UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(RULE 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.1)

Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

þ		Preliminary Proxy Statement
o		Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o		Definitive Proxy Statement
o		Definitive Additional Materials
o		Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

o		No fee required.
o		Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

	(1)		Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
			Wild Oats Markets, Inc. common stock, par value $.001 per share
	(2)		Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 31,334,034
			The aggregate of 31,334,034 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. outstanding consists of: (a) 29,900,167 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, (b) 1,274,380 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to existing stock options with an exercise price below $18.50 per share, and (c) 159,487 shares of restricted common stock and restricted common stock units
	(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):
			Calculated solely for the purpose of determining the filing fee. The value of the transaction is determined based upon the product of (1) the aggregate of 31,334,034 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. outstanding consisting of: (a) 29,900,167 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, (b) 1,274,380 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to existing stock options with an exercise price below $18.50 per share, and (c) 159,487 shares of restricted common stock and restricted common stock units, and (2) the $18.50 per share merger consideration. The filing fee, calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is calculated by multiplying the value of the transaction by 0.0000307.
	(4)		Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
			$579,679,629
	(5)		Total fee paid:
			$17,796.17

þ		Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o		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:

 

The information in this document is not complete and can be changed.

PRELIMINARY DRAFT, DATED JULY 26, 2007

 

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on          , 2007 at  :00 MDT at          , Boulder, Colorado.

 

At the special meeting, you will be asked to approve and adopt an agreement and plan of merger that the Company entered into on February 21, 2007, providing for the merger of an affiliate of Whole Foods Market, Inc. (“WFMI”) with and into the Company with the Company surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI. WFMI is one of the leading retailers of natural and organic foods. WFMI operates 195 stores in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

 

If the merger is consummated, the Company’s stockholders will be entitled to receive $18.50 in cash for each share of Company common stock they own. The $18.50 per share being paid pursuant to the merger represents a 17% premium over the closing price of the Company’s common stock on February 20, 2007, the last trading day before the merger was announced, and a 23% premium over the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the one month prior to announcement.

 

On February 20, 2007, our board of directors, after carefully considered a number of factors which are described in the accompanying proxy, unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the merger are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and unanimously approved the form, terms and provisions of the merger agreement. The Company’s board of directors unanimously recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement.

 

The Company cannot consummate the merger unless the Company’s stockholders approve and adopt the merger agreement. Such approval and adoption requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Company common stock outstanding on the record date.

 

The attached notice of special meeting and proxy statement explain the proposed merger and provide specific information concerning the special meeting. Please read these materials (including the annexes) carefully.

 

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, you should read the proxy statement and follow the instructions on your proxy card to submit a proxy by mail, telephone or Internet to ensure that your shares will be represented at the special meeting. If you decide to attend the special meeting and vote in person, your vote at the special meeting will revoke any previously submitted proxy.

 

Sincerely,

 

Greg Mays

Chairman and CEO

 

This transaction has not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the fairness or merits of this transaction or the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained in this proxy statement. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.

 

This proxy statement is dated          , 2007, and is first being mailed to stockholders of the Company on or about          , 2007.

 

The information in this document is not complete and can be changed.

PRELIMINARY DRAFT, DATED JULY 26, 2007

 

 

1821 30th Street

Boulder, CO 80301

303-440-5220

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON          , 2007

 

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:

 

Notice Is Hereby Given that a special meeting of Stockholders of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on          , 2007 at  :00 MDT at          , Boulder, Colorado. All holders of record of shares of Company common stock at the close of business on          , 2007 are entitled to vote at this special meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. At the special meeting, the Company’s stockholders will be asked to:

 

1. consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 21, 2007 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Whole Foods Market, Inc. (“WFMI”) and WFMI Merger Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, upon the merger becoming effective, each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 (together with associated preferred stock purchase rights, the “Shares”) will be converted into the right to receive $18.50 per share in cash, without interest;

 

2. approve any motion to adjourn the special meeting to a later date, if necessary or appropriate, and to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal; and

 

3. transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.

 

All holders of record of Shares at the close of business on          , 2007 are entitled to vote at this special meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Company’s board of directors has determined that the Merger Agreement and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and related transactions. The Company’s board of directors unanimously recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.

 

When you consider the recommendation of our board of directors to approve the Merger Agreement, you should be aware that some of our directors and executive officers have interests in the Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of our stockholders generally.

 

Company stockholders who do not vote in favor of approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement will have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares if the Merger is consummated, but only if they perfect their appraisal rights by complying with all of the required procedures under Delaware law. See “Special Factors — Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 22 of the accompanying proxy statement and Annex F to the proxy statement.

 

You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the special meeting, please vote by phone, Internet or complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the special meeting. The approval and adoption of the merger agreement require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote thereon. It is important that your shares are represented at this special meeting. A return envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for that purpose. You may also vote by phone or Internet, following the instructions on your ballot. Even if you have given your proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the special meeting.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

Gregory Mays
Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

Boulder, Colorado

          , 2007

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

This summary term sheet highlights material information contained in this proxy statement, but does not contain all of the information in this proxy statement that is important to your voting decision. To understand the Merger Agreement fully and for a more complete description of the terms of the Merger, you should carefully read this entire proxy statement, including the attached annexes. In addition, the Company encourages you to read the Merger Agreement and the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, which includes important business and financial information about the Company that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Where Can You Find More Information.” Page references below relate to a more complete description of terms and conditions in this proxy statement.

 

Important Defined Terms

 

 

The Parties (page 10)

 

 

Recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors (page 14)

 

The Company Board has determined that the Merger Agreement and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and related transactions. The Company Board unanimously recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.

 

Reasons of the Company’s Board of Directors for Recommending Approval of the Merger Agreement (page 14)

 

The principal reasons for the Merger include, among others, the risks and uncertainties of executing the Company’s business and financial plans as a stand-alone company and the opportunity for the Company’s stockholders to receive a cash payment for their Shares at a significant premium to historical trading prices. See “Special Factors — Recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors and Its Reasons for Recommending Approval of the Merger Agreement.”

 

What You Will Receive in the Merger (page 30)

 

If the Merger is consummated, each outstanding Share (other than Shares held in the treasury of the Company, owned by Merger Sub, WFMI or any wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI or the Company, or held by stockholders who properly demand and perfect appraisal rights under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration (i.e., $18.50 in cash). You will receive the Per Share Merger Consideration in respect of your Shares after you remit your stock certificate(s) evidencing your Shares or exchange your book-entry Shares in accordance with the instructions contained in a letter of transmittal to be sent to you as soon as reasonably practicable after consummation of the Merger, together with a properly completed and signed letter of transmittal and any other documentation required to be completed pursuant to the written instructions. If your Shares are held in “street name” by your bank, broker or other nominee, you will receive instructions from your bank, broker or nominee as to how to surrender your “street name” Shares and receive cash for those Shares.

 

Treatment of Company Stock Options, ESPP and RSUs (page 30)

 

The Merger Agreement provides that, no later than the Effective Time, each outstanding and unexercised option to acquire Shares granted under any of the Company’s equity incentive plans, whether vested or unvested, will automatically be terminated and will thereafter solely represent the right to receive, in exchange, an amount in cash equal to the product of the number of Shares subject to such option and the excess, if any, of the Per Share Merger Consideration over the exercise price per Share subject to such option. Options having an exercise price per Share equal to or greater than the Per Share Merger Consideration will, at the Effective Time, be cancelled without payment of any consideration. The Company Board has taken actions under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan such that no further offering periods for the purchase of Shares thereunder would commence following the expiration of the offering period that ended December 31, 2006. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, all granted but unvested restricted stock units, or RSUs, will become fully vested. Each Share of restricted stock and each Share represented by an RSU will, at the Effective Time, be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration.

 

Opinion of Financial Advisor (page 18)

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. delivered its written opinion to the Company Board that, as of February 20, 2007, and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in its written opinion, the $18.50 per share in cash to be received by the holders of Company Shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such holders. The full text of Citigroup’s written opinion is attached to this proxy statement as Annex C.

 

Appraisal Rights (page 22)

 

Holders of Shares who do not vote in favor of approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement will have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their Shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery if the

Merger is consummated, but only if they submit a written demand for appraisal to the Company before the vote is taken on the Merger Agreement and they comply with all requirements of Delaware law, which are summarized in this proxy statement. This appraisal amount could be more than, the same as or less than the amount a stockholder would be entitled to receive under the terms of the Merger Agreement. Any holder of Shares intending to exercise his appraisal rights, among other things, must submit a written demand for an appraisal to the Company prior to the vote on the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and must not vote or otherwise submit a proxy in favor of approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement.

 

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences (Page 24).

 

The receipt of cash in exchange for Shares pursuant to the Merger will be a taxable sale transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, you will recognize gain or loss in the Merger in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the cash you receive and your tax basis in Shares surrendered. Payment of the cash consideration with respect to the disposition of Shares pursuant to the Merger may be subject to information reporting and United States federal backup withholding tax at the applicable rate (currently 28%), unless a holder of Shares properly certifies its taxpayer identification number or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding and complies with all other applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Tax matters are very complicated. The tax consequences of the Merger to you will depend upon your particular circumstances. You should consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. and other tax consequences of the Merger to you.

 

Regulatory Approvals (Page 25)

 

The Merger is subject to U.S. antitrust laws. WFMI and the Company separately filed the required notifications under the HSR Act with both the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the FTC. On March 13, 2007, the FTC issues a request for additional documentary material and information, which is commonly referred to as a second request. On June 7, 2007, the FTC filed suit in federal district court challenging the Merger on antitrust grounds and seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to block the Merger pending a trial on the merits. WFMI and the Company consented to a temporary restraining order pending the hearing of the preliminary injunction, which has been scheduled for July 31 and August 1, 2007. While WFMI and the Company are optimistic that the FTC’s case is without legal or factual merit and have agreed to cooperate to vigorously challenge the FTC in court, there can be no assurance that the parties will be successful in this matter or that the matter will be resolved prior to the Outside Date (defined below under “Termination of the Merger Agreement”).

 

On June 27, 2007, the FTC filed an administrative complaint asserting the same substantive issues contained in its complaint filed in district court. A hearing on the matter before an administrative law judge has been scheduled for September 27, 2007.

 

The Merger Agreement provides that, in the event that any administrative or judicial action or proceeding is instituted by a government entity or private party challenging the Merger or any transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, each of WFMI, Merger Sub and the Company shall cooperate in all respects with each other and use its respective reasonable best efforts to contest and resist any such action or proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction, or other order whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents or restricts the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and each have further agreed to take all reasonable actions that are necessary, proper or advisable to avoid any obstacle that may be asserted by any governmental authority under applicable antitrust laws to enable the Merger to be completed as soon as possible, and to cause the termination of the applicable HSR waiting periods.

 

Source of Funds (page 26)

 

The Merger is not subject to a financing contingency. WFMI intends to fund the Merger with cash on hand and borrowing capacity under its credit facilities.

Merger Agreement (page 29)

 

A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A and a summary of the Merger Agreement is provided beginning on page A-1 of this proxy statement. You are encouraged to carefully read the Merger Agreement as it is the legal document that contains the terms and conditions of the Merger.

 

Structure

 

The Merger Agreement contemplates a two-step transaction involving a tender offer followed by a merger. In the event that WFMI and its affiliates own at least 90% of the Shares following the expiration of the tender offer, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company under Delaware’s “short form” merger statute without the need to obtain stockholder approval. If, on the other hand, WFMI and its affiliates own less than 90% of the Shares following the tender offer, then Delaware law requires the affirmative vote of a majority of outstanding Shares to consummate the Merger. We intend to mail this proxy statement to our stockholders to solicit votes to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement only in the event that WFMI and its affiliates own less than 90% of the Shares following the expiration of the tender offer.

 

The Tender Offer (page 29)

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub made a cash tender offer disclosed in a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO dated February 27, 2007 filed with the SEC to purchase all outstanding Shares at a price of $18.50 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal, copies of which are filed as Annexes D and E hereto and are incorporated herein by reference. The tender offer is currently scheduled to expire on August 10, 2007, and may be extended on one or more occasions by WFMI, but may not be extended beyond the Outside Date without the prior consent of the Company.

 

The Merger (page 29)

 

Promptly following either (i) the Merger having been approved by stockholders of record owning a majority of our Shares (whether or not the tender offer closes), or (ii) at least 90% of the Shares being tendered to and purchased by Merger Sub in the tender offer, allowing Merger Sub to merge with the Company under Delaware’s “short form” merger statute, Merger Sub will (subject to satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement) merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI.

 

No-Solicitation (page 33)

 

The Merger Agreement contains restrictions on the Company’s ability to solicit or engage in discussions or negotiations with a third party regarding a competing proposal as described in “Merger Agreement— No Solicitation of Alternative Acquisition Proposals.” Notwithstanding these restrictions, under certain limited circumstances, the Company may furnish non-public information to a third party making a competing proposal (after entering into a confidentiality agreement with such third party) and engage in discussions or negotiations with a third party with respect to a superior proposal, in each case after furnishing prior written notice of such proposal to WFMI and satisfying the other conditions described in the Merger Agreement.

 

Conditions to the Merger (page 35)

 

The obligations of each party to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, where permissible, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following conditions:

 

 

 

The obligations of the Company to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following conditions:

 

 

Unless Merger Sub has purchased Shares in the tender offer, the obligations of WFMI and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following conditions:

 

 

Termination of the Merger Agreement (page 36)

 

The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the consummation of the Merger by mutual written consent of the Company Board and the board of directors of WFMI.

 

The Merger Agreement may be terminated by either party if:

 

 

As used in this proxy statement, Outside Date refers to June 30, 2007, the latest date the Merger can be consummated, unless, as of June 30, 2007, either

 

 

in which case, the latest date the Merger can be consummated is August 31, 2007.

 

Subject to certain conditions, including payment of the Termination Fee described below under “— Termination Fee Payable by the Company and WFMI,” the Merger Agreement may be terminated by the Company if, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the purchase of Shares by Merger Sub in the tender offer and (ii) a meeting of the Company’s stockholders to vote on the Merger, the Company Board determines in good faith after consultation with its legal and financial advisors that

 

 

Termination Fee Payable by the Company and WFMI (page 37)

 

The Merger Agreement provides that the Company will be obligated to pay WFMI a fee of $15.2 million, which we refer to in this proxy statement as the Termination Fee, if:

 

 

 

In addition, either party will be obligated to pay the other a $4.0 million termination fee if the Merger fails to close for certain breaches by the paying party of its representations, warranties, covenants or obligations.

 

Tender and Support Agreement with Yucaipa Stockholders (page 38)

 

Yucaipa, which holds approximately 18% of the Company’s outstanding Shares, has agreed pursuant to a Tender and Support Agreement with the Company, WFMI and Merger Sub to vote its Shares in favor of the Merger at any meeting of stockholders in which the Merger is considered, and at every adjournment or postponement of such meeting.

 

Interests of the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (page 19)

 

When considering the recommendation by the Company Board, you should be aware that a number of the Company’s directors and executive officers may have interests in the Merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of the Company’s other stockholders. The Company Board was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in unanimously approving the Merger Agreement and the related transactions. Each of these additional interests is described in this proxy statement, to the extent material, and, except as described in this proxy statement, such persons have, to the knowledge of the Company, no material interest in the Merger apart from those of the Company’s common stockholders generally. See “Special Factors — Interests of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon.”

 

Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Information (page 39)

 

The Shares are listed on Nasdaq and trade under the symbol OATS. The Company does not currently pay dividends on the Shares. See “Other Important Information Regarding the Company-Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Information.”

 

The following are some questions that you may have regarding the proposed Merger and the other matters being considered at the special meeting and brief answers to those questions. The Company urges you to carefully read the remainder of this proxy statement because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the proposed Merger. Additional important information is also contained in the annexes to, and the documents incorporated by reference in, this proxy statement.

 

WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON?

 

The Company is asking for your vote to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement, which will result in Merger Sub being merged with and into the Company with the Company surviving the Merger and continuing its existence as a wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI.

 

WHY AM I RECEIVING THESE MATERIALS?

 

In order to consummate the Merger, the Company’s stockholders must approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, in order for the Merger Agreement to be approved and adopted, a majority of the outstanding Shares must be voted in favor of approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders. A quorum is necessary to hold the special meeting. A quorum exists if at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the special meeting are present in person or by proxy.

 

This proxy statement contains important information about the proposed Merger, the Merger Agreement and the special meeting, which you should read carefully. The enclosed voting materials allow you to vote your Shares without attending the special meeting.

 

For a more complete description of the special meeting, see “The Special Meeting of Stockholders.”

 

Your vote is very important. You are encouraged to vote as soon as possible.

 

WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IF THE MERGER IS APPROVED AND CONSUMMATED?

 

If the Merger is consummated, at the Effective Time, the Company’s stockholders will be entitled to receive $18.50 per share in cash, without interest, for each Share they own. For example, if you own 100 Shares upon completion of the Merger you will receive $1,850 in cash.

 

For a more complete description of what the Company’s stockholders will be entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger, see “Merger Agreement — Merger Consideration.”

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE PROPOSED MERGER TO OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SHARES?

 

The Merger Agreement provides that, no later than the Effective Time of the Merger, each outstanding and unexercised option to acquire Shares granted under any of the Company’s equity incentive plans, whether vested or unvested, will automatically be terminated in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the product of the number of Shares subject to such option and the excess, if any, of the Per Share Merger Consideration (i.e., $18.50 in cash) over the exercise price per Share subject to such option. Options having an exercise price per Share equal to or greater than the Per Share Merger Consideration will be cancelled without payment of any consideration.

 

WILL THE MERGER BE TAXABLE TO ME?

 

Yes. The exchange of Shares for cash pursuant to the Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and may be a taxable transaction under state and local tax law as well. A U.S. Holder that receives cash for Shares pursuant to the Merger will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares. Such gain or loss will be long-term if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Shares is more than one year at the time of sale.

Because individual circumstances may differ, you should consult your own tax advisor to determine the particular tax effects to you of the consummation of the Merger. See “Special Factors — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

AFTER THE MERGER IS CONSUMMATED, HOW WILL I RECEIVE THE CASH FOR MY SHARES?

 

After the Merger is consummated, you will receive written instructions from the exchange agent to be appointed by WFMI on how to exchange your Company common stock certificates or book-entry Shares for the Per Share Merger Consideration. You will receive cash for your Shares from the exchange agent after you comply with these instructions.

 

If your Shares are held in “street name” by your bank, broker or other nominee, you will receive instructions from your bank, broker or nominee as to how to surrender your “street name” Shares and receive cash for those shares.

 

SHOULD I SEND IN MY COMPANY STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW?

 

No. After the Merger is consummated, you will receive written instructions from the exchange agent on how to exchange your Company common stock certificates for the Per Share Merger Consideration. Please do not send in your Company common stock certificates with your proxy card.

 

WHAT CONDITIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BE FULFILLED TO CONSUMMATE THE MERGER?

 

The Company, WFMI and Merger Sub are not required to consummate the Merger unless specified conditions are satisfied or waived. These conditions include, among others, approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company’s stockholders and the expiration or early termination of the waiting period required under the HSR Act. On June 7, 2007, the FTC filed suit in federal district court challenging the Merger on antitrust grounds and seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to block the Merger pending a trial on the merits. WFMI and the Company consented to a temporary restraining order pending the hearing of the preliminary injunction, which has been scheduled for July 31 and August 1, 2007. While WFMI and the Company are optimistic that the FTC’s case is without legal or factual merit and have agreed to cooperate to vigorously challenge the FTC in court, there can be no assurance that the parties will be successful in this matter or that the matter will be resolved prior to the Outside Date.

 

IS THE MERGER SUBJECT TO WFMI OBTAINING NEW FINANCING?

 

No. WFMI intends to finance the Merger using cash on hand and borrowing capacity under its existing credit facilities.

 

WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE MERGER?

 

Under the DGCL, in order for the Merger Agreement to be approved and adopted, a majority of the outstanding Shares must be voted in favor of approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders, provided that a quorum is present. Our transfer agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., will act as inspector of election at the special meeting, determining whether or not quorum is present, and separately counting affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether a matter has been approved. Abstentions are not counted as votes cast where approval of a matter is by plurality of votes cast. Where approval of a matter requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast on a proposal, abstentions count toward the tabulation of votes cast on the proposal and will have the same effect as negative votes.

HOW MANY VOTES DOES THE COMPANY ALREADY KNOW WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER PROPOSAL?

 

Pursuant to a Tender and Support Agreement, Yucaipa has agreed to vote its Shares in favor of the Merger, which represent approximately 18% of our outstanding Shares. In addition, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, WFMI and Merger Sub are required to vote all the Shares they acquire pursuant to the tender offer in favor the Merger.

 

WHEN DO YOU EXPECT THE MERGER TO BE COMPLETED?

 

The Company, WFMI and Merger Sub are working to complete the Merger as quickly as possible. However, they cannot predict the exact timing of the consummation of the Merger because it is subject to several conditions, including successful resolution of the action brought by the FTC challenging the Merger. See “Special Factors — Regulatory Approvals.”

 

WHAT IF I OBJECT TO THE MERGER?

 

Under Delaware law, you have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of your Shares as may be determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery if the Merger is consummated. However, you must follow the procedures under Delaware law explained in this proxy statement in order to do so. In order to preserve your appraisal rights, Delaware law requires, among other things, that you do not vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement at the special meeting.

 

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE SPECIAL MEETING BE HELD?

 

The special meeting will be held on          , 2007 at  :00 MDT at          , Boulder, Colorado.

 

HOW DOES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE ON THE MERGER?

 

The Company Board recommends that all stockholders vote FOR the Merger, for the reasons that are described in this proxy.

 

WHO CAN VOTE AT THE MEETING?

 

Only holders of record of Shares at the close of business on the          , 2007 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at the special meeting of Stockholders. At the close of business on          , 2007, we had outstanding and entitled to vote            Shares. Each holder of record of Shares on the record date has one vote for each Share held on all matters to be voted upon at the special meeting.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I SELL MY SHARES BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING?

