NPC International, Inc. (Nasdaq:NPCI) yesterday announced that three lawsuits seeking certification as class actions have been filed against the Company and several of its directors seeking to prevent the proposed purchase of the minority interest of the Company by O. Gene Bicknell, Chairman, Chief Executive, and owner of approximately 65% of the outstanding stock of the Company.

The suits also seek damages in the event that the proposed transaction is consummated.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The lawsuits follow the announcement on December 13, 2000, that the Company had received an offer from Mr. Bicknell to acquire the minority interest of the Company for $11.40 per share in a cash transaction. After the announcement, the board of directors of the Company formed a special committee comprised solely of independent directors to evaluate the fairness of the offer.

John M. Edgar, an attorney representing NPC International, Inc. and the special committee, said that his clients “deny that they have done anything improper, and plan to vigorously defend the suits.”

For more information, contact John M. Edgar, Bryan Cave LLP (816/374-3200).

NPC International, Inc. is the world’s largest Pizza Hut franchisee and currently operates 839 Pizza Hut restaurants and delivery kitchens in 27 states.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact