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SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Certain statements contained in this
report that are not historical facts constitute forward-looking
statements. These may be identified by words such as “estimates,”
“anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “expects,” “believes,” “should,” and
similar expressions, and by the context in which they are used.
Such statements are based only upon current expectations of the Company.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date made.
Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which
may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ
materially from those expressed or implied. Meritage undertakes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date on which they are made.
Statements concerning expected financial performance, business strategies
and action which Meritage intends to pursue to achieve its strategic
objectives, constitute forward-looking information. Implementation of these
strategies and achievement of such financial performance are subject to
numerous conditions, uncertainties and risk factors, which could cause
actual performance to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements. These include, without limitation: competition; changes in the
national or local economy; changes in consumer tastes and eating habits;
concerns about the nutritional quality of our restaurant menu items;
concerns about consumption of beef or other menu items due to diseases
including E. coli, hepatitis, and mad cow; promotions and price discounting
by competitors; severe weather; changes in travel patterns; road
construction; demographic trends; the cost of food, labor and energy; the
availability and cost of suitable restaurant sites; the ability to finance
expansion; interest rates; insurance costs; the availability of adequate
managers and hourly-paid employees; directives issued by the franchisor
regarding operations and menu pricing; the general reputation of Meritage’s
and its franchisors’ restaurants; the relationship between Meritage and its
franchisors; legal claims; and the recurring need for renovation and capital
improvements. Meritage’s expansion into the casual dining restaurant
segment as a franchisee of O’Charley’s will subject Meritage to additional
risks including, without limitation, unanticipated expenses or difficulties
in securing market acceptance of the O’Charley’s restaurant brand, the
ability of our management and infrastructure to successfully implement the
O’Charley’s development plan in Michigan, and our limited experience in the
casual dining segment. Also, Meritage is subject to extensive government
regulations relating to, among other things, zoning, public health,
sanitation, alcoholic beverage control, environment, food preparation,
minimum and overtime wages and tips, employment of minors, citizenship
requirements, working conditions, and the operation of its restaurants.
Because Meritage’s operations are concentrated in certain areas of
Michigan, a marked decline in
Michigan’s economy, or in the local economies where
our restaurants are located, could adversely affect our operations.
Meritage’s expansion into hospitality and resort development in the Bahamas
would subject Meritage to additional risks including, without limitation,
risks associated with the stability of the Bahamian government including its
fiscal and development policies, the ability to obtain necessary development
permits and authorizations from the Bahamian government, unanticipated
expenses or difficulties encountered in such developments, difficulties in
obtaining needed financing to complete such developments, the fact that
Meritage has no development or operating history associated with
large-scale, high-end hospitality and resort developments, and changes in
consumer preferences relating to the Bahamas as a travel or residential
destination.
The Company’s news releases and public reports are not intended to constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company or otherwise engage in a transaction with the Company.
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