SC 13D

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )*

 

 

Aaron’s, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $0.50 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

002535300

(CUSIP Number)

Vintage Capital Management, LLC

4705 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Suite 210

Orlando, FL 32819

(407) 909-8015

With a copy to:    

Bradley L. Finkelstein

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Professional Corporation

650 Page Mill Road

Palo Alto, CA 94304

(650) 493-9300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to

Receive Notices and Communications)

January 30, 2014

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box:  ¨

 

 

Note. Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 


CUSIP No. 002535300   13D  

 

  (1)   

NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

 

Vintage Capital Management, LLC

  (2)  

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)

(a)  ¨        (b)  ¨

 

  (3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

  (4)  

SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)

 

OO

  (5)  

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  (6)  

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

Delaware

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

     (7)    

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

0 shares

     (8)   

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

7,277,000 shares

     (9)   

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

0 shares

   (10)   

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

7,277,000 shares

(11)  

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

7,277,000 shares

(12)  

CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)  ¨

 

(13)  

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

9.5%*

(14)  

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)

 

OO

 

*  Percentage calculated based on 76,270,648 shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share, outstanding as of October 25, 2013, as reported in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 of Aaron’s, Inc.

 

Page 2 of 12


CUSIP No. 002535300   13D  

 

  (1)   

NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

 

Kahn Capital Management, LLC

  (2)  

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)

(a)  ¨        (b)  ¨

 

  (3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

  (4)  

SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)

 

OO

  (5)  

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  (6)  

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

Delaware

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

     (7)    

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

0 shares

     (8)   

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

7,277,000 shares

     (9)   

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

0 shares

   (10)   

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

7,277,000 shares

(11)  

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

7,277,000 shares

(12)  

CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)  ¨

 

(13)  

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

9.5%*

(14)  

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)

 

OO

 

*  Percentage calculated based on 76,270,648 shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share, outstanding as of October 25, 2013, as reported in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 of Aaron’s, Inc.

 

Page 3 of 12


CUSIP No. 002535300   13D  

 

  (1)   

NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

 

Brian R. Kahn

  (2)  

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)

(a)  ¨        (b)  ¨

 

  (3)  

SEC USE ONLY

 

  (4)  

SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)

 

OO

  (5)  

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  (6)  

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

United States of America

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

     (7)    

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

0 shares

     (8)   

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

7,277,000 shares

     (9)   

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

0 shares

   (10)   

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

7,277,000 shares

(11)  

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

7,277,000 shares

(12)  

CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)  ¨

 

(13)  

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

9.5%*

(14)  

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)

 

IN

 

*  Percentage calculated based on 76,270,648 shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share, outstanding as of October 25, 2013, as reported in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 of Aaron’s, Inc.

 

Page 4 of 12


Item 1. Security and Issuer.

The securities to which this statement on Schedule 13D (this “Statement”) relates are the common stock, par value $0.50 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Aaron’s, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 309 E. Paces Ferry Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30305-2377.

Item 2. Identity and Background.

 

  (a) Name

This Statement is filed by:

 

  (i) Vintage Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Vintage Capital”);

 

  (ii) Kahn Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Kahn Capital”), who serves as a member and majority owner of Vintage Capital; and

 

  (iii) Brian R. Kahn, who serves as (A) the manager and a member of Vintage Capital; and (B) the manager and sole member of Kahn Capital.

Vintage Capital, Kahn Capital and Mr. Kahn are referred to collectively as the “Reporting Persons.”

Vintage Capital serves as investment adviser to investment funds and managed accounts (collectively, the “Accounts”), and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over the shares of Common Stock held for the Accounts.

The Reporting Persons have entered into a joint filing agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1.

 

  (b) Residence or Business Address

The address of the principal business and principal office of each of the Reporting Persons is 4705 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Suite 210, Orlando, FL 32819.

 

  (c) Present Principal Occupation or Employment and the Name, Principal Business and Address of any Corporation or Other Organization in Which Such Employment Is Conducted

The principal business of Vintage Capital is acting as the investment manager of the Accounts.

The principal business of Kahn Capital is acting as a member of Vintage Capital.

The principal occupation of Mr. Kahn is acting as the manager of each of Vintage Capital and Kahn Capital.

 

  (d) Criminal Convictions

During the past five years, none of the Reporting Persons has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

 

Page 5 of 12


  (e) Civil Proceedings

During the past five years, none of the Reporting Persons has been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding such person was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

  (f) Citizenship

Mr. Kahn is a citizen of the United States of America.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

All of the shares of Common Stock to which this Statement relates were purchased on behalf of the Accounts using the investment capital of the Accounts. The aggregate purchase price of the 7,277,000 shares of Common Stock acquired was approximately $196,004,000 (including brokerage commissions and transaction costs).

