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or

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x    No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x    No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and an “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No x

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of May 8, 2024:

*Net earnings per average equivalent Class B share outstanding are one-fifth of the average equivalent Class A share or $15.91 for the first quarter of 2024 and $44.46 for the first quarter of 2023.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Biglari Holdings Inc. have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) applicable to interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods have been included and consist only of normal recurring adjustments. The results for the interim periods shown are not necessarily indicative of results for the year. The financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Biglari Holdings Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities, including property and casualty insurance, licensing and media, restaurants, and oil and gas. The Company’s largest operating subsidiaries are involved in the franchising and operating of restaurants. Biglari Holdings is founded and led by Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Steak n Shake Inc., Western Sizzlin Corporation, First Guard Insurance Company, Maxim Inc., Southern Pioneer Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Southern Oil Company, and Abraxas Petroleum Corporation. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Earnings per share of common stock is based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the year. The shares of Company stock attributable to our limited partner interest in The Lion Fund, L.P., and The Lion Fund II, L.P. (collectively, the “investment partnerships”) — based on our proportional ownership during this period — are considered treasury stock on the consolidated balance sheet and thereby deemed not to be included in the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding. However, these shares are legally outstanding.

The following table presents shares authorized, issued, and outstanding on March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The Company has applied the “two-class method” of computing earnings per share as prescribed in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings Per Share”. (Class B shares are economically equivalent to one-fifth of a Class A share.) The equivalent Class A common stock applied for computing earnings per share excludes the proportional shares of Biglari Holdings’ stock held by the investment partnerships. In the tabulation below is the weighted-average equivalent Class A common stock for earnings per share.

We classify investments in fixed maturity securities at the acquisition date as available-for-sale. Realized gains and losses on disposals of investments are determined on a specific identification basis. Dividends and interest earned on investments are reported as investment income by our insurance companies. We consider investment income as a component of our aggregate insurance operating results. However, we consider investment gains and losses, whether realized or unrealized, as non-operating.

Investment gains for the first quarter of 2024 and 2023 were $1,713 and $3,638, respectively.

The Company reports on the limited partnership interests in investment partnerships under the equity method of accounting. We record our proportional share of equity in the investment partnerships but exclude Company common stock held by said partnerships. The Company’s pro-rata share of its common stock held by the investment partnerships is recorded as treasury stock even though these shares are legally outstanding. The Company records gains/losses from investment partnerships (inclusive of the investment partnerships’ unrealized gains and losses on their securities) in the consolidated statements of earnings based on our carrying value of these partnerships. The fair value is calculated net of the general partner’s accrued incentive fees. Gains and losses on Company common stock included in the earnings of these partnerships are eliminated because they are recorded as treasury stock. 

Biglari Capital Corp. is the general partner of the investment partnerships. Biglari Capital Corp. is solely owned by Mr. Biglari.

The fair value and adjustment for Company common stock held by the investment partnerships to determine the carrying value of our partnership interest are presented below.

The carrying value of the investment partnerships net of deferred taxes is presented below.

We expect that a majority of the $31,314 and $27,896 deferred tax liabilities enumerated above will not become due until the dissolution of the investment partnerships.

The Company’s proportionate share of Company stock held by investment partnerships at cost was $419,648 and $416,342 as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. 

The carrying value of the partnership interest approximates fair value adjusted by the value of held Company stock. Fair value of our partnership interest is assessed according to our proportional ownership interest of the fair value of investments held by the investment partnerships. Unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities held by the investment partnerships affect our net earnings. 

Gains/losses from investment partnerships recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings are presented below.

On December 31 of each year, the general partner of the investment partnerships, Biglari Capital Corp., will earn an incentive reallocation fee for the Company’s investments equal to 25% of the net profits above an annual hurdle rate of 6% over the previous high-water mark. Our policy is to accrue an estimated incentive fee throughout the year. The total incentive reallocation from Biglari Holdings to Biglari Capital Corp. includes gains on the Company’s common stock. Gains and losses on the Company’s common stock and the related incentive reallocations are eliminated in our financial statements.

There were no incentive reallocations accrued during the first quarters of 2024 and 2023.

Summarized financial information for The Lion Fund, L.P., and The Lion Fund II, L.P., is presented below.

Revenue in the financial information of the investment partnerships, summarized above, includes investment income and unrealized gains and losses on investments.

Property and equipment is composed of the following.

Depletion expense related to oil and gas properties was $2,568 and $2,648 during the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Company recorded an impairment to restaurant long-lived assets of $107 in the first quarter of 2024 and $776 in the first quarter of 2023 related to underperforming stores.

Property and equipment held for sale of $1,149 and $773 are recorded in other current assets as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. The assets classified as held for sale include properties owned by Steak n Shake, which were previously company-operated restaurants.

During the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, the Company sold former company-operated restaurants for a gain of $767 and $1,431, respectively.

Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in connection with business acquisitions.

A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment reviews include determining the estimated fair values of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The key assumptions and inputs used in such determinations may include forecasting revenues and expenses, cash flows and capital expenditures, as well as an appropriate discount rate and other inputs. Significant judgment by management is required in estimating the fair value of a reporting unit and in performing impairment reviews. Due to the inherent subjectivity and uncertainty in forecasting future cash flows and earnings over long periods of time, actual results may differ materially from the forecasts. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds fair value, the excess is charged to earnings as an impairment loss. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, then the excess, limited to the carrying amount of goodwill, will be charged to earnings as an impairment loss. There was no impairment recorded for goodwill during the first quarters of 2024 or 2023.

Intangible assets with indefinite lives are composed of the following.

Restaurant operations revenues were as follows.

Net sales are composed of retail sales of food through company-operated stores. Company-operated store revenues are recognized, net of discounts and sales taxes, when our obligation to perform is satisfied at the point of sale. Sales taxes related to these sales are collected from customers and remitted to the appropriate taxing authority and are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings as revenue.

Franchise partner fees are composed of up to 15% of sales as well as 50% of profits. We are therefore fully affected by the operating results of the business, unlike in a traditional franchising arrangement, where the franchisor obtains a royalty fee based on sales only. We generate most of our revenue from our share of the franchise partners’ profits. An initial franchise fee of ten thousand dollars is recognized when the operator becomes a franchise partner. The Company recognizes franchise partner fees monthly as underlying restaurant sales occur.

The Company leases or subleases property and equipment to franchise partners under lease arrangements. Both real estate and equipment rental payments are charged to franchise partners and are recognized in accordance with ASC 842, “Leases”. During the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, restaurant operations recognized $5,705 and $5,575, respectively, in franchise partner fees related to rental income.

Franchise royalties and fees from Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin franchisees are based upon a percentage of sales of the franchise restaurant and are recognized as earned. Franchise royalties are billed on a monthly basis. Initial franchise fees when a new restaurant opens or at the start of a new franchise term are recorded as deferred revenue when received and recognized as revenue over the term of the franchise agreement.

Restaurant operations sell gift cards to customers which can be redeemed for retail food sales within our stores. Gift cards are recorded as deferred revenue when issued and are subsequently recorded as net sales upon redemption. Restaurant operations estimate breakage related to gift cards when the likelihood of redemption is remote. This estimate utilizes historical trends based on the vintage of the gift card. Breakage on gift cards is recorded as other revenue in proportion to the rate of gift card redemptions by vintage.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses include the following.

Biglari Holdings’ available line of credit is $30,000. The line of credit matures on September 12, 2024. The line of credit includes customary covenants, as well as financial maintenance covenants. There was no balance on the line of credit on March 31, 2024, or December 31, 2023.

Western Sizzlin’s available line of credit is $500. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, Western Sizzlin had no debt outstanding under its revolver.

Our liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (also referred to as “claim liabilities”) under insurance contracts are based upon estimates of the ultimate claim costs associated with claim occurrences as of the balance sheet date and include estimates for incurred-but-not-reported (“IBNR”) claims. A reconciliation of the changes in claim liabilities, net of reinsurance, for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 follows.

