by properly executed GOLD proxy cards will be voted at the Annual Meeting as marked and, in the absence of specific instructions, will be voted FOR the election of the Nominees to the current Board, FOR the candidates who have been nominated by the Company other than Alan B. Gilman and James Williamson, Jr., FOR the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP and in the discretion of the persons named as proxies on all other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
 
According to the Company’s proxy statement for the Annual Meeting, the current Board intends to nominate nine candidates for election as directors at the Annual Meeting.  This Proxy Statement is soliciting proxies to elect not only our two Nominees, but also the candidates who have been nominated by the Company other than Alan B. Gilman and James Williamson, Jr.  This gives shareholders who wish to vote for our two Nominees and such other persons the ability to do so.  Under applicable proxy rules we are required either to solicit proxies only for our two Nominees, which could result in limiting the ability of shareholders to fully exercise their voting rights with respect to the Company’s nominees, or to solicit for our two Nominees and for fewer than all of the Company’s nominees, which enables a shareholder who desires to vote for our two Nominees to also vote for those of the Company’s nominees for whom we are soliciting proxies.  The names, backgrounds and qualifications of the Company’s nominees, and other information about them, can be found in the Company’s proxy statement.  There is no assurance that any of the Company’s nominees will serve as directors if our Nominees are elected.
 
QUORUM
 
In order to conduct any business at the Annual Meeting, a quorum must be present in person or represented by valid proxies.  A quorum consists of a majority of the Shares issued and outstanding on the Record Date.  All Shares that are voted “FOR”, “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” (or “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” in the case of election of directors) on any matter will count for purposes of establishing a quorum and will be treated as Shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting (the “Votes Present”).
 
VOTES REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
 
Election of Directors.  A plurality of the total votes cast by the shareholders voting in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors and the nine nominees who receive the most votes will be elected (assuming a quorum is present).  A vote to “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” for any nominee for director will be counted for
 
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purposes ofdetermining the Votes Present, but will have no other effect on the outcome of the vote on the election of directors.  A shareholder may cast such votes for the Nominees either by so marking the ballot at the Annual Meeting or by specific voting instructions sent with a signed proxy to either the Committee in care of Morrow & Co., LLC at the address set forth on the back cover of this Proxy Statement or to the Company at 36 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 or any other address provided by the Company.
 
Ratification of Selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP.  The proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors will be approved if it receives more votes cast in its favor than are cast in opposition to it.
 
ABSTENTIONS
 
Abstentions will count as Votes Present for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present.  Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast in the election of directors.  Abstentions will not be counted as votes for or against the proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
 
DISCRETIONARY VOTING
 
Shares held in “street name” and held of record by banks, brokers or nominees may not be voted by such banks, brokers or nominees unless the beneficial owners of such shares provide them with instructions on how to vote.
 
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
 
Shareholders of the Company may revoke their proxies at any time prior to exercise by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy) or by delivering a written notice of revocation.  The delivery of a subsequently dated proxy which is properly completed will constitute a revocation of any earlier proxy.  The revocation may be delivered either to the Committee in care of Morrow & Co., LLC at the address set forth on the back cover of this Proxy Statement or to the Company at 36 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 or any other address provided by the Company.  Although a revocation is effective if delivered to the Company, we request that either the original or photostatic copies of all revocations be mailed to the Committee in care of Morrow & Co., LLC at the address set forth on the back cover of this Proxy Statement so that we will be aware of all revocations and can more accurately determine if and when proxies have been received from the holders of record on the Record Date of a majority of the outstanding Shares.  Additionally, Morrow & Co., LLC may use this information to contact shareholders who have revoked their proxies in order to solicit later dated proxies for the election of the Nominees.
 
IF YOU WISH TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF OUR TWO NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OR FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
 

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SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
The solicitation of proxies pursuant to this Proxy Statement is being made by the Committee.  Proxies may be solicited by mail, facsimile, telephone, telegraph, Internet, in person and by advertisements.
 