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.

The Reporting Persons purchased the shares of Common Stock for investment purposes, and such purchases have been made in the ordinary course of business of the Reporting Persons.

In pursuing such investment purposes, the Reporting Persons may further purchase, hold, vote, trade, dispose or otherwise deal in the Common Stock at times, and in such manner, as they deem advisable to benefit from, among other things, (i) changes in the market prices of the Common Stock; (ii) changes in the Issuer’s operations, business strategy or prospects; or (iii) from the sale or merger of the Issuer. To evaluate such alternatives, the Reporting Persons will closely monitor the Issuer’s operations, prospects, business development, management, competitive and strategic matters, capital structure, and prevailing market conditions, as well as other economic, securities markets and investment considerations. Consistent with their investment research methods and evaluation criteria, the Reporting Persons may discuss such matters with the management or Board of Directors of the Issuer, other stockholders, industry analysts, existing or potential strategic partners or competitors, investment and financing professionals, sources of credit, and other investors. Such evaluations and discussions may materially affect, and result in, among other things, the Reporting Persons (i) modifying their ownership of Common Stock; (ii) exchanging information with the Issuer pursuant to appropriate confidentiality or similar agreements; (iii) proposing changes in the Issuer’s operations, governance or capitalization; (iv) pursuing a transaction that would result in the Reporting Persons’ acquisition of a controlling interest in the Issuer; or (v) pursuing one or more of the other actions described in subsections (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

In addition to the information disclosed in this Statement, the Reporting Persons reserve the right to (i) formulate other plans and proposals; (ii) take any actions with respect to their investment in the Issuer, including any or all of the actions set forth in subsections (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D; and (iii) acquire additional Common Stock or dispose of some or all of the Common Stock beneficially owned by them, in each case in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The Reporting Persons may at any time reconsider and change their plans or proposals relating to the foregoing.

 

Page 6 of 12


On February 7, 2014, Vintage Capital submitted a letter to the Board of Directors of the Issuer containing a non-binding proposal to acquire the Issuer for $30.50 per share of Common Stock. The letter is attached to this Statement as Exhibit 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

(a) and (b) The responses of the Reporting Persons to rows 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 on the cover pages of this Statement are incorporated herein by reference. As of the close of business on February 6, 2014, Vintage Capital beneficially owned 7,277,000 shares of Common, representing approximately 9.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. The percentage in this paragraph relating to beneficial ownership of Common Stock is based on 76,270,648 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 25, 2013, as reported in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 of the Issuer.

Vintage Capital serves as investment adviser to the Accounts, and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over the shares of Common Stock held for the Accounts.

Kahn Capital, as a member and the majority owner of Vintage Capital, may be deemed to have the power to direct the voting and disposition of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Vintage Capital, and may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial owner of such shares. Kahn Capital disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares for all other purposes.

Mr. Kahn, as the manager of each of Vintage Capital and Kahn Capital, may be deemed to have the power to direct the voting and disposition of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Vintage Capital, and may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial owner of such shares. Mr. Kahn disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares for all other purposes.

To the knowledge of each of the Reporting Persons, other than as set forth above, none of the persons named in Item 2 is the beneficial owner of any shares of Common Stock.

(c) Except as set forth in Schedule A, none of the Reporting Persons has effected any transactions in the Common Stock in the last 60 days.

(d) No other person is known to the Reporting Persons to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares of Common Stock covered by this Statement.

(e) Not applicable.

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

Except for the joint filing agreement between and among the Reporting Persons attached as Exhibit 1 and other than as described in this Statement, to the knowledge of the Reporting Persons, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the Reporting Persons or between the Reporting Persons and any other persons with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including but not limited to transfer or voting of any of the securities, finder’s fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.

 

Page 7 of 12


Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

The following documents are filed as exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

1    Joint Filing Agreement.
2    Letter to the Board of Directors of Aaron’s, Inc., dated February 7, 2014.

 

Page 8 of 12


SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: February 7, 2014

 

VINTAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Brian R. Kahn

  Name: Brian R. Kahn
  Title: Manager
KAHN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ Brian R. Kahn

  Name: Brian R. Kahn
  Title: Manager

/s/ Brian R. Kahn

Brian R. Kahn

 

Page 9 of 12


Schedule A

Transactions by the Reporting Persons in the Past 60 Days

 

Beneficial Ownership

   Transaction
Date
     Purchase or
Sale
   Quantity      Price per Share
(excluding
commission)
     How Effected

