<html>

<head>
<meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 4.0">
<meta name="ProgId" content="FrontPage.Editor.Document">
<title>Prepared by Kilpatrick Stockton EDGAR Services</title>
</head>

<body>

<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 3, 2001<br>
File No. _______________</font></p>
<font SIZE="1">
<hr color="#000000">
</font>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION<br>
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</font></p>
<font SIZE="1"></font><font FACE="Courier,Courier New"></font><font SIZE="1">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<hr color="#000000" width="25%">
</font><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font face="Times New Roman" size="4">FORM S-8<br>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT<br>
</font></b><font SIZE="2"><font face="Times New Roman">UNDER<br>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></p>
<font SIZE="1">
<hr color="#000000" width="25%">
</font>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
</font><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font face="Times New Roman" size="4">AVADO BRANDS, INC.<br>
</font></b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(Exact Name of Issuer as
Specified in its Charter)</font></p>
</i>
<table BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="777">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="TOP"><b>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Georgia</font></b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><br>
      (State or Other Jurisdiction of<br>
      Incorporation or Organization)</font></i></td>
    <td WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="3"></font><font SIZE="1"></font>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="TOP"><b>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">59-2778983<br>
      </font></b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(I.R.S. Employer<br>
      Identification Number)</font></i></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Hancock at Washington<br>
Madison, Georgia 30650<br>
(706) 342-4552<br>
</font></b><i><font SIZE="2"><font face="Times New Roman">(Address and Telephone
Number of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>
</font></i><font SIZE="2"></font><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">The Avado Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan<br>
</font></b><i><font SIZE="2"><font face="Times New Roman">(Full Title of the
Plan)</font></p>
</font></i><font SIZE="2"></font><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Erich J. Booth<br>
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Treasurer<br>
Hancock at Washington<br>
Madison, Georgia 30650<br>
(706) 342-4552<br>
</font></b><i><font SIZE="2"><font face="Times New Roman">(Name, Address and
Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</font></p>
</font></i><font SIZE="2"><i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font face="Times New Roman">Copies to:<br>
</font></i></font><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Larry D. Ledbetter,
Esq.<br>
KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP<br>
1100 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 2800<br>
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-4530<br>
(404) 815-6500<br>
(404) 815-6555 (fax)</font></p>
<font SIZE="3"></font><font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font face="Times New Roman">Calculation of Registration Fee</font></p>
</font></b>
<table BORDER="2" CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="8" WIDTH="723" bordercolor="#000000" bordercolorlight="#000000" bordercolordark="#000000">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="129" VALIGN="bottom"><b>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Title of
      Securities<br>
      to be Registered</font></b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><sup>(1)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="105" VALIGN="bottom"><b><font SIZE="1"></font>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Amount to<br>
      be Registered</font></b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><sup>(2)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="146" VALIGN="bottom"><b>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Proposed Maximum<br>
      Offering Price<br>
      Per Share</font></b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><sup>(3)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="132" VALIGN="bottom"><b>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Proposed Maximum<br>
      Aggregate<br>
      Offering Price</font></b></td>
    <td WIDTH="105" VALIGN="bottom"><font SIZE="1"></font><b>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Amount of<br>
      Registration Fee</font></b></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="129" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Common Stock</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="105" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">510,448 shares</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="146" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">$0.415</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="132" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">$211,835.92</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="105" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">$51.23</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the &quot;Securities Act&quot;), this Registration Statement also covers an
indeterminate amount of interests to be offered pursuant to the employee benefit
plan described herein (the &quot;Plan&quot;).</font></p>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall be
deemed to cover any additional securities to be offered or issued from stock
splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act, the offering price is estimated solely
for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of the average
of the high and low prices of Avado Brands, Inc. common stock as quoted on the
OTC Bulletin Board on November 28, 2001.</font></p>
<font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>
<table border="0" width="756" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">PART I.</font></b></td>
    <td width="669">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">INFORMATION
      REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</font></b></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 1.</font></b></td>
    <td width="669">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><b>PLAN
      INFORMATION*.</b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 2.</font></b></td>
    <td width="669">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">REGISTRANT
      INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION*.</font></b></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p ALIGN="left" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">*Information
required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted
from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.</font></p>
<table border="0" width="756" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">PART II.</font></b></td>
    <td width="669">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">INFORMATION
      REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></b></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 3.</font></b></td>
    <td width="669">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">INCORPORATION
      OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</font></b></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p ALIGN="left" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">The
following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are
incorporated by reference into this registration statement (the
&quot;Registration Statement&quot;) and are deemed to be a part hereof from the
date of the filing of such documents:</font></p>
<dir><dir>
<table border="0" width="677" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="45" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(1)</font></td>
    <td width="618">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Form 10-K of Avado
      Brands, Inc. (&quot;Avado&quot;) filed as of April 3, 2001 (Commission
      File Number 000-19542).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="45" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(2)</font></td>
    <td width="618">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Proxy Statement of
      Avado filed as of April 3, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="45" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(3)</font></td>
    <td width="618">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Form 10-Q of Avado
      filed as of May 16, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="45" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(4)</font></td>
    <td width="618">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Form 10-Q of Avado
      filed as of August 20, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="45" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(5)</font></td>
    <td width="618">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Form 10-Q of Avado
      filed as of November 15, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="45" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(6)</font></td>
    <td width="618">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Current Reports on
      Form 8-K filed June 15, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542) and
      September 4, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="45" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(7)</font></td>
    <td width="618">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">The description of
      the Common Stock as contained in Avado&#146;s Registration Statement on Form
      8-A dated September 23, 1991 filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act,
      including all amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
      description.</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
</dir>
</dir>