We have entered into an agreement with Morrow & Co., LLC for solicitation and advisory services in connection with this solicitation, for which Morrow & Co., LLC will receive a fee not to exceed $75,000 together with reimbursement for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and will be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws.  Morrow & Co., LLC will solicit proxies from individuals, brokers, banks, bank nominees and other institutional holders.  We have requested banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward all solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the Shares they hold of record.  We will reimburse these record holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so doing.  It is anticipated that Morrow & Co., LLC will employ approximately 25 persons to solicit the Company’s shareholders for the Annual Meeting.
 
The expense of soliciting proxies is being shared pro rata by the Lion Fund, Western Sizzlin and Western Acquisitions based on their pro rata share of the aggregate number of Shares held by all members of the Committee.  Costs of this solicitation of proxies are currently estimated to be approximately $[________].  The Committee estimates that through the date hereof, its expenses in connection with this solicitation are approximately $[________].  We intend to seek reimbursement from the Company of all expenses we incur in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Nominees to the Board at the Annual Meeting.  We do not intend to submit the question of such reimbursement to a vote of security holders of the Company.
 
OTHER PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
 
Each member of the Committee is a participant in this solicitation.  Sardar Biglari is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Capital.  Philip L. Cooley is an advisory director of Biglari Capital.  Biglari Capital is an investment management firm that serves as the general partner of the Lion Fund.  The principal business of the Lion Fund is purchasing, holding and selling securities for investment purposes.  The principal business address of the Lion Fund and Biglari Capital is 9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 1440, San Antonio, Texas 78216.  Mr. Biglari is also Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of  Western Sizzlin, a steak and buffet restaurant chain operating and franchising in approximately 122 locations.  Dr. Cooley is Vice Chairman of the Board of Western Sizzlin.  The Lion Fund owns approximately 35% of the outstanding common stock of Western Sizzlin.  The principal business of Western Acquisitions is purchasing, holding and selling securities for investment purposes.  Western Investments, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Sizzlin, serves as the general partner of Western Acquisitions.  Mr. Biglari is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Western Investments.  The principal business address of Western Sizzlin, Western Acquisitions and Western Investments is 1338 Plantation Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24012.  As of the date hereof, each of the participants in this solicitation, as members of a “group” for

11
 
the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the 1934 Act, are deemed to beneficially own 2,423,945 Shares of the Company, representing approximately 8.5% of the outstanding Shares, consisting of the following: (i) 941,200 Shares held directly by the Lion Fund, (ii) 1,467,445 Shares held directly by Western Acquisitions, (iii) 12,300 Shares held directly by Dr. Cooley, and (iv) 3,000 Shares held directly by Dr. Cooley’s spouse.  By virtue of the relationships among the participants discussed above and the formation by them of a Section 13(d) group, all the participants, individually, are deemed to beneficially own the 2,423,945 Shares owned in the aggregate by the Committee.  Each of the participants disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares except to the extent of his/its pecuniary interest therein.  For information regarding purchases and sales of securities of the Company during the past two years by the members of the Committee, see Schedule I.
 
The Lion Fund, Western Sizzlin and Western Acquisitions effect purchases of securities primarily through margin accounts with prime brokers, which may extend margin credit to them as and when required to open or carry positions in the margin accounts, subject to applicable federal margin regulations, stock exchange rules and the prime brokers’ credit policies.  In such instances, the positions held in the margin accounts are pledged as collateral security for the repayment of debit balances in the accounts.
 
On August 16, 2007, the Lion Fund, Biglari Capital, Western Sizzlin and our two Nominees entered into the Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement in which, among other things, (a) the parties thereto agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D with respect to the securities of the Company, (b) the parties agreed to solicit proxies or written consents for the election of the Nominees, or any other person(s) nominated by the Lion Fund, to the Board at the Annual Meeting and (c) the Lion Fund and Western Sizzlin agreed to share equally the Shareholder Expenses incurred in connection with the parties’ activities.  The Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement was subsequently amended to include Western Acquisitions and Western Investments as parties thereto and to provide that the Shareholder Expenses will be shared pro rata by the Lion Fund, Western Sizzlin and Western Acquisitions based on their pro rata share of the aggregate number of Shares held by all members of the Committee.
 
Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement (including the Schedules hereto), (i) during the past 10 years, no participant in this solicitation has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors); (ii) no participant in this solicitation directly or indirectly beneficially owns any securities of the Company; (iii) no participant in this solicitation owns any securities of the Company which are owned of record but not beneficially; (iv) no participant in this solicitation has purchased or sold any securities of the Company during the past two years; (v) no part of the purchase price or market value of the securities of the Company owned by any participant in this solicitation is represented by funds borrowed or otherwise obtained for the purpose of acquiring or holding such securities; (vi) no participant in this solicitation is, or within the past year was, a party to any contract, arrangements or understandings with any person with respect to any securities of the Company, including, but not limited to, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profit, division of losses or profits, or the giving or withholding of proxies; (vii) no associate of any participant in this solicitation owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, any securities of the Company; (viii) no participant in this solicitation owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, any securities of any parent or subsidiary of the Company; (ix) no participant in this solicitation or any of his/its associates was a party to any transaction, or series of similartransactions, since the 
 
 
12
 
beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, or is a party to any currently proposed transaction, or series of similar transactions, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000; (x) no participant in this solicitation or any of his/its associates has any arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any future employment by the Company or its affiliates, or with respect to any future transactions to which the Company or any of its affiliates will or may be a party; and (xi) no person, including the participants in this solicitation, who is a party to an arrangement or understanding pursuant to which the Nominees are proposed to be elected has a substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise in any matter to be acted on at the Annual Meeting.
 
OTHER MATTERS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
Other Matters
 
We are unaware of any other matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.  However, should other matters, which we are not aware of a reasonable time before this solicitation, be brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies on the enclosed GOLD proxy card will vote on such matters in their discretion.
 
Shareholder Nominations and Proposals
 
The Company’s By-Laws require shareholders to provide advance notice prior to bringing business before an annual meeting or to nominate a candidate for director at the meeting.  In order for a shareholder to properly bring business or propose a director at the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholder must give written notice to the Company.  To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received by the Company on or before [______], or in the event that the date of the meeting associated with this notice is changed more than 30 days from [______] such notice must be delivered or mailed to and received by the Company not later than 120 days prior to the date the Company mailed proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting or 10 calendar days following the date on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made.  These procedures apply to any matter that a shareholder wishes to raise at the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, other than those raised pursuant to 17 C.F.R. §240.14a-8 of the Rules and Regulations of the SEC.
 
The information set forth above regarding the procedures for submitting shareholder nominations and proposals for consideration at the Company’s 2009 annual meeting of shareholders is based on information contained in the Company’s proxy statement.  The incorporation of this information in this Proxy Statement should not be construed as an admission by us that such procedures are legal, valid or binding.
 
Incorporation by Reference
 
We have omitted from this Proxy Statement certain disclosure required by applicable law that is already included in the Company’s proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting.  This disclosure includes, among other things, current biographical information on the Company’s current directors, information concerning executive compensation, and other important information.  Although we do not have any knowledge indicating that any statement made by us herein is untrue, we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy or
 

13
 
completeness of statements taken from public documents and records that were not prepared by or on our behalf, or for any failure by the Company to disclose events that may affect the significance or accuracy of such information.  See Schedule II for information regarding persons who beneficially own more than 5% of the Shares and the ownership of the Shares by the directors and management of the Company.
 
The information concerning the Company contained in this Proxy Statement and the Schedules attached hereto has been taken from, or is based upon, publicly available information.
 