Vintage Capital

     12/13/2013       Purchase      1,103         28.4983       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/13/2013       Purchase      25,317         28.6333       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/13/2013       Purchase      692         28.4983       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/13/2013       Purchase      15,894         28.6333       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/13/2013       Purchase      1,205         28.4983       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/13/2013       Purchase      27,658         28.6333       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/19/2013       Purchase      5,919         28.4597       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/19/2013       Purchase      3,716         28.4597       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/19/2013       Purchase      6,465         28.4597       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/26/2013       Sale      12,027         29.4679       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/26/2013       Sale      7,550         29.4679       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     12/26/2013       Sale      15,423         29.4679       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/13/2014       Purchase      29,595         26.9542       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/13/2014       Purchase      18,446         26.9542       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/13/2014       Purchase      37,959         26.9542       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/14/2014       Purchase      72,605         26.7103       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/14/2014       Purchase      45,260         26.7103       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/14/2014       Purchase      93,135         26.7103       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/16/2014       Purchase      64,271         26.5142       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/16/2014       Purchase      43,017         26.5200       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/16/2014       Purchase      26,811         26.5200       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/16/2014       Purchase      40,058         26.5142       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/16/2014       Purchase      55,172         26.5200       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/16/2014       Purchase      82,432         26.5142       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/17/2014       Purchase      27,091         26.7667       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/17/2014       Purchase      118,183         26.5500       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/17/2014       Purchase      73,659         26.5500       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/17/2014       Purchase      16,885         26.7667       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/17/2014       Purchase      151,578         26.5500       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/17/2014       Purchase      34,746         26.7667       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/21/2014       Purchase      16,124         27.0184       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/21/2014       Purchase      44,393         26.8703       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/21/2014       Purchase      10,050         27.0184       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/21/2014       Purchase      27,669         26.8703       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/21/2014       Purchase      56,938         26.8703       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/21/2014       Purchase      20,680         27.0184       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/22/2014       Purchase      22,367         27.2622       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/22/2014       Purchase      17,205         27.1368       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/22/2014       Purchase      10,725         27.1368       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/22/2014       Purchase      13,942         27.2622       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/22/2014       Purchase      22,070         27.1368       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/22/2014       Purchase      28,691         27.2622       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/23/2014       Purchase      17,205         27.3142       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/23/2014       Purchase      2,925         27.2718       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/23/2014       Purchase      10,725         27.3142       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/23/2014       Purchase      1,823         27.2718       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/23/2014       Purchase      22,070         27.3142       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/23/2014       Purchase      3,752         27.2718       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/24/2014       Purchase      38,539         27.1920       Open Market

 

Page 10 of 12


Beneficial Ownership

   Transaction
Date
     Purchase
or Sale
     Quantity      Price per Share
(excluding
commission)
     How Effected

Vintage Capital

     1/24/2014         Purchase         44,018         27.1494       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/24/2014         Purchase         27,315         27.1494       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/24/2014         Purchase         24,094         27.1920       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/24/2014         Purchase         56,367         27.1494       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/24/2014         Purchase         49,367         27.1920       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/27/2014         Purchase         8,947         27.1357       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/27/2014         Purchase         5,577         27.1357       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/27/2014         Purchase         11,476         27.1357       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/28/2014         Purchase         206,460         27.1548       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/28/2014         Purchase         128,700         27.1548       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/28/2014         Purchase         264,840         27.1548       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/29/2014         Purchase         50,433         26.8535       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/29/2014         Purchase         31,434         26.8535       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/29/2014         Purchase         65,133         26.8535       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/30/2014         Purchase         51,463         26.7000       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/30/2014         Purchase         140,002         26.6802       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/30/2014         Purchase         32,075         26.7000       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/30/2014         Purchase         87,258         26.6802       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/30/2014         Purchase         66,462         26.7000       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/30/2014         Purchase         180,806         26.6802       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/31/2014         Purchase         113,811         26.4970       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/31/2014         Purchase         52,906         26.8210       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/31/2014         Purchase         32,974         26.8210       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/31/2014         Purchase         70,934         26.4970       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/31/2014         Purchase         145,755         26.4970       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     1/31/2014         Purchase         67,756         26.8210       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/3/2014         Purchase         443,967         26.6237       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/3/2014         Purchase         1,722         26.6071       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/3/2014         Purchase         1,073         26.6071       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/3/2014         Purchase         276,933         26.6237       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/3/2014         Purchase         2,205         26.6071       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/3/2014         Purchase         569,401         26.6237       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/4/2014         Purchase         240,957         26.8450       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/4/2014         Purchase         150,020         26.8450       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/4/2014         Purchase         308,392         26.8450       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/5/2014         Purchase         158,687         26.8596       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/5/2014         Purchase         98,799         26.8596       Open Market

Vintage Capital

     2/5/2014         Purchase         203,099         26.8596       Open Market

 

Page 11 of 12


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

1    Joint Filing Agreement.
2    Letter to the Board of Directors of Aaron’s, Inc., dated February 7, 2014.

 

Page 12 of 12