BUSINESS BRIEF

Shareholder pushes
 for Bob Evans spin-off

9/24/2013

COLUMBUS — A major shareholder is urging Bob Evans Farms to split up its restaurant and food service business, and to sell and lease back its substantial real estate holdings to “unlock shareholder value.”

New York hedge fund adviser Sandell Asset Management recently purchased 1.4 million, or 5.1 percent, of Bob Evans’ shares at more than $55 a share. In a letter to Bob Evans board members, the alternative investments manager called on the Columbus-based company to spin off its food service business to shareholders, and to sell and lease back its 482 company-owned restaurants.

The management firm also wants Bob Evans to use proceeds from both sales to offer to buy back shares from existing shareholders at $58 a share.