 

The record date for the special meeting is earlier than the date of the special meeting and the date that the Merger is expected to be consummated. If you transfer your Shares after the record date but before the special meeting you will retain your right to vote at the special meeting, but will transfer the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration to the person to whom you transfer your Shares, so long as such person owns the Shares when the Merger is consummated.

 

HOW DO I VOTE?

 

There are four different ways that those who are stockholders as of close of business on the record date can cast their vote at the special meeting. You may cast your vote by:

 

1. Telephone, using the toll-free number listed on each proxy card (if you are a stockholder of record) or vote instruction card (if your shares are held by a bank or broker). Telephonic votes may be cast through 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on          , 2007;

2. The Internet, at the address provided on each proxy or vote instruction card. Internet votes may be cast through 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on          , 2007;

 

3. Marking, signing, dating and mailing each proxy or vote instruction card and returning it in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy or vote instruction card but do not mark the boxes showing how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted FOR all of the proposals; or

 

4. Attending the special meeting (if your shares are registered directly in your name on the Company’s books and not held through a broker, bank or other nominee). Please note, however, that if a broker, bank or other nominee is the record holder of your shares (i.e. the shares are held in “street name”) and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name.

 

You can revoke a previously given proxy at any time before it is voted. You may revoke your proxy by filing a written notice of revocation of proxy with the Corporate Secretary of the Company at our executive offices at 1821 30th Street, Boulder, Colorado 80301. You can also revoke your proxy by casting a vote by mail, telephone or via the Internet received at a later date than the original proxy. Attending the special meeting and voting in person may also revoke the proxy, but attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy. The latest-dated, properly completed proxy that you submit whether by mail, telephone or Internet will count as your vote.

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE SET OF VOTING MATERIALS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING?

 

You may receive more than one set of voting materials for the special meeting, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your Shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold Shares. If you are a holder of record and your Shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please mark, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.

 

HOW WILL I KNOW THE MERGER HAS OCCURRED?

 

If the Merger occurs, the Company and/or WFMI will promptly make a public announcement of this fact.

 

WHO CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS?

 

If you have any questions about the Merger or how to submit your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement, the enclosed proxy card or voting instructions, please contact Investor Relations at Wild Oats Markets, Inc., at the following telephone number: (303) 396-6984.

 

The Company is the subject company of the proposed Merger. The Company is a nationwide chain of natural and organic foods markets in the U.S. and Canada. With more than $1.2 billion in annual sales, the Company currently operates 110 natural food stores in 24 states and British Columbia, Canada. The Company’s markets include: Wild Oats Marketplace, Henry’s Farmers Market, Sun Harvest and Capers Community Markets.

 

The Company is dedicated to providing a broad selection of natural, organic and gourmet foods, environmentally friendly household products and natural vitamins, supplements, herbal and homeopathic remedies and body care products at competitive prices, in an inviting and educational store environment that emphasizes customer service. The Company’s broad selection of natural and organic products appeals to health-conscious shoppers while offering virtually every product category found in a conventional supermarket, including dry grocery, produce, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, frozen, prepared foods, bakery, vitamins and supplements, health and body care, and household items. The Company believes that industry data stating the natural products industry

currently comprises less than 5% of the total grocery industry suggests significant potential to continue to expand its customer base.

 

WFMI is a public company whose common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “WFMI”. WFMI is one of the leading retailers of natural and organic products. WFMI’s mission is to promote the vitality and well-being of all individuals by supplying the highest quality, most wholesome foods available. WFMI’s core mission is devoted to the promotion of organically grown foods, food safety concern, and the sustainability of the entire ecosystem. Through WFMI’s growth, it has had a large and positive impact on the natural and organic foods movement throughout the United States, helping lead it to nationwide acceptance over the last 26 years.

 

WFMI opened its first store in Austin, Texas in 1980 and completed its initial public offering in January 1992. WFMI operates 195 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. WFMI’s stores are supported by regional distribution centers, bakehouse facilities, commissary kitchens, seafood-processing facilities, produce procurement centers, a national meat purchasing office and a specialty coffee procurement and roasting operation.

 

Merger Sub is a Delaware corporation and, to date, has engaged in no activities other than those incident to its formation and to the tender offer and the Merger. Merger Sub is wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI.

 

In 2004 and 2005, the Company explored a variety of strategic alternatives with a view of enhancing stockholder value, including the possible sale of the Company.

 

In 2004, the Company engaged a financial advisor to market and sell a group of stores that the Company at that time believed were not core to its business plan, required substantial investment and were experiencing declining comparable sales. The Company terminated this process in 2005 after conducting a thorough process and failing to receive any meaningful indications of interest for these assets.

 

In 2005, the Company engaged a separate financial advisor which, together with management of the Company, contacted several potential strategic buyers, including companies in the grocery industry, as well as several potential financial buyers regarding a possible acquisition of the Company. These discussions led to one preliminary proposal from a potential financial buyer for an acquisition of all of the Company’s capital stock at a per share price that the Company Board determined, in consultation with its financial advisor, was inadequate and ultimately rejected the offer on that basis. While one party in the grocery industry and one party in the packaged foods industry conducted some due diligence on the Company, neither of these potential strategic buyers made a formal proposal to acquire the Company. After canvassing a significant portion of likely buyers and receiving no other formal proposals to acquire the Company as a whole, the Company terminated the process of seeking out potential strategic and financial buyers in late summer 2005. The current transaction recommended by the Company Board provides consideration substantially in excess of the one preliminary proposal noted above.

 

On October 19, 2006, the Company’s existing Chief Executive Officer resigned and was replaced on an interim basis by Gregory Mays, the Chairman of the Company Board. Also at such time the Company Board appointed an Executive Committee consisting of Company Board members Brian K. Devine and John Shields to interact with Mr. Mays on interim management of the Company.

 

On December 20, 2006, the Company’s existing Chief Financial Officer announced he was resigning effective December 31, 2006. The Company Board appointed Mr. Mays to act as interim Chief Financial Officer.

 

On January 4, 2007, John P. Mackey, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of WFMI contacted Mr. Mays and suggested that Mr. Mays meet with him to discuss a potential acquisition transaction

of the Company by WFMI. Mr. Mackey proposed discussing a transaction where WFMI would commence a cash tender offer for all of the Company outstanding shares at a price per share substantially above the market value of the Company’s common stock to be followed by a cash merger. Mr. Mackey further stated that he believed that the stock of the Company was already trading at a premium to market as a result of Yucaipa’s investment in the Company. Mr. Mackey further stated that WFMI would only be interested in pursuing such a transaction if WFMI and the Company could enter into a definitive acquisition agreement no later than February 21, 2007, the scheduled date for WFMI’s earnings release for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007. Mr. Mays agreed to discuss with the Company Board scheduling a face to face meeting with Mr. Mackey to discuss a potential transaction with the Company.

 

Later on January 4, 2007 and through January 5, 2007, Mr. Mays contacted the members of the Company Board to schedule a meeting of the Company Board on January 6, 2007.

 

On January 6, 2007, the Company Board met telephonically to discuss the potential transaction, and representatives of the Company’s outside legal counsel advised the Board of its fiduciary duties with respect to a possible transaction. After discussing the potential transaction proposed by WFMI, the Company Board authorized Mr. Mays to enter into preliminary discussions with WFMI regarding the terms of a potential transaction with WFMI and to schedule a meeting with Mr. Mackey. The Board also suggested that Mr. Shields attend such meeting.

 

Following the January 6, 2007 meeting, Mr. Mays contacted Mr. Mackey and scheduled a meeting for January 10, 2007 in Dallas, Texas.

 

From January 6, 2007 to January 8, 2007, the Company and WFMI and their respective outside counsel prepared and negotiated the terms of a confidentiality agreement, including a standstill agreement from WFMI, which was signed on January 8, 2007.

 

On January 10, 2007, Mr. Mays and Mr. Shields met in person in Dallas, Texas with Mr. Mackey and James P. Sud, WFMI’s Executive Vice President of Growth and Business Development, to discuss the nature and terms of WFMI’s proposal. Mr. Mays provided Mr. Mackey and Mr. Sud with publicly available information about the Company’s general business prospects and financial outlook. Mr. Mackey, on behalf of WFMI, again proposed a transaction to acquire the Company involving a cash tender offer for all of the Company’s outstanding stock followed by a cash merger. Based upon the diligence materials he had been provided at the time, Mr. Mackey proposed a price range of $16.00-$18.00 per share. Mr. Mays proposed, and Mr. Mackey agreed, that the tender offer and the Merger would not have a financing condition or diligence condition, that the termination fee payable by the Company would be no more than 2.5% of the equity value of the Company, that the Merger Agreement would contain other provisions to assure certainty of closing the transaction, and that WFMI would require only limited confirmatory diligence, in addition to WFMI’s review of the publicly available financial and operating information. Mr. Mackey again stated that WFMI was scheduled to release its earnings and hold its analyst call on February 21, 2007 and that this date was WFMI’s deadline to sign a definitive agreement to acquire the Company. Mr. Mays also indicated that he did not believe that a price in the price range proposed by Mr. Mackey would be acceptable to the Company Board.

 

Following the January 10, 2007 meeting, Mr. Mays and Mr. Sud spoke regularly over the telephone regarding WFMI’s proposal and the respective businesses of the Company and WFMI generally. In these conversations, Mr. Mays strongly emphasized to Mr. Sud that in order to accomplish a transaction in the indicated time, WFMI would have to propose its best price for the acquisition of the Company and he again strongly indicated that a price in the proposed range would not be acceptable to the Company Board.

 

On January 11, 2007, the Company Board met telephonically to discuss the January 10, 2007 meeting in Dallas, Texas and the status of the potential transaction with WFMI. The Company Board discussed the status of the negotiations with WFMI, including WFMI’s proposed purchase price range. At the conclusion of the meeting the Company Board authorized Mr. Mays to continue to negotiate the terms of the proposed transaction with WFMI and to hire a financial advisor on behalf of the Company.

 

On January 12, 2007, WFMI delivered a diligence request which the Company responded to. WFMI then followed up with a second diligence request on January 15, 2007, which the Company also responded to.

On January 20, 2007, Mr. Mackey telephoned Mr. Mays and, on behalf of WFMI, submitted to the Company a verbal, non-binding, all-cash proposal to buy the Company for $17.50 per share pursuant to a tender offer followed by a merger as previously discussed. Mr. Mays indicated to Mr. Mackey that the proposed price per share would not be acceptable to the Company Board and expressed his view that WFMI was undervaluing certain assets of the Company.

 

During the week of January 22, 2007, the Company engaged Citigroup Global Markets Inc., which we refer to in this proxy as Citigroup, as its financial advisor in connection with the Company’s potential transaction with WFMI.

 

During the period of January 22, 2007 to February 6, 2007, WFMI continued its diligence activities and representatives of Citigroup and the Company engaged in discussions concerning the terms of any proposed transaction, including continuing negotiations for a higher price. Through Citigroup, the Company also contacted the third party which had expressed the most interest in the Company during prior exploration of strategic alternatives to determine their current level of interest and was advised that, while that party might be interested in purchasing selected store sites, it did not have an interest in acquiring the entire equity interest in the Company.

