UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No.  )¹

CIM Commercial Trust Corporation

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

125525584

(CUSIP Number)

ANDREW FREEDMAN, ESQ.

RYAN NEBEL, ESQ.

OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP

1325 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

(212) 451-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

May 18, 2020

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ☒.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				ENGINE CAPITAL, L.P.
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				WC
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							750,749
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							750,749
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				750,749
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				5.1%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				PN

  

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				ENGINE JET CAPITAL, L.P.
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				WC
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							161,885
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							161,885
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				161,885
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				1.1%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				PN

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				ENGINE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LP
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							912,634
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							912,634
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				912,634
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				6.2%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				PN

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				ENGINE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GP, LLC
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							912,634
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							912,634
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				912,634
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				6.2%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				OO

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				ENGINE INVESTMENTS, LLC
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							912,634
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							912,634
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				912,634
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				6.2%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				OO

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				ARNAUD AJDLER
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				BELGIUM
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							912,634
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							912,634
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				912,634
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				6.2%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				IN

  

The following constitutes the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (the “Schedule 13D”).

Item 1.

Security and Issuer.

This statement relates to the common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Shares”), of CIM Commercial Trust Corporation, a Maryland corporation and real estate investment trust (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 17950 Preston Road, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75252.

Item 2.

Identity and Background.

(a)       This statement is filed by:

(i)

Engine Capital, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Engine Capital”), with respect to the Shares directly and beneficially owned by it;

(ii)

Engine Jet Capital, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Engine Jet”), with respect to the Shares directly and beneficially owned by it;

(iii)

Engine Capital Management, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Engine Management”), as the investment manager of each of Engine Capital and Engine Jet;

(iv)

Engine Capital Management GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Engine GP”), as the general partner of Engine Management;

(v)

Engine Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Engine Investments”), as the general partner of each of Engine Capital and Engine Jet; and

(vi)

Arnaud Ajdler, as the managing partner of Engine Management and the managing member of each of Engine GP and Engine Investments.

Each of the foregoing is referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.” Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing Agreement, as further described in Item 6. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.

(b)       The address of the principal office of each of the Reporting Persons is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10105.

(c)       The principal business of each of Engine Capital and Engine Jet is investing in securities. Engine Management is the investment manager of each of Engine Capital and Engine Jet. Engine GP serves as the general partner of Engine Management. Engine Investments serves as the general partner of each of Engine Capital and Engine Jet. Mr. Ajdler serves as the managing partner of Engine Management and the managing member of each of Engine GP and Engine Investments.

(d)       No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e)       No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(f)       Mr. Ajdler is a citizen of Belgium.

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

The Shares purchased by each of Engine Capital and Engine Jet were purchased with working capital (which may, at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business). The aggregate purchase price of the 750,749 Shares beneficially owned by Engine Capital is approximately $10,901,298, including brokerage commissions. The aggregate purchase price of the 161,885 Shares beneficially owned by Engine Jet is approximately $2,350,661, including brokerage commissions.

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction.

The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares based on the Reporting Persons’ belief that the Shares, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of Shares at prices that would make the purchase or sale of Shares desirable, the Reporting Persons may endeavor to increase or decrease their position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of Shares on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable.

On May 18, 2020, the Reporting Persons issued a public letter (the “Letter”) to the Issuer’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) which, among other things, expressed certain of the Reporting Persons’ concerns as well as highlighted potential opportunities for the Issuer to maximize stockholder value. The Reporting Persons expressed their concerns that the Board may be favoring the interests of the Issuer’s external operator and administrative services provider to the detriment of the Issuer’s stockholders. Given the significant discount to net asset value that the Issuer’s Shares trade, the Reporting Persons called on the Board to immediately stop any plans to raise equity at this point in time, and expressed their belief that a liquidation or a sale represents the best risk-adjusted path forward for stockholders. The full text of the Letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Reporting Persons intend to engage in discussions with management and the Board of the Issuer and others regarding means to maximize and protect stockholder value.

No Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur upon or in connection with completion of, or following, any of the actions discussed herein. The Reporting Persons intend to review their investment in the Issuer on a continuing basis. Depending on various factors, including, without limitation, the Issuer’s financial position and investment strategy, the price levels of the Shares, conditions in the securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, the Reporting Persons may in the future take such actions with respect to their investment in the Issuer as they deem appropriate, including, without limitation, engaging in additional communications with management and the Board, engaging in discussions with stockholders of the Issuer and others about the Issuer and the Reporting Persons’ investment, making proposals to the Issuer concerning strategic alternatives, changes to the capitalization, ownership structure, Board structure (including Board composition) or operations of the Issuer, purchasing additional Shares, selling some or all of their Shares, engaging in short selling of or any hedging or similar transaction with respect to the Shares, or changing their intention with respect to any and all matters referred to in Item 4.

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 14,827,410 Shares outstanding as of May 7, 2020, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as reported in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2020.

A.

Engine Capital

(a)

As of the date hereof, Engine Capital directly owned 750,749 Shares.

Percentage: Approximately 5.1%

(b)

1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 750,749 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 750,749 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

B.

Engine Jet

(a)

As of the date hereof, Engine Jet directly owned 161,885 Shares.

Percentage: Approximately 1.1%

(b)

1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 161,885 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 161,885 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

C.

Engine Management

(a)

Engine Management, as the investment manager of each of Engine Capital and Engine Jet, may be deemed to beneficially own the 912,634 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engine Capital and Engine Jet.

Percentage: Approximately 6.2%

(b)

1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 912,634 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 912,634 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

D.

Engine GP

(a)

Engine GP, as the general partner of Engine Management, may be deemed to beneficially own the 912,634 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engine Capital and Engine Jet.

Percentage: Approximately 6.2%

(b)

1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 912,634 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 912,634 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

E.

Engine Investments

(a)

Engine Investments, as the general partner of each of Engine Capital and Engine Jet, may be deemed to beneficially own the 912,634 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engine Capital and Engine Jet.

Percentage: Approximately 6.2%

(b)

1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 912,634 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 912,634 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

F.

Arnaud Ajdler

(a)

Mr. Ajdler, as the managing partner of Engine Management and the managing member of each of Engine GP and Engine Investments, may be deemed to beneficially own the 912,634 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engine Capital and Engine Jet.

Percentage: Approximately 6.2%

(b)

1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 912,634 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 912,634 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owners of any securities of the Issuer that he or it does not directly own. Each of the Reporting Persons specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein that he or it does not directly own.

(c)

There have been no transactions in the Shares by the Reporting Persons during the past sixty days.

(d)

No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Shares.

(e)

Not applicable.

Item 6.

Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

On May 18, 2020, the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing Agreement in which the Reporting Persons agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D with respect to the securities of the Issuer to the extent required by applicable law. A copy of the Joint Filing Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Other than as described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the Reporting Persons, or between the Reporting Persons and any other person, with respect to the securities of the Issuer.

Item 7.

Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

99.1

Letter to the Board, dated May 18, 2020.

99.2

Joint Filing Agreement, dated May 18, 2020.

 

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: May 18, 2020

	Engine Capital, L.P.
	By:	Engine Investments, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	Engine Jet Capital, L.P.
	By:	Engine Investments, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	Engine Capital Management, LP
	By:	Engine Capital Management GP, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	Engine Capital Management GP, LLC
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	Engine Investments, LLC
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
	ARNAUD AJDLER

Exhibit 99.2

Joint Filing Agreement

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of a Statement on Schedule 13D (including amendments thereto) with respect the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of CIM Commercial Trust Corporation, a Maryland corporation and real estate investment trust. This Joint Filing Agreement shall be filed as an Exhibit to such Statement.

Dated: May 18, 2020

	Engine Capital, L.P.
	By:	Engine Investments, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	Engine Jet Capital, L.P.
	By:	Engine Investments, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	Engine Capital Management, LP
	By:	Engine Capital Management GP, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	Engine Capital Management GP, LLC
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	Engine Investments, LLC
	By:	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
		Name:	Arnaud Ajdler
		Title:	Managing Member

 

 

	/s/ Arnaud Ajdler
	ARNAUD AJDLER