UNITED STATES
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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 16, 2014 (December 11, 2014)
EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-36556 | 20-3563182 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 100, Costa Mesa, California | 92626 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (714) 599-5000
N/A
(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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 11, 2014, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (the Corporation) refinanced its debt, with El Pollo Loco, Inc., EPL Intermediate, Inc. and the Corporation entering into a Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer, the lenders party thereto, and the other parties thereto, which provides for a $200,000,000 five-year secured revolving facility (the New Credit Facility). The New Credit Facility includes a sub limit of $15,000,000 for letters of credit and a sub limit of $15,000,000 for swingline loans. The New Credit Facility will mature on or about December 11, 2019.
Borrowings under the New Credit Facility (other than any swingline loans) bear interest, at the borrowers option, at rates based upon either LIBOR or a base rate, plus, for each rate, a margin determined in accordance with a lease adjusted consolidated leverage ratio-based pricing grid. The base rate is calculated as the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the prime rate of Bank of America, or (c) LIBOR plus 1.00%. For LIBOR loans, the margin is in the range of 1.75% to 2.50%, and for base rate loans the margin is in the range 0.75% and 1.50%. The margin is initially set at 2.00% for LIBOR loans and at 1.00% for base rate loans until the delivery of financial statements and a compliance certificate for the period ending March 25, 2015.
The Credit Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference, and the description of the Credit Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of the Registrant.
The disclosures under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the Credit Agreement are also responsive to Item 2.03 of this report and are incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
10.1 | Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014, by and among the Corporation, El Pollo Loco, Inc., EPL Intermediate, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer, the lenders party thereto, and the other parties thereto. |
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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.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. | ||
(Registrant) | ||
Date: December 16, 2014 | ||
/s/ Laurance Roberts | ||
Laurance Roberts | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
3
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
10.1 | Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014, by and among the Corporation, El Pollo Loco, Inc., EPL Intermediate, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer, the lenders party thereto, and the other parties thereto. |
4
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION VERSION
Published CUSIP Numbers:
Deal: 28383FAH7
Revolver: 28383FAJ3
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of December 11, 2014
among
EL POLLO LOCO, INC.,
as the Borrower,
EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.,
and
CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF HOLDINGS PARTY HERETO,
as the Guarantors,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and L/C Issuer,
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Syndication Agent,
CITIZENS BANK, N.A.
and
REGIONS BANK,
as Co-Documentation Agents
and
THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
and
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS |
1 | |||||
1.01 |
Defined Terms |
1 | ||||
1.02 |
Other Interpretive Provisions |
29 | ||||
1.03 |
Accounting Terms |
30 | ||||
1.04 |
Rounding |
31 | ||||
1.05 |
Times of Day |
31 | ||||
1.06 |
Letter of Credit Amounts |
31 | ||||
1.07 |
Rates |
31 | ||||
ARTICLE II COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
32 | |||||
2.01 |
Revolving Borrowings |
32 | ||||
2.02 |
Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans |
32 | ||||
2.03 |
Letters of Credit |
34 | ||||
2.04 |
Swingline Loans |
42 | ||||
2.05 |
Prepayments |
46 | ||||
2.06 |
Termination or Reduction of Commitments |
47 | ||||
2.07 |
Repayment of Loans |
47 | ||||
2.08 |
Interest and Default Rate |
48 | ||||
2.09 |
Fees |
48 | ||||
2.10 |
Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate |
49 | ||||
2.11 |
Evidence of Debt |
50 | ||||
2.12 |
Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback |
50 | ||||
2.13 |
Sharing of Payments by Lenders |
52 | ||||
2.14 |
Cash Collateral |
53 | ||||
2.15 |
Defaulting Lenders |
54 | ||||
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY |
56 | |||||
3.01 |
Taxes |
56 | ||||
3.02 |
Illegality and Designated Lenders |
61 | ||||
3.03 |
Inability to Determine Rates |
61 | ||||
3.04 |
Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans |
62 | ||||
3.05 |
Compensation for Losses |
64 | ||||
3.06 |
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders |
64 | ||||
3.07 |
Survival |
65 | ||||
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
65 | |||||
4.01 |
Conditions of Initial Credit Extension |
65 | ||||
4.02 |
Conditions to all Credit Extensions |
67 | ||||
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
68 | |||||
5.01 |
Existence, Qualification and Power |
68 | ||||
5.02 |
Authorization; No Contravention |
68 | ||||
5.03 |
Governmental Authorization; Other Consents |
68 | ||||
5.04 |
Binding Effect |
69 |
i
5.05 |
Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect |
69 | ||||
5.06 |
Litigation |
69 | ||||
5.07 |
No Default |
70 | ||||
5.08 |
Ownership of Property |
70 | ||||
5.09 |
Environmental Compliance |
70 | ||||
5.10 |
Insurance |
70 | ||||
5.11 |
Taxes |
70 | ||||
5.12 |
ERISA Compliance |
71 | ||||
5.13 |
Subsidiaries |
71 | ||||
5.14 |
Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act |
71 | ||||
5.15 |
Disclosure |
72 | ||||
5.16 |
Compliance with Laws |
72 | ||||
5.17 |
Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. |
72 | ||||
5.18 |
Solvency |
73 | ||||
5.19 |
Perfection of Security Interests in the Collateral |
73 | ||||
5.21 |
Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws |
73 | ||||
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
73 | |||||
6.01 |
Financial Statements |
73 | ||||
6.02 |
Certificates; Other Information |
74 | ||||
6.03 |
Notices |
76 | ||||
6.04 |
Payment of Taxes |
77 | ||||
6.05 |
Preservation of Existence, Etc. |
77 | ||||
6.06 |
Maintenance of Properties |
77 | ||||
6.07 |
Maintenance of Insurance |
77 | ||||
6.08 |
Compliance with Laws |
78 | ||||
6.09 |
Books and Records |
78 | ||||
6.10 |
Inspection Rights |
78 | ||||
6.11 |
Use of Proceeds |
79 | ||||
6.12 |
ERISA Compliance |
79 | ||||
6.13 |
Additional Guarantors |
79 | ||||
6.14 |
Covenant to Give Security |
79 | ||||
6.15 |
Further Assurances |
80 | ||||
6.16 |
Compliance with Environmental Laws |
80 | ||||
6.17 |
Anti-Corruption Laws |
80 | ||||
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
80 | |||||
7.01 |
Liens |
81 | ||||
7.02 |
Indebtedness |
83 | ||||
7.03 |
Investments |
86 | ||||
7.04 |
Fundamental Changes |
87 | ||||
7.05 |
Dispositions |
87 | ||||
7.06 |
Restricted Payments |
89 | ||||
7.07 |
Change in Nature of Business |
90 | ||||
7.08 |
Transactions with Affiliates |
90 | ||||
7.09 |
Burdensome Agreements |
90 | ||||
7.10 |
Use of Proceeds |
91 | ||||
7.11 |
Financial Covenants |
91 |
ii
7.12 |
Amendments of Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Organization; Form of Entity and Accounting Changes |
91 | ||||
7.13 |
Sale and Leaseback Transactions |
91 | ||||
7.14 |
Prepayments, Etc. of Indebtedness |
91 | ||||
7.15 |
Sanctions |
92 | ||||
7.16 |
Anti-Corruption Laws |
92 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES |
92 | |||||
8.01 |
Events of Default |
92 | ||||
8.02 |
Remedies upon Event of Default |
94 | ||||
8.03 |
Application of Funds |
95 | ||||
ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT |
96 | |||||
9.01 |
Appointment and Authority |
96 | ||||
9.02 |
Rights as a Lender |
97 | ||||
9.03 |
Exculpatory Provisions |
97 | ||||
9.04 |
Reliance by Administrative Agent |
98 | ||||
9.05 |
Delegation of Duties |
98 | ||||
9.06 |
Resignation of Administrative Agent |
99 | ||||
9.07 |
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders |
100 | ||||
9.08 |
No Other Duties, Etc. |
100 | ||||
9.09 |
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding |
100 | ||||
9.10 |
Collateral and Guaranty Matters |
102 | ||||
9.11 |
Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements |
102 | ||||
ARTICLE X CONTINUING GUARANTY |
103 | |||||
10.01 |
Guaranty |
103 | ||||
10.02 |
Rights of Lenders |
103 | ||||
10.03 |
Certain Waivers |
104 | ||||
10.04 |
Obligations Independent |
104 | ||||
10.05 |
Subrogation |
104 | ||||
10.06 |
Termination; Reinstatement |
104 | ||||
10.07 |
Stay of Acceleration |
105 | ||||
10.08 |
Condition of Borrower |
105 | ||||
10.09 |
Appointment of Borrower |
105 | ||||
10.10 |
Right of Contribution |
105 | ||||
10.11 |
Keepwell |
105 | ||||
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS |
106 | |||||
11.01 |
Amendments, Etc. |
106 | ||||
11.02 |
Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications |
107 | ||||
11.03 |
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement |
110 | ||||
11.04 |
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver |
110 | ||||
11.05 |
Payments Set Aside |
112 | ||||
11.06 |
Successors and Assigns |
112 | ||||
11.07 |
Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality |
117 | ||||
11.08 |
Right of Setoff |
118 | ||||
11.09 |
Interest Rate Limitation |
119 | ||||
11.10 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness |
119 |
iii
11.11 |
Survival of Representations and Warranties |
119 | ||||
11.12 |
Severability |
120 | ||||
11.13 |
Replacement of Lenders |
120 | ||||
11.14 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. |
121 | ||||
11.15 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
122 | ||||
11.16 |
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility |
122 | ||||
11.17 |
Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents |
123 | ||||
11.18 |
USA PATRIOT Act Notice |
123 |
iv
SCHEDULES |
||
2.01 |
Commitments and Applicable Percentages | |
5.13 |
Subsidiaries | |
5.17 |
Intellectual Property | |
5.20(a) |
Taxpayer and Organizational Identification Numbers | |
5.20(b) |
Changes in Legal Name, State of Formation and Structure | |
7.01 |
Existing Liens | |
7.02 |
Existing Indebtedness | |
7.03 |
Existing Investments | |
11.02 |
Certain Addresses for Notices | |
EXHIBITS |
||
A |
Form of Loan Notice | |
B |
Form of Swingline Loan Notice | |
C |
Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment | |
D |
Form of Note | |
E |
Form of Lender Joinder Agreement | |
F |
Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates | |
G |
Form of Compliance Certificate | |
H |
Form of Joinder Agreement | |
I |
Form of Assignment and Assumption | |
J |
Form of Secured Party Designation Notice |
v
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of December 11, 2014, among EL POLLO LOCO, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (Holdings) and the other Guarantors (defined herein), the Lenders (defined herein), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and L/C Issuer.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:
WHEREAS, the Loan Parties (as hereinafter defined) have requested that the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the L/C Issuer make loans and other financial accommodations to the Loan Parties in an aggregate amount of up to $200,000,000.
WHEREAS, the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the L/C Issuer have agreed to make such loans and other financial accommodations to the Loan Parties on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 | Defined Terms. |
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Acquisition means the acquisition, whether through a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of (a) a majority of the Voting Stock or other controlling ownership interest in another Person (including the purchase of an option, warrant or convertible or similar type security to acquire such a controlling interest at the time it is exercised by the holder thereof), whether by purchase of such equity or other ownership interest or upon the exercise of an option or warrant for, or conversion of securities into, such equity or other ownership interest, or (b) assets of another Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or of a division, line of business or other business unit of such Person.
Acquisition Consideration means the purchase consideration for a Permitted Acquisition and all other payments (but excluding any related acquisition fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition), directly or indirectly, incurred or paid by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in exchange for, or as part of, a Permitted Acquisition, whether paid in cash or by exchange of Equity Interest or of any property or otherwise and whether payable at or prior to the consummation of a Permitted Acquisition or deferred for payment at any future time; provided that any such future payment that is subject to a contingency shall be considered Acquisition Consideration only to the extent of the reserve, if any, required under GAAP (as determined at the time of the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition) to be established in respect thereof by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.
Additional Secured Obligations means (a) all obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements and (b) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the fees, charges and disbursements of one (1) counsel for each Hedge Bank and Cash Management Bank, in each case whether
direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that Additional Secured Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor.
Administrative Agent means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
Administrative Agents Fee Letter means the letter agreement dated November 5, 2014 among the Borrower, Bank of America and MLPFS.
Administrative Agents Office means the Administrative Agents address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 11.02, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.
Administrative Questionnaire means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
Aggregate Commitments means the Commitments of all the Lenders.
Agreement means this Credit Agreement.
Applicable Percentage means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Revolving Facility represented by such Lenders Revolving Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15. If the Commitment of all of the Lenders to make Revolving Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02, or if the Revolving Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect of the Revolving Facility shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender in respect of the Revolving Facility most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect of the Revolving Facility is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.
Applicable Rate means, with respect to Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans, Letter of Credit Fees and the Commitment Fee, the following percentages per annum, based upon the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(a):
Level |
Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio |
Commitment Fee |
Letter of Credit Fee |
Eurodollar Rate Loans |
Base Rate Loans |
|||||||||||||
I |
< 3.50 to 1.0 | 0.25 | % | 1.75 | % | 1.75 | % | 0.75 | % | |||||||||
II |
< 4.00 to 1.0 but ³ 3.50 to 1.0 |
0.30 | % | 2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | |||||||||
III |
< 4.50 to 1.0 but ³ 4.00 to 1.0 |
0.35 | % | 2.25 | % | 2.25 | % | 1.25 | % | |||||||||
IV |
³ 4.50 to 1.0 | 0.40 | % | 2.50 | % | 2.50 | % | 1.50 | % |
2
Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level IV shall apply, in each case as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and in each case shall remain in effect until the first Business Day following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, (a) the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b) and (b) the initial Applicable Rate shall be set forth in Level II until the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a) for the fiscal quarter ending March 25, 2015 to the Administrative Agent. Any adjustment in the Applicable Rate shall be applicable to all Credit Extensions then existing or subsequently made or issued.
