SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 April 4, 2006 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Maryland 1-4141 13-1890974 (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission file number) (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) Two Paragon Drive Montvale, New Jersey 07645 (Address of principal executive offices) (201) 573-9700 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: __ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) __ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) __ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b)) __ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item 8.01. Other Events --------- ------------ Registrant's press release dated April 4, 2006, reporting the declaration of a special dividend on the Registrant's common stock, is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.0 and is incorporated herein by reference. Effective April 4, 2006, the Company exercised its right under its existing Credit Agreement dated November 15, 2005 to increase by $100 million the aggregate commitments thereunder resulting in total commitments of $250 million. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. --------- ---------------------------------- (d) Exhibits 99.0 Press release of Registrant dated April 4, 2006. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. By: --------------------------------------------- /s/Allan Richards ----------------------- Name: Allan Richards Title: Senior Vice President & Secretary Dated: April 10, 2006 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Exhibit Description ------ ------------------- 99.0 Press Release of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., dated April 4, 2006