Fertitta, Landry's Deal Hits Financing Wall

HOUSTON-Hurricane Ike’s devastating impact combined with credit mark instability has stopped Fertitta Holdings Inc.’s proposed merger with Landry’s Restaurants Inc. According to a press release from Landry’s, the current $21 per share price has jeopardized financing needed to complete the $1.3-billion transaction.

Tilman J. Fertitta, chairman, president and CEO of Houston-based Landry’s and owner of Fertitta Holdings Inc., has told the special committee of the board of directors that the shutdown of its Kemah and Galveston restaurants, deterioration in the casual dining and gaming industries and problems with the credit market mean debt is very difficult to obtain, particularly at the current price per share. He says he is in negotiations with Jefferies & Co. in New York City about financing. In the press release, it was noted Landry’s had filed a preliminary proxy to hold a shareholders’ meeting Nov. 3.

When the definitive agreement was signed in June, Fertitta Holdings had planned to assume about $885 million of Landry’s debt. Furthermore, Fertitta had received financing commitments from Jefferies & Co. and Wells Fargo Foothill LLC of Santa Monica, CA.