We recorded net reductions of estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years of $3,319 and $1,651 in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, which produced corresponding reductions in incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in those periods. These reductions as a percentage of the net liabilities at the beginning of each year were 21.9% in 2024 and 9.8% in 2023.

Lease obligations include the following.

Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin operate restaurants that are located on sites owned by us or leased from third parties. In addition, they own sites and lease sites from third parties that are leased and/or subleased to franchisees.

A significant portion of our operating and finance lease portfolio includes restaurant locations. We recognize fixed lease expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, we recognize amortization expense on the right-of-use asset and interest expense on the lease liability over the lease term.

Total lease cost consists of the following.

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows.

Weighted-average lease terms and discount rates are as follows.

Maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024 are as follows.

The components of lease income are as follows.

The following table displays the Company’s future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of March 31, 2024. Franchise partner leases and subleases are short-term leases and have been excluded from the table.

In determining the quarterly provision for income taxes, the Company used an estimated annual effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 and 2023. Our periodic effective income tax rate is affected by the relative mix of pre-tax earnings or losses and underlying income tax rates applicable to the various taxing jurisdictions.

Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2024 was $6,816 compared to $19,738 for the first quarter of 2023. The variance in income taxes between 2024 and 2023 is primarily attributable to taxes on income generated by the investment partnerships. Investment partnership pre-tax gains were $21,985 during the first quarter of 2024 compared to pre-tax gains of $72,588 during the first quarter of 2023. 

We are involved in various legal proceedings and have certain unresolved claims pending. We believe, based on examination of these matters and experiences to date, that the ultimate liability, if any, in excess of amounts already provided in our consolidated financial statements, is not likely to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flow.

The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair values presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in an actual current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value.

The hierarchy for measuring fair value consists of Levels 1 through 3, which are described below.

•Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in active markets. 

•Level 2 – Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities exchanged in active or inactive markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in inactive markets; other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of the assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Pricing evaluations generally reflect discounted expected future cash flows, which incorporate yield curves for instruments with similar characteristics, such as credit ratings, estimated durations, and yields for other instruments of the issuer or entities in the same industry sector.

•Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or liabilities and we may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in pricing assets or liabilities.

The following methods and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of each class of the following assets recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:

Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents primarily consist of money market funds which are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Equity securities: The Company’s investments in equity securities are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. 

Bonds: The Company’s investments in bonds consist of both corporate and government debt. Bonds are classified as Level l of the fair value hierarchy.

As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the fair values of financial assets were as follows.

There were no changes in our valuation techniques used to measure fair values on a recurring basis.

The Company is party to a service agreement with Biglari Enterprises LLC (“Biglari Enterprises”), under which Biglari Enterprises provides business and administrative related services to the Company. Biglari Enterprises is owned by Mr. Biglari.

The Company paid Biglari Enterprises $2,400 and $2,100 in service fees during the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The service agreement does not alter the hurdle rate connected with the incentive reallocation paid to Biglari Capital Corp.  

The Incentive Agreement establishes a performance-based annual incentive payment for Mr. Biglari contingent upon the growth in adjusted equity in each year attributable to our operating businesses. In order for Mr. Biglari to receive any incentive, our operating businesses must achieve an annual increase in shareholders’ equity in excess of 6% (the “hurdle rate”) above the previous highest level (the “high-water mark”). Mr. Biglari will receive 25% of any incremental book value created above the high-water mark plus the hurdle rate.

Our reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how management views those business activities. Our restaurant operations include Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin. Our insurance operations include First Guard and Southern Pioneer. Our oil and gas operations include Southern Oil and Abraxas Petroleum. The Company also reports segment information for Maxim. We report our earnings from investment partnerships separate from our corporate expenses. We assess and measure segment operating results based on segment earnings as disclosed below. Segment earnings from operations are neither necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash requirements, nor synonymous with cash flow from operations. The tabular information that follows shows data of our reportable segments reconciled to amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

A disaggregation of our consolidated data for the first quarters of 2024 and 2023 is presented in the tables which follow.