 

On February 7, 2007, Mr. Sud telephoned Mr. Mays and, on behalf of WFMI, proposed that WFMI acquire the Company for $18.50 per share pursuant to the cash tender offer and cash merger transaction structure previously discussed. Mr. Sud stated that this valuation represented WFMI’s best and final offer. Mr. Sud also discussed with Mr. Mays the requirement that Yucaipa execute a tender and support agreement. The oral proposal was followed shortly thereafter by a non-binding written proposal that included a request for additional diligence materials.

 

On February 8, 2007, the Company Board met to discuss WFMI’s proposal. Representatives of Citigroup gave a presentation to the Company Board regarding the financial aspects of WFMI’s proposal and representatives of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, which we refer to in this proxy as Skadden, the Company’s special counsel, described for the Company Board its fiduciary duties in connection with the potential transaction with WFMI. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Company Board authorized Mr. Mays to continue to negotiate the terms of the proposed transaction with WFMI and instructed Mr. Mays and Citigroup to contact WFMI and WFMI’s financial advisor to determine if the per share price offered by WFMI was its best and final offer.

 

Following the February 8, 2007 meeting, Mr. Mays had discussions with representatives of WFMI and Citigroup had discussions with representatives of WFMI’s financial advisor and following these discussions both Mr. Mays and Citigroup concluded that the price per share offered by WFMI was WFMI’s best and final offer. Also following this meeting the parties continued to discuss diligence information concerning the Company and certain requested revisions to the Merger Agreement in order to assure the Company Board that any transaction once announced, might have a high degree of certainty of being consummated.

 

On February 9, 2007, WFMI sent Skadden a proposed draft of the Merger Agreement.

 

On February 10, 2007, the Company Board met telephonically to discuss the status of the discussions, WFMI’s proposed purchase price and other aspects of the proposed transaction, including the structure and timing of the transaction as well as the conditions to closing. Representatives of Skadden reviewed for the Company Board certain issues raised in the draft Merger Agreement, including the circumstances under which the Merger Agreement could be terminated. At such meeting, Mr. Mays and Citigroup advised the Company Board that, in their view, based upon their negotiations with WFMI, WFMI’s proposed price of $18.50 per share represented its best and final offer. Following such meeting, and having concluded that it had obtained WFMI’s best and final offer, the Company Board authorized the Company’s Compensation Committee to adopt such arrangements as it deemed advisable to secure the services of the workforce necessary to run the business during the sale and transition period by adopting a transition bonus plan for the general workforce and modifying the compensation arrangements for Mr. Mays as interim Chief Executive Officer.

 

From February 10, 2007 to February 21, 2007, representatives from the Company, WFMI and their respective outside financial and legal advisors, had frequent discussions and negotiations regarding the Merger Agreement.

 

On February 15, 2007, the Company’s Compensation Committee met telephonically to discuss 2006 bonuses and compensation issues relating to WFMI’s proposal. At such meeting the Compensation Committee authorized

certain matters in connection with the tender offer and Merger subject to full Company Board approval, including: (i) upon the earlier of consummation of the tender offer or the Merger (x) the termination of the Company’s employee stock purchase plan and (y) the acceleration of outstanding Company stock options, (ii) upon the Effective Time, the cancellation of each Company stock option in exchange for the right to receive the difference between the $18.50 offer price and the exercise price of such option, (iii) adoption of the Company’s 2007 Transition Bonus Plan, and (iv) modification of the compensation arrangements for Mr. Mays.

 

During the week of February 12, 2007, representatives of the Company had discussions with representatives of Yucaipa regarding the Tender and Support Agreement and drafts of such agreement were circulated and negotiated among WFMI, the Company and Yucaipa.

 

On February 17, 2007, the Company Board met telephonically to discuss the status of the proposed transaction with WFMI. Representatives of Skadden updated the Company Board on the status of the Merger Agreement, diligence matters and the issues that were under discussion among the parties. At the conclusion of the meeting the Company Board scheduled a meeting for February 20, 2007 to consider the approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

From February 17, 2007 to February 21, 2007, representatives from the Company, WFMI and their respective financial and legal advisors, had frequent discussions regarding finalizing the Merger Agreement and the related documents. Also during this period, representatives of Yucaipa, the Company and WFMI finalized the Tender and Support Agreement.

 

On February 20, 2007, the Company Board met telephonically. Mr. Mays described for the Company Board discussions he had with representatives of WFMI since the Company Board meeting on February 17, 2007. Representatives of Citigroup gave a presentation to the Company Board regarding the financial aspects of WFMI’s proposal. Citigroup delivered an oral fairness opinion, with a written copy to be delivered by Citigroup subsequently. Representatives of Skadden updated the Company Board on discussions with representatives of WFMI and reviewed with the Company Board in detail the terms of the tender offer and the Merger Agreement. Representatives from Skadden, Citigroup and management addressed questions from the Company Board. After a general discussion involving all of the members of the Company Board, the Company Board by a unanimous vote determined that the proposed tender offer and Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and approved the form, terms and provisions of the Merger Agreement and authorized the officers of the Company to execute the Merger Agreement and related documents following the approval of the Board of Directors of WFMI. The Company Board also approved the actions taken by the Compensation Committee.

 

On February 21, 2007, the Board of Directors of WFMI approved the Merger Agreement and the tender offer. Following such meeting, WFMI, Merger Sub and the Company executed and delivered the Merger Agreement and related documents and publicly announced the proposed transaction.

 

On February 27, 2007, Merger Sub commenced its tender offer for Shares of the Company at $18.50 per Share. On March 21, 2007, WFMI extended the expiration date to April 24, 2007. On April 24, 2007, WFMI further extended the expiration date for its tender offer to May 22, 2007; on May 22, 2007, WFMI further extended the expiration date for its tender offer to June 20, 2007; on June 20, 2007, WFMI further extended the expiration date for its tender offer to July 20, 2007; and on July 20, 2007 WFMI further extended the expiration date for its tender offer to August 10, 2007.

 

The Company Board has determined that the Merger Agreement and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and related transactions. The Company Board unanimously recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.

 

In the course of reaching the determinations and decisions and making the recommendation described above, the Company Board considered the following positive factors and potential benefits of the Merger and the Merger Agreement, each of which the Company Board believed supported its decision:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the course of reaching the determinations and decisions and making the recommendation described above, the Company Board considered the following risks and potentially negative factors relating to the Merger and the Merger Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In making its recommendation the Company Board was aware of and took into consideration the interests of certain Company executives, including the Interim Chief Executive Officer, who is a member of the Company Board, in the tender offer and the Merger as a result of the agreements referred to under “Interests of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon” of this proxy statement and their holding of Shares and options to purchase Shares.

 

The Company Board did not assign relative weights to the foregoing factors or determine that any factor was of particular importance. Rather, the Company Board viewed their position and recommendations as being based on

the totality of the information presented to and considered by them. Individual members of the Company Board may have given different weight to different factors.

 

If the Merger is not consummated for any reason, the Company’s stockholders and holders of stock options, restricted stock and RSUs will not receive the Per Share Merger Consideration. Instead, the Company will remain a public company and the Shares will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq. If the Merger is not consummated, the Company expects to continue to conduct its business in a manner similar to the manner in which it is presently conducted. In such event, the value of your Shares would continue to be subject to risks and opportunities described in the Company’s past filings with the SEC, the risk factors set forth in this proxy statement, and prevailing economic and market conditions. If the Merger is not consummated, adverse market reaction may cause Shares to trade below the levels at which it traded prior to WFMI’s announcement that it would seek to sell its non-strategic assets. If the Merger is not consummated, there can be no assurance that any other transaction similar to the Merger would be available to the Company. Even if such a transaction were available, there can be no assurance that such transaction would be acceptable to the Company Board and would offer the Company’s stockholders the opportunity to receive at least the same price as is payable pursuant to the Merger.

 

The Company has retained Citigroup as its financial advisor in connection with the tender offer and the Merger. The Company has also engaged Citigroup to provide a financial opinion letter in connection with the Merger Agreement, the tender offer and the Merger. The full text of the financial opinion letter of Citigroup, which sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion letter, is attached to this proxy statement as Annex B and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Citigroup provided its opinion for the information and assistance of the Company Board in connection with its consideration of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Citigroup financial opinion letter does not constitute a recommendation as to how any holder of Shares should vote with respect to the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.

 

Citigroup was chosen based on its extensive experience in evaluating financial transactions of the nature of the tender offer and Merger and its proposed fee to provide the opinion letter. Citigroup was chosen after interviews were conducted by the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company with three investment banking firms.

 

No material relationship, except as described herein, has existed during the past two years between Citigroup and the Company.

 

Pursuant to the Engagement Letter between Citigroup and the Company, dated January 26, 2007, which we refer to in this proxy as the Engagement Letter, the Company has agreed to pay Citigroup (i) $1,500,000 upon delivery by Citigroup of an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the Company or the holders of the common stock of the Company, of the consideration to be received in the tender offer and the Merger; (ii) 4.5% of the equity consideration received in excess of the Transaction Value (as defined in the Engagement Letter) implied by $17.50 per share, and (iii) 20%, net of direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company, of any “termination,” “break-up,” “topping” or similar fees or payments or any profits arising from any shares (or option to acquire shares or assets) of any prospective purchaser or its affiliates received by the Company in connection with the termination of any Transaction (as defined in the Engagement Letter). The Engagement Letter specifies however that no such fee shall exceed 50% of the fee that the Company would have paid Citigroup had the Transaction been consummated.

 

The Company has also agreed in the Engagement Letter to reimburse Citigroup for all reasonable travel and third party expenses (not to exceed $25,000 without the prior approval of the Company) and to indemnify Citigroup and certain related persons from and against any losses, expenses, claims or proceedings relating to or arising out of its engagement. The Company further agreed in the Engagement Letter to reimburse Citigroup for its outside legal

counsel expense incurred in connection with the Fairness Opinion up to $25,000 in the aggregate without the Company’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

In reviewing the fairness of the tender offer and the Merger, Citigroup reviewed a draft Merger Agreement, dated February 20, 2007, and held discussions with certain senior officers, directors and other representatives and advisors of the Company and certain senior officers and other representatives and advisors of WFMI regarding the business, prospects and operations of the Company. They also reviewed both publicly available and nonpublic business and financial information related to the Company. Citigroup reviewed the financial terms of the tender offer and the Merger in relation to, among other things: current and historical market prices and trading volumes of common stock of the Company; the historical and projected 2007 earnings and other operating data of the Company; and the capitalization and financial condition of the Company. They considered publicly available financial terms of other transactions, which Citigroup considered relevant in evaluating the tender offer and the Merger, and analyzed certain financial, stock market and other publicly available information relating to other companies, whose operations Citigroup considered relevant, in evaluating those of the Company. In addition to the foregoing, Citigroup conducted such other analyses and examinations and considered such other information and financial, economic and market criteria as they deemed appropriate in arriving at its opinion. Citigroup concluded that the offer price of $18.50 per share, net to the stockholders, in the tender offer and the Merger is fair from a financial point of view to the holders of the Shares.

 

Except as set forth above, neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has employed, retained or agreed to compensate any person to make solicitations or recommendations to stockholders of the Company concerning the tender offer or the Merger.