<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-1</font></p>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>
<dir><dir>
<table border="0" width="677" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="45" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(8)</font></td>
    <td width="618">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">All other documents
subsequently filed by the registrant or the Plan pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered pursuant to this
Registration Statement have been sold or which deregisters all securities that
remain unsold.</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
</dir></dir>

<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Any statement contained in
a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently
filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Registration Statement.</font></p>
<table border="0" width="756" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 4.</font></b></td>
    <td width="669">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">
<b>
<font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> DESCRIPTION OF
SECURITIES.</font>
</b>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
    </td>
    <td width="669">
      <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Not Applicable.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 5.&nbsp;</font>
</b>
    </td>
    <td width="669">
      <b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> INTERESTS OF
NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</font>
</b>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
    </td>
    <td width="669">
      <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Not Applicable.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 6.</font>
</b>
    </td>
    <td width="669">
      <b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">INDEMNIFICATION
OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.</font>
</b>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
<b>
</b>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Under Section 14-2-202 of
the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the &quot;Code&quot;), as amended, a
corporation&#146;s articles of incorporation may eliminate or limit the liability
of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for
any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except
liability for: (a) any appropriation, in violation of his or her duties, of any
business opportunity of the corporation; (b) acts or omissions which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) the types of liability
set forth in Code Section 14-2-832; or (d) any transaction from which the
director received an improper personal benefit (the &quot;Non-Excludable
Liabilities&quot;), provided that no such provision shall eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when
such provision becomes effective. The Restated Articles of Incorporation of
Avado (the &quot;Articles&quot;) provide that no director shall be personally
liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of
the duty of care or any other duty as a director, except that such liability
shall not be eliminated with respect to the Non-Excludable Liabilities.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">The Code authorizes or,
under certain circumstances, requires a corporation to indemnify an individual
who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is or was a director or
officer, against liability, expenses or both incurred in connection with the
proceeding, subject to certain conditions. Avado&#146;s Amended and Restated Bylaws
(the &quot;Bylaws&quot;) provide for indemnification rights for directors and
officers. The following is a summary of the material provisions of Article Eight
of the Bylaws.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-2</font></p>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Article 8.1 requires Avado
to indemnify and hold harmless any director who was or is a party, or is
threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed civil,
criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit, or proceeding,
including any action or suit by or in the right of Avado (each, a
&quot;Proceeding&quot;), by reason of the fact that such person was or is a
director, officer, employee, or agent of Avado, against any judgment,
settlement, penalty, fine, or reasonable expenses incurred with respect to the
Proceeding, except in connection with Non-Excludable Liabilities. Directors are
also entitled to have Avado advance any such expenses prior to final disposition
of the Proceeding, upon an undertaking to repay Avado if it is ultimately
determined that they are not entitled to indemnification.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Article 8.2 of the Bylaws
provides that the Board of Directors has the power to extend to officers,
employees, and agents of Avado all or any part of the indemnification permitted
for such persons by the Code. The Board of Directors has extended
indemnification rights to all of Avado&#146;s executive officers.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Avado, upon authorization
of the Board of Directors, has the power to enter into an agreement or
agreements providing indemnification rights pursuant to Article Eight to any
person who was or is a director or officer of Avado. Avado has entered into
indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Article 8.3 of the Bylaws
requires Avado to indemnify any director, and authorizes the Board of Directors
to cause Avado to indemnify any officer, who is serving at Avado&#146;s request as
a director or officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other
enterprise, subject to the conditions, limitations, and obligations specified
for indemnification of such persons for liabilities in connection with service
directly to Avado.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Article 8.6 of the Bylaws
provides that Avado has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
of any person who is or was a director or officer against any liability asserted
against such person or incurred by such person in any such capacity, whether or
not Avado has the power to indemnify such person against such liability under
Article Eight.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Under the Code, a
corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an individual who
is a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have the power to
indemnify or advance expenses to him or her against the same liability. Avado
has purchased and maintains directors and officers&#146; liability insurance
coverage.</font></p>
<table border="0" width="756" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 7.</font>
</b>
    </td>
    <td width="669">
<b>
<font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</font>
</b>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