Biglari Holdings Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities, including property and casualty insurance, licensing and media, restaurants, and oil and gas. Biglari Holdings is founded and led by Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders are disaggregated in the table that follows. Amounts are recorded after deducting income taxes. 

Our restaurant businesses, which include Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin, comprise 485 company-operated and franchise restaurants as of March 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2024, 15 of the 148 company-operated Steak n Shake stores were closed. Steak n Shake plans to sell or lease 9 of the 15 locations and refranchise the balance.

Restaurant operations are summarized below.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2024 were $38,735 as compared to $36,894 during the first quarter of 2023. The increase in net sales was primarily due to an increase in Steak n Shake’s same-store sales of 9.9% during the first quarter of 2024.

For company-operated units, sales to the end customer are recorded as revenue generated by the Company, but for franchise partner units, only our share of the restaurant’s profits, along with certain fees, are recorded as revenue. Because we derive most of our revenue from our share of the profits, revenue will decline as we transition from company-operated units to franchise partner units.

Our franchise partner fees were $17,758 during the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $17,912 during the first quarter of 2023. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, there were 178 franchise partner units. Included in franchise partner fees were $5,705 and $5,575 of rental income during the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Franchise partners rent buildings and equipment from Steak n Shake. Our share of franchise partner fees was lower primarily because our franchise partners’ food and labor expenses were 1.8 percentage points higher during the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the first quarter of 2023.

The franchise royalties and fees generated by the traditional franchising business were $3,477 during the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $4,258 during the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in franchise royalties and fees was primarily due to the closing of traditional franchise stores. There were 125 Steak n Shake traditional units open on March 31, 2024, as compared to 143 units open on March 31, 2023.

The cost of food at company-operated units during the first quarter of 2024 was $10,974 or 28.3% of net sales, as compared to $10,448 or 28.3% of net sales during the first quarter of 2023. The cost of food expressed as a percentage of net sales in 2024 remained consistent with 2023.

Labor costs at company-operated restaurants during the first quarter of 2024 were $12,429 or 32.1% of net sales, as compared to $11,603 or 31.4% of net sales during the first quarter of 2023. Labor costs expressed as a percentage of net sales in 2024 remained consistent with 2023.

General and administrative expenses during the first quarter of 2024 were $11,730 or 18.9% of total revenue, as compared to $10,463 or 17.1% of total revenue during the first quarter of 2023. General and administrative expenses increased in 2024 as compared to 2023 primarily because of higher salaries and wages. Salaries and wages were higher due to an increase in Steak n Shake’s personnel.

Interest on obligations under leases was $1,314 during the first quarter of 2024 versus $1,307 during the first quarter of 2023.

Other income was $234 during the first quarter of 2024 versus $1,612 during the first quarter of 2023. Western Sizzlin received a settlement of $450 during 2024 and Steak n Shake recorded gains of sales of properties of $1,431 during 2023.

To better convey the performance of the franchise partnership model, the table below shows the underlying sales, cost of food, labor costs, and other restaurant costs of the franchise partners. We believe the franchise partner information is useful to readers, as they have a direct effect on Steak n Shake’s profitability.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements do not include data in the table above. Figures are shown for information purposes only.

We view our insurance businesses as possessing two activities: underwriting and investing. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers, whereas investing decisions are the responsibility of our Chairman and CEO, Sardar Biglari. Our business units are operated under separate local management. Biglari Holdings’ insurance operations consist of First Guard and Southern Pioneer.

Underwriting results of our insurance operations are summarized below.

Earnings of our insurance operations are summarized below.

Insurance premiums and other on the consolidated statement of earnings includes premiums earned, investment income, other income, and commissions.

First Guard is a direct underwriter of commercial truck insurance, selling physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to truckers. First Guard’s insurance products are marketed primarily through direct response methods via the Internet or by telephone. First Guard’s cost-efficient direct response marketing methods enable it to be a low-cost insurer. A summary of First Guard’s underwriting results follows.