Approved Fund means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
Arrangers means MLPFS and WFS.
Asset Sale means (a) any Disposition of property by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) any issuance, sale or other Disposition of any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of Holdings, in each case, to any person other than a Loan Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following shall constitute Asset Sales: (i) any disposition of assets permitted by, or expressly referred to in, Sections 7.03(a), 7.03(g), 7.04(a), 7.05(a), 7.05(c), 7.05(e), 7.05(f), 7.05(g), 7.05(h), 7.05(i), 7.05(l), 7.05(m) or 7.05(n) or (ii) solely for purposes of clause (a) above, all other Dispositions of property by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries for fair market value resulting in an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) $2,000,000 in net cash proceeds for any individual Disposition (or series of related Dispositions) and (y) $4,000,000 in net cash proceeds in the aggregate for any fiscal year.
Assignment and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 11.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit I or any other form (including an electronic documentation form generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.
Attributable Indebtedness means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation of any Person, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease or other agreement or instrument were accounted for as a Capitalized Lease and (c) in respect of any Securitization Transaction of any Person, the outstanding principal amount of such financing, after taking into account reserve accounts and making appropriate adjustments, determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment.
Audited Financial Statements means the audited Consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2013, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
3
Autoborrow Agreement has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(b).
Availability Period means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the Commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.
Bank of America means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.
Base Rate means for any day a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%. The prime rate is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of Americas costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.
Base Rate Loan means a Revolving Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
Borrower has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Borrower Materials has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Borrowing means a Revolving Borrowing or a Swingline Borrowing, as the context may require.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agents Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.
Capitalized Leases means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases.
Cash Collateralize means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect thereof, (a) cash or deposit account balances, (b) backstop letters of credit entered into on terms, from issuers and in amounts reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, and/or (c) if the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall agree, in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case, in Dollars and pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer. Cash Collateral shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
Cash Equivalents means (a) United States dollars, (b) securities or any evidence of indebtedness issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the
4
United States is pledged in support of those securities or such evidence of indebtedness), (c) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of twelve months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities not exceeding twelve months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any Lender or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of B or better, (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above, (e) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moodys or S&P and in each case maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition, (f) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (a) through (e) of this definition and (g) securities with maturities of one (1) year or less from the date of acquisition backed by a standby letter of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) above.
Cash Management Agreement means any agreement that is not prohibited by the terms hereof to provide treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.
Cash Management Bank means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Cash Management Agreement that, (a) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party or any Subsidiary, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender, is a party to a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party or any Subsidiary, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement (even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Persons Affiliate ceased to be a Lender); provided, however, that for any of the foregoing to be included as a Secured Cash Management Agreement on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Cash Management Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.
CFC means a Person that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
Change of Control means an event or series of events by which:
(a) any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Principal and its Related Principal Parties,
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becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an option right)), directly or indirectly, of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the Equity Interests of Holdings entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of Holdings on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or
(b) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Holdings cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body; or
(c) Holdings shall cease to own and control, of record and beneficially, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of the Borrower.
Closing Date means the date hereof.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Collateral means a collective reference to all property (other than Excluded Property) with respect to which Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, are purported to be granted pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents.
Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Security Agreement, each Joinder Agreement, each of the security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.14.
Commitment means a Revolving Commitment.
Commitment Fee has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(a).
Commodity Exchange Act means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G.
Connection Income Taxes means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Consolidated means, when used with reference to financial statements or financial statement items of Holdings and its Subsidiaries or any other Person, such statements or items on a consolidated basis in accordance with the consolidation principles of GAAP.
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Consolidated Amortization Expense means, for any period, the amortization expense of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Depreciation Expense means, for any period, the depreciation expense of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated EBITDAR means, for any period, for Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, Consolidated Net Income for such period, adjusted by (x) adding thereto, without duplication, in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income during such period:
(a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period;
(b) Consolidated Amortization Expense for such period;
(c) Consolidated Depreciation Expense for such period;
(d) Consolidated Tax Expense for such period;
(e) Consolidated Rent Expense for such period;
(f) the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses during such period relating to any of the following transactions (including, in each case, any such transaction undertaken but not completed): (i) any equity issuance (including any initial public offering, secondary offerings or related equity issuances), and (ii) any Investment (other than Permitted Acquisitions), debt issuance (including any refinancing thereof, whether or not successful) or repayment of Indebtedness, recapitalization, amendment or modification, asset sale or other disposition, such fees, costs and expenses added back to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this clause (f)(ii) occurring after the date hereof not to exceed $4,000,000 in the aggregate for such period under this clause (f)(ii);
(g) the aggregate amount of all other non-cash charges, write-downs, losses, impairments or expenses reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding (i) any non-cash charge, impairment or expense that results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges, impairments or expense in any future period or the amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period and (ii) write downs of current assets);
(h) the aggregate amount of all non-cash costs and expenses relating to any equity-based compensation or equity-based incentive plan or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries for such period;
(i) the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses paid or otherwise incurred or payable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including amortization or write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs, discounts and other fees and charges associated with the pre-payment of existing debt);
(j) the aggregate amount of all net losses from discontinued operations (that are accounted for as such under GAAP) incurred during such period;
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(k) the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses incurred during such period in connection with any proposed or actual Permitted Acquisition, not to exceed $4,000,000 in the aggregate for such period;
(l) the aggregate amount of all new restaurant pre-opening and opening costs incurred during such period and documented to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, not to exceed $125,000 for each such new restaurant;
(m) the aggregate amount of all non-cash charges arising with respect to any mark-to-market adjustments or other charges incurred in connection with any hedging agreements during such period;
(n) the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses paid or accrued during such period by Holdings and its Subsidiaries in connection with (i) existing non-recurring litigation (including with respect to the accrual of the settlement thereof), and (ii) future non-recurring litigation (including with respect to the accrual of the settlement thereof) and litigation in the ordinary course of business, not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate for such period under this clause (n)(ii);
(o) the aggregate amount of costs and expenses related to the administration of the Loan Documents and paid or reimbursed to the Administrative Agent, the collateral agent (if any) or any of the Lenders or other third parties paid or engaged by the Administrative Agent, the collateral agent or any of the Lenders or paid by Holdings, its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor of the Obligations during such period, not to exceed $200,000 in the aggregate for such period;
(p) the amount of run rate cost savings and synergies projected by Holdings in good faith to be realized as a result of Permitted Acquisitions consummated after the Closing Date and during such period, based on specifically identifiable actions taken or expected in good faith to be taken within twelve (12) months following the end of such period (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that such cost savings and synergies (i) are reasonably identifiable, factually supportable and certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of Holdings and (ii) shall not exceed the sum of 5% of Consolidated EBITDAR (calculated without giving effect to this clause (p)) in the aggregate for such period plus such additional amount as is approved by the Administrative Agent in writing in its sole discretion;
(q) the aggregate amount of expenses or losses incurred by Holdings or its Subsidiaries relating to business interruption to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed or to be reimbursed (provided that any such expense or loss to be reimbursed is actually reimbursed within six months of incurrence thereof) or otherwise paid to or on behalf of Holdings or its Subsidiaries during such period; and
(r) the aggregate amount of non-recurring fees, costs, charges and expenses (including, but not limited to, integration costs, search fees, relocation costs and severance costs for senior management, abandoned new site costs and restructuring costs) during such period, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate for such period; and
(y) subtracting therefrom the aggregate amount of (A) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income (other than the accrual of revenue or recording of receivables in the ordinary course of business) for such period, (B) any federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits and refunds, and other adjustments having a substantially similar impact as an income tax credit or refund including but not
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limited to releases of deferred tax assets, in each case received during such period, (C) the aggregate amount of all net gains from discontinued operations (that are accounted for as such under GAAP) incurred during such period, (D) all reversals of reserves established for closed restaurant liabilities and (E) all non-cash gains arising with respect to any mark-to-market adjustments incurred in connection with any hedging agreements during such period.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Consolidated EBITDAR is defined as follows for the following fiscal quarters:
Fiscal quarter ending: |
Consolidated EBITDAR | |||
March 26, 2014 |
$ | 19,364,000 | ||
June 25, 2014 |
$ | 21,021,000 | ||
September 24, 2014 |
$ | 19,784,000 |
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i)(A) Consolidated EBITDAR for the period of the four fiscal quarters of Holdings most recently ended minus (B) Consolidated Tax Expense paid in cash for such period, to (ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for the period of the four fiscal quarters of Holdings most recently ended.
Consolidated Fixed Charges means, for any period, for Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period without duplication, the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense paid in cash plus (ii) Consolidated Rent Expense, determined in each case on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, for any period, for Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, an amount equal to the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the portion of rent expense with respect to such period under capital leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, plus (c) the implied interest component of Synthetic Lease Obligations and Securitization Transactions with respect to such period; provided that Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated after giving effect to Swap Contracts (including associated costs) intended to protect against fluctuations in interest rates, but excluding unrealized gains and losses with respect to any such Swap Contracts.
Consolidated Net Income means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein), without duplication:
(a) the net income (or loss) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of Holdings) in which any Person other than Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that cash in an amount equal to any such income has actually been received by Holdings or (subject to clause (b) below) any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries from such Person during such period;
(b) the net income of any Subsidiary of Holdings during such period to the extent that the declaration and/or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument, order or other legal requirement (other than any legal requirement with respect to minimum capitalization or similar (or related) doctrine or other requirement under insolvency laws or otherwise) applicable to that Subsidiary or its equityholders during such period;
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(c) earnings (or losses) resulting from any reappraisal, revaluation or write-up (or write-down) of assets;
(d) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;
(e) any extraordinary or non-recurring gain (or extraordinary or non-recurring loss), together with any related provision for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), recorded or recognized by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries during such period;
(f) any gain (or loss), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), realized during such period by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries upon any Disposition of assets by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries; and
(g) any gain (or loss) (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), realized during such period by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries attributable to the early termination or extinguishment of indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments.
Consolidated Rent Expense means, for any period, the aggregate rent and operating lease expense of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Tax Expense means, for any period, (i) the tax expense (including federal, state, local and foreign income taxes) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (ii) all payments made during such period pursuant to the Income Tax Receivable Agreement, dated July 31, 2014, entered into by Holdings (regardless of whether such payments are shown as an expense item on the financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries).
Contractual Obligation means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote ten percent (10%) or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.
Credit Extension means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
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Default means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
Default Rate means (a) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is specified, a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate otherwise applicable thereto and (b) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is not specified or available, a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans plus two percent (2%), in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.
Defaulting Lender means, subject to Section 2.15(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lenders determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lenders obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lenders determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.15(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the L/C Issuer, the Swingline Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.
Designated Jurisdiction means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself is the target of any Sanction.
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Disposition or Dispose means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of any property by any Loan Party or Subsidiary, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith, but excluding any Involuntary Disposition.
Disqualified Equity Interest means any Equity Interest that, (a) by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable (in each case, other than solely for Equity Interests which are not otherwise Disqualified Equity Interests), in each case at the option of the holder of the Equity Interest), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Equity Interest, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Maturity Date, (b) is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof (in each case, other than solely for Equity Interests which are not otherwise Disqualified Equity Interests)) for (i) debt securities or other indebtedness or (ii) any Equity Interests referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time on or prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Maturity Date, or (c) contains any repurchase or payment obligation (in each case, other than solely for Equity Interests which are not otherwise Disqualified Equity Interests) which may come into effect prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Maturity Date.
Dollar and $ mean lawful money of the United States.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States, other than any such Subsidiary the sole assets of which consist of Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary.
Eligible Assignee means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.06 (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii)).
Environmental Laws means any and all applicable federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, or legally binding governmental permits, approvals, licenses, authorizations or restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment.
Environmental Liability means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of Holdings, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Environmental Permit means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.
Equity Interests means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
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ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with Holdings within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
ERISA Event means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a substantial employer as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan in a distress termination under Section 4041 of ERISA or the treatment of a Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a Multiemployer Plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430 or 432 of the Code or Sections 303 or 305 of ERISA; (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or (i) a failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.
Eurodollar Rate means:
(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) (in such case, the LIBOR Rate) at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and
(b) for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits with a term of one (1) month commencing that day;
provided that (i) to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and (ii) if the Eurodollar Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.
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Eurodollar Rate Loan means a Revolving Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of Eurodollar Rate.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
Excluded Property has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.
Excluded Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation thereof) by virtue of such Guarantors failure for any reason to constitute an eligible contract participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 10.11 and any other keepwell, support or other agreement for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all guarantees of such Guarantors Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor, or grant by such Guarantor of a Lien, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such Guaranty or Lien is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.
Excluded Taxes means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 11.13) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or Section 3.01(c), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lenders assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipients failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.
Existing Credit Agreement means that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2013, among the Borrower, EPL Intermediate, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and the other guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Jefferies Finance LLC, as administrative agent, General Electric Capital Corporation, as issuing bank and swing line lender, and the other parties thereto (as amended by the Amendment No. 1 to the First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2014, and by the Amendment No. 2 to First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014).
Facility Termination Date means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) the Aggregate Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements with respect thereto reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made).
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FASB ASC means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
Fee Letters means each of (a) the Administrative Agents Fee Letter and (b) the Joint Fee Letter, and Fee Letter means any one of them.
Foreign Lender means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
FRB means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Freeman Spogli means Freeman Spogli & Co.
Fronting Exposure means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender that is a Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lenders Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lenders Applicable Percentage of Swingline Loans other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.
Fund means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the accounting profession) including, without limitation, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied and subject to Section 1.03.
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Governmental Authority means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
Guarantee means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of the kind described in clauses (a) through (f) and (h) of the definition thereof payable by another Person (the primary obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness of the kind described in clauses (a) through (f) and (h) of the definition thereof of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed or expressly undertaken by such Person. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made (including pursuant to any limitations on liability set forth in such Guarantee) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term Guarantee as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
Guaranteed Obligations has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01.
Guarantors means, collectively, (a) Holdings, (b) each Domestic Subsidiary of Holdings identified as a Guarantor on the signature pages hereto, (c) each Person that joins as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.13 or otherwise, (d) with respect to Additional Secured Obligations owing by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any Swap Obligation of a Specified Loan Party (determined before giving effect to Sections 10.01 and 10.11) under the Guaranty, the Borrower and (e) the successors and permitted assigns of the foregoing.
Guaranty means, collectively, the Guarantee made by the Guarantors under Article X in favor of the Secured Parties.
Hazardous Materials means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes, contaminants or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes.
Hedge Bank means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Swap Contract that, (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract not prohibited hereunder, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender, is a party to a Swap Contract not prohibited hereunder, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract (even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Persons Affiliate ceased to be a Lender); provided, in the case of a Secured Hedge Agreement with
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a Person who is no longer a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender), such Person shall be considered a Hedge Bank only through the stated termination date (without extension or renewal) of such Secured Hedge Agreement and provided further that for any of the foregoing to be included as a Secured Hedge Agreement on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Hedge Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.
Holdings has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Honor Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c).
Income Tax Receivable Agreement means that certain Income Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2014, by and between Holdings and Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.
Indebtedness means, as of any date of determination with respect to Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, the sum of: (a) all obligations for borrowed money (including obligations in respect of this Agreement) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) the aggregate amount due and payable on such date pursuant to letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments; (c) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts payable not more than 60 days past due and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) earn-out obligations that are not due and payable as of such date); (d) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by Holdings or a Subsidiary (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by Holdings or such Subsidiary or is limited in recourse (provided that, for purposes of any covenant herein, the amount of any such indebtedness (other than any such indebtedness that constitutes Indebtedness under another clause of this definition) shall be the lower of (i) the fair market value of such property and (ii) the amount of indebtedness secured); (e) all Attributable Indebtedness; (f) all obligations to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment prior to the Maturity Date in respect of any Equity Interest or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (g) all Guarantees with respect to indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (f) above of another Person; and (h) all indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which Holdings or any Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, except to the extent that such indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness shall not include accrued expenses, deferred revenue, deferred rent, deferred taxes and deferred compensation and customary obligations under employment arrangements.
Indemnified Taxes means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
Indemnitee has the meaning specified in Section 11.04(b).
Information has the meaning specified in Section 11.07(a).
Intercompany Debt has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(d).
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Interest Payment Date means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three (3) months, the respective dates that fall every three (3) months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or Swingline Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.
Interest Period means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice, or such other period that is twelve months or less requested by the Borrower and consented to by all of the Lenders; provided that:
(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.
Investment means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or interest in, another Person (including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor guaranties Indebtedness of such other Person), or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or of a division, line of business or other business unit of such Person. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Involuntary Disposition means any loss of, damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking for public use of, any property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.
IP Rights has the meaning specified in Section 5.17.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
ISP means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the International Standby Practices 1998 published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
Issuer Documents means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other material document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.
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Joinder Agreement means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.13.
Joint Fee Letter means the letter agreement dated November 5, 2014 among the Borrower, Bank of America, MLPFS, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and WFS.
Laws means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case having the force of law.
L/C Advance means, with respect to each Lender, such Lenders funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
L/C Borrowing means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Borrowing.
L/C Credit Extension means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
L/C Issuer means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
L/C Obligations means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts (including all L/C Borrowings). For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be outstanding in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i)(A) Indebtedness on such date plus (B) the product of Consolidated Rent Expense for the period of the four fiscal quarters of Holdings most recently ended multiplied by eight (8), to (ii) Consolidated EBITDAR for the period of the four fiscal quarters of Holdings most recently ended.
Lender means each of the Persons identified as a Lender on the signature pages hereto, each other Person that becomes a Lender in accordance with this Agreement and, their successors and assigns and, unless the context requires otherwise, includes the Swingline Lender.
Lending Office means, as to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, the office or offices of such Person described as such in such Persons Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as such Person may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; which office may include any Affiliate of such Person or any domestic or foreign branch of such Person or such Affiliate.
Letter of Credit means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder.
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Letter of Credit Application means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.
Letter of Credit Expiration Date means the day that is seven (7) days prior to the Maturity Date (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).
Letter of Credit Fee has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h).
Letter of Credit Sublimit means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Facility. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Facility.
LIBOR has the meaning specified in the definition of Eurodollar Rate.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
Loan means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Revolving Loan or a Swingline Loan.
Loan Documents means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) each Note, (c) the Collateral Documents, (d) each Fee Letter, (e) each Issuer Document, (f) each Joinder Agreement, (g) the Autoborrow Agreement and (h) any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14 (but specifically excluding any Secured Hedge Agreement or any Secured Cash Management Agreement).
Loan Notice means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
Loan Parties means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.
London Banking Day means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
Master Agreement has the meaning set forth in the definition of Swap Contract.
Material Adverse Effect means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, the operations, business, assets, properties, liabilities or financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, or of the ability of the Borrower, or of the Loan Parties taken as a whole, to perform its or their respective obligations under any Loan Document to which it is or they are (as applicable) a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, of any Loan Document to which it is a party.
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Material Subsidiary means any Domestic Subsidiary of Holdings that, together with its Subsidiaries, (a) generates more than five percent (5%) of Consolidated EBITDAR (less Consolidated Rent Expense) on a Pro Forma Basis for the four (4) fiscal quarter period most recently ended or (b) has total assets (including Equity Interests in other Subsidiaries and excluding investments that are eliminated in consolidation) of equal to or greater than five percent (5%) of the total assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis as of the end of the most recent four (4) fiscal quarters; provided, however, that if at any time there are Domestic Subsidiaries which are not classified as Material Subsidiaries but which collectively (i) generate more than ten percent (10%) of Consolidated EBITDAR (less Consolidated Rent Expense) on a Pro Forma Basis or (ii) have total assets (including Equity Interests in other Subsidiaries and excluding investments that are eliminated in consolidation) of equal to or greater than ten percent (10%) of the total assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, then Holdings shall promptly designate one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries as Material Subsidiaries and cause any such Domestic Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Section 6.13 such that, after such Domestic Subsidiaries become Guarantors hereunder, the Domestic Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors shall (A) generate less than ten percent (10%) of Consolidated EBITDAR (less Consolidated Rent Expense) and (B) have total assets of less than ten percent (10%) of the total assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis.
Maturity Date means December 11, 2019; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.
Measurement Period means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four (4) fiscal quarters of Holdings (or, for purposes of determining Pro Forma Compliance, the most recently completed four (4) fiscal quarters of Holdings for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01).
MLPFS means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, in its capacity as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.
Minimum Collateral Amount means, at any time, (a) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during any period when a Lender constitutes a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to 102% of the Fronting Exposure of the L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, (b) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14(a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii), an amount equal to 102% of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, and (c) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer in their sole discretion.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Multiemployer Plan means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five (5) plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
Multiple Employer Plan means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
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Non-Consenting Lender means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 11.01 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders.
Non-Defaulting Lender means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
Non-Extension Notice Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iv).
Non-Reinstatement Deadline has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(v).
Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans, as the case may be, made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
Notice of Loan Prepayment means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
Obligations means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, to the extent provided for in the applicable Loan Document or Letter of Credit), in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor.
OFAC means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Organization Documents means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement or limited liability company agreement (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) and (d) with respect to all entities, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction).
Other Connection Taxes means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections directly arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
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Other Taxes means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06).
Outstanding Amount means (a) with respect to Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.
Participant has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
Participant Register has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Act means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
Pension Funding Rules means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
Pension Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
Permitted Acquisition means an Acquisition by a Loan Party, so long as:
(a) the Required Lenders have consented in writing thereto; or
(b) each of the following conditions is met:
(i) no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or would exist after giving effect thereto;
(ii) the Loan Parties shall demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that, after giving effect to the Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, (i) the Loan Parties are in Pro Forma Compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 and (ii) the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be 0.25 to 1.0 less than the then applicable level set forth in Section 7.11, calculated using the same Measurement Period used to determine Pro Forma Compliance; and
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(iii) the Persons or businesses to be acquired shall be, or shall be engaged in, a business of the type that Holdings and its Subsidiaries are permitted to be engaged in pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and any Person to be acquired shall become a Guarantor to the extent required pursuant to Section 6.13;
(iv) the property acquired in connection with any such Acquisition shall be made subject to the Lien of the Collateral Documents to the extent required pursuant to Section 6.14 and shall be free and clear of any Liens, other than Permitted Liens;
(v) with respect to such Acquisition, the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of the Person to be acquired shall not have indicated its opposition to the consummation of such Acquisition (which opposition has not been publicly withdrawn); and
(vi) with respect to such Acquisition, if the Acquisition Consideration is greater than $10,000,000, the Borrower shall have provided the Administrative Agent (A) notice of such Acquisition setting forth in reasonable detail the terms and conditions of such Acquisition, (B) financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the consummation of the Acquisition and the incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith, (C) a reasonably detailed description of all material information relating thereto and copies of all material documentation pertaining to such transaction and (D) a Compliance Certificate demonstrating compliance with clause (b)(ii) above.
Permitted Liens means, at any time, Liens in respect of property of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries permitted to exist at such time pursuant to the terms of Section 7.01.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Plan means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
Platform has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Principal means Trimaran or Freeman Spogli, investment funds managed by Trimaran or Freeman Spogli, partners of Trimaran or Freeman Spogli, equity co-investors in Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C., affiliates of Trimaran or Freeman Spogli, an entity controlled by any of the foregoing and/or by a trust of the type described hereafter, and/or a trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing.
Pro Forma Basis and Pro Forma Effect means, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant hereunder, compliance with such covenant or test after giving effect to (a) any Permitted Acquisition (to the extent not subsequently disposed of during such period) or (b) any Asset Sale, as if such Permitted Acquisition or Asset Sale, and all other Permitted Acquisitions or Asset Sales consummated during the applicable period, and any Indebtedness or other liabilities incurred in connection with such Permitted Acquisitions or Asset Sales had been consummated and incurred at beginning of such period. For purposes of this definition, if any Indebtedness to be so incurred bears interest at a floating rate and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of incurrence had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any applicable interest rate Swap Contracts).
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Pro Forma Compliance means, with respect to any transaction, that such transaction does not cause, create or result in a Default after giving Pro Forma Effect, based upon the results of operations for the most recently completed Measurement Period to (a) such transaction and (b) all other transactions which are contemplated by the definition of Pro Forma Effect or required to be given Pro Forma Effect hereunder that have occurred on or after the first day of the relevant Measurement Period.
Public Lender has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Qualified ECP Guarantor means, at any time, each Loan Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an eligible contract participant under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an eligible contract participant at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Qualified Equity Interest means any Equity Interests of any Person that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.
Recipient means the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.
Register has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(c).
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
Related Principal Party means (a) any controlling equity holder of more than 50% owned Subsidiary of any Principal or (b) any Person(s) beneficially holding a more than 50% controlling interest of which consist of the Principal and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (a).
Reportable Event means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.
Request for Credit Extension means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Revolving Loans, a Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swingline Loan at any time an Autoborrow Agreement is not in effect, a Swingline Loan Notice.
Required Lenders means, at any time, Lenders having Total Credit Exposures representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time; provided that, the amount of any participation in any Swingline Loan and Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swingline Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.
Resignation Effective Date has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(a).
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Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, director, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer, secretary or controller of a Loan Party, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party. To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each Responsible Officer that signs any document delivered hereunder will provide an incumbency certificate and to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, appropriate authorization documentation, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Restricted Payment means (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares (or equivalent) of any class of Equity Interests of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding, (b) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares (or equivalent) of any class of Equity Interests of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding and (c) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding.
Revolving Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.
Revolving Commitment means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Swingline Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption Revolving Commitment or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The Revolving Commitment of all of the Lenders on the Closing Date shall be $200,000,000.
Revolving Exposure means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Loans and such Lenders participation in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans at such time.
Revolving Facility means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Lenders Revolving Commitments at such time.
Revolving Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
S&P means Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc., and any successor thereto.
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Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, with respect to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby such Loan Party or such Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.
Sanction(s) means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including, without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majestys Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority recognized by the foregoing.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
Secured Cash Management Agreement means any Cash Management Agreement between any Loan Party and any of its Subsidiaries and any Cash Management Bank. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Obligations in respect of a Secured Cash Management Agreement shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.03 and Section 9.11.
Secured Hedge Agreement means any Swap Contract between any Loan Party and any of its Subsidiaries and any Hedge Bank. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Obligations in respect of a Secured Hedge Agreement shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.03 and Section 9.11.
Secured Obligations means all Obligations and all Additional Secured Obligations.
Secured Parties means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks, the Indemnitees and each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05.