 

Certain members of management and the Company Board may be deemed to have interests in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement that are different from or in addition to their interests as Company stockholders generally. The Company Board was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. As described below, consummation of the tender offer and/or the Merger will constitute a change in control of the Company for the purposes of determining the entitlements due to the executive officers and directors of the Company to certain severance and other benefits.

 

Equity Interests of Directors and Officers

 

As of the Effective Time, all granted but unvested stock options and restricted stock units, or RSUs, will become fully vested. Each Share issuable pursuant to an option will be converted to the right to receive the excess of the Per Share Merger Consideration over the exercise price of such option, and each share of restricted stock and each share represented by an RSU will be converted to the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration. The following table sets forth the number and cash value, assuming the Merger is consummated, using the Per Share Merger Consideration, and the weighted average exercise price by optionee for all stock options, held by those

individuals who were, during fiscal 2006 and as of the date of this schedule, directors and executive officers of the Company:

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Officer Severance Agreements

 

As part of the Company’s executive retention strategy, the Company previously entered into severance agreements applicable in the event of certain terminations following a “change in control” with each of the following executive officers: Freya Brier, the Company’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Roger E. Davidson, the Company’s Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing, and Sam Martin, the Company’s Senior Vice President of Operations and one additional member of Company management. The severance agreements renew from year to year unless terminated, and provide for certain payments in the event the individual’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company other than for “cause” (as defined in such agreements) or by the individual for “good reason” (as defined in such agreements), in each case (“cause” and “good reason”) within 24 months following a “change in control” (31% of outstanding stock is transferred, certain mergers or changes in the constitution of the Company Board, or other events defined in the severance agreements) of the Company.

 

The principal benefits under the severance agreements, which are in lieu of any severance benefit otherwise payable to the recipient, consist of (i) a lump sum severance payment equal to two times the individual’s salary and bonus, (ii) a lump sum payment in lieu of Company contributions that would have been made on the individual’s

behalf to the Company’s savings plan had the individual’s employment continued for two additional years, (iii) accelerated vesting of all options, (iv) a lump sum payment equal to any accrued but unpaid incentive compensation with respect to any completed performance periods plus a pro rata portion of any incentive compensation payable with respect to any incomplete performance period in which the termination occurred, (v) continuation of life, disability, accident and health insurance benefits for a period of two years following such termination of employment and (vi) a payment equal to the amount necessary to reimburse the individual for the full effect of any excise tax levied on “excise parachute payments”. In the event that the conditions triggering the benefits under the severance agreement are satisfied, the individual is subject to certain restrictive covenants relating to non-competition and solicitation of employees, customers or suppliers of the Company for two years following a termination of employment. The executives covenant that for two years following termination under change-in-control circumstances to certain restrictions on competition, solicitation and disparagement and to maintain the confidentiality of certain information. In the event of breach, the Company may recoup the pro rata portion of any payments and benefits previously provided. Under the individual severance agreements, each person would receive continuation of life, disability, accident and health insurance for two years, as well as a gross-up payment for taxes for the amounts paid out as specified below. Specified below is the approximate value of the payments and benefits (excluding the value of continued life, disability, accident and health insurance, any incentive compensation payable for any completed performance period or incomplete performance period and any tax gross-up payment) that each executive would be entitled to receive if the executive was terminated by the Company other than for “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” in connection with the Merger and based on salary and bonus information as of May 2007. Mr. Davidson would receive $787,500 in severance (two times his annual base salary of $350,000 plus two times his guaranteed 2006 bonus of $43,750), plus $33,000 for acceleration of his outstanding unvested stock options and $17,500 for the Company contributions to the deferred compensation plan; Mr. Martin would receive $995,000 in severance (two times his annual base salary of $350,000 plus two times his 2006 bonus, payable in 2007, of $147,500), plus $631,000 for acceleration of his outstanding unvested stock options and $17,500 for the Company contributions to the deferred compensation plan; and Ms. Brier would receive $988,000.00 in severance (two times her annual base salary of $315,000 plus two times her 2006 bonus, payable in 2007, of $179,000) plus $239,059.50 for acceleration of unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock and $15,750 for the Company contributions to the deferred compensation plan.

 

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Severance Agreement, dated November 7, 2002, by and between the Company and Freya Brier, the Severance Agreement, dated October 30, 2006, by and between the Company and Roger E. Davidson, and the Severance Agreement, dated January 12, 2006, by and between the Company and Sam Martin, each of which was filed as an exhibit to the Schedule 14D-9, dated February 27, 2007, filed by the Company with the SEC, and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Incentive Bonus Agreement

 

On February 21, 2007, the Company entered into an Incentive Bonus Agreement with Gregory Mays. The Incentive Bonus Agreement provides for an increase in Mr. Mays’ compensation as interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company from the rate of $50,000 per month, as reported by the Company on its Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 26, 2006, to the rate of $100,000 per month commencing on February 1, 2007, as well as a $750,000 cash bonus to Mr. Mays, payable upon the consummation of the tender offer, Merger or other sale of the Company. The Incentive Bonus Agreement also confirms the following grant to Mr. Mays of the RSUs included in the initial interim CEO compensation arrangement reported by the Company on its Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 26, 2006: 20,000 fully vested RSUs, and 10,000 RSUs, which will vest on the earlier to occur of (i) the sale of the Company including the consummation of the tender offer and/or the Merger) or (ii) the appointment of a new CEO of the Company. Finally, in the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated and no other sale of the Company has occurred, the Incentive Bonus Agreement provides for the grant of an additional 15,000 fully vested RSUs, exchangeable for 15,000 shares of the Company’s unrestricted common stock on a date selected by Mr. Mays at his discretion, upon the earlier of the hiring of a new CEO or December 31, 2007. If the Contingent RSUs (as defined in the Incentive Bonus Agreement) have been issued prior to the payment of the bonus, the cash bonus will be decreased by the product of the number of Contingent RSUs multiplied by the price per share on the date of grant. The RSUs will be issued from and subject to the terms of the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Incentive Bonus Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2007, by and between the Company and Gregory Mays, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to the Schedule 14D-9, dated February 27, 2007, filed by the Company with the SEC, and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

In 1999, the Company adopted the Wild Oats Markets, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, effective November 1, 1999. The Company Board, in accordance with Section 11.1 of the Deferred Compensation Plan, has adopted a resolution terminating the plan effective immediately following the Effective Time. Pursuant to the terms of Section 11.1 of the Merger Agreement, upon termination of the Deferred Compensation Plan, all account balances under the plan will be paid-out in a lump sum to the applicable participants as soon as administratively practicable following such termination. As of February 20, 2007, two individuals had such account balances: Ms. Brier had an account balance of $324,844 under the Deferred Compensation Plan, and Mr. Martin had an account balance of $1,173.

 

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Wild Oats Markets, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2000, and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Service Credit for Employee Benefits

 

The Merger Agreement provides that, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable employee benefit plans, each employee of the Company and its subsidiaries shall be given credit for all service with the Company (or service credited by the Company) under all employee benefit plans, programs, policies and arrangements maintained by the Surviving Corporation in which they participate or in which they become participants for purposes of eligibility, vesting and benefit accrual, including for purposes of determining (i) short-term and long-term disability benefits, (ii) severance benefits, (iii) vacation benefits, and (iv) benefits under any retirement plan; provided, that credit need not be given for service to the extent such credit would result in duplication of benefits.

 

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement.

 

If the Merger is consummated, the Company common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act.

 

Under Section 262 of the DGCL, any holder of the Company’s common stock who does not wish to accept the merger consideration may elect to exercise appraisal rights. Even if the Merger is approved and adopted by the holders of the requisite number of Shares, you are entitled to exercise appraisal rights and obtain payment of the “fair value” for your shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, exclusive of any element of value arising from the expectation or accomplishment of the Merger. The Company’s stockholders electing to exercise appraisal rights must comply with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL in order to perfect their rights. The Company will require strict compliance with the statutory procedures.

 

The following is intended as a brief summary of the material provisions of the Delaware statutory procedures required to be followed by a stockholder in order to demand and perfect appraisal rights. This summary, however, is not a complete statement of all applicable requirements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Section 262 of the DGCL, the full text of which appears in Annex F to this proxy statement.

 

Under Section 262 of the DGCL, when a merger is submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, as in the case of the Merger Agreement, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, must notify each of its stockholders that appraisal rights are available and include in the notice a copy of Section 262 of the DGCL. This

proxy statement constitutes the notice, and the applicable statutory provisions are attached to this proxy statement as Annex F.

 

In order to exercise your appraisal rights effectively, you must satisfy each of the following primary requirements:

 

 

If you fail strictly to comply with any of the above conditions or otherwise fail strictly to comply with the requirements of Section 262 of the DGCL, you will have no appraisal rights with respect to your shares. You will receive no further notices from the Company regarding your appraisal rights. Neither voting (in person or by proxy) against, abstaining from voting on or failing to vote on the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement will constitute a written demand for appraisal within the meaning of Section 262 of the DGCL. The written demand for appraisal must be in addition to and separate from any proxy or vote.

 

The address for purposes of making an appraisal demand is:

 

Corporate Secretary

1821 30th Street, Boulder

Colorado, 80301

 

Only a holder of record of Shares, or a person duly authorized and explicitly purporting to act on his or her behalf, is entitled to assert an appraisal right for the Shares registered in his or her name. Beneficial owners who are not record holders and who wish to exercise appraisal rights are advised to consult with the appropriate record holders promptly as to the timely exercise of appraisal rights. A record holder, such as a broker, who holds Shares as a nominee for others, may exercise appraisal rights with respect to Shares held for one or more beneficial owners, while not exercising such rights for other beneficial owners. In such a case, the written demand should set forth the number of Shares as to which the demand is made. Where no Shares are expressly mentioned, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares of the Shares held in the name of such record holder.

 

A demand for the appraisal of Shares owned of record by two or more joint holders must identify and be signed by all of the holders. A demand for appraisal signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity must so identify the persons signing the demand.

 

An appraisal demand may be withdrawn by a former stockholder within 60 days after the Effective Time, or thereafter only with the Company’s approval. Upon withdrawal of an appraisal demand, the former stockholder will be entitled to receive the merger consideration referred to above, without interest.

 

If the Company consummates the Merger, it will give written notice of the Effective Time within 10 days after the Effective Time to each of the Company’s former stockholders who did not vote in favor of the Merger Agreement and who made a written demand for appraisal in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL. Within 120 days after the Effective Time, but not later, either the surviving corporation or any dissenting stockholder who has complied with the requirements of Section 262 of the DGCL may file a petition in the Delaware Court demanding a determination of the value of the Shares. Stockholders who desire to have their shares appraised should initiate any petitions necessary for the perfection of their appraisal rights within the time periods and in the manner prescribed in Section 262 of the DGCL.

Within 120 days after the Effective Time, any stockholder who has complied with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL up to that point may receive from the surviving corporation, upon written request, a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the Merger Agreement and with respect to which the Company has received demands for appraisal, and the aggregate number of holders of those shares. The surviving corporation must mail this statement to the stockholder within 10 days of receipt of the request or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisals under Section 262 of the DGCL, whichever is later.