    </td>
    <td width="669">
      <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Not Applicable.</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-3</font></p>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>
<table border="0" width="756" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 8.</font>
</b>
    </td>
    <td width="669">
<b>
<font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> EXHIBITS.</font>
</b>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">The exhibits included
as part of this Registration Statement are as follows:</font></p>
<table border="0" width="756" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="209">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">
<u>
<font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Exhibit Number</font></u></p>
    </td>
    <td width="533">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><u>Description</u></font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="209">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">4.1</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="533">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> Restated Articles of
Incorporation of Avado (incorporated herein by reference to Current Report on
Form 8-K of Avado, filed as of October 13, 1998, Commission File No. 000-19542)</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="209">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">4.2</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="533">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> Amended and Restated
Bylaws of Avado (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Registration
Statement of Avado on Form S-1, Commission File No. 33-42662)</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="209">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">4.3</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="533">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> The Avado Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="209">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">23</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="533">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> Consent of KPMG LLP</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="209">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">24</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="533">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> Power of Attorney
(see signature page)</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
<b>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</p>
<table border="0" width="756" cellpadding="7">
  <tr>
    <td width="73">
      <b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">ITEM 9.</font>
</b>
    </td>
    <td width="669">
<b>
<font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> UNDERTAKINGS</font>
</b>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
</b>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">The undersigned registrant
(&quot;Registrant&quot;) hereby undertakes:</font></p>
<dir><dir>
<table border="0" width="677">
  <tr>
    <td width="40" valign="top">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(1)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="623">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> To file, during any
period in which offers or sales are being made, a post- effective amendment to
this Registration Statement to include any material information with respect to
the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="40" valign="top">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(2)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="623">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> That, for the purpose
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
</dir></dir>

<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-4</font></p>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>

<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<dir><dir>
<table border="0" width="679">
  <tr>
    <td width="40" valign="top">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(3)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="625">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> To remove from
registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="40" valign="top">
<font size="2" face="Times New Roman">(4)</font>
    </td>
    <td width="625">
<font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> That, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</font>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

</dir></dir>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-5</font></p>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>

<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">SIGNATURES</font></p>
</b><font FACE="CG Times (PCL6)">
</font>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Madison,
State of Georgia, on this 30th day of November, 2001.</font></p>
<font FACE="CG Times (PCL6)"><b>
<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<table border="0" width="629">
  <tr>
    <td width="357"></td>
    <td width="258">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></b></font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Avado
Brands, Inc.<br>
    (Registrant)</font></p>
<font FACE="CG Times (PCL6)">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</p>
</font>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By:&nbsp;&nbsp; <b><i><font color="#800000">/s/
Erich J. Booth</font></i></b>
  <hr color="#000000" width="90%" align="right">
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Erich J. Booth<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief Financial Officer<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and Corporate Treasurer</font>
<font FACE="CG Times (PCL6)">
<b>
</b></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></p>
<font FACE="CG Times (PCL6)">
</font></b><font FACE="Courier,Courier New">
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"></font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Each person whose
signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Tom E. DuPree, Jr. and
Erich J. Booth and either of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact
with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to
sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement on Form S-8<b> </b>and to cause the same to be filed,
with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,<b> </b>with
the Securities and Exchange Commission<b>, </b>hereby granting to said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing whatsoever requisite or desirable to be done in and about
the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts and things that
said attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-6</font></p>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>

