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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2002  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No. 333-_____  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION <BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, DC 20549  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8 <BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>F.A.O., Inc.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>California<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>95-3971414<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>2520 Renaissance Boulevard<BR>
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>2001 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the Plan) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Mr. Jerry R. Welch<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
2520 Renaissance Boulevard<BR>
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and Address of Agent For Service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>(610) 292-6600<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Copies
to:<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Victor Hsu, Esquire<BR>
Fulbright &amp; Jaworski L.L.P.<BR>
865 South Figueroa Street, 29th Floor<BR>
Los Angeles, California 90017<BR>
(213) 892-9200  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be registered (1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed maximum<BR>
offering price per share (2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed maximum<BR>
Aggregate offering Price (2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
registration fee (2)</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="27%"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock, no par value</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2,146,583</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$6.68</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$14,339,174.44</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$1,319.20</FONT></TD>
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<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>There
are also registered hereby such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may become issuable by reason of operation of the anti-dilution provisions of the
2001 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant described herein.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Pursuant
to Rule&nbsp;457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the proposed maximum offering price per share and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price are estimated
solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee and are based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock of the Registrant on the Nasdaq National Market System on
May&nbsp;22, 2002. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I<BR>  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Document(s) containing information specified by Part&nbsp;I of this Form&nbsp;S-8 Registration Statement ("Registration Statement") will be sent
or given to participants in the F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), as specified in Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Such document(s) are not being filed with the Commission but constitute (along with the documents incorporated by reference
into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part&nbsp;II hereof) a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section&nbsp;10(a) of the 1933 Act. </FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(as updated through the date of this Registration Statement)    <BR></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended February&nbsp;2, 2002.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K/A for the fiscal year ended February&nbsp;2, 2002, filed on May&nbsp;7, 2002.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K/A2 for the fiscal year ended February&nbsp;2, 2002, filed on May&nbsp;28, 2002.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(4)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
description of Registrant's Common Stock included in Registrant's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-A filed on September&nbsp;18, 1991. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
documents subsequently filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all shares offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all shares then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part thereof from the date they are filed. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4. Description of Securities.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;317 of the California General Corporation Law authorizes the Registrant to indemnify its officers and directors, including indemnification for
liabilities (and reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant authorize the
Registrant to indemnify any present or former officer, director or agent who breaches his or her duties to the Registrant or its shareholders. The indemnification can exceed the amount allowed by
California law, subject to certain limitations. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its former directors and executive officers. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under
the indemnification agreements: </FONT></P>

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<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>&#149;</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>the
Registrant must indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, </FONT></DD></DL>
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<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>&#149;</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>the
Registrant must advance costs and expenses incurred by the officer or director in defending or investigating an action. If the Registrant advances such
payments and such person is not entitled to indemnification, then he or she must repay such amounts to the Registrant,
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>&#149;</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>an
officer or director may petition the court to require the Registrant to pay the amounts agreed to in the agreements and
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>&#149;</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>if
such officer or director is successful in making such a request to the court, he or she is entitled to the court costs incurred. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
benefits of the indemnification agreements are not available if the officer or director: </FONT></P>

<UL>
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<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>has
other indemnification insurance for the claim, or the matters giving rise to the claim; or
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>has
committed an act, transaction or omission for which he or she may not be relieved of liability under California General Corporations Law or federal securities laws. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
accordance with Section&nbsp;204(a)(10) of the California General Corporation Law, the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant provide that a director is
not liable to the Registrant or its shareholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under California law. Under California law, however, the Registrant may not limit the liability
of a director for: </FONT></P>

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<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(i)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>acts
or omissions that show intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law,
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(ii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>acts
or omissions that a director believes to be against the best interest of the Registrant or its shareholders or that involve bad faith,
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(iii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>any
transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit,
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(iv)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>acts
or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's duty to the Registrant or its shareholders in circumstances where the director was,
or should have been, aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director's duties, of a risk of serious injury to the Registrant or its shareholders,
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(v)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>acts
or omissions that show an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abandonment of the director's duty to the Registrant or its
shareholders,
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(vi)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>any
improper transactions between a director and the Registrant where the director has a material financial interest,
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(vii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>any
unlawful distributions to the shareholders of the Registrant,
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(viii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>any
unlawful loan of money or property to any director or officer of the Registrant, or
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(ix)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>any
unlawful guarantee of the obligation of any director or officer of the Registrant. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant also maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8. Exhibits.  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="88%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc., (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.), dated December&nbsp;15, 1998.(1)</FONT></TD>
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4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc. (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.), dated March&nbsp;26, 2002.(2)</FONT></TD>
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4.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Bylaws of F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc. (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.) as in effect on and after October&nbsp;13, 1993.(1)</FONT></TD>
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5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion of Fulbright&nbsp;&amp; Jaworski L.L.P.</FONT></TD>
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23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Fulbright&nbsp;&amp; Jaworski L.L.P. (included with Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney (see page 6)</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Previously
filed as an Exhibit to F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc.'s (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.) Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended January&nbsp;29,
2000.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Previously
filed as an Exhibit to F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc.'s (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.) Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated May&nbsp;1, 2002. </FONT></DD></DL>
<BR>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings.  </B></FONT></P>