Secured Party Designation Notice means a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit J.
Security Agreement means the security and pledge agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed in favor of the Administrative Agent by each of the Loan Parties.
Securitization Transaction means, with respect to any Person, any financing transaction or series of financing transactions (including factoring arrangements) pursuant to which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person may sell, convey or otherwise transfer, or grant a security interest in, accounts, payments, receivables, rights to future lease payments or residuals or similar rights to payment to a special purpose subsidiary or affiliate of such Person.
Solvent and Solvency mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Persons ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Persons property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
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Specified Loan Party means any Loan Party that is not then an eligible contract participant under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 10.11).
Subsidiary of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of Voting Stock is at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Subsidiary or to Subsidiaries shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Holdings.
Swap Contract means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a Master Agreement), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Swap Obligations means with respect to any Guarantor any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a swap within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Swap Termination Value means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
Swingline Borrowing means a borrowing of a Swingline Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.
Swingline Lender means Bank of America, in its capacity as provider of Swingline Loans, or any successor swingline lender hereunder.
Swingline Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
Swingline Loan Notice means a notice of a Swingline Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent pursuant), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
Swingline Sublimit means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Facility. The Swingline Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Facility.
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Synthetic Lease Obligation means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including Sale and Leaseback Transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Threshold Amount means $12,500,000.
Total Credit Exposure means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Commitments, plus the Revolving Exposure of such Lender at such time.
Total Revolving Outstandings means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations.
Trimaran means Trimaran Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Type means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time (except as otherwise specified) in any applicable state or jurisdiction.
United States and U.S. mean the United States of America.
Unreimbursed Amount has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).
U.S. Person means any Person that is a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(3).
Voting Stock means, with respect to any Person, Equity Interests issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right to so vote has been suspended by the happening of such contingency.
WFS means Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in its capacity as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions.
With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
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(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including the Loan Documents and any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (iii) the words hereto, herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory rules, regulations, orders and provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including; the words to and until each mean to but excluding; and the word through means to and including.
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
1.03 Accounting Terms.
(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either Holdings or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and Holdings shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in
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accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) Holdings shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Without limiting the foregoing, leases (whether in effect on or after the Closing Date) shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.
(c) Pro Forma Treatment. Each Disposition of all or substantially all of a line of business, and each Acquisition, by Holdings and its Subsidiaries that is consummated during any Measurement Period shall, for purposes of determining compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 and for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate, be given Pro Forma Effect as of the first day of such Measurement Period.
1.04 Rounding.
Any financial ratios required to be maintained by Holdings pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05 Times of Day.
Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
1.07 Rates.
The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of Eurodollar Rate or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.
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ARTICLE II
COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 Revolving Borrowings.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a Revolving Loan) to the Borrower, in Dollars, from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lenders Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Revolving Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Facility, and (ii) the Revolving Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lenders Revolving Commitment. Within the limits of each Lenders Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow Revolving Loans, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Revolving Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans or a combination thereof, as further provided herein.
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a) Notice of Borrowing. Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent (provided that a notice of Borrowing with respect to funding of a Permitted Acquisition may state that such notice is conditioned upon the completion of such Permitted Acquisition, in which case, subject to Section 3.05, such notice of Borrowing may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified Borrowing date) if the Permitted Acquisition is not consummated at the time specified), which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Loan Notice. Each such Loan Notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (i) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the remaining available amount of Revolving Commitments). Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the remaining available amount of Revolving Commitments). Each Loan Notice and each telephonic notice shall specify (A) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Loans, as the case may be, (B) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (D) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (E) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swingline Loan may not be converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
(b) Advances. Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base
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Rate Loans described in Section 2.02(a). In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 3:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date a Loan Notice with respect to a Revolving Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Revolving Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.
(c) Eurodollar Rate Loans. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During the existence of an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.
(d) Notice of Interest Rates. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Bank of Americas prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.
(e) Interest Periods. After giving effect to all Revolving Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Revolving Facility unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(f) Increase in Revolving Facility. The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time prior to the Maturity Date, upon prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, increase the Revolving Facility by a maximum aggregate amount of up $75,000,000, with additional Revolving Commitments from any existing Lender with a Revolving Commitment or new Revolving Commitments from any other Person (other than the Borrower or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Borrower) selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender; provided that:
(i) any such increase shall be in a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(ii) no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing at the time of any such increase, or after giving effect to any such increase;
(iii) each existing Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days following its receipt of a notice from the Administrative Agent of the Borrowers request for any increase hereunder as to whether or not it agrees to increase its Revolving Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater than, or less than its Applicable Percentage of such requested increase; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, no existing Lender shall be under any obligation to increase its Revolving Commitment and any such decision whether to increase its Revolving Commitment shall be in such Lenders sole and absolute discretion;
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(iv) (A) any new Lender shall join this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit E and/or (B) any existing Lender electing to increase its Revolving Commitment shall have executed a commitment agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and
(v) as a condition precedent to such increase, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the date of such increase (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by each Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (B) certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to any representation or warranty qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date of such increase, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to any representation or warranty qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 2.02(f), the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01, and (2) no Default or Event of Default exists.
2.03 Letters of Credit.
(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment.
(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit in Dollars for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.03(b), and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Facility, (y) the Revolving Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lenders Revolving Commitment, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.
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(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iv), the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or
(B) the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Lenders have approved such expiry date.
(iii) The L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;
(B) the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $50,000;
(D) the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars; or
(E) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuers actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.
(iv) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.
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(v) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.
(vi) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term Administrative Agent as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.
(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.
(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by fax transmission, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two (2) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (1) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (4) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.
(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then,
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subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuers usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lenders Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.
(iii) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.
(iv) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a standby Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve (12) month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the Non-Extension Notice Date) in each such twelve (12) month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
(v) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that permits the automatic reinstatement of all or a portion of the stated amount thereof after any drawing thereunder (each, an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit). Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer to permit such reinstatement. Once an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit has been issued, except as provided in the following sentence, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to reinstate all or a portion of the stated amount thereof in accordance with the provisions of such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit permits the L/C Issuer to decline to reinstate all or any portion of the stated amount thereof after a drawing thereunder by giving notice of such non-reinstatement within a specified number of days after such drawing (the Non-
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Reinstatement Deadline), the L/C Issuer shall not permit such reinstatement if it has received a notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Reinstatement Deadline (A) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such reinstatement or (B) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied (treating such reinstatement as an L/C Credit Extension for purposes of this clause) and, in each case, directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such reinstatement.
(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.
(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an Honor Date), the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the Unreimbursed Amount), and the amount of such Lenders Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
(ii) Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agents Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.
(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lenders payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section.
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(iv) Until each Lender funds its Revolving Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.
(v) Each Lenders obligation to make Revolving Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default; or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lenders obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.
(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Revolving Loan included in the relevant Revolving Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.03(c)(vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Repayment of Participations.
(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lenders L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.
(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative
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Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;
(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement or by such Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated hereby or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
(iii) any draft, demand, endorsement, certificate or other document presented under or in connection with such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv) waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuers protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;
(v) honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;
(vi) any payment made by the L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under, such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC or the ISP, as applicable;
(vii) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or
(viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
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The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrowers instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will promptly notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
(f) Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight or time draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrowers pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves, as determined by a final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, were caused by the L/C Issuers willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuers willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight or time draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring, endorsing or assigning or purporting to transfer, endorse or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary. Upon written request by the Borrower, the L/C Issuer shall provide the Administrative Agent a list of outstanding Letters of Credit (together with type, amounts and issue date).
(g) Applicability of ISP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the L/C Issuers rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the L/C Issuer required or authorized under any law, order, or practice that is required or authorized to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement (but without modifying the agreements of the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents), including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located,
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the practice stated in the ISP, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.
(h) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance, subject to Section 2.15, with its Applicable Percentage, a Letter of Credit fee (the Letter of Credit Fee) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (1) due and payable on the first Business Day following the end of each of March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (2) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06.
(i) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum specified in the Fee Letter, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Day following the end of each of March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable within five (5) Business Days of demand and are nonrefundable.
(j) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.
(k) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrowers business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
2.04 Swingline Loans.
(a) The Swingline. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section, may in its sole discretion, subject to the terms of any Autoborrow Agreement, make loans to the Borrower (each such loan, a Swingline Loan). Each such Swingline Loan may be made, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Autoborrow Agreement then in
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effect, to the Borrower, in Dollars, from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swingline Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swingline Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swingline Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lenders Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that (i) after giving effect to any Swingline Loan, (A) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Facility at such time, and (B) the Revolving Exposure of any Lender at such time shall not exceed such Lenders Revolving Commitment, (ii) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swingline Loan to refinance any outstanding Swingline Loan, and (iii) the Swingline Lender shall not be under any obligation to make any Swingline Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section. Each Swingline Loan shall bear interest only at a rate based on the Base Rate; provided, however, that if an Autoborrow Agreement is in effect, the Swingline Lender may, at its discretion, provide for an alternate rate of interest on Swingline Loans under the Autoborrow Agreement with respect to any Swingline Loans for which the Swingline Lender has not requested that the Lenders fund Revolving Loans to refinance, or to purchase and fund risk participations in, such Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Immediately upon the making of a Swingline Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swingline Lender a risk participation in such Swingline Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lenders Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swingline Loan.
(b) Borrowing Procedures.
(i) At any time an Autoborrow Agreement is not in effect, each Swingline Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Swingline Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent of a Swingline Loan Notice. Each such Swingline Loan Notice must be received by the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum principal amount of $100,000 (or if less, the remaining available amount of (x) the Revolving Commitments or (y) the Swingline Sublimit, whichever is less), and (ii) the requested date of the Swingline Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day). Promptly after receipt by the Swingline Lender of any Swingline Loan Notice, the Swingline Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swingline Loan Notice and, if not, the Swingline Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swingline Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swingline Borrowing (A) directing the Swingline Lender not to make such Swingline Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swingline Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swingline Loan available to the Borrower at its office either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swingline Lender in immediately available funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Swingline Lender by the Borrower.
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(ii) In order to facilitate the borrowing of Swingline Loans, the Borrower and the Swingline Lender may mutually agree to, and are hereby authorized to, enter into an Autoborrow Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender (the Autoborrow Agreement) providing for the automatic advance by the Swingline Lender of Swingline Loans under the conditions set forth in such agreement, which shall be in addition to the conditions set forth herein. At any time an Autoborrow Agreement is in effect, the requirements for Swingline Borrowings set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not apply, and all Swingline Borrowings shall be made in accordance with the Autoborrow Agreement; provided that any automatic advance made by Bank of America in reliance of the Autoborrow Agreement shall be deemed a Swingline Loan as of the time such automatic advance is made notwithstanding any provision in the Autoborrow Agreement to the contrary. For purposes of determining the Outstanding Amount under the Aggregate Commitments at any time during which an Autoborrow Agreement is in effect, the Outstanding Amount of all Swingline Loans shall be deemed to be the amount of the Swingline Sublimit. For purposes of any Swingline Borrowing pursuant to the Autoborrow Agreement, all references to Bank of America in the Autoborrow Agreement shall be deemed to be a reference to Bank of America, in its capacity as Swingline Lender hereunder.
(c) Refinancing of Swingline Loans.
(i) The Swingline Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swingline Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Revolving Facility and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swingline Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swingline Loan) for the account of the Swingline Lender at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swingline Lender.
(ii) If for any reason any Swingline Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swingline Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swingline Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swingline Loan and each Lenders payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
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(iii) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swingline Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swingline Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swingline Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Revolving Loan included in the relevant Revolving Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swingline Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swingline Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(iv) Each Lenders obligation to make Revolving Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided however, that each Lenders obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice). No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swingline Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
(d) Repayment of Participations.
(i) At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swingline Loan, if the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account of such Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swingline Lender.
(ii) If any payment received by the Swingline Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swingline Loan is required to be returned by the Swingline Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swingline Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swingline Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swingline Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
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(e) Interest for Account of Swingline Lender. The Swingline Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swingline Loans. Until each Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section to refinance such Lenders Applicable Percentage of any Swingline Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swingline Lender.
(f) Payments Directly to Swingline Lender. The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swingline Loans directly to the Swingline Lender.
2.05 Prepayments.
(a) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty subject to Section 3.05; provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, (A) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (1) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding); and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lenders ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lenders Applicable Percentage). If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein; provided, however, that a notice of voluntary prepayment may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness, in which case such notice of prepayment may, subject to Section 3.05, be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified prepayment date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any prepayment of principal shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Subject to Section 2.15, such prepayments shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.
(b) At any time the Autoborrow Agreement is not in effect, the Borrower may, upon notice to the Swingline Lender pursuant to delivery to the Swingline Lender of a Notice of Loan Prepayment (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swingline Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the Swingline Lender, (A) such notice must be received by the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (B) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess hereof (or, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein; provided, however, that a notice of voluntary prepayment may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of proceeds from the issuance of other
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Indebtedness, in which case such notice of prepayment may, subject to Section 3.05, be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Swingline Lender on or prior to the specified prepayment date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any prepayment of principal shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments.
(a) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Revolving Facility, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit at any time, or from time to time permanently reduce the Revolving Facility, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit, in each case, without premium or penalty; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce (A) the Revolving Facility if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Revolving Facility, (B) the Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, or (C) the Swingline Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swingline Loans would exceed the Swingline Sublimit. A notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.06 may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.
(b) If after giving effect to any reduction or termination of Revolving Commitments under this Section 2.06, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit exceeds the Revolving Facility at such time, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit, as the case may be, shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.