<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<B><p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed
by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.</font></p>
</b>
<p ALIGN="left">&nbsp;
<table BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="584">
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" color="#800000"><b><i>/s/
      Tom E. DuPree, Jr.</i></b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <hr color="#000000" size="1">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Tom E. DuPree, Jr.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Chairman of the
      Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Date: November 30,
      2001</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" color="#800000"><b><i>/s/
      Erich J. Booth</i></b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <hr color="#000000" size="1">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Erich J. Booth</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Chief Financial
      Officer and Corporate Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal
      Accounting Officer) and Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Date: November 30,
      2001</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" color="#800000"><b><i>/s/
      Margaret E. Waldrep</i></b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <hr color="#000000" size="1">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Margaret E. Waldrep</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Date: November 30,
      2001</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" color="#800000"><b><i>/s/
      Jerome Atkinson</i></b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <hr color="#000000" size="1">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Jerome Atkinson</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Date: December 1,
      2001</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" color="#800000"><b><i>/s/ Robert Sroka</i></b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <hr color="#000000" size="1">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" color="#800000"><b><i>Robert Sroka</i></b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Date: November 30,
      2001</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" color="#800000"><b><i>/w/
      William V. Lapman</i></b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <hr color="#000000" size="1">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">William V. Lapham</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Date: November 30,
      2001</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"></td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <hr color="#000000" size="1">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Emilio Alvarez-Recio</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Director</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="306">
    </td>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" width="245">
      <p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Date:</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>

<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-7</font></p>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>

<B><p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 80"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the persons who administer the
employee benefit plan have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Madison, State of Georgia, on November 30, 2001.</font></p>
</b>
<b>
<p ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 150"></b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">The Avado Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan</font></p>
<p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="RIGHT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">By: <u>/s/ Beth
Pounds&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u><br>
Beth Pounds,
Administrator&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p>

<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>

<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-8</font></p>
<b>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>

<p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">EXHIBIT INDEX<br>
TO<br>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ON FORM S-8</font></p>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</p>
</b>
<table border="0" width="756" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
    <td width="205">
                        <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">
<b>
                        <u>
                        <font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Exhibit
                        Number</font></u></b>
      </p>
    </td>
    <td width="537">
                        <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">
<b>
<font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><u>Description</u></font></b>
      </p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="205">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">4.1</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="537">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> Restated Articles of
Incorporation of Avado (incorporated herein by reference to Current Report on
Form 8-K of Avado, filed as of October 13, 1998, Commission File No. 000-19542)</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="205">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">4.2</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="537">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> Amended and Restated
Bylaws of Avado (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Registration
Statement of Avado on Form S-1, Commission File No. 33-42662)</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="205">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">4.3</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="537">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> The Avado Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="205">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">23</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="537">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> Consent of KPMG LLP</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="205">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">24</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="537">
<p ALIGN="LEFT"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"> Power of Attorney (see
signature page)</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
                        <p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">II-9</font></p>
<b>
<font SIZE="2">
<hr color="#000080">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</font>

</b>
                        <p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</p>