<UL>
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<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes (1)&nbsp;to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration
Statement (i)&nbsp;to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act; (ii)&nbsp;to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of
this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
this Registration Statement (provided that any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table on this Registration Statement);
(iii)&nbsp;to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this
Registration Statement; provided, however, that clauses (a)(1)(i)&nbsp;and (a)(1)(ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those clauses is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement;
(2)&nbsp;that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, 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; and (3)&nbsp;to remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

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<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the 1934 Act 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.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 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 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8, and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania, on this 24th day of May, 2002. </FONT></P>

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<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2><B>F.A.O., INC.</B></FONT></TD>
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&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><B><BR>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="46%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JERRY R. WELCH</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Name: Jerry R. Welch<BR>
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc1679_power_of_attorney"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_jc1679_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Jerry R. Welch, as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signature</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="43%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JERRY R. WELCH</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Jerry R. Welch</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>President, Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>May 24, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RICHARD A. KAYNE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Richard A. Kayne</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 24, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ANDREW D. FESHBACH</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Andrew D. Feshbach</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 24, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JILL HIGGINS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Jill Higgins</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 24, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<A NAME="page_jc1679_1_6"> </A>
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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT R. HOLLMAN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Robert R. Hollman</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 24, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>FRED KAYNE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Fred Kayne</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director, Chairman of the Board</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 24, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>HOWARD M. ZELIKOW</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Howard M. Zelikow</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 24, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RAYMOND P. SPRINGER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Raymond P. Springer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
<BR>
Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(principal financial and accounting officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
May 24, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>6</FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1679_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1679_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH="79%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR>
Number</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="88%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc., (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.), dated December&nbsp;15, 1998.(1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc. (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.), dated March&nbsp;26, 2002.(2)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Bylaws of F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc. (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.) as in effect on and after October&nbsp;13, 1993.(1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion of Fulbright&nbsp;&amp; Jaworski L.L.P.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Fulbright&nbsp;&amp; Jaworski L.L.P. (included with Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney (see page 5)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<HR NOSHADE ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="120">
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Previously
filed as an Exhibit to F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc.'s (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.) Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended January&nbsp;29,
2000.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Previously
filed as an Exhibit to F.A.O.,&nbsp;Inc.'s (fka The Right Start,&nbsp;Inc.) Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated May&nbsp;1, 2002. </FONT></DD></DL>
<HR NOSHADE>
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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="02BHL1679_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1679_1">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1679_2">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT (as updated through the date of this Registration Statement)</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1679_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1679_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1679_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2081113zs-8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 35878}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "FAO INC", "cik": "0000878720", "assigned-sic": "5961", "irs-number": "953971414", "state-of-incorporation": "CA", "fiscal-year-end": "0130"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-89218", "film-number": "02663513"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2520 RENAISSANCE BOULEVARD", "street2": ".", "city": "KING OF PRUSSIA", "state": "PA", "zip": "19406", "phone": "6102787800"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "2520 RENAISSANCE BOULEVARD", "street2": ".", "city": "KING OF PRUSSIA", "state": "PA", "zip": "19406"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "RIGHT START INC /CA", "date-changed": "19930328"}}
QuickLinks
-- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2002
Registration No. 333-_____
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
F.A.O., Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
California
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
95-3971414
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
2520 Renaissance Boulevard
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
2001 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full title of the Plan)
Mr. Jerry R. Welch
President and Chief Executive Officer
2520 Renaissance Boulevard
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406
(Name and Address of Agent For Service)
(610) 292-6600
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies
to:
Victor Hsu, Esquire
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
865 South Figueroa Street, 29th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
(213) 892-9200
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount to be registered (1)
Proposed maximum
offering price per share (2)
Proposed maximum
Aggregate offering Price (2)
Amount of
registration fee (2)
Common Stock, no par value
2,146,583
$6.68
$14,339,174.44
$1,319.20
(1)
There
are also registered hereby such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may become issuable by reason of operation of the anti-dilution provisions of the
2001 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant described herein.
(2)
Pursuant