(c) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, Swingline Sublimit or the Revolving Commitment under this Section 2.06. Upon any reduction of the Revolving Commitments, the Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such reduction amount. All fees in respect of the Revolving Facility accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Facility shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
2.07 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Revolving Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.
(b) Swingline Loans. At any time the Autoborrow Agreement is in effect, the Swingline Loans shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Autoborrow Agreement. At any time the Autoborrow Agreement is not in effect, the Borrower shall repay each Swingline Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten (10) Business Days after such Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.
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2.08 Interest and Default Rate.
(a) Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b), (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swingline Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for the Revolving Facility, or, if an Autoborrow Agreement is in effect, at a rate per annum provided by the Swingline Lender.
(b) Default Rate.
(i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) If any amount of interest or fees payable under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (including a payment default), all outstanding Obligations (including Letter of Credit Fees) may accrue at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Interest Payments. Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.09 Fees.
In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.03:
(a) Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee in Dollars equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Revolving Facility exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15 (the Commitment Fee). For the avoidance of doubt, the Outstanding Amount of Swingline Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of the Aggregate Commitments for purposes of calculating the Commitment Fee. The Commitment Fee shall accrue at all times during the
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Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The Commitment Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.
(b) Other Fees.
(i) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account, fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Administrative Agents Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever, absent manifest error.
(ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders, such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever, absent manifest error.
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.
(a) Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365 day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one (1) day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(b) Financial Statement Adjustments or Restatements. If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries or for any other reason, Holdings, or the Lenders determine that (i) the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio as calculated by Holdings as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, Holdings shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under any provision of this Agreement to payment of any Obligations hereunder at the Default Rate or under Article VIII. Holdings obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
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2.11 Evidence of Debt.
(a) Maintenance of Accounts. The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lenders Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) Maintenance of Records. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
(c) Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall promptly provide copies of the accounts and records maintained in accordance with this Section 2.11 to the Borrower at its reasonable request.
2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agents Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 3:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lenders Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 3:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Subject to Section 2.07(a) and as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement, if any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base
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Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If the Borrower pays such demanded amount to Administrative Agent, then such amount (to the extent constituting principal) so paid shall constitute a repayment of the principal amount of such Borrowing. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the
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Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 11.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 11.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 11.04(c).
(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders.
If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time, then, in each case under clauses (a) and (b) above, the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (A) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (B) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of Obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided that:
(1) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(2) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting
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Lender), (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.14, or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).
Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
2.14 Cash Collateral.
(a) Certain Credit Support Events. If (i) the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, (ii) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, (iii) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05 or 8.02(c), or (iv) there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall immediately (in the case of clause (iii) above) or within one (1) Business Day (in all other cases) following any request by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iv) above, after giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
(b) Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as Collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.14(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in one or more blocked, interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.
(c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.14 or Sections 2.03, 2.05, 2.15 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.
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(d) Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 11.06(b)(vi))) or (ii) the good faith determination by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (A) any such release shall be without prejudice to, and any disbursement or other transfer of Cash Collateral shall be and remain subject to, any other Lien conferred under the Loan Documents and the other applicable provisions of the Loan Documents, and (B) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
2.15 Defaulting Lenders.
(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lenders right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders and Section 11.01.
(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 11.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.14; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (A) satisfy such Defaulting Lenders potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (B) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.14; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise as may be required under the Loan Documents in connection with any Lien conferred thereunder or directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (1) such payment is a payment of
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the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (2) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.15(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii) Certain Fees.
(A) Fees. No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(B) Letter of Credit Fees. Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.14.
(C) Defaulting Lender Fees. With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.09 or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (B) above, the Borrower shall (1) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lenders participation in L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (2) pay to the L/C Issuer and Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuers or Swingline Lenders Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (3) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lenders participation in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lenders Commitment) but only to the extent that (A) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (B) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lenders Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lenders increased exposure following such reallocation.
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(v) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, (A) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lenders Fronting Exposure and (B) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.14.
(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and the L/C Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.
(i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party, as applicable) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party, then the Administrative Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.
(ii) If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full
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amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(iii) If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c) Tax Indemnifications.
(i) Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each of the Loan Parties shall also, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or the L/C Issuer for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(c)(ii) below.
(ii) Each Lender and the L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, (A) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting
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the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (B) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lenders failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (C) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii).
(d) Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
(e) Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation.
(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lenders reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense (it being understood that the Borrower shall be given a reasonable opportunity to reimburse the Lender with respect to such cost or expense) or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,
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(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the interest article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the business profits or other income article of such tax treaty;
(2) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a 10 percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable; or
(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to
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time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay to such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that each Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to such Loan Party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.
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(g) Survival. Each partys obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
3.02 Illegality and Designated Lenders.
If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to make, maintain or fund any Credit Extension whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (a) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates.
(a) If in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (i) the Administrative Agent determines that (A) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (B) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan (in each case with respect to clause (i), Impacted Loans), or (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the
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preceding sentence with respect to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurodollar Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in clause (a)(i) of this Section, the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower and the Required Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a)(i) of this Section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding the Impacted Loans, or (3) any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Borrower written notice thereof.
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(d)) or the L/C Issuer;
(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
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(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the L/C Issuers capital or on the capital of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company, if any, as a direct consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the L/C Issuers policies and the policies of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then at the request of the affected Lender or L/C Issuer from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for and calculation of the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof; provided that a Lender or L/C Issuer shall not be entitled to compensation pursuant to this Section 3.04 to the extent such Lender or L/C Issuer is not generally imposing such charges or requesting such compensation from other borrowers generally under similar circumstances.
(d) Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans. The Borrower shall pay each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as Eurocurrency liabilities), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least ten (10) days prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice ten (10) days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable ten (10) days from receipt of such notice.
(e) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case
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may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six (6) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
3.05 Compensation for Losses.
Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or
(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 11.13;
including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained, but excluding any loss of anticipated profits. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.
3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the good faith judgment of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.
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(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 3.06(a), the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 11.13.
3.07 Survival.
All of the Borrowers obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, resignation of the Administrative Agent and the Facility Termination Date.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension.
The obligation of the L/C Issuer and each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Execution of Credit Agreement; Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of this Agreement, executed by a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party and a duly authorized officer of each Lender, (ii) for the account of each Lender requesting a Note, a Note executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, (iii) counterparts of the Security Agreement and each other Collateral Document, executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Parties and a duly authorized officer of each other Person party thereto, as applicable and (iv) counterparts of any other Loan Document, executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Party and a duly authorized officer of each other Person party thereto.
(b) Legal Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of counsel for the Loan Parties, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
(c) Financial Statements. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of (i) the audited financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended 2011, 2012 and 2013, (ii) the interim financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ended September 24, 2014 and (iii) projections for Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the first five years following the Closing Date.
(d) Organization Documents, Resolutions, Etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) copies of the Organization Documents of each Loan Party certified to be true and complete as of a recent date prior to the Closing Date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, where applicable, and certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of such Loan Party to be true and correct as of the Closing Date;
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(ii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party; and
(iii) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and is validly existing and in good standing in its state of organization or formation.
(e) Personal Property Collateral. The Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) searches of UCC filings and tax and judgment liens in the jurisdiction of formation of each Loan Party and each other jurisdiction reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, disclosing no Liens other than (A) Permitted Liens and (B) Liens to be released on the Closing Date;
(ii) UCC financing statements in form appropriate for filing for each appropriate jurisdiction as is necessary, in the Administrative Agents reasonable discretion, to perfect the Administrative Agents security interest in the Collateral that can be perfected by filing a UCC financing statement;
(iii) all certificates evidencing any certificated Equity Interests pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement, together with duly executed in blank and undated stock powers attached thereto;
(iv) to the extent required to be delivered, filed, registered or recorded pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents, all instruments, documents and chattel paper in the possession of any of the Loan Parties, together with allonges or assignments as may be necessary or appropriate to create and perfect the Administrative Agents and the Lenders security interest in the Collateral;
(v) searches of ownership of, and Liens on, United States registered intellectual property of each Loan Party in the appropriate governmental offices, disclosing no Liens other than (A) Permitted Liens and (B) Liens to be released on the Closing Date; and
(vi) duly executed grants of security interest in substantially the form required by the Security Agreement as are necessary, in the Administrative Agents reasonable discretion, to perfect the Administrative Agents security interest in the United States registered intellectual property of the Loan Parties.
(f) Evidence of Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the Loan Parties evidencing liability and casualty insurance meeting the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents, including naming the Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns as additional insured (in the case of liability insurance) or loss payee (in the case of property insurance) on behalf of the Lenders.
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(g) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Holdings (not in his or her individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an officer of Holdings) as to the solvency of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, after giving effect to the initial borrowings under the Loan Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
(h) Loan Notice. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Loan Notice with respect to the Loans to be made on the Closing Date.
(i) Existing Indebtedness of the Loan Parties. All of the existing Indebtedness for borrowed money of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (including Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement) (other than, in each case, Indebtedness permitted to exist pursuant to Section 7.02), shall be, contemporaneously with the initial Credit Extension hereunder, repaid in full and all security interests related thereto shall be terminated on or prior to the Closing Date.
(j) Fees. Receipt by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders of any fees required to be paid to them on or before the Closing Date.
(k) Attorney Costs. Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid all reasonable and documented or invoiced fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such reasonable fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that neither such waiver nor such estimate shall thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent).
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions.
The obligation of each Lender and the L/C Issuer to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any Compliance Certificate furnished at any time hereunder, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to any representation or warranty qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to any representation and warranty qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) as of such earlier date and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (b) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b), respectively.
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(b) Default. No Default shall exist, or would result immediately after giving effect to such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c) Request for Credit Extension. The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender, if no Autoborrow Agreement is then in effect, shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.
Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower and each Swingline Borrowing pursuant to an Autoborrow Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as of the date made or deemed made, that:
5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power.
Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (a) (with respect to (x) Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, the entire clause (a), and (y) the Loan Parties, the good standings of such Loan Parties only), (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.02 Authorization; No Contravention.
The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Persons Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any material Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.
5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.
No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents, other than (i) authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings which have been duly obtained and (ii) filings and recordings necessary to perfect the Liens created by the Collateral Documents.
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5.04 Binding Effect.
This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject to general principles of equity and principles of good faith and fair dealing.
5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) Audited Financial Statements. The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the Consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. The unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries dated September 24, 2014, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the Consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.
(c) Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the balance sheet included in the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.06 Litigation.
There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer of any of the Loan Parties, threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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5.07 No Default.
Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.
5.08 Ownership of Property.
Each Loan Party and each of their respective Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all material real property reasonably necessary for the ordinary conduct of its business, except for (i) Permitted Liens or (ii) such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.09 Environmental Compliance.
(a) The Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof the Loan Parties have reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and claims would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is undertaking any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials that would (individually or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law. Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, any other Person, has disposed of any Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, in any manner that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.10 Insurance.
The material properties of Holdings and its Subsidiaries are insured with insurance companies that the Borrower reasonably believes to be financially sound and reputable and that are not Affiliates of a Loan Party, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the applicable Loan Party or the applicable Subsidiary operates.
5.11 Taxes.
Holdings and its Subsidiaries have filed all federal and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed by them, and have paid all federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.
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5.12 ERISA Compliance.
(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state laws.
(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 60% or higher and no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (iii) no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (v) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.
5.13 Subsidiaries.
Set forth on Schedule 5.13 is a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date of each Subsidiary of any Loan Party, together with (i) jurisdiction of organization, (ii) number of shares of each class of Equity Interests outstanding, and (iii) number and percentage of outstanding shares of each class owned (directly or indirectly) by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary. The outstanding Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of any Loan Party are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a) Margin Regulations. The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 or Section 7.05 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of Section 8.01(e) will be margin stock.
(b) Investment Company Act. None of the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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5.15 Disclosure.
Each Loan Party has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading as of the date such information is dated or certified; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, each Loan Party represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time, it being understood and acknowledged that projections are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of any Loan Party, and no assurances can be given that any particular projections will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the projections may differ significantly from the projected results and such differences may be material.
5.16 Compliance with Laws.
Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof is in compliance with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.17 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.
Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary owns, or possesses the legal right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights and other intellectual property rights (collectively, IP Rights) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted. Set forth on Schedule 5.17 is a list of (i) all IP Rights registered or pending registration with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office that, as of the Closing Date, a Loan Party owns and (ii) all material licenses of IP Rights (other than (x) franchise agreements and (y) off-the-shelf and other commercially available licenses) registered with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office as of the Closing Date. Except for such claims that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no claim has been asserted and is pending or is, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened, by any Person against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries challenging the use of any IP Rights or the validity or effectiveness of any IP Rights, nor does any Loan Party know of any such claim. To the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Loan Parties, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the use of any IP Rights by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in connection with the goods and services currently in use or the granting of a right or a license in respect of any IP Rights from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in connection with the goods and services currently in use does not infringe on the rights of any Person. As of the Closing Date, none of the material IP Rights owned by any Loan Party is subject to any material licensing agreement or similar arrangement granted by a Loan Party, except for licensing agreements or similar arrangements (i) granted to franchisees and their Affiliates in connection with their franchises, (ii) granted to another Loan Party or (iii) as set forth on Schedule 5.17.
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5.18 Solvency.
Each Loan Party is, individually and together with its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, Solvent.
5.19 Perfection of Security Interests in the Collateral.
The provisions of the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent valid security interests in, and Liens on, the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, which security interests and Liens will be perfected security interests and Liens when the necessary financing statements are filed with the appropriate offices under the UCC and, with respect to intellectual property that is registered or applied for at the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, when appropriate recordings are made in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, prior to all other Liens other than Permitted Liens.
5.20 Business Locations; Taxpayer Identification Number.
Set forth on Schedule 5.20(a) is the jurisdiction of organization, chief executive office, exact legal name, U.S. tax payer identification number and organizational identification number of each Loan Party as of the Closing Date. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.20(b), no Loan Party has during the five years preceding the Closing Date (i) changed its legal name, (ii) changed its state of organization or (iii) been party to a merger, consolidation or other change in structure.
5.21 Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws.
(a) Sanctions Concerns. No Loan Party, nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions or (ii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.
(b) Anti-Corruption Laws. The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Each of the Loan Parties hereby covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter until the Facility Termination Date, such Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
6.01 Financial Statements.
Deliver to the Administrative Agent:
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(a) Audited Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings (or, if earlier, fifteen (15) days after the date required to be filed with the SEC, commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014), a Consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concern or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Holdings (or, if earlier, fifteen (15) days after the date required to be filed with the SEC), commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 25, 2015, a Consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of Holdings fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of Holdings as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
(c) Budget. As soon as available, but in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, an annual budget of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, including forecasts prepared by management of Holdings, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, of Consolidated statements of income or operations and free cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a quarterly basis for the immediately following fiscal year.
As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(c), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under Section 6.01(a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.
6.02 Certificates; Other Information.
Deliver to the Administrative Agent:
(a) Compliance Certificate. Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or vice president of finance which is a Responsible Officer of Holdings, which shall include such supplements to Schedules 5.13, 5.17, 5.20(a) and 5.20(b) as are necessary such that, as supplemented, such Schedules would be accurate and complete as of the date of such Compliance Certificate (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes).
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(b) Audit Reports; Management Letters; Recommendations. Promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or written recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of any Loan Party by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any audit of any of them.
(c) Annual Reports; Etc. Promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of Holdings, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Holdings may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto.
(d) Debt Securities Statements and Reports. Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or of any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section (provided that this clause does not require any Loan Party or Subsidiary to disclose confidential information in violation of confidentiality obligations to any such holder of debt securities).
(e) SEC Notices. Promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any material investigation or possible investigation or other material inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof.
(f) Environmental Notice. Promptly after the assertion or occurrence thereof, notice of any action or proceeding against or of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Additional Information. Promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial, legal or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(c) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (a) on which Holdings posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Holdings website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 11.02; or (b) on which such documents are posted on Holdings behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that Holdings shall notify the Administrative Agent (by fax transmission or e-mail transmission) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by e-mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by Holdings with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
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The Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby acknowledges that (A) the Administrative Agent and/or an Affiliate thereof may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials) by posting the Borrower Materials on Debt Domain, IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or another similar electronic system (the Platform) and (B) certain of the Lenders (each, a Public Lender) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (1) all such Borrower Materials, except those filed with the SEC, shall be clearly and conspicuously marked PUBLIC which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word PUBLIC shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (2) by marking Borrower Materials PUBLIC, the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, any Affiliate thereof, the Arrangers, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to Holdings or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 11.07); (3) all Borrower Materials marked PUBLIC are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated Public Side Information; and (4) the Administrative Agent and any Affiliate thereof and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked PUBLIC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated Public Side Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials PUBLIC.
6.03 Notices.
(a) Promptly following knowledge thereof by a Responsible Officer of any Loan Party (and in any event, within two (2) Business Days of such knowledge), notify the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of any Default;
(b) Promptly following knowledge thereof by a Responsible Officer of any Loan Party (and in any event, within five (5) Business Days of such knowledge), notify the Administrative Agent of any matter that has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) Promptly following knowledge thereof by a Responsible Officer of any Loan Party (and in any event, within five (5) Business Days of such knowledge), notify the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of any ERISA Event that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
(d) Promptly following knowledge thereof by a Responsible Officer of any Loan Party (and in any event, within five (5) Business Days of such knowledge), notify the Administrative Agent of any determination by Holdings referred to in Section 2.10(b).
Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and to the extent applicable, stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
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6.04 Payment of Taxes.
Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all federal and other material tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by such Loan Party.
6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc.
(a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05.
(b) Take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business as currently conducted and herein contemplated, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Take all reasonable action to preserve or renew all IP Rights, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06 Maintenance of Properties.
(a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its tangible material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.07 Maintenance of Insurance.
(a) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain with insurance companies the Borrower reasonably believes to be financially sound and reputable and not Affiliates of any Loan Party, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons; provided, however, that Holdings and its Subsidiaries may self-insure to the same extent as other companies engaged in similar business and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which Holdings or such Subsidiaries operate and to the extent consistent with prudent business practice.
(b) Evidence of Insurance. Cause the Administrative Agent to be named as lenders loss payable, loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect of any such insurance providing liability coverage or coverage in respect of any
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Collateral, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent, each provider of any such insurance to agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the Administrative Agent that it will give the Administrative Agent thirty (30) days prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be cancelled (or ten (10) days prior notice in the case of cancellation due to the nonpayment of premiums). Annually, upon expiration of current insurance coverage, the Loan Parties shall provide, or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be provided, to the Administrative Agent, such evidence of insurance as is reasonably required by the Administrative Agent and is available from the applicable insurance provider(s), including, but not limited to (i) certified copies of such insurance policies, (ii) evidence of such insurance policies (including, without limitation, insurance certificates in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and (iii) lenders loss payable endorsement if the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties is not on the declarations page for such policy.
6.08 Compliance with Laws.
Comply with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.09 Books and Records.
(a) Maintain in all material respects proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
(b) Maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
6.10 Inspection Rights.
Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the Borrower (provided that the Borrower may, if it chooses, be present at or participate in any such discussions), once per fiscal quarter at such reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that (i) when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower as often as may be reasonably desired, at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice, and (ii) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower shall only be responsible to pay the costs of one such visit, inspection and examination of the Administrative Agent in any fiscal year.
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6.11 Use of Proceeds.
Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions (a) to finance working capital, capital expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions and other lawful corporate purposes, and (b) to refinance certain existing Indebtedness; provided that in no event shall the proceeds of the Credit Extensions be used in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.
6.12 ERISA Compliance.
Do, and cause each of its ERISA Affiliates to do, each of the following: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Law; (b) employ commercially reasonable best efforts to ensure that each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code maintains such qualification; and (c) make all required contributions to any Plan subject to Section 412, Section 430 or Section 431 of the Code, except, in each of the above cases, to the extent failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to result in Material Adverse Effect.
6.13 Additional Guarantors.
Within thirty days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) after any Person becomes a Material Subsidiary, cause such Person to (a) become a Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement or such other documents as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose, and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, deliver to the Administrative Agent such Organization Documents, resolutions and favorable opinions of counsel, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
6.14 Covenant to Give Security.
(a) Equity Interests. Cause (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Domestic Subsidiary of any Loan Party and (ii) 65% (or such greater percentage that, due to a change in an applicable Law after the Closing Date, (A) could not reasonably be expected to cause the undistributed earnings of such Foreign Subsidiary as determined for United States federal income tax purposes to be treated as a deemed dividend to such Foreign Subsidiarys United States parent and (B) could not reasonably be expected to cause any material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) in each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by any Loan Party to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents, and, in connection with the foregoing, deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may request including any filings and deliveries to perfect such Liens and, to the extent required by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment, favorable opinions of counsel, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(b) Other Property. Cause all property (other than Excluded Property) of each Loan Party to be subject at all times to first priority, perfected Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Obligations to the extent required by the Collateral Documents (subject to (i) Permitted Liens and (ii) filings against after-acquired intellectual property registrations and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office to be made promptly after the delivery of each Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(a) hereof) to the extent that perfection can be achieved under U.S. Law and, in connection with the foregoing, deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documentation as the
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Administrative Agent may reasonably request including filings and deliveries necessary to perfect such Liens, Organization Documents, resolutions, landlords waivers, deposit and securities account control agreements and favorable opinions of counsel to such Person, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
6.15 Further Assurances.
Promptly upon the reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent and subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, subject any Loan Partys or any of its Subsidiaries properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or is to be a party, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to do so; provided that the Loan Parties shall not have any obligation to perfect any security interest or Lien, or record any notice thereof, in the Collateral in any jurisdiction outside of the United States.
6.16 Compliance with Environmental Laws.
Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) comply, and use reasonable commercial efforts to cause all lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (ii) obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations and properties; and (iii) conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, in accordance with the requirements of all Environmental Laws; provided, however, that no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to undertake any such cleanup, removal, remedial or other action with respect to any Hazardous Materials not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.
6.17 Anti-Corruption Laws.
Conduct its business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Each of the Loan Parties hereby covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter until the Facility Termination Date, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:
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7.01 Liens.
Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for the following:
(a) Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals, replacements, refinancings or extensions thereof, provided that (i) the property covered thereby is not changed, (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased except as contemplated by Section 7.02(b), (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed, and (iv) any renewal, replacement, refinancing or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.02(b);
(c) Liens (other than Liens imposed under ERISA) for Taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(d) statutory and common law Liens such as carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens or other like Liens which are not overdue for a period of more than ninety (90) days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;
(e) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security or retirement benefits legislation or similar Law or regulation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;
(f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, liability to insurance carriers, licenses and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds, contractual or warranty obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(g) zoning restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, covenants licenses, protrusions and other similar charges or encumbrances and minor title deficiencies affecting real property owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
(h) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money (or appeal or other surety bonds relating to such judgments) not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);
(i) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.02(c); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, (ii) such Liens attach to such property concurrently with or within one hundred fifty (150) days after the acquisition thereof and (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition;
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(j) bankers Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing solely the customary amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements; provided, that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness for borrowed money, except for the Obligations;
(k) Liens arising out of judgments or awards not resulting in an Event of Default;
(l) any interest or title of a licensor under any license entered into by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof in the ordinary course of business and covering only the assets so licensed;
(m) any right, title and interest of the landlord under any lease pursuant to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries has a leasehold interest in any property or assets and any Liens that have been placed by such landlord on property over which Holdings or any Subsidiary has any real property interest provided that any Indebtedness or other liabilities or obligations with respect thereto shall not exceed an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 (not including any ordinary course real property lease payments to the extent not then overdue) at any time outstanding;
(n) any interest of title of a lessor under, and Liens arising from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses entered into by Holdings and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement;
(o) Liens to secure obligations in an aggregate amount of obligations in respect of the financing of prepaid insurance, which Liens cover only the right to recover prepaid insurance not yet earned;
(p) Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the UCC on items in the course of collection;
(q) Liens on property rented to, or leased by, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that (i) such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by Section 7.13, (ii) such Liens do not encumber any other property of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) such Liens secure only the Attributable Indebtedness incurred in connection with such Sale and Leaseback Transaction;
(r) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired or merged with or into or consolidated with Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent permitted hereunder and any refinancing thereof; provided that, in connection with such refinancing, such Liens (i) do not extend to property not subject to such Liens at the time of such acquisition, merger or consolidation (other than improvements thereon), (ii) are no more favorable to the lienholders than such existing Liens and (iii) are not created in anticipation or contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;
(s) Liens granted by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in favor of a Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness owed by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to such Loan Party; provided that such Indebtedness is (i) evidenced by an intercompany note and (ii) pledged by such Loan Party as Collateral and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents;
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(t) options, put and call arrangements, rights of first refusal and similar rights relating to Investments permitted under Section 7.03 in joint ventures, partnerships and the like and encumbrances or restrictions (including put and call agreements) with respect to the Equity Interests of any joint venture;
(u) Liens on any cash earnest money deposits made by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition or Disposition (which for the avoidance of doubt may include any proposed merger, asset or stock purchase agreement) and not to exceed 25% of the aggregate purchase price with respect thereto;
(v) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(w) Liens in the nature of the right of setoff in favor of counterparties to contractual agreements with Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of business and not constituting Indebtedness for borrowed money with respect thereto;
(x) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by any Loan Party in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the past practices of such Loan Party;
(y) licenses and sublicenses granted in the ordinary course of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries franchising businesses; and
(z) other Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.
7.02 Indebtedness.
Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.02;
(c) Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(i); provided, however, (i) that the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness with respect to all Capitalized Leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations (other than in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction), at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $10,000,000 and (ii) in respect of Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations that are in the nature of Sale and Leaseback Transactions, to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 7.13;
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(d) intercompany Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03 (Intercompany Debt); provided that (i) to the extent such Indebtedness is owed to a Loan Party by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (A) it is represented by a note and (B) the right to receive payment thereunder is expressly assigned to the Secured Parties and (ii) such Indebtedness (A) is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, (B) will not mature or otherwise become due and payable prior to ninety-one (91) days following the Maturity Date, (C) has no scheduled amortization of principal or required mandatory pre-payment or redemption of principal prior to ninety-one (91) days following the Maturity Date, (D) contains covenants, events of default or other material terms, taken as a whole, that are not materially more restrictive to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries than those set forth in this Agreement, taken as a whole and (E) is not secured by a Lien;
(e) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary on or after the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding for all such Subsidiaries; provided that such Indebtedness (i) exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary, (ii) is not created in anticipation or contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary and (iii) is not directly or indirectly recourse to Holdings of any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, other than to the Person that becomes a Subsidiary;
(f) obligations (contingent or otherwise) existing or arising under any Swap Contract; provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates or foreign exchange rates and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;
(g) Indebtedness in respect of workers compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers acceptances or bid, performance surety bonds issued for the account of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);
(h) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding for all such Subsidiaries;
(i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five (5) Business Days of incurrence;
(j) Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;
(k) unsecured Indebtedness arising from agreements of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries providing for indemnification or purchase price or similar adjustment obligations, in each case, incurred in connection with Investments, Permitted Acquisitions, or Dispositions, that are permitted by the terms of this Agreement, of a business, asset or Subsidiary of a Loan Party in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(l) Indebtedness in connection with the financing of insurance premiums, in the ordinary course of business, in respect of unearned premiums payable on certain insurance policies maintained by Holdings or any Subsidiary;
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(m) Guarantees with respect to Indebtedness permitted under this Section 7.02;
(n) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(o) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments, governmental charges or levies and claims for labor, materials and supplies, and liabilities under employee benefit plans, including pension plans, not overdue by more than 90 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(p) Indebtedness arising subsequent to the Closing Date under any (i) purchasing program offered by credit card providers established to enable headquarters and field staff of any Loan Party to make payments to third party vendors, or (ii) travel and entertainment card program established to enable headquarters and field staff of any Loan Party to make payments for expenses incurred related to travel and entertainment, provided that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness under clause (ii) only shall not exceed $1,000,000;
(q) Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of Holdings or any Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services;
(r) Indebtedness which represents a refinancing or renewal of any of the Indebtedness described in clauses (b), (c) and (e); provided that (i) any such refinancing Indebtedness is in an aggregate principal amount (or aggregate amount, as applicable) not greater than aggregate principal amount (or aggregate amount, as applicable) of the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced, plus the amount of any reasonable premiums required to be paid thereon and reasonable fees and expenses associated therewith, (ii) such refinancing Indebtedness has later or equal final maturity and longer or equal weighted average life to maturity than the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced, the covenants, events of default, subordination (including lien subordination) and other terms, conditions and provisions thereof (including any guarantees thereof or security documents in respect thereof) shall be, in the aggregate, not materially less favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders than those contained in the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced and (iii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom; and
(s) other unsecured Indebtedness; provided that (i) after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis, (A) the Loan Parties shall be in Pro Forma Compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11, (B) the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be 0.25 to 1.0 less than the then applicable level set forth in Section 7.11(a), calculated using the same Measurement Period used to determine Pro Forma Compliance and (C) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom and (ii) such Indebtedness shall have a maturity date that is at least 91 days following the Maturity Date.
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7.03 Investments.
Make or hold any Investments, except:
(a) Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may (i) acquire and hold accounts receivables owing to any of them if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms, (ii) invest in, acquire and hold cash and Cash Equivalents, (iii) endorse negotiable instruments held for collection in the ordinary course of business or (iv) make lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;
(b) Investments existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.03;
(c) (i) Investments in any Person that is a Loan Party prior to giving effect to such Investment, (ii) Investments by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (iii) Investments by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in any Person, if as a result of such Investment, such Person promptly becomes a Guarantor or such Person is promptly merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, a Loan Party; provided that any Investment in the form of a loan or advance shall be evidenced by an intercompany note and, in the case of a loan or advance by a Loan Party, pledged by such Loan Party as Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents;
(d) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors;
(e) Permitted Acquisitions and other mergers and acquisitions otherwise permitted by Section 7.04;
(f) Investments made by Holdings or any Subsidiary as a result of consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale made in compliance with Sections 7.05(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h);
(g) Investments otherwise permitted by Section 7.06;
(h) Investments of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary on or after the Closing Date existing on the date such person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Investments exist at the time such person is acquired, (ii) such Investments are not made in anticipation or contemplation of such person becoming a Subsidiary and (iii) such Investments are not directly or indirectly recourse to any of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, other than to the person that becomes a Subsidiary;
(i) loans and advances to directors, employees and officers of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries for bona fide business purposes and to purchase Equity Interests of Holdings, in aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding (calculated without regard to writedowns or write-offs thereof); provided that, no loans in violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act shall be permitted hereunder;
(j) payroll, travel and similar employee advances of Holdings and its Subsidiaries to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;
(k) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business;
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(l) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.02;
(m) obligations (contingent or otherwise) existing or arising under any Swap Contract permitted pursuant to Section 7.02(f);
(k) pledges or deposits permitted under Section 7.01; and
(o) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding.
7.04 Fundamental Changes.
Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person:
(a) (i) any Subsidiary may merge with the Borrower; provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, (ii) any Subsidiary (other than the Borrower) may merge with Holdings; provided that Holdings shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (iii) any Subsidiary may merge with any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any Loan Party (other than the Borrower or Holdings) is merging with another Subsidiary, such Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person;
(b) any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Loan Party;
(c) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may Dispose of all or substantially all its assets (including any Disposition that is in the nature of a liquidation) to (i) another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or (ii) to a Loan Party;
(d) in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, any Subsidiary of Holdings (other than the Borrower) may merge into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it; provided that (i) the Person surviving such merger shall be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Holdings and (ii) in the case of any such merger to which any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) is a party, such Loan Party is the surviving Person; and
(e) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, each of Holdings and any of its Subsidiaries may merge into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it; provided, however, that in each case, immediately after giving effect thereto (i) in the case of any such merger to which Holdings or the Borrower is a party, Holdings or the Borrower, respectively, is the surviving Person and (ii) in the case of any such merger to which any Loan Party (other than Holdings or the Borrower) is a party, such Loan Party is the surviving Person.
7.05 Dispositions.
Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:
(a) Dispositions of obsolete, worn-out, surplus or no longer useful property by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and the abandonment or other disposition of IP Rights that are, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Borrower, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
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(b) other Dispositions of property (other than Synthetic Lease Obligations and Sale and Leaseback Transactions); provided that (i) the aggregate consideration received in respect of all dispositions of property pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed $10,000,000 in any four consecutive fiscal quarter period, (ii) such dispositions of property are made for fair market value and on an arms-length commercial basis and (iii) at least 75% of the consideration payable in respect of such disposition of property is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(c) leases (and sub-leases) and licenses (and sub-licenses) of real or personal property (other than Synthetic Lease Obligations, Sale and Leaseback Transactions and leases and licenses of IP Rights) in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the Collateral Documents;
(d) Investments permitted by Section 7.03;
(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04;
(f) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.06;
(g) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business and Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;
(h) any Disposition of property as a result of an involuntary loss of title or any involuntary loss of or damage to or any destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking (including by any Governmental Authority) of, any property of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, including any taking of all or any part of any real property of any Person or any part thereof, in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any Law, or by reason of the temporary requisition of the use or occupancy of all or any part of any real property of any Person or any part thereof by any Governmental Authority, or any settlement in lieu thereof;
(i) licensing or sublicensing by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of IP Rights in the ordinary course of its franchising business; provided that (other than licensing or sublicensing in favor of Loan Parties) such disposition is made for fair market value and on an arms-length basis;
(j) Dispositions of assets in connection with (i) Sale and Leaseback Transactions (A) in respect of properties owned by any Loan Party as of the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal year and $20,00,000 during the term of this Agreement and (B) in respect of other properties in an unlimited amount and (ii) store refranchising transactions in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000 in any fiscal year and $50,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; provided, that after giving effect to such Disposition of assets in connection with any Sale and Leaseback Transaction or any store refranchising transaction on a Pro Forma Basis, the Loan Parties shall be in Pro Forma Compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11;
(k) Sale and Leaseback Transactions in compliance with Section 7.13;
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(l) Dispositions of equipment or real property, for fair market value, to the extent that such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property;
(m) sales, transfers and other dispositions of accounts receivable or other rights to payment in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with any financing transaction;
(n) any trade-in of equipment or other property in exchange for other equipment or other replacement property; and
(o) Dispositions of Permitted Liens.
7.06 Restricted Payments.
Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, or issue or sell any Equity Interests or accept any capital contributions, except that:
(a) each Subsidiary may declare and make Restricted Payments to any Person that owns Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made;
(b) Holdings and each Subsidiary may declare and make Restricted Payments payable solely in common Equity Interests of such Person;
(c) Holdings may make Restricted Payments to repurchase or redeem Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service and payment of taxes with respect thereto; provided that the aggregate amount of all such Restricted Payments shall not exceed, during any fiscal year, $1,000,000 (with any unused amounts in any such fiscal year being carried over to the next succeeding fiscal year);
(d) Holdings may make payments under the Income Tax Receivable Agreement;
(e) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Holdings may make, directly or indirectly, non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur in connection with the exercise of stock options by directors, officers and management, including without limitation deemed redemptions arising as a result of the payment of withholding taxes; provided that such Equity Interests represent a portion of the consideration delivered in connection with the payment of the exercise price of such options;
(f) Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary from any holder of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, so long as, after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and provided that the aggregate amount of such redemptions, repurchases or other acquisitions shall not exceed $500,000 in any 12 consecutive month period;
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(g) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Holdings may make Restricted Payments not exceeding $2,500,000 in any fiscal year pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans, employment agreements, incentive plans or other similar benefit plans approved by Holdings board of directors (or equivalent governing body);
(h) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may make other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year; and
(i) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may make any Restricted Payments; provided that after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment on a Pro Forma Basis, (i) the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be less than 4.25 to 1.0 and (ii) Holdings shall be in Pro Forma Compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11.
7.07 Change in Nature of Business.
Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Holdings and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business substantially related, ancillary, complementary or incidental thereto.
7.08 Transactions with Affiliates.
Enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions with any officer, director or Affiliate of such Person other than (a) advances of working capital to any Loan Party, (b) transfers of cash and assets to any Loan Party, (c) intercompany transactions not prohibited by this Agreement, (d) normal and reasonable compensation, indemnification and reimbursement of expenses of officers and directors and granting of Equity Interests to officers and directors and (e) except as otherwise specifically limited in this Agreement, other transactions which are entered into in the ordinary course of such Persons business on fair and reasonable terms and conditions substantially as favorable to such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person other than an officer, director or Affiliate.
7.09 Burdensome Agreements.
Enter into, or permit to exist, any material Contractual Obligation that (a) encumbers or restricts the ability of any such Person to (i) make Restricted Payments to any Loan Party, (ii) pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to any Loan Party, (iii) make loans or advances to any Loan Party, (iv) transfer any of its property to any Loan Party, (v) pledge its property pursuant to the Loan Documents or any renewals, refinancings, exchanges, refundings or extension thereof or (vi) act as a Loan Party pursuant to the Loan Documents or any renewals, refinancings, exchanges, refundings or extension thereof, except (in respect of any of the matters referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above) for (1) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (2) any document or instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.02(c), provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets constructed or acquired in connection therewith, (3) any Permitted Lien or any document or instrument governing any Permitted Lien, provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such Permitted Lien, (4) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any property permitted under Section 7.05 pending the consummation of such sale, or (5) customary anti-assignment provisions in licenses of IP Rights granted to any Loan Party, or (b) requires the grant of any security for any obligation if such property is given as security for the Secured Obligations.
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7.10 Use of Proceeds.
Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
7.11 Financial Covenants.
(a) Maximum Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of Holdings to be greater than (i) for any fiscal quarter ending on or prior to December 31, 2015, 5.25 to 1.00, (ii) for any fiscal quarter ending after December 31, 2015, 5.00 to 1.00.
(b) Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of Holdings to be less than 1.75 to 1.00.
7.12 | Amendments of Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Organization; Form of Entity and Accounting Changes. |
(a) Amend any of its Organization Documents in a manner that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.
(b) Change its fiscal year.
(c) Without providing ten (10) days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (or such extended period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent), change its name, state of organization, form of organization or principal place of business.
(d) Make any material change in accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, without the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).
7.13 Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
Enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless (a) such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair market value of the property subject to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, (b) the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by Section 7.05 and is consummated within sixty (60) days after the date on which such property is sold or transferred, (c) any Liens arising in connection with its use of the property are permitted by Section 7.01(q) and (d) the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted under Section 7.02(c), assuming the Attributable Indebtedness with respect to the Sale and Leaseback Transaction constituted Indebtedness under Section 7.02(c).
7.14 Prepayments, Etc. of Indebtedness.
Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy or obligate itself to do so more than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner (including by the exercise of any right of setoff), or make any payment in violation of any subordination, standstill or collateral sharing terms of or governing, any Indebtedness incurred or maintained in reliance on Section 7.02(s).
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7.15 Sanctions.
Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arrangers, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, Swingline Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions.
7.16 Anti-Corruption Laws.
Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events of Default.
Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Non-Payment. The Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation or deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, or (ii) within three (3) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five (5) days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Specific Covenants. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.05, 6.10, 6.11 or Article VII; or
(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues unremedied for thirty (30) days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer of any Loan Party becoming aware if such failure or (ii) notice thereof to any Loan Party by the Administrative Agent; or
(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect (or, with respect to any such representation or warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in any respect) when made or deemed made; or
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(e) Cross-Default. (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount and such failure shall have continued after the applicable grace period, or (B) fails (beyond the applicable grace period) to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount; or
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary thereof institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged, undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed, undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary thereof becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within sixty (60) days after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments and orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is promptly notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order and have not been stayed, or (B) there is a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
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(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or
(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all Obligations (other than in respect of (i) unasserted indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations that survive the termination of this Agreement or obligations and liabilities under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case, not yet due and payable, or (ii) any Letter of Credit that shall remain outstanding that has been Cash Collateralized on terms satisfactory to the L/C Issuer) arising under the Loan Documents, ceases to be in full force and effect in all material respects; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any provision of any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document; or
(k) Collateral Documents. Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents shall for any reason cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, or any Loan Party shall assert the invalidity of such Liens; or
(l) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control.
