FWM Fairway Grp. Holdings Corp. - Class A

Fairway anticipated to emerge with approximately $50 million of cash

Fairway Group Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:FWM), the parent company of Fairway Market, the iconic New York food retailer that offers customers a differentiated one-stop shopping experience “Like No Other Market”, today announced that the Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) was unanimously accepted by 100% of voting secured lenders and confirmed by Bankruptcy Judge Michael E. Wiles.  Fairway is expected to emerge from bankruptcy during the week of June 20th, 2016 with approximately $50 million in cash, a substantial reduction of its debt by $140 million and a reduction of Fairway’s annual debt service obligations by up to $8 million.   

“Thank you to all the customers who have continued to support Fairway.  Our stores are open and stronger than ever,” said Jack Murphy, Chief Executive Officer.

In accordance with the Plan, all prepetition unsecured creditors, including suppliers, employees, unions and other trade creditors were not impaired and were and will continue to be paid in the ordinary course of business.  The senior secured lenders will exchange their loans for new common equity of Fairway and some reinstated debt.  All of Fairway’s outstanding shares of common stock will be cancelled pursuant to the Plan with no distribution to the holders thereof.

Jack Murphy added, “We will emerge from bankruptcy with a stronger balance sheet, $50 million in cash and the backing and commitment from the senior lenders and new shareholders to re-invest in the future of Fairway.  We will continue to provide to our customers the best food experience in the greater New York area and we pride ourselves on continuously improving our product offering while maintaining the freshness and quality our loyal customers have come to expect.”

In addition, Fairway is on target to open a new Fairway store in Georgetown, Brooklyn in late 2016.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the Company’s business and results of operations to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “intends,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology.

Risk factors that may affect the Company’s results include, but are not limited to, those described under the heading “Item 1A.  Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the following: the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern; the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to prosecute, develop and consummate the Prepackaged Plan; the effects of the bankruptcy filing on Fairway and the interests of various creditors, equity holders and other constituents; Bankruptcy Court rulings in the chapter 11 cases and the outcome of the cases in general; the length of time Fairway may operate under the chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third-party motions in the chapter 11 cases, which may interfere with Fairway’s ability to develop and consummate the Prepackaged Plan; the potential adverse effects of the chapter 11 proceedings on Fairway’s liquidity or results of operations; the potential adverse effects of the chapter 11 proceedings on Fairway’s relationships with suppliers, employees and customers; the ability to execute Fairway’s business and restructuring plan; increased legal costs related to the bankruptcy filing and other litigation; and Fairway’s ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operation, to obtain and maintain normal terms with customers, suppliers and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees.

Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this press release speaks only as of the date on which such forward-looking statement was made.  New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and the Company cannot predict these events or how they may affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operations.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements in this press release after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. 

About Fairway Fairway Market is a food retailer offering customers a differentiated one-stop shopping experience “Like No Other Market”.  Fairway has established itself as a leading food retailing destination in the Greater New York City metropolitan area, with stores that emphasize an extensive selection of fresh, natural and organic products, prepared foods and hard-to-find specialty and gourmet offerings, along with a full assortment of conventional groceries.  Fairway is headquartered in New York, New York. You can shop our products online at www.shop.fairwaymarket.com, or visit one of our 15 stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Contacts:
Media
Nicholas Gutierrez
(646) 616-8103
nicholas.gutierrez@fairwaymarket.com

Investment Community
Nicholas Gutierrez
(646) 616-8103
nicholas.gutierrez@fairwaymarket.com