 

If a hearing on the petition is held, the Delaware Court is empowered to determine which dissenting stockholders are entitled to an appraisal of their shares. The Delaware Court may require dissenting stockholders who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates representing shares for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings, and the Delaware Court is empowered to dismiss the proceedings as to any dissenting stockholder who does not comply with this request. Accordingly, dissenting stockholders are cautioned to retain their share certificates, pending resolution of the appraisal proceedings.

 

After determination of the dissenting stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Delaware Court will appraise the Shares held by such dissenting stockholders at their fair value as of the Effective Time. When the value is so determined, the Delaware Court will direct the payment by the surviving corporation of such value, with interest thereon if the Delaware Court so determines, to the dissenting stockholders entitled to receive the same, upon surrender to the surviving corporation by such dissenting stockholders of the certificates representing such Shares.

 

In determining fair value, the Delaware Court will take into account all relevant factors. The Delaware Supreme Court has stated that “proof of value by any techniques or methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court” should be considered.

 

Stockholders should be aware that the fair value of their shares as determined under Section 262 of the DGCL could be greater than, the same as, or less than the Per Share Merger Consideration.

 

The Delaware courts may also, on application, (1) assess costs among the parties as the Delaware courts deem equitable and (2) order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any dissenting stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all shares entitled to appraisal. Determinations by the Delaware courts are subject to appellate review by the Delaware Supreme Court.

 

No appraisal proceedings in the Delaware courts shall be dismissed as to any dissenting stockholder without the approval of the Delaware court, and this approval may be conditioned upon terms which the Delaware court deems just.

 

From and after the Effective Time, former holders of Shares are not entitled to vote their Shares for any purpose and are not entitled to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the Shares (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the Merger).

 

A stockholder who wishes to exercise appraisal rights should carefully review the foregoing description and the applicable provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL which is set forth in its entirety in Annex F to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Any stockholder considering demanding appraisal is advised to consult legal counsel because the failure strictly to comply with the procedures required by Section 262 of the DGCL could result in the loss of appraisal rights.

 

The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax considerations to holders of Shares upon the tender of Shares for cash pursuant to the tender offer and the exchange of Shares for cash pursuant to the Merger by U.S. Holders (as defined below). This summary is based upon existing United States federal income tax law, which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary is written for U.S. Holders that hold Shares as “capital assets” for United States federal income tax purposes. This summary does not discuss all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be important to particular stockholders in light of their individual circumstances, and does not address the tax consequences to

stockholders subject to special tax rules (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, partnerships and their partners, and tax-exempt organizations (including private foundations)), holders who are not U.S. Holders, stockholders that hold Shares as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale, or other integrated transaction for United States federal income tax purposes, stockholders that have a functional currency other than the United States dollar, or persons who acquired their Shares through the exercise of employee stock options or other compensation arrangements, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below. In addition, this summary does not discuss any non-United States, state, or local tax considerations. Each stockholder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local, and non-United States income and other tax considerations of the tender offer and the Merger.

 

For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of Shares that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, or other entity taxable as corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, created in, or organized under the law of, the United States or any State or political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has otherwise elected to be treated as a United States person under the Code.

 

If a partnership is a beneficial owner of Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.

 

Except as set forth below, the Company is not aware of any filings, approvals or other actions by or with any governmental authority or administrative or regulatory agency that would be required for Merger Sub’s and WFMI’s acquisition or ownership of the Shares. Should any such approval or other action be required, the Company currently expects that such approval or action, except as described below under “— State Takeover Laws,” would be sought or taken. There can be no assurance that any such approval or action, if needed, would be obtained or, if obtained, that it will be obtained without substantial conditions; and there can be no assurance that, in the event that such approvals were not obtained or such other actions were not taken, adverse consequences might not result to the Company’s or WFMI’s business or that certain parts of the Company’s or WFMI’s business might not have to be disposed of or held separate.

 

Antitrust Compliance

 

Under the HSR Act and the related rules and regulations that have been issued by the FTC, certain transactions having a value above specified thresholds (which include the tender offer and Merger) may not be consummated until specified information and documentary material have been furnished to the FTC and the Antitrust Division and certain waiting period requirements have been satisfied. On February 26, 2007, WFMI and the Company each filed a Premerger Notification and Report Form concerning the tender offer with the FTC and the Antitrust Division. On March 13, 2007, the FTC issued a request for additional documentary material and information, which is commonly referred to as a second request.

 

On June 7, 2007, the FTC filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging WFMI’s acquisition of the Company and authorized the FTC staff to seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction pending an administrative trial on the merits. The FTC’s complaint charges that WFMI’s acquisition of the Company, as proposed, would violate Section 5 of the FTC Act and Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended. The FTC’s challenge to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement is based on its contention that the relevant antitrust product market is limited to natural and organic food stores and excludes other supermarkets. By acquiring its closest rival, the complaint alleges that WFMI would be in a position to exercise unilateral market power, resulting in higher prices and reduced quality, service and choice for consumers. WFMI and the Company consented to a temporary restraining order pending the hearing of the preliminary injunction, which has been scheduled for July 31 and August 1, 2007.

 

On June 27, 2007, the FTC filed an administrative complaint asserting the same substantive issues contained in its complaint filed in district court. A hearing on the matter before an administrative law judge has been scheduled for September 27, 2007.

 

While WFMI and the Company are optimistic that the FTC’s case is without legal or factual merit and have agreed to cooperate to vigorously challenge the FTC in court, there can be no assurance that the parties will be successful in this matter or that the matter will be resolved prior to the Outside Date.

 

State Takeover Laws

 

A number of states (including Delaware, where the Company is incorporated) have adopted takeover laws and regulations which purport, to varying degrees, to be applicable to attempts to acquire securities of corporations which are incorporated in such states or which have substantial assets, stockholders, principal executive offices or principal places of business therein. To the extent that certain provisions of certain of these state takeover statutes purport to apply to the tender offer or the Merger, WFMI believes that such laws conflict with federal law and constitute an unconstitutional burden on interstate commerce.

 

Consummation of the Merger is not subject to a financing contingency. WFMI intends to finance the Merger using cash on hand and borrowing capacity under its credit facilities.

 

The Company is furnishing this proxy statement to holders of Shares as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Company’s board of directors for use at the special meeting of stockholders.

 

The Company will hold the special meeting on          , 2007 at  :00 MDT at          , Boulder, Colorado.

 

The special meeting will be held for the following purposes:

 

 

After careful consideration, the Company Board has determined that the Merger Agreement and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Company Board has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and related transactions. The Company Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.

 

Only holders of record of Shares at the close of business on          , 2007, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to vote at the special meeting. Each record holder will have one vote at the special meeting for each Share as of the close of business on the record date. On the record date,           Shares were issued and outstanding and held by approximately          holders of record. A quorum exists if at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the special meeting are present in person or by proxy. In the event that a quorum is not present at the special meeting, it is expected that the special meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies. Pursuant to the Tender and Support Agreement, Yucaipa has agreed to vote Shares they control in favor of the Merger.

 

Under Delaware law, the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of holders representing at least a majority of the outstanding Shares as of          , 2007, the record date for the special meeting. The holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares on the record date, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for purposes of the special meeting. A quorum is necessary to hold the special meeting. In the event that a quorum is not present at the special meeting, it is expected that the special meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies. Any Shares held in treasury by the Company or held by any of the Company’s subsidiaries are not considered to be outstanding for purposes of determining a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as Shares present and entitled to vote for the purposes of determining a quorum. “Broker non-votes” result when brokers are precluded from exercising their voting discretion with respect to the approval of non-routine matters such as the merger proposal, and, thus, absent specific instructions from the beneficial owner of those Shares, brokers are not empowered to vote the shares with respect to the approval of those proposals.

 

The approval of any proposal to postpone or adjourn the special meeting if there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of those Shares represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting. The persons named as proxies may propose and vote for one or more postponements or adjournments of the special meeting, including postponements or adjournments to permit further solicitations of proxies. No proxy voted against approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement will be voted in favor of any postponement or adjournment of the special meeting.

 

Under Delaware law, holders of shares of the Company’s common stock are entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Merger. In order to exercise appraisal rights, you must comply with all applicable requirements of Delaware law. See “Special Factors — Appraisal Rights” and Annex F for information on the requirements of Delaware law regarding appraisal rights.

 

There are four different ways that those who are stockholders as of close of business on the record date can cast their vote at the special meeting. You may cast your vote by:

 

1. Telephone, using the toll-free number listed on each proxy card (if you are a stockholder of record) or vote instruction card (if your shares are held by a bank or broker). Telephonic votes may be cast through 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on            , 2007;

 

2. The Internet, at the website provided on each proxy or vote instruction card. Internet votes may be cast through 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on            , 2007;

 

3. Marking, signing, dating and mailing each proxy or vote instruction card and returning it in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy or vote instruction card but do not mark the boxes showing how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted “FOR” all of the proposals; or

 

4. Attending the special meeting (if your shares are registered directly in your name on the Company’s books and not held through a broker, bank or other nominee). Please note, however, that if a broker, bank or other nominee is the record holder of your shares (i.e. the shares are held in “street name”) and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name.

 

All shares represented by properly executed proxies received in time for the special meeting will be voted at the special meeting in the manner specified by the holders of such shares. Properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.

 

Shares represented at the special meeting but not voted, including broker non-votes, and Shares for which proxies have been received but for which stockholders have abstained, will be treated as present at the special meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for the transaction of all business.

 

Only shares affirmatively voted “FOR” the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be counted as favorable votes for the proposal.

The Company does not expect that any matters other than those described in this proxy statement will come before the special meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the special meeting for action, however, the Company intends that the persons named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card will vote in accordance with their best judgment. These matters may include an adjournment or postponement of the special meeting from time to time if the Company Board so determines, except that proxies that are voted against the merger proposal may not be voted by the persons named on the enclosed proxy card for an adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. If any adjournment or postponement is made, the Company may solicit additional proxies during the adjournment or postponement period.

 

Your vote is important. Please return your signed proxy card or submit your proxy by telephone or Internet so your shares can be represented, even if you plan to attend the special meeting in person.

 

The grant of a proxy on the enclosed proxy card or by telephone or Internet does not preclude a stockholder from voting in person at the special meeting. A stockholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by (1) filing a written notice of revocation with the Corporate Secretary of the Company at our executive offices at 1821 30th Street, Boulder, Colorado 80301, (2) submitting a duly executed proxy, or otherwise casting your vote in the manner set forth above, bearing a later date than the original proxy or (3) voting in person at the special meeting. Attendance at the special meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of the proxy. If you have instructed your broker, bank or other nominee to vote your shares, you must follow the procedures provided by your broker, bank or other nominee to change those instructions.

 

The Company and its proxy solicitation firm,          , may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax or other means. The Company will pay           a fee of $     , plus reasonable expenses, for its services. The Company will also pay all other reasonable expenses for solicitation. In addition, proxies may be solicited by officers and directors and other employees of the Company, without additional remuneration, in person or by telephone, fax or other means.