to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the proposed maximum offering price per share and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price are estimated
solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee and are based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock of the Registrant on the Nasdaq National Market System on
May 22, 2002.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Document(s) containing information specified by Part I of this Form S-8 Registration Statement ("Registration Statement") will be sent
or given to participants in the F.A.O., Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), as specified in Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Such document(s) are not being filed with the Commission but constitute (along with the documents incorporated by reference
into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof) a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the 1933 Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
(as updated through the date of this Registration Statement)
Item 3.    Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
(1)
The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2002.
(2)
The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2002, filed on May 7, 2002.
(3)
The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A2 for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2002, filed on May 28, 2002.
(4)
The
description of Registrant's Common Stock included in Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on September 18, 1991.
All
documents subsequently filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all shares offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all shares then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part thereof from the date they are filed.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law authorizes the Registrant to indemnify its officers and directors, including indemnification for
liabilities (and reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant authorize the
Registrant to indemnify any present or former officer, director or agent who breaches his or her duties to the Registrant or its shareholders. The indemnification can exceed the amount allowed by
California law, subject to certain limitations.
In
addition, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its former directors and executive officers.
Under
the indemnification agreements:
•
the
Registrant must indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
•
the
Registrant must advance costs and expenses incurred by the officer or director in defending or investigating an action. If the Registrant advances such
payments and such person is not entitled to indemnification, then he or she must repay such amounts to the Registrant,
•
an
officer or director may petition the court to require the Registrant to pay the amounts agreed to in the agreements and
•
if
such officer or director is successful in making such a request to the court, he or she is entitled to the court costs incurred.
The
benefits of the indemnification agreements are not available if the officer or director:
(1)
has
other indemnification insurance for the claim, or the matters giving rise to the claim; or
(2)
has
committed an act, transaction or omission for which he or she may not be relieved of liability under California General Corporations Law or federal securities laws.
In
accordance with Section 204(a)(10) of the California General Corporation Law, the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant provide that a director is
not liable to the Registrant or its shareholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under California law. Under California law, however, the Registrant may not limit the liability
of a director for:
(i)
acts
or omissions that show intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law,
(ii)
acts
or omissions that a director believes to be against the best interest of the Registrant or its shareholders or that involve bad faith,
(iii)
any
transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit,
(iv)
acts
or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's duty to the Registrant or its shareholders in circumstances where the director was,
or should have been, aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director's duties, of a risk of serious injury to the Registrant or its shareholders,
(v)
acts
or omissions that show an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abandonment of the director's duty to the Registrant or its
shareholders,
(vi)
any
improper transactions between a director and the Registrant where the director has a material financial interest,
(vii)
any
unlawful distributions to the shareholders of the Registrant,
(viii)
any
unlawful loan of money or property to any director or officer of the Registrant, or
(ix)
any
unlawful guarantee of the obligation of any director or officer of the Registrant.
The
Registrant also maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
2
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of F.A.O., Inc., (fka The Right Start, Inc.), dated December 15, 1998.(1)
4.2
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of F.A.O., Inc. (fka The Right Start, Inc.), dated March 26, 2002.(2)
4.3
Bylaws of F.A.O., Inc. (fka The Right Start, Inc.) as in effect on and after October 13, 1993.(1)
5.1
Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2
Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included with Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Power of Attorney (see page 6)
(1)
Previously
filed as an Exhibit to F.A.O., Inc.'s (fka The Right Start, Inc.) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29,
2000.
(2)
Previously
filed as an Exhibit to F.A.O., Inc.'s (fka The Right Start, Inc.) Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 1, 2002.
Item 9.    Undertakings.
(a)
The
undersigned 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 (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of
this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
this Registration Statement (provided that any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table on this Registration Statement);
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this
Registration Statement; provided, however, that clauses (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those clauses is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement;
(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, 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; and (3) to remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
3
(b)
The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act 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.
(c)
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 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 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania, on this 24th day of May, 2002.
F.A.O., INC.
By:
/s/
JERRY R. WELCH
Name: Jerry R. Welch
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Jerry R. Welch, as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, 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 file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
JERRY R. WELCH
Jerry R. Welch
President, Chief Executive Officer
May 24, 2002
/s/
RICHARD A. KAYNE
Richard A. Kayne
Director
May 24, 2002
/s/
ANDREW D. FESHBACH
Andrew D. Feshbach
Director
May 24, 2002
/s/
JILL HIGGINS
Jill Higgins
Director
May 24, 2002
5
/s/
ROBERT R. HOLLMAN
Robert R. Hollman
Director
May 24, 2002
/s/
FRED KAYNE
Fred Kayne
Director, Chairman of the Board
May 24, 2002
/s/
HOWARD M. ZELIKOW
Howard M. Zelikow
Director
May 24, 2002
/s/
RAYMOND P. SPRINGER
Raymond P. Springer
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
May 24, 2002
6
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of F.A.O., Inc., (fka The Right Start, Inc.), dated December 15, 1998.(1)
4.2
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of F.A.O., Inc. (fka The Right Start, Inc.), dated March 26, 2002.(2)
4.3
Bylaws of F.A.O., Inc. (fka The Right Start, Inc.) as in effect on and after October 13, 1993.(1)
5.1
Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2
Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included with Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Power of Attorney (see page 5)
(1)
Previously
filed as an Exhibit to F.A.O., Inc.'s (fka The Right Start, Inc.) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29,
2000.
(2)
Previously
filed as an Exhibit to F.A.O., Inc.'s (fka The Right Start, Inc.) Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 1, 2002.
QuickLinks
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT (as updated through the date of this Registration Statement)
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX