J. Alexander's Explained

J. Alexander's Holdings Inc.
Type:Subsidiary
Location City:Nashville, Tennessee
Location Country:United States
Locations:44 (2017)
Key People:Mark Parkey[1] (CEO)
Jessica Hagler (CFO)
Mike Moore (COO)
Industry:Food service
Services:Restaurants
Revenue: US$304 million (2016)
Operating Income: US$6 million (2007)
Net Income: US$4 million (2007)
Assets: US$104 million (2007)
Equity: US$62 million (2007)
Num Employees:2,700
Parent:SPB Hospitality
Subsid:Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill, Redlands Grill, Lyndhurst Grill

J. Alexander's Holdings Inc. is an American restaurant company that operates several casual dining restaurant chains. The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.[2] [3] [4] [5]

History

The company was founded in 1971 as Volunteer Capital Corporation by three Nashville businessmen, Jack C. Massey, Earl Beasley Jr. and John Neff Jr. The first restaurant was opened in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1991.[3]

J. Alexander's was acquired by Fidelity National Financial in 2012. It was spun off in 2015. It nearly acquired Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub from Fidelity National Financial in 2017,[6] but the deal was ultimately broken off due to shareholder opposition to Fidelity regaining controlling stake.[7] In 2019, J. Alexanders had 46 restaurants in 16 different states.[8]

In April 2020, it reported that J. Alexander's received $15.1 million from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as part of the CARES Act, a program intended to assist small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[9] Days later, J. Alexander's returned all of the money it had received.[10]

On July 2, 2021, J. Alexander's announced that it would be acquired by Logan's Roadhouse parent SPB Hospitality for $220 million.[11] The acquisition was completed on September 30, 2021.[12]

Customer service

In 2019, the company was the target of a class action lawsuit for racial discrimination. At a Michigan restaurant, a black customer said she was asked to give up her seat for a white patron.[13] The company denied the charges. [14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: J. Alexander's names new CEO. Ruggless . Ron. March 12, 2019. Nation's Restaurant News. March 12, 2019.
  2. Book: Carey, B. . Master of the Big Board: The Life, Times, and Businesses of Jack C. Massey . Cumberland House . 2005 . 978-1-58182-471-1 . December 9, 2017 . 241.
  3. Book: Where the Locals Eat: Nashville - Pat Embry, Rachel Lawson - Google Books . May 2006. December 9, 2017. 9781928622086 . Embry . Pat . Lawson . Rachel .
  4. Web site: Nickell . Patti . Is this chain what's wrong with Lexington restaurants? Or is it doing dining right? . kentucky . November 22, 2017 . December 9, 2017.
  5. Web site: Why J. Alexander's doesn't like the word 'chain' . The Tennessean . September 14, 2015 . December 9, 2017.
  6. http://www.nrn.com/finance/fidelity-gets-involved-j-alexanders-again Fidelity gets involved with J. Alexander's again
  7. Web site: Maze . Jonathan . 2018-02-01 . Shareholders vote against J. Alexander's merger . 2024-09-27 . Restaurant Business . en.
  8. Web site: J. Alexander's names new CEO. Ruggless . Ron. March 12, 2019. Nation's Restaurant News. March 12, 2019.
  9. News: Here are the largest public companies taking payroll loans meant for small businesses . CNBC . April 21, 2020.
  10. Web site: J. Alexander's will return PPP money. Nashville Post. en. April 27, 2020.
  11. News: J. Alexander's Holdings, Inc. to Be Acquired by SPB Hospitality LLC . December 27, 2022 . www.businesswire.com . July 2, 2021 . en.
  12. News: Hospitality . S. P. B. . SPB Hospitality Completes Acquisition of J. Alexander's Holdings, Inc. . December 27, 2022 . www.prnewswire.com . September 30, 2022 . en.
  13. News: Black woman claims bartender at Michigan restaurant made her give up seat for white customers, but restaurant shares different story. June 26, 2019. Fox News. June 26, 2019.
  14. Web site: J.Alexander's: Surveillance video shows racial allegations are false. June 26, 2019. FOX 2 Detroit. en-US. April 23, 2020.