 

Please mail in your proxy or submit it by telephone or the Internet without delay. If you hold Shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the proxy form supplied by your broker, bank or other nominee, which may provide for voting by telephone or through the Internet. The Company will also reimburse brokers, banks and other nominees for their expenses in sending these materials to you and obtaining your voting instructions.

 

Please do not send your stock certificate(s) evidencing your Shares with your proxy. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Merger is consummated, you will receive written instructions from the exchange agent to be appointed by WFMI on how to exchange your Share certificates or book-entry Shares for the Per Share Merger Consideration. You will receive cash for your Shares from the exchange agent after you comply with these instructions. If your Shares are held in “street name” by your broker, you will receive instructions from your broker as to how to surrender your “street name” Shares and receive cash for those Shares.

 

This proxy statement includes information that could constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” and similar and related expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors might cause such a difference:

 

 

 

Additional information regarding these and other risk factors and uncertainties are set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, available for viewing on the Company’s website at www.wildoats.com. All forward-looking statements are based on information available at the Company on the date of this proxy statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

The following is a brief description of the material terms of the Merger Agreement. While the Company believes that the following description covers the material terms of the Merger Agreement, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you. The Company encourages you to carefully read this entire proxy statement, including the Merger Agreement (which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A) for a more complete understanding of the Merger and related transactions.

 

Structure

 

The Merger Agreement contemplates a two-step transaction involving a tender offer followed by a merger. In the event that WFMI and its affiliates own at least 90% of the Shares following the expiration of the tender offer, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company under Delaware’s “short form” merger statute without the need to obtain stockholder approval. If, on the other hand, WFMI and its affiliates own less than 90% of the Shares following the tender offer, then Delaware law requires the affirmative vote of a majority of outstanding Shares to consummate the Merger. We intend to mail this proxy statement to our stockholders to solicit votes to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement only in the event that WFMI and its affiliates own less than 90% of the Shares following the expiration of the tender offer.

 

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub made a cash tender offer disclosed in a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO dated February 27, 2007 filed with the SEC to purchase all outstanding Shares at a price of $18.50 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal, copies of which are filed as Annexes D and E hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The tender offer is currently scheduled to expire on August 10, 2007, and may be extended on one or more occasions by WFMI, but may not be extended beyond the Outside Date without the prior consent of the Company.

 

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, WFMI and Merger Sub have agreed to vote all Shares acquired by them pursuant to the tender offer in favor of the Merger.

 

Promptly following either of

 

 

at the Effective Time, and subject to the other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI. At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company will be amended and restated in their entirety to read as the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, respectively, of Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (except that the name of the surviving corporation shall be “Wild Oats Markets, Inc.”). The directors and officers of WFMI immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the initial directors and officers of the surviving corporation. All surviving corporation directors and officers will hold their positions in accordance with and subject to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the surviving corporation. For a description of the conditions to the Merger, see “ — Conditions to Consummation of the Merger.”

 

The Company or WFMI may terminate the Merger Agreement prior to the consummation of the Merger in some circumstances, whether before or after the approval by our stockholders of the Merger Agreement. Additional details on termination of the Merger Agreement are described in “ — Termination of the Merger Agreement.”

 

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties to the Merger Agreement, the parties are required to close the Merger no later than the first business day after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions described under “ — Conditions to Consummation of the Merger.”

 

The Merger will be effective in accordance with applicable law after the time the certificate of merger is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We expect to consummate the Merger as promptly as practicable after we obtain the necessary regulatory approvals and our stockholders approve the Merger Agreement. See “Special Factors — Regulatory Approvals.”

 

Each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger (other than Shares held in the treasury of the Company, owned by Merger Sub, WFMI or any wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI or the Company, or held by stockholders who properly demand and perfect appraisal rights under Delaware law) will, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder, be converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration, payable to such holder upon surrender of the certificate formerly representing such Shares, without interest and less any required withholding taxes. At the consummation of the Merger, each Share held in the treasury of the Company and each Share owned by Merger Sub, WFMI or any wholly-owned subsidiary of WFMI or the Company will be canceled, and no payment or distribution will be made with respect to such Shares. At the consummation of the Merger, each share of Merger Sub common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior will, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into one share of common stock of the surviving corporation.

 

After the Merger is effective, each holder of Shares will cease to have any rights with respect to the Shares, except for the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration.

 

Stock Options

 

The Merger Agreement provides that, no later than the Effective Time, each outstanding and unexercised option to acquire Shares granted under any of the Company’s equity incentive plans, whether vested or unvested, will automatically be terminated and will thereafter solely represent the right to receive, in exchange, an amount in cash equal to the product of the number of Shares subject to such option and the excess, if any, of the Per Share Merger Consideration, without interest, over the exercise price per Share subject to such option, less any required withholding taxes. Options having an exercise price per Share equal to or greater than the Per Share Merger Consideration will, at the Effective Time, be cancelled without payment of any consideration.

 

ESPP

 

The Company Board has taken actions under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP, such that no further offering periods for the purchase of Shares thereunder would commence following the expiration of the offering period that ended December 31, 2006. All Shares previously purchased pursuant to the ESPP will be treated the same as all other outstanding Shares.

 

Restricted Stock and RSUs

 

Immediately prior to the Effective Time, all granted but unvested restricted stock units, or RSUs, will become fully vested. Each Share of restricted stock and each Share represented by an RSU will, at the Effective Time, be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration.

 

Prior to the Effective Time, WFMI will designate a bank or trust company as exchange agent for the payment of the Per Share Merger Consideration. From time to time after the Effective Time, WFMI will deposit with the exchange agent for the benefit of the Company’s stockholders, cash in the amount necessary for the payment of the aggregate Per Share Merger Consideration. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the surviving corporation will cause the exchange agent to mail a letter of transmittal to each holder of record of a stock certificate or book-entry Share, which will specify, among other things, instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the certificates or book-entry Shares in exchange for the Per Share Merger Consideration.

 

Upon surrender of a stock certificate or book-entry Share for cancellation to the exchange agent (or its designee), together with a letter of transmittal duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions provided, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the exchange agent, the holder of such stock certificate or book-entry Share will be entitled to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration and the certificate so surrendered shall be cancelled.

 

You should not send your Company common stock certificates to the exchange agent until you have received the transmittal materials from the exchange agent. Do not return your Company common stock certificates with the enclosed proxy, and do not forward your stock certificates to the exchange agent without a letter of transmittal.

 

The representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement:

 

 

 

 

By the Company

 

In the Merger Agreement, the Company has made customary representations and warranties to WFMI and Merger Sub with respect to, among other matters:

 

 

By WFMI and Merger Sub

 

WFMI and Merger Sub have made customary representations and warranties to the Company with respect to, among other matters, organization and qualification, authority, consents and approvals, litigation, information included in the Schedule 14D-9, the tender offer documents and any proxy or information statement to be sent to stockholders in connection with the Merger, brokers’ fees, financing and ownership of shares.

 

Definition of Material Adverse Effect

 

As defined in the Merger Agreement, Material Adverse Effect means any effect, change, fact, event, development, occurrence or circumstance that, individually or together with any other effect, change, fact, event, development, occurrence or circumstance, (a) is materially adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, business, operations, results of operations, assets or liabilities of the Company and all of its subsidiaries,

taken as a whole; or (b) materially and adversely effects the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall any of the following, either alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, nor shall any of the following be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Material Adverse Effect:

 

 

The Merger Agreement obligates the Company to conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice during the period, which we refer to in this proxy as the Interim Period, from the date of the Merger Agreement to the earliest of the time when designees of WFMI first constitute at least a majority of the Company Board, the Merger is consummated and the termination of the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement also provides that during the Interim Period, the Company will not take certain actions without the prior written consent of WFMI including, among other things and subject to certain exceptions:

 

 

 

In addition, the Company has agreed not to knowingly take or knowingly omit to take any action that is reasonably likely to result in any failure of its representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement to be true and correct.

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed not to, and to cause its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents not to, directly or indirectly, until the tender offer is completed, initiate, solicit or encourage (including by way of providing information) the submission of any inquiries, proposals or offers that constitute, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal (as defined below), or to engage in any discussions or negotiations with respect to, or otherwise participate in or facilitate, any proposal by a third party regarding acquisition of the Company or its assets.

 

Under the Merger Agreement, “Acquisition Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal, offer or indication of interest from any person (other than by or on behalf of WFMI or Merger Sub) relating to (i) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business or assets of the Company that constitutes a substantial portion of the net revenues, net income or assets, or 15% or more beneficial ownership of any class of equity securities of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries, (ii) any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any third party beneficially owning 15% or more of any class of equity securities of the Company or (iii) any merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company, in each case other than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and any transaction by the Company permitted by Section 5.1 of the Merger Agreement (i.e., covenants regarding Company conduct during the Interim Period).

 

The Company may, prior to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the tender offer, furnish information to, and negotiate, explore or otherwise engage in substantive discussions with, any person who has made an unsolicited bona fide written proposal that is received on or after the date of the Merger Agreement (and not withdrawn), with respect to an Acquisition Proposal from such person, only if: (i) the Company Board, after consultation with and taking into account the advice of its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, determines in good faith that the Company Board would reasonably be likely to breach its fiduciary duties to stockholders under applicable law without taking such action, (ii) prior to taking such action, the Company receives from such person an executed confidentiality agreement, (iii) the Company promptly provides to WFMI any non-public information that is provided to the person or entity making such acquisition proposal that was not previously provided to WFMI, (iv) the Company Board, after consultation with and taking into account the advice of its financial advisors and legal counsel, determines in good faith that such proposal would, if accepted, be reasonably likely to be consummated, taking into account all legal, financial and regulatory aspects of the proposal and the person making the proposal, and (v) the proposal would, if consummated, result in a transaction that is more favorable to the Company’s stockholders, from a financial point of view, than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

In addition, the Merger Agreement requires the Company to notify WFMI of any Acquisition Proposal or indication of interest in making an Acquisition Proposal.

 

Under the Merger Agreement, the Company may not approve, recommend or enter into a written Acquisition Proposal. However, if, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the purchase of Shares by Merger Sub in the tender offer and (ii) a meeting of the Company’s stockholders to vote on the Merger, the Company Board determines in good faith after consultation with its legal counsel and financial advisors that an Acquisition Proposal is a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), then the Company Board may withdraw or modify its recommendation in respect of the tender offer and Merger in response to such Acquisition Proposal and terminate the Merger Agreement, subject to certain conditions described in the Merger Agreement, including without limitation, (a) the Company Board having determined in good faith (after consultation with and taking into account the advice of its financial advisors and legal counsel) it is necessary to withdraw or modify its recommendation in respect of

the tender offer and Merger to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders under applicable law and (b) the Company paying WFMI the Termination Fee described below under “— Termination Fee” substantially concurrently with such termination.

 

The Merger Agreement provides that, to the extent permitted under any applicable law and the benefit plans of WFMI, each employee of the Company will be given credit for all service with the Company (or service credited by the Company) under all employee benefit plans, programs, policies and arrangements maintained by WFMI in which they participate or in which they become participants after the Effective Time for purposes of eligibility, vesting and benefit accrual, including for purposes of determining (i) short-term and long-term disability benefits, (ii) severance benefits, (iii) vacation benefits and (iv) benefits under any retirement plan; provided, that credit is not required to be given for service to the extent such credit would result in duplication of benefits.