The Committee to Enhance Steak n Shake
 
 
________, 2008

14

SCHEDULE I
 
TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS
 
Transactions in Common Stock
 
Shares Purchased
Price Per Share ($)
Date of Purchase

THE LION FUND, L.P.
25,000
  
16.7683
  
03/22/07
60,000
  
16.8493
  
03/23/07
68,000
  
17.0291
  
03/26/07
2,900
  
16.7966
  
03/27/07
13,300
  
16.7065
  
03/28/07
14,500
  
16.6361
  
03/29/07
20,600
  
16.6775
  
03/30/07
10,100
  
16.6889
  
04/02/07
10,200
  
17.0796
  
04/04/07
4,000
  
17.0608
  
04/05/07
38,300
  
16.9491
  
04/09/07
27,400
  
16.8361
  
04/10/07
17,144
  
16.7367
  
04/11/07
29,594
  
16.5294
  
04/12/07
1,000
  
16.4540
  
04/13/07
12,100
  
16.6511
  
04/17/07
8,919
  
16.5621
  
04/18/07
1,400
  
16.5114
  
04/19/07
16,200
  
16.7565
  
04/23/07
5,500
  
16.7238
  
04/24/07
10,943
  
16.8093
  
04/26/07
2,900
  
16.7317
  
04/27/07
27,800
  
16.3508
  
05/01/07
2,000
  
15.2050
  
06/22/07
6,000
  
14.9258
  
06/25/07
85,000
  
17.1033
  
06/26/07
20,000
  
17.0338
  
06/27/07
140,000
  
17.0646
  
06/28/07
53,300
  
16.7723
  
06/29/07
3,000
  
16.5680
  
07/02/07
10,000
  
16.7836
  
07/03/07
6,000
  
16.6042
  
07/05/07
6,000
  
15.6992
  
07/26/07
7,500
  
15.6211
  
07/27/07
12,500
  
15.0877
  
07/30/07
18,000
  
15.2569
  
07/31/07
9,300
  
15.0200
  
08/01/07
17,000
  
14.9690
  
08/03/07
3,000
  
14.7708
  
08/06/07
2,000
  
16.0100
  
08/07/07

II-1

12,800
  
13.3579
  
08/13/07
70,000
  
13.6622
  
08/14/07
18,000
  
14.0286
  
08/15/07
7,000
  
10.9050
  
12/31/07
5,000
  
9.7194
  
01/04/08

WESTERN SIZZLIN CORP.
1,500
  
16.4293
  
03/07/07
3,200
  
16.5570
  
03/08/07
845
  
16.6410
  
03/09/07
8,700
  
16.8379
  
03/12/07
6,000
  
16.7830
  
03/13/07
700
  
16.7929
  
03/14/07
2,000
  
16.8065
  
03/15/07
30,000
  
14.9658
  
05/10/07
1,500
  
16.6007
  
07/18/07
3,000
  
16.8190
  
07/19/07
4,500
  
15.6992
  
07/26/07
7,500
  
15.6111
  
07/27/07
12,500
  
15.0777
  
07/30/07
12,000
  
15.2569
  
07/31/07
4,000
  
15.0200
  
08/01/07
3,000
  
14.9690
  
08/03/07
1,600
  
14.7708
  
08/06/07
3,000
  
13.3579
  
08/13/07
30,000
  
13.6622
  
08/14/07
7,300
  
14.0286
  
08/15/07
20,000
  
15.5058
  
08/17/07
300
  
15.5500
  
08/20/07
9,400
  
15.7048
  
08/21/07
37,100
  
15.5751
  
08/22/07
19,300
  
15.1965
  
08/23/07
40,000
  
15.3764
  
08/24/07
23,000
  
15.5686
  
08/27/07
8,000
  
15.8100
  
08/29/07
(299,945
)† 
15.5800
  
09/07/07

BIGLARI CAPITAL CORP.
500
*
16.7099
  
04/11/07

PHILIP L. COOLEY
500
 *
                                                   --
  
04/26/07
3,800
  
14.9900
  
06/15/07
2,000
 **
13.9900
  
08/15/07
_______________
† Refers to an internal contribution of Shares on September 7, 2007 from Western Sizzlin Corp. to Western Acquisitions L.P. at a per Share price of $15.58.
*  Shares gifted from Biglari Capital Corp. to Philip L. Cooley.  Biglari Capital Corp. no longer owns directly any securities of the Issuer. 
** Shares acquired by Dr. Cooley’s spouse that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Dr. Cooley.
 