</body>

</html>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "avados-8.htm", "description": "STOCK PURCHASE PLAN S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 41052}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AVADO BRANDS INC", "cik": "0000849101", "assigned-sic": "5812", "irs-number": "592778983", "state-of-incorporation": "GA", "fiscal-year-end": "0103"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-74422", "film-number": "1805251"}, "business-address": {"street1": "HANCOCK AT WASHINGTON", "city": "MADISON", "state": "GA", "zip": "30650", "phone": "7063424552"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "HANCOCK AT WASHINGTON", "city": "MADISON", "state": "GA", "zip": "30650"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "APPLE SOUTH INC", "date-changed": "19950111"}}
Prepared by Kilpatrick Stockton EDGAR Services
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 3, 2001
File No. _______________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AVADO BRANDS, INC.
(Exact Name of Issuer as
Specified in its Charter)
Georgia
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
59-2778983
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
Hancock at Washington
Madison, Georgia 30650
(706) 342-4552
(Address and Telephone
Number of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices)
The Avado Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(Full Title of the
Plan)
Erich J. Booth
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Treasurer
Hancock at Washington
Madison, Georgia 30650
(706) 342-4552
(Name, Address and
Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Larry D. Ledbetter,
Esq.
KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP
1100 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 2800
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-4530
(404) 815-6500
(404) 815-6555 (fax)
Calculation of Registration Fee
Title of
      Securities
to be Registered
(1)
Amount to
be Registered
(2)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share
(3)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock
510,448 shares
$0.415
$211,835.92
$51.23
(1)     In
addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement also covers an
indeterminate amount of interests to be offered pursuant to the employee benefit
plan described herein (the "Plan").
(2)     Pursuant
to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall be
deemed to cover any additional securities to be offered or issued from stock
splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions.
(3)     Pursuant
to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act, the offering price is estimated solely
for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of the average
of the high and low prices of Avado Brands, Inc. common stock as quoted on the
OTC Bulletin Board on November 28, 2001.
PART I.
INFORMATION
      REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
ITEM 1.
PLAN
      INFORMATION*.
ITEM 2.
REGISTRANT
      INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION*.
*Information
required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted
from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II.
INFORMATION
      REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3.
INCORPORATION
      OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The
following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are
incorporated by reference into this registration statement (the
"Registration Statement") and are deemed to be a part hereof from the
date of the filing of such documents:
(1)
Form 10-K of Avado
      Brands, Inc. ("Avado") filed as of April 3, 2001 (Commission
      File Number 000-19542).
(2)
Proxy Statement of
      Avado filed as of April 3, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).
(3)
Form 10-Q of Avado
      filed as of May 16, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).
(4)
Form 10-Q of Avado
      filed as of August 20, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).
(5)
Form 10-Q of Avado
      filed as of November 15, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).
(6)
Current Reports on
      Form 8-K filed June 15, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542) and
      September 4, 2001 (Commission File Number 000-19542).
(7)
The description of
      the Common Stock as contained in Avado's Registration Statement on Form
      8-A dated September 23, 1991 filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act,
      including all amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
      description.
II-1
(8)
All other documents
subsequently filed by the registrant or the Plan pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered pursuant to this
Registration Statement have been sold or which deregisters all securities that
remain unsold.
Any statement contained in
a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently
filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
ITEM 4.
DESCRIPTION OF
SECURITIES.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 5.
INTERESTS OF
NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 6.
INDEMNIFICATION
OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Under Section 14-2-202 of
the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the "Code"), as amended, a
corporation's articles of incorporation may eliminate or limit the liability
of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for
any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except
liability for: (a) any appropriation, in violation of his or her duties, of any
business opportunity of the corporation; (b) acts or omissions which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) the types of liability
set forth in Code Section 14-2-832; or (d) any transaction from which the
director received an improper personal benefit (the "Non-Excludable
Liabilities"), provided that no such provision shall eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when
such provision becomes effective. The Restated Articles of Incorporation of
Avado (the "Articles") provide that no director shall be personally
liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of
the duty of care or any other duty as a director, except that such liability
shall not be eliminated with respect to the Non-Excludable Liabilities.
The Code authorizes or,
under certain circumstances, requires a corporation to indemnify an individual
who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is or was a director or
officer, against liability, expenses or both incurred in connection with the
proceeding, subject to certain conditions. Avado's Amended and Restated Bylaws
