sc13g
 

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
390064103
(CUSIP Number)
December 3, 2007
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
o Rule 13d-1(b)
þ Rule 13d-1(c)
o Rule 13d-1(d)
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act, but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 
 

Page 1 of 17 Pages


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
390064103 
SCHEDULE 13G Page  
  of   
17 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Ronald W. Burkle
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   þ
  (b)   o
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  United States
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0 shares
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   2,592,610 shares
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0 shares
       
WITH: 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    2,592,610 shares
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  2,592,610 shares
     
10   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  þ
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  5.3%1
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  IN
 
1   Percentages listed in each Row 11 hereto are based on 48,750,850 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 5, 2007, as set forth in the Issuer’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed December 7, 2007.


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
390064103 
SCHEDULE 13G Page  
  of   
17 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives Fund I, LLC
Tax I.D. No. 95-4859733
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   þ
  (b)   o
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0 shares
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   892,372 shares
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0 shares
       
WITH: 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    892,372 shares
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  892,372 shares
     
10   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  þ
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  1.8%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  OO


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
390064103 
SCHEDULE 13G Page  
  of   
17 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives Fund I, LP
Tax I.D. No. 95-4872485
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   þ
  (b)   o
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   892,372 shares
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   892,372 shares
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   892,372 shares
       
WITH: 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    892,372 shares
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  892,372 shares
     
10   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  þ
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  1.8%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  PN


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
390064103 
SCHEDULE 13G Page  
  of   
17 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Yucaipa American Management, LLC
Tax I.D. No. 30-0013506
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   þ
  (b)   o
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0 shares
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,700,238 shares
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0 shares
       
WITH: 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,700,238 shares
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,700,238 shares
     
10   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  þ
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  3.5%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  OO


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
390064103 
SCHEDULE 13G Page  
  of   
17 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Yucaipa American Funds, LLC
Tax I.D. No. 30-0013485
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   þ
  (b)   o
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0 shares
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,700,238 shares
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0 shares
       
WITH: 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,700,238 shares
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,700,238 shares
     
10   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  þ
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  3.5%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  OO


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
390064103 
SCHEDULE 13G Page  
  of   
17 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LLC
Tax I.D. No. 04-3626977
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   þ
  (b)   o
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0 shares
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,700,238 shares
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0 shares
       
WITH: 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,700,238 shares
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,700,238 shares
     
10   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  þ
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  3.5%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  OO


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
390064103 
SCHEDULE 13G Page  
  of   
17 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LP
Tax I.D. No. 04-3626968
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   þ
  (b)   o
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   850,125 shares
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   850,125 shares
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   850,125 shares
       
WITH: 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    850,125 shares
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  850,125 shares
     
10   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  þ
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  1.7%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  PN


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
390064103 
SCHEDULE 13G Page  
  of   
17 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Yucaipa American Alliance (Parallel) Fund I, LP
Tax I.D. No. 61-1484225
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   þ
  (b)   o
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   850,113 shares
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   850,113 shares
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   850,113 shares
       
WITH: 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    850,113 shares
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  850,113 shares
     
10   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  þ
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  1.7%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  PN


 

Page 10 of 17

     
Item 1(a).   Name of Issuer.
     
    The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”).
     
Item 1(b).   Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices.
     
    Two Paragon Drive, Montvale, New Jersey 07645.
     
Item 2(a).   Name of Persons Filing.
     
    This Schedule 13G is filed by the following “Reporting Persons”: (i) Ronald W. Burkle, (ii) Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives Fund I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“YCI LLC”), (iii) Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives Fund I, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YCI” and, together with YCI LLC, the “YCI Parties”), (iv) Yucaipa American Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“YAM”), (v) Yucaipa American Funds, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“YAF”), (vi) Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“YAAF LLC”), (vii) Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YAAF”), and (viii) Yucaipa American Alliance (Parallel) Fund I, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“YAAF Parallel” and, together with YAM, YAF, YAAF LLC and YAAF, the “YAAF Parties”).
     
Item 2(b).   Address or Principal Business Office.
     
    Each Reporting Person’s principal business office is located at c/o The Yucaipa Companies LLC, 9130 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90069.
     
Item 2(c).   Citizenship.
     
    Each of YCI LLC, YCI, YAM, YAF, YAAF LLC, YAAF and YAAF Parallel are organized under the laws of the state of Delaware. Mr. Burkle is a United States citizen.
     
Item 2(d).   Title of Class of Securities.
     
    Common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Issuer.
     
Item 2(e).   CUSIP No.
     
    390064103
     
Item 3.   Statement is Filed Pursuant to §§240.13d—1(b) or 240.13d—2(b) or (c).
     
    Not applicable.
     
Item 4.   Ownership.
 
    See Items 5 through 9 and Item 11 of the cover pages with respect to each Reporting Person.


 

Page 11 of 17

     
     
    By virtue of the relationships among the Reporting Persons, each of the other Reporting Persons may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock directly beneficially owned by YCI, YAAF and YAAF Parallel.
     
    Each of the YCI Parties disclaims any ownership of the shares of Common Stock owned by the YAAF Parties, and the filing of this Statement shall not be construed as an admission that any YCI Party is, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the beneficial owner of such shares.
     