II-2
 
3,000
  
10.1250
  
01/10/08
3,000
  
8.0000
  
01/14/08
1,000
 **
7.8220
  
01/14/08
2,000
  
7.5440
  
01/16/08

WESTERN ACQUISITIONS L.P.
33,900
  
14.9935
  
09/17/07
10,000
  
16.0181
  
09/21/07
15,000
  
15.8118
  
09/24/07
26,900
  
15.2744
  
09/25/07
21,700
  
15.1886
  
09/26/07
12,300
  
15.2250
  
09/27/07
38,800
  
15.0492
  
09/28/07
41,800
  
15.8016
  
09/05/07
25,800
  
15.6225
  
09/06/07
29,200
  
15.5087
  
09/07/07
299,945
† 
15.5800
  
09/07/07
33,900
  
14.9935
  
09/17/07
10,000
  
16.0181
  
09/21/07
15,000
  
15.8118
  
09/24/07
26,900
  
15.2744
  
09/25/07
21,700
  
15.1886
  
09/26/07
12,300
  
15.2250
  
09/27/07
38,800
  
15.0492
  
09/28/07
29,000
  
14.3012
  
10/19/07
6,000
  
14.0008
  
10/22/07
24,500
  
13.0634
  
11/08/07
5,100
  
12.8735
  
11/15/07
102,500
  
11.5042
  
11/16/07
90,800
  
10.4862
  
11/19/07
52,100
  
10.4588
  
11/20/07
31,000
  
10.9271
  
11/21/07
33,900
  
10.9135
  
11/23/07
11,000
  
10.9037
  
11/26/07
95,000
  
10.9677
  
11/27/07
31,500
  
11.3755
  
11/28/07
21,000
  
11.5438
  
11/29/07
63,600
  
11.7088
  
12/03/07
26,600
  
11.6667
  
12/04/07
35,800
  
11.6959
  
12/05/07
13,000
  
11.8797
  
12/06/07
17,000
  
11.0464
  
12/14/07
16,100
  
10.7205
  
12/17/07
44,000
  
10.5629
  
12/18/07
13,600
  
10.4701
  
12/19/07
22,000
  
10.4970
  
12/20/07
_______________
** Shares acquired by Dr. Cooley’s spouse that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Dr. Cooley.
† Refers to an internal contribution of Shares on September 7, 2007 from Western Sizzlin Corp. to Western Acquisitions L.P. at a per Share price of $15.58.
 
II-3
 
12,000
  
11.0357
  
12/28/07
28,000
  
10.8850
  
12/31/07
4,000
  
9.8487
  
01/07/08
33,000
  
7.9854
  
01/14/08
10,000
  
7.5178
  
01/17/08
40,000
  
7.5571
  
01/18/08

Transactions in American-Style Call Options / Strike Price: $15 / Expiration: 12.22.07
 
Units Purchased
Price Per Unit ($)
Date of Purchase

THE LION FUND, L.P.
200
  
2.5200
  
07/25/07
 
WESTERN SIZZLIN CORP.
40
  
2.7700
  
07/06/07
1,900
  
2.7349
  
07/10/07
500
 
2.9130
  
07/11/07
110
  
3.0241
  
07/12/07
100
  
3.1150
  
07/13/07
500
  
3.0950
  
07/16/07
100
  
3.1050
  
07/17/07
10
  
2.9300
  
07/18/07
461
  
3.0933
  
07/19/07
1,000
  
2.6580
  
07/24/07
500
  
2.5150
  
07/25/07
50
  
1.7650
  
07/31/07
 
Transactions in American-Style Call Options / Strike Price: $12.50 / Expiration: 12.22.07

WESTERN SIZZLIN CORP.
50
  
4.9150
  
07/11/07
10
  
5.2300
  
07/12/07
10
  
5.2300
  
07/19/07
10
  
5.2300
  
07/20/07
200
  
4.7650
  
07/24/07
60
  
3.8150
  
07/31/07
 
II-4

SCHEDULE II
 
The following table is reprinted from the Company’s Schedule 14A  filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on _______
 
STOCK OWNERSHIP
 

II-5

IMPORTANT
 
Tell your Board what you think!  Your vote is important.  No matter how many Shares you own, please give the Committee your proxy FOR the election of its Nominees by taking three steps:
 
 
·
SIGNING the enclosed GOLD proxy card,
 
 
·
DATING the enclosed GOLD proxy card, and
 
 
·
MAILING the enclosed GOLD proxy card TODAY in the envelope provided (no postage is required if mailed in the United States).
 