 

Under the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub and WFMI have agreed that the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the surviving corporation in the Merger will contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification and exculpation from liabilities of the present or former directors, officers, employees and agents of the Company than those in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement also provides that WFMI and the surviving corporation will indemnify each present and former officer and director of the Company in respect of acts of omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time to the fullest extent the Company is permitted to do so under applicable law and its certificate of incorporation or bylaws and shall purchase tail policies to the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies as in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement, which are at least as protective to such directors and officers as the coverage provided by the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies as of the date of the Merger Agreement.

 

The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to its terms and conditions, each of the Company, WFMI and Merger Sub will use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate the tender offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. However, this obligation does not require WFMI or Merger Sub to keep the tender offer open or consummate the Merger beyond the Outside Date. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties will, to the extent required, make filings under the HSR Act or antitrust or competition laws of jurisdictions other than the United States or investment laws relating to foreign ownership and take other actions necessary to obtain any consents, approvals or clearances required in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

In the event that any administrative or judicial action or proceeding is instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by a government entity or private party challenging the Merger or any transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, each of WFMI, Merger Sub and the Company is required by the Merger Agreement to cooperate in all respects with each other and use its respective reasonable best efforts to contest and resist any such action or proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree, judgment, injunction, or other order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents or restricts the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Each have further agreed to take all reasonable actions that are necessary, proper or advisable to avoid any obstacle that may be asserted by any governmental authority under applicable antitrust laws to enable the Merger to be completed as soon as possible, and to cause the termination of the applicable HSR waiting periods. WFMI has agreed that its reasonable best efforts will include the divestiture, if required, of certain of the Company’s stores, but that in no event will it be required to divest any existing WFMI stores.

 

The Company has agreed to give prompt notice to WFMI, and WFMI has agreed to give prompt notice to the Company, upon obtaining knowledge of the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event which is likely to cause any representation or warranty to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or that might result in a Material Adverse Effect if made as of any time at or prior to the Outside Date or to result in any material failure of such party to comply with any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with, including any offer condition. The delivery of any notice will not cure any breach of any representation or warranty requiring disclosure or otherwise affect the remedies available to the party receiving such notice.

 

Conditions to All Parties’ Obligations

 

The obligations of each party to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, where permissible, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following conditions:

 

 

Conditions to Company’s Obligations

 

The obligations of the Company to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, where permissible, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following conditions:

 

 

Conditions to WFMI’s and Merger Sub’s Obligations

 

Unless Merger Sub shall have accepted for purchase Shares tendered (and not withdrawn) pursuant to the tender offer, the obligations of WFMI and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, where permissible, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following conditions:

 

 

The Merger Agreement provides that it may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned (in which case WFMI will also be entitled to terminate the tender offer):

 

 

As used in this proxy statement, Outside Date refers to June 30, 2007, the latest date the Merger can be consummated, unless, as of June 30, 2007, either:

 

 

in which case, the latest date the Merger can be consummated is August 31, 2007.

 

In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated under the circumstances described above in the fourth paragraph of “— No Solicitations of Alternative Acquisition Proposals”, the Company has agreed to pay WFMI a termination fee of $15,200,000, which we refer to in this proxy statement as the Termination Fee. The Company has also agreed to pay WFMI the Termination Fee if:

 

 

 

 

In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated for a breach by either party of its representations, warranties, covenants or obligations under the Merger Agreement, then the breaching party will pay the non-breaching party a termination fee of $4,000,000. If WFMI would be entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement and receive a termination fee, then the right to terminate and receive a termination fee will be the exclusive remedy of WFMI and Merger Sub in respect of any breach of the Company’s covenants, agreements or representations and warranties under the Merger Agreement.

 

Except as described above under the “— Termination Fee,” each party will bear its own expenses in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the tender offer. WFMI and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, each will bear one-half of the HSR Act filing fee.

 

The Merger Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before the Effective Time (subject, in the case of the Company, to certain actions requiring the approval of the Continuing Directors, as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement), whether before or after adoption of the Merger Agreement by the stockholders of the Company, but (a) after WFMI purchases Shares pursuant to the tender offer, no amendment may be made that decreases the Per Share Merger Consideration, and (b) in the event that the Merger Agreement is adopted by the Company’s stockholders, no amendment may be made which by law or stock exchange rule requires the further approval of the Company’s stockholders without such approval.

 

At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party to the Merger Agreement (subject, in the case of the Company, to certain actions requiring the approval of the Continuing Directors, as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) may extend the time for performance for any of the acts of the other parties, waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement, and, subject to the requirements of applicable law, waive compliance by the other parties with any of the agreements or conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, except that the Minimum Tender Condition (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) may be waived by WFMI only with the prior written consent of the Company.

 

The parties to the Merger Agreement are entitled to seek specific performance of the terms of the Merger Agreement in the event any such terms are breached, this remedy being in addition to any other remedy available under the Merger Agreement, including the termination rights discussed above, or any other remedy available at law or in equity.

 

The Company, WFMI and Merger Sub entered into a Tender and Support Agreement with Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and Yucaipa American Alliance (Parallel) Fund I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to in this proxy statement as Yucaipa, dated as of the date of the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Tender and Support Agreement, Yucaipa has agreed to tender its Shares in the tender offer (together with any Shares that are issued to or otherwise acquired or owned by Yucaipa prior to the termination of the Tender and Support Agreement), which we refer to in this proxy statement as the Subject Shares, within five business days after its receipt of all documents or instruments required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the tender offer, and not to withdraw such tender unless the tender offer shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms or the Tender and Support Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms. Additionally, Yucaipa has agreed, at every meeting of the stockholders of the Company, and at every

adjournment or postponement of such a meeting, to vote, or cause the holder of record on any applicable record date to vote the Subject Shares (to the extent that any of such Subject Shares are not purchased in the tender offer) (i) in favor of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated under the Merger Agreement, (ii) against (A) any agreement or arrangement related to any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (B) any liquidation, dissolution, recapitalization, extraordinary dividend or other significant corporate reorganization of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (C) any other transaction the consummation of which would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or materially delay the tender offer or the Merger or that would reasonably be expected to dilute materially the benefits to WFMI of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (iii) in favor of any other matter necessary for consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, which is considered at any such meeting of stockholders, and in connection therewith to execute any documents reasonably requested by WFMI that are necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate the foregoing. As of the date of the Tender and Support Agreement, Yucaipa owned 5,375,600 shares of Common Stock representing approximately 18% of the outstanding Shares.

 

On January 8, 2007, WFMI and the Company entered into a letter agreement, which we refer to in this proxy statement as the Confidentiality Agreement, that provided, in part, that as a condition to being furnished certain information by the Company, WFMI would (subject to limited exceptions) keep such information confidential for a period of two years from the date of the Confidentiality Agreement, unless otherwise required by law, and not use such information for any purpose other than in connection with evaluating a potential transaction with the Company. WFMI also agreed, among other things, that for a period of one year after the date of the Confidentiality Agreement WFMI will not, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert with others, (i) propose any business combination, acquisition or other extraordinary transaction involving the Company, its successors, securities or any substantial part of its assets, or acquire or propose to acquire any additional Shares, (ii) seek or propose to influence or control, through any solicitation of proxies, the voting securities of the Company, or otherwise, the board of directors, management or policies of the Company, or (iii) make any public disclosure or take any action that could require the Company to make any public disclosure with respect to those actions. WFMI further agreed that, for a period ending on the earliest of the consummation of a definitive agreement for a transaction and the expiration of two years after execution of the Confidentiality Agreement, subject to specified exceptions, it would not offer to hire or hire any person currently or formerly employed by the Company that is senior vice president level or higher, nor to initiate or maintain contact with any officer, director or employee of the Company with respect to the Company’s confidential information for purposes of making an acquisition proposal.

 

As of          , 2007, the Company had           Shares outstanding. The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “OATS.” If the Merger is consummated, the Company’s common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act. The following

table shows the high and low closing prices on the Nasdaq exchange as of the end of each calendar quarter for the past two years:

 

 

No cash dividends have been declared previously on our common stock, and the Company does not anticipate declaring a cash dividend in the near future. The Company’s existing credit facility contains restrictions on its ability to pay cash dividends.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the ownership of Shares as of May 1, 2007 by: (i) each director, (ii) the Named Executive Officers, (iii) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and (iv) all those known by us to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of the Company’s Shares. All share amounts have been adjusted for 3-for-2 splits of the common stock in January 1998 and December 1999.

 

 

 

 

The Company does not expect that any matter other than those described in this proxy statement will come before the special meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the special meeting for action, however, the Company intends that the persons named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card will vote in accordance with their best judgment. These matters may include an adjournment or postponement of the special meeting from time to time if the Company’s board of directors so determines, except that proxies that are voted against the merger proposal may not be voted by the persons named on the enclosed proxy card for an adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. If any adjournment or postponement is made, the Company may solicit additional proxies during the adjournment or postponement period.

 

If the Merger is consummated, the Company will not have public stockholders and there will be no public participation in any future meeting of Company stockholders. However, if the Merger is not consummated or if the Company is otherwise required to do so under applicable law, the Company will hold a 2007 annual meeting of stockholders. The Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the date of the Company’s proxy statement released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the sixtieth (60th) day prior to such annual meeting or, in the event public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the Company fewer than seventy (70) days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company.

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws also specify certain requirements for a stockholder’s notice to be in proper written form. If the Company does not receive timely notice of any such proposal, the proposal will not be considered at the annual meeting of stockholders. If the Company does receive timely notice of any such proposed business, the proxy holders may exercise discretionary authority with respect to that proposal, but only to the extent permitted by the regulations of the SEC.

 

The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that the Company files with the SEC at

the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information regarding the public reference room. These SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the Internet world wide web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

The SEC allows the Company to “incorporate by reference” information into this proxy statement. This means that the Company can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this proxy statement, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this proxy statement or incorporated by reference subsequent to the date of this proxy statement. The Company does not incorporate the contents of its website into this proxy statement.

 

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the initial filing date of this proxy statement and before the Special Meeting:

 

 

In addition, the Company incorporates by reference additional documents that it may file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this proxy statement and the date of the special meeting. These documents include periodic reports, such as annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

 

You may obtain the Company’s documents filed with the SEC, without charge, by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the Company at the following address:

 

Wild Oats Markets, Inc.
1821 30th Street,
Boulder, Colorado 80301
Attention: Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Telephone: 303-440-5220

 

If you would like to request documents from the Company, please do so by          , 2007 to receive them before the special meeting.

 

If you are a stockholder of record and have further questions about the exchange of your Shares for the Per Share Merger Consideration, you should contact the Company’s proxy solicitor,          . You should not send in your Company stock certificate(s) evidencing your Shares until you receive the transmittal materials from the exchange agent.

The Company Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the special meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the special meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

Boulder, Colorado
          , 2007

 

Annex A

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.,
WFMI MERGER CO.
AND
WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.
DATED AS OF
FEBRUARY 21, 2007

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

 

INDEX OF SCHEDULES