    Each of the YAAF Parties disclaims any ownership of the shares of Common Stock owned by the YCI Parties, and the filing of this Statement shall not be construed as an admission that any YAAF Party is, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the beneficial owner of such shares.
     
    YAAF and YAAF Parallel each disclaims any ownership of the shares of Common Stock owned by the other, and the filing of this Statement shall not be construed as an admission that either YAAF or YAAF Parallel is, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock owned by the other.
     
    Mr. Burkle disclaims any ownership of the shares of Common Stock owned by each of the other Reporting Persons, and the filing of this Statement shall not be construed as an admission that Mr. Burkle is, for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the beneficial owner of such shares.
     
Item 5.   Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
     
    Not applicable.
     
Item 6.   Ownership More than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
     
    Except as stated in Item 4, no other person has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares of Common Stock owned by the Reporting Persons.
     
Item 7.   Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
     
    Not applicable.
     
Item 8.   Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
     
    See Item 2(a).
     
Item 9.   Notice of Dissolution of Group.
     
    Not applicable.

 


 

Page 12 of 17

     
     
Item 10.   Certification.
     
    By signing below the undersigned certify that, to the best of our knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

 


 

Page 13 of 17

SIGNATURES
     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
                   
Dated: December 13, 2007   RONALD W. BURKLE
 
               
    By:   /s/ Ronald W. Burkle
         
 
               
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA CORPORATE INITIATIVES FUND I, LLC
 
               
    By:   /s/ Ronald W. Burkle
         
        Name:   Ronald W. Burkle
        Its:   Managing Member
 
               
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA CORPORATE INITIATIVES FUND I, LP
 
               
    By:   Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives Fund I, LLC
    Its:   General Partner
 
               
        By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
             
 
          Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
 
          Its:   Vice President
 
               
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN MANAGEMENT, LLC
 
               
    By:   /s/ Ronald W. Burkle
         
        Name:   Ronald W. Burkle
        Its:   Managing Member
 
               
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN FUNDS, LLC
 
               
    By:   Yucaipa American Management, LLC
    Its:   Managing Member
 
               
        By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
             
 
          Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
 
          Its:   Vice President

 


 

Page 14 of 17

                           
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN ALLIANCE FUND I, LLC
 
                       
    By:   Yucaipa American Funds, LLC
    Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
        By:   Yucaipa American Management, LLC
        Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
            By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
                 
                Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
                Its:   Vice President
 
                       
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN ALLIANCE FUND I, LP
 
                       
    By:   Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LLC
    Its:   General Partner
 
                       
        By:   Yucaipa American Funds, LLC
        Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
            By:   Yucaipa American Management, LLC
            Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
                By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
                     
 
                  Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
 
                  Its:   Vice President
 
                       
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN ALLIANCE (PARALLEL) FUND I, LP
 
                       
    By:   Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LLC
    Its:   General Partner
 
                       
        By:   Yucaipa American Funds, LLC
        Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
            By:   Yucaipa American Management, LLC
            Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
                By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
                     
 
                  Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
 
                  Its:   Vice President

 


 

Page 15 of 17

EXHIBIT I
Joint Filing Agreement
     In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing with all other Reporting Persons (as such term is defined in the Schedule 13G referred to below) on behalf of each of them of a statement on Schedule 13G (including amendments thereto) with respect to the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and that this agreement may be included as an exhibit to such joint filing.
     The undersigned hereby execute this joint filing agreement as of December 13, 2007.
                           
Dated: December 13, 2007   RONALD W. BURKLE
 
                       
    By:   /s/ Ronald W. Burkle
         
 
                       
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA CORPORATE INITIATIVES FUND I, LLC
 
                       
    By:   /s/ Ronald W. Burkle
         
        Name:   Ronald W. Burkle
        Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA CORPORATE INITIATIVES FUND I, LP
 
                       
    By:   Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives Fund I, LLC
    Its:   General Partner
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
             
            Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
            Its:   Vice President
 
                       
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN MANAGEMENT, LLC
 
                       
    By:   /s/ Ronald W. Burkle
         
        Name:   Ronald W. Burkle
        Its:   Managing Member

 


 

Page 16 of 17

                           
 
                       
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN FUNDS, LLC
 
    By:   Yucaipa American Management, LLC
    Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
             
            Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
            Its:   Vice President
 
                       
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN ALLIANCE FUND I, LLC
 
    By:   Yucaipa American Funds, LLC
    Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
        By:   Yucaipa American Management, LLC
        Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
            By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
                 
                Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
                Its:   Vice President
 
                       
Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN ALLIANCE FUND I, LP
 
    By:   Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LLC
    Its:   General Partner
 
                       
        By:   Yucaipa American Funds, LLC
        Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
            By:   Yucaipa American Management, LLC
            Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
                By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
                     
 
                  Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
 
                  Its:   Vice President

 


 

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Dated: December 13, 2007   YUCAIPA AMERICAN ALLIANCE (PARALLEL) FUND I, LP
 
                       
    By:   Yucaipa American Alliance Fund I, LLC
    Its:   General Partner
 
                       
        By:   Yucaipa American Funds, LLC
        Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
            By:   Yucaipa American Management, LLC
            Its:   Managing Member
 
                       
                By:   /s/ Robert P. Bermingham
                     
 
                  Name:   Robert P. Bermingham
 
                  Its:   Vice President