If any of your Shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, bank nominee or other institution, only it can vote such Shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions.  Depending upon your broker or custodian, you may be able to vote either by toll-free telephone or by the Internet.  Please refer to the enclosed voting form for instructions on how to vote electronically.  You may also vote by signing, dating and returning the enclosed GOLD voting form.
 
If you have any questions or require any additional information concerning this Proxy Statement, please contact Morrow & Co., LLC at the address set forth below.
 
 
 
Morrow & Co., LLC

470 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 658-9400

Banks and Brokerage Firms, Please Call: (203) 658-9400
Shareholders Call Toll Free: (800) 607-0088
E-mail: enhancesteaknshake@morrowco.com
 
 
 
 
 


PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
DATED JANUARY 23, 2008
 
GOLD PROXY
 
The Steak N Shake Company
 
2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE TO ENHANCE STEAK N SHAKE
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE STEAK N SHAKE COMPANY
IS NOT SOLICITING THIS PROXY
 
P     R     O     X     Y
 
The undersigned appoints Sardar Biglari and Philip L. Cooley, and each of them, attorneys and agents with full power of substitution to vote all shares of common stock of The Steak n Shake Company (the “Company”) which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company scheduled to be held on [______], [______], 2008, at [______ __].m. local time at [________________________________], and including at any adjournments or postponements thereof and at any meeting called in lieu thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).
 
The undersigned hereby revokes any other proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote or act with respect to the shares of common stock of the Company held by the undersigned, and hereby ratifies and confirms all action the herein named attorneys and proxies, their substitutes, or any of them may lawfully take by virtue hereof.  If properly executed, this proxy will be voted as directed on the reverse and in the discretion of the herein named attorneys and proxies or their substitutes with respect to any other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting that are unknown to The Committee to Enhance Steak n Shake (the “Committee”) a reasonable time before this solicitation.
 
IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSALS ON THE REVERSE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
 
This proxy will be valid until the sooner of one year from the date indicated on the reverse side and the completion of the Annual Meeting.
 
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY!
 
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
 


[X] Please mark vote as in this example
 
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE NOMINEES LISTED IN
PROPOSAL NO. 1 AND “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 2
 
1.
APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSAL TO ELECT DIRECTORS:
 
 
FOR ALL NOMINEES
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES
FOR ALL NOMINEES EXCEPT
       
Nominees: Sardar Biglari
                    Philip L. Cooley
[    ]
[    ]
[    ]

The Committee intends to use this proxy to vote (i) “FOR” Messrs. Biglari and Cooley and (ii) “FOR” the candidates who have been nominated by the Company to serve as directors other than Alan B. Gilman and James Williamson, Jr. for whom the Committee is NOT seeking authority to vote for and WILL NOT exercise any such authority.  The names, backgrounds and qualifications of the candidates who have been nominated by the Company, and other information about them, can be found in the Company’s proxy statement.
 
There is no assurance that any of the candidates who have been nominated by the Company will serve as directors if the Committee’s nominees are elected.
 
NOTE: If you do not wish for your shares to be voted “FOR” a particular Committee nominee, mark the “FOR ALL NOMINEES EXCEPT” box and write the name of the nominee you do not support on the line below.  Your shares will be voted for the remaining Committee nominee.  You may also withhold authority to vote for one or more additional candidates who have been nominated by the Company by writing the name of the nominee(s) below.
 

 
________________________________________________________________________

 
2.            APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS:
 
 
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
       
 
[     ]
[     ]
[     ]



DATED:  ____________________________
 
____________________________________
(Signature)
 
____________________________________
(Signature, if held jointly)
 
____________________________________
(Title)
 
WHEN SHARES ARE HELD JOINTLY, JOINT OWNERS SHOULD EACH SIGN.  EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, ETC., SHOULD INDICATE THE CAPACITY IN WHICH SIGNING.  PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS ON THIS PROXY.