(the "Bylaws") provide for indemnification rights for directors and
officers. The following is a summary of the material provisions of Article Eight
of the Bylaws.
II-2
Article 8.1 requires Avado
to indemnify and hold harmless any director who was or is a party, or is
threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed civil,
criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit, or proceeding,
including any action or suit by or in the right of Avado (each, a
"Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that such person was or is a
director, officer, employee, or agent of Avado, against any judgment,
settlement, penalty, fine, or reasonable expenses incurred with respect to the
Proceeding, except in connection with Non-Excludable Liabilities. Directors are
also entitled to have Avado advance any such expenses prior to final disposition
of the Proceeding, upon an undertaking to repay Avado if it is ultimately
determined that they are not entitled to indemnification.
Article 8.2 of the Bylaws
provides that the Board of Directors has the power to extend to officers,
employees, and agents of Avado all or any part of the indemnification permitted
for such persons by the Code. The Board of Directors has extended
indemnification rights to all of Avado's executive officers.
Avado, upon authorization
of the Board of Directors, has the power to enter into an agreement or
agreements providing indemnification rights pursuant to Article Eight to any
person who was or is a director or officer of Avado. Avado has entered into
indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers.
Article 8.3 of the Bylaws
requires Avado to indemnify any director, and authorizes the Board of Directors
to cause Avado to indemnify any officer, who is serving at Avado's request as
a director or officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other
enterprise, subject to the conditions, limitations, and obligations specified
for indemnification of such persons for liabilities in connection with service
directly to Avado.
Article 8.6 of the Bylaws
provides that Avado has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
of any person who is or was a director or officer against any liability asserted
against such person or incurred by such person in any such capacity, whether or
not Avado has the power to indemnify such person against such liability under
Article Eight.
Under the Code, a
corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an individual who
is a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have the power to
indemnify or advance expenses to him or her against the same liability. Avado
has purchased and maintains directors and officers' liability insurance
coverage.
ITEM 7.
EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not Applicable.
II-3
ITEM 8.
EXHIBITS.
The exhibits included
as part of this Registration Statement are as follows:
Exhibit Number
Description
4.1
Restated Articles of
Incorporation of Avado (incorporated herein by reference to Current Report on
Form 8-K of Avado, filed as of October 13, 1998, Commission File No. 000-19542)
4.2
Amended and Restated
Bylaws of Avado (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Registration
Statement of Avado on Form S-1, Commission File No. 33-42662)
4.3
The Avado Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
23
Consent of KPMG LLP
24
Power of Attorney
(see signature page)
ITEM 9.
UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned registrant
("Registrant") hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any
period in which offers or sales are being made, a post- effective amendment to
this Registration Statement to include any material information with respect to
the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-4
(3)
To remove from
registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)
That, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Madison,
State of Georgia, on this 30th day of November, 2001.
Avado
Brands, Inc.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/
Erich J. Booth
Erich J. Booth
Chief Financial Officer
and Corporate Treasurer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose
signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Tom E. DuPree, Jr. and
Erich J. Booth and either of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact
with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to
sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement on Form S-8
and to cause the same to be filed,
with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with
the Securities and Exchange Commission
,
hereby granting to said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing whatsoever requisite or desirable to be done in and about
the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts and things that
said attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
II-6
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed
by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
/s/
      Tom E. DuPree, Jr.
Tom E. DuPree, Jr.
Chairman of the
      Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: November 30,
      2001
/s/
      Erich J. Booth
Erich J. Booth
Chief Financial
      Officer and Corporate Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal
      Accounting Officer) and Director
Date: November 30,
      2001
/s/
      Margaret E. Waldrep
Margaret E. Waldrep
Director
Date: November 30,
      2001
/s/
      Jerome Atkinson
Jerome Atkinson
Director
Date: December 1,
      2001
/s/ Robert Sroka
Robert Sroka
Director
Date: November 30,
      2001
/w/
      William V. Lapman
William V. Lapham
Director
Date: November 30,
      2001
Emilio Alvarez-Recio
Director
Date:
II-7
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the persons who administer the
employee benefit plan have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Madison, State of Georgia, on November 30, 2001.
The Avado Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
By:
/s/ Beth
Pounds
Beth Pounds,
Administrator
II-8
EXHIBIT INDEX
TO
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ON FORM S-8
Exhibit
                        Number
Description
4.1
Restated Articles of
Incorporation of Avado (incorporated herein by reference to Current Report on
Form 8-K of Avado, filed as of October 13, 1998, Commission File No. 000-19542)
4.2
Amended and Restated
Bylaws of Avado (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Registration
Statement of Avado on Form S-1, Commission File No. 33-42662)
4.3
The Avado Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
23
Consent of KPMG LLP
24
Power of Attorney (see
signature page)
II-9