Without limiting the provisions of Article IX, if a Default shall have occurred under the Loan Documents, then such Default will continue to exist until it either is cured (to the extent specifically permitted) in accordance with the Loan Documents or is otherwise expressly waived by the Administrative Agent (with the approval of the requisite Lenders (in their sole discretion) as determined in accordance with Section 11.01; and once an Event of Default occurs under the Loan Documents, then such Event of Default will continue to exist until it is expressly waived by the requisite Lenders or by the Administrative Agent with the approval of the requisite Lenders, as required hereunder in Section 11.01.
8.02 Remedies upon Event of Default.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
(a) declare the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;
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(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and
(d) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents or applicable Law or equity;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
8.03 Application of Funds.
After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02) or if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all Secured Obligations then due hereunder, any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.14 and 2.15, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer) arising under the Loan Documents and amounts payable under Article III, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and Secured Obligations then owing under the Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements and to the to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.14, in each case ratably among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and
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Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
Subject to Sections 2.03(c) and 2.14, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Secured Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or its assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Secured Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received a Secured Party Designation Notice, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX for itself and its Affiliates as if a Lender party hereto.
ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01 Appointment and Authority.
(a) Appointment. Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term agent herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
(b) Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent shall also act as the collateral agent under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank, and a potential Cash Management Bank) and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Secured Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as collateral agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral
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Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IX and Article XI (including Section 11.04(c), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the collateral agent under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.
9.02 Rights as a Lender.
The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial, advisory, underwriting or other business with any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or to provide notice to or consent of the Lenders with respect thereto.
9.03 | Exculpatory Provisions. |
The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and its Related Parties:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary), or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 11.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The
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Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.
Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties have any duty or obligation to any Lender or participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, communication, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Loan Parties), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objections.
9.05 Delegation of Duties.
The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Revolving Facility as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
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9.06 | Resignation of Administrative Agent. |
(a) Notice. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the Resignation Effective Date), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(b) Defaulting Lender. If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the Removal Effective Date), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.
(c) Effect of Resignation or Removal. With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any Collateral held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such Collateral until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agents resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 11.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
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(d) L/C Issuer and Swingline Lender. Any resignation or removal by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swingline Lender. If Bank of America resigns as the L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c). If Bank of America resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as applicable, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.
9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
9.08 No Other Duties, Etc.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the titles listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.
9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding.
In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
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(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Secured Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h) and (i), 2.09, 2.10(b) and 11.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09, 2.10(b) and 11.04.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.
The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Secured Obligations (including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, (b) at any other sale or foreclosure or acceptance of Collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Secured Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that would vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Equity Interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or Equity Interests thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in clauses (a) through (h) of Section 11.01 of this Agreement, and (iii) to the extent that Secured Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Secured Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt
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credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Secured Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Lenders pro rata and the Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Secured Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.
9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters.
Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,
(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Facility Termination Date, (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 11.01;
(b) to subordinate or release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 7.01(i); and
(c) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrowers expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agents Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.
9.11 Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.
Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefit of the provisions of Section 8.03, the Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty or any Collateral
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Document) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received a Secured Party Designation Notice of such Secured Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements in the case of a Facility Termination Date.
ARTICLE X
CONTINUING GUARANTY
10.01 Guaranty.
Each Guarantor hereby absolutely and unconditionally, jointly and severally guarantees, as a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely as a guaranty of collection, prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, upon acceleration, demand or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of any and all Secured Obligations (for each Guarantor, subject to the proviso in this sentence, its Guaranteed Obligations); provided that (a) the Guaranteed Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor and (b) the liability of each Guarantor individually with respect to this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law. The Administrative Agents books and records showing the amount of the Obligations shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, and shall be binding upon each Guarantor, and conclusive for the purpose of establishing the amount of the Secured Obligations. This Guaranty shall not be affected by the genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Secured Obligations or any instrument or agreement evidencing any Secured Obligations, or by the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, non-perfection or extent of any Collateral therefor, or by any fact or circumstance relating to the Secured Obligations which might otherwise constitute a defense to the obligations of the Guarantors, or any of them, under this Guaranty, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to any or all of the foregoing.
10.02 Rights of Lenders.
Each Guarantor consents and agrees that the Secured Parties may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Secured Obligations; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders in their sole discretion may determine; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Secured Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.
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10.03 Certain Waivers.
Each Guarantor waives (a) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of the Borrower or any other guarantor, or the cessation from any cause whatsoever (including any act or omission of any Secured Party) of the liability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party; (b) any defense based on any claim that such Guarantors obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of the Borrower or any other Loan Party; (c) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting any Guarantors liability hereunder; (d) any right to proceed against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, proceed against or exhaust any security for the Secured Obligations, or pursue any other remedy in the power of any Secured Party whatsoever; (e) any benefit of and any right to participate in any security now or hereafter held by any Secured Party; and (f) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all other defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable Law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties. Each Guarantor expressly waives all setoffs and counterclaims and all presentments, demands for payment or performance, notices of nonpayment or nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and all other notices or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Secured Obligations, and all notices of acceptance of this Guaranty or of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Secured Obligations.
10.04 Obligations Independent.
The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are those of primary obligor, and not merely as surety, and are independent of the Secured Obligations and the obligations of any other guarantor, and a separate action may be brought against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty whether or not the Borrower or any other person or entity is joined as a party.
10.05 Subrogation.
No Guarantor shall exercise any right of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or similar rights with respect to any payments it makes under this Guaranty until all of the Secured Obligations and any amounts payable under this Guaranty have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full and the Commitments and the Revolving Facility is terminated. If any amounts are paid to a Guarantor in violation of the foregoing limitation, then such amounts shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Secured Parties to reduce the amount of the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.
10.06 Termination; Reinstatement.
This Guaranty is a continuing and irrevocable guaranty of all Secured Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower or a Guarantor is made, or any of the Secured Parties exercises its right of setoff, in respect of the Secured Obligations and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by any of the Secured Parties in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred and whether or not the Secured Parties are in possession of or have released this Guaranty and regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations of each Guarantor under this paragraph shall survive termination of this Guaranty.
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10.07 Stay of Acceleration.
If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Secured Obligations is stayed, in connection with any case commenced by or against a Guarantor or the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Laws, or otherwise, all such amounts shall nonetheless be payable by each Guarantor, jointly and severally, immediately upon demand by the Secured Parties.
10.08 Condition of Borrower.
Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it has the sole responsibility for, and has adequate means of, obtaining from the Borrower and any other guarantor such information concerning the financial condition, business and operations of the Borrower and any such other guarantor as such Guarantor requires, and that none of the Secured Parties has any duty, and such Guarantor is not relying on the Secured Parties at any time, to disclose to it any information relating to the business, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or any other guarantor (each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Parties to disclose such information and any defense relating to the failure to provide the same).
10.09 Appointment of Borrower.
Each of the Loan Parties hereby appoints the Borrower to act as its agent for all purposes of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and all other documents and electronic platforms entered into in connection herewith and agrees that (a) the Borrower may execute such documents and provide such authorizations on behalf of such Loan Parties as the Borrower deems appropriate in its sole discretion and each Loan Party shall be obligated by all of the terms of any such document and/or authorization executed on its behalf, (b) any notice or communication delivered by the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or a Lender to the Borrower shall be deemed delivered to each Loan Party and (c) the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or the Lenders may accept, and be permitted to rely on, any document, authorization, instrument or agreement executed by the Borrower on behalf of each of the Loan Parties.
10.10 Right of Contribution.
The Guarantors agree among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each Guarantor shall have contribution rights against the other Guarantors as permitted under applicable Law.
10.11 Keepwell.
Each Loan Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty or the grant of a Lien under the Loan Documents, in each case, by any Specified Loan Party becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Loan Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Loan Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantors obligations and undertakings under this Article X voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations that survive the termination of this Agreement) have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Loan Party intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a keepwell, support, or other agreement for the benefit of, each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.
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ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.01 | Amendments, Etc. |
No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any condition precedent in Section 4.02 or of any Default or a mandatory reduction in Commitments is not considered an extension or increase in Commitments of any Lender);
(b) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment;
(c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 11.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of Default Rate or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
(d) change Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender;
(e) change any provision of this Section 11.01 or the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(f) except in connection with a Disposition permitted under Section 7.05, release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
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(g) except in connection with a merger, consolidation or other fundamental change permitted under Section 7.04 or a Disposition permitted under Section 7.05, release all or substantially all of the Guaranties, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, except to the extent the release of any Subsidiary from the Guaranty is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone); or
(h) release the Borrower or permit the Borrower to assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents without the consent of each Lender;
and provided, further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swingline Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (iv) the Autoborrow Agreement and any fee letters executed in connection therewith may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto; and (v) the Fee Letters may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (A) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (1) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (2) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender; (B) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein and (C) the Required Lenders shall determine whether or not to allow a Loan Party to use Cash Collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on all of the Lenders.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the prior written consent of the Borrower only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.
If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender and that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrower may replace such Non-Consenting Lender in accordance with Section 11.13; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).
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11.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.
(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax transmission or e-mail transmission as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender, to the address, fax number, e-mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02; and
(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, fax number, e-mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by fax transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FPML messaging and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender, the Swingline Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender, Swingline Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement) and (ii) notices and other communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received by the intended recipient upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail address or other written acknowledgement) indicating that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
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(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED AS IS AND AS AVAILABLE. THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the Agent Parties) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrowers, any Loan Partys or the Administrative Agents transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic platform or electronic messaging service, or through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party.
(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender may change its address, fax number or telephone number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, fax number or telephone number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one (1) individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the Private Side Information or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lenders compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the Public Side Information portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to Holdings or its securities for purposes of United States federal or state securities laws.
(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including, without limitation, telephonic or electronic notices, Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications, Notice of Loan Prepayment and Swingline Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of a Loan Party; provided that such indemnity shall not be available to such Person to the extent such losses, costs, expenses or liabilities result from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of such Person or any of its directors, officers or employees as determined by the final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
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11.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.
No failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 11.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
11.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs and Expenses. The Loan Parties shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facility provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
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(b) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one (1) counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all reasonable and documented fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower or any other Loan Party) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related to a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of the Borrowers or such Loan Partys directors, shareholders or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for a material breach in bad faith of such Indemnitees obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c), this Section 11.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Loan Parties for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer, the Swingline Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer, the Swingline Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lenders pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lenders share of the Total Credit Exposure at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lenders Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought), provided, further that, the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).
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(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no party hereto shall assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof (other than in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third Person). No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages of a Loan Party resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.
(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 11.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
11.05 Payments Set Aside.
To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
11.06 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations
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hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment under the Revolving Facility and/or the Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if Trade Date is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Revolving Facility, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to the Loans and/or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swingline Lenders rights and obligations in respect of Swingline Loans.
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(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:
(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;
(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Revolving Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect of the Revolving Facility, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and
(C) the consent of the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Facility.
(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to Holdings or any of Holdings Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural Person.
(vi) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (A) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (B) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
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Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05 and 11.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment); provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agents Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a Participant) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lenders participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swingline Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 11.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participations.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 11.01 that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.01(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(e) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the
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participation)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.06 and 11.13 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the Participant Register); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participants interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(e) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note or Notes, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(f) Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Commitment and Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon thirty (30) days notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon thirty (30) days notice to the Borrower, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). If Bank of America resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation,
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including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swingline Lender, (A) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (B) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.
11.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
(a) Treatment of Certain Information. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below) and to not use the Information for any purpose except in connection with the Loan Documents, except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process and if practicable following prior notice to the Borrower and a reasonable period of time in the circumstances for the Borrower to object to such disclosure, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with and to the extent necessary for the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.02(f) or (B) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to a Loan Party and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (vii) on a confidential basis to (A) any rating agency in connection with rating Holdings or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (B) the provider of any Platform or other electronic delivery service used by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and/or the Swingline Lender to deliver Borrower Materials or notices to the Lenders or (C) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, or (viii) with the consent of the Borrower or to the extent such Information (1) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (2) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Loan Parties, unless the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender, respectively, is aware that such source otherwise breached its obligation of confidentiality to a Loan Party in disclosing such information. For purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from a Loan Party or any Subsidiary relating to a Loan Party or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information, but in no event less than a reasonable degree of care.
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(b) Non-Public Information. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (i) the Information may include material non-public information concerning a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (iii) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States federal and state securities Laws.
(c) Press Releases. Other than with respect to disclosures required by the SEC or in conjunction with any securities filing, the Loan Parties and their Affiliates agree that they will not in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure using the name of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or their respective Affiliates or referring to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, unless (and only to the extent that) the Loan Parties or such Affiliate is required to do so under law and then, in any event the Loan Parties or such Affiliate will consult with such Person before issuing such press release or other public disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Loan Parties and their Affiliates are permitted to issue such press releases in connection with the closing of this Agreement and any further amendment or waiver to this Agreement after consulting with the Administrative Agent.
(d) Customary Advertising Material. With the prior written consent of Holdings (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Administrative Agent or any Lender may publish customary advertising material relating to the transactions contemplated hereby using the name, product photographs, logo or trademark of the Loan Parties.
11.08 Right of Setoff.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party (other than escrow or similar accounts that are being held for the benefit of, and titled in the name of, a third party) against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the L/C Issuer or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured, secured or unsecured, or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (a) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and (b) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates
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may have. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
11.09 Interest Rate Limitation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the Maximum Rate). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
11.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.
This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any certificate delivered thereunder, by fax transmission or e-mail transmission (e.g. pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other Loan Document or certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent a manually executed counterpart is not specifically required to be delivered under the terms of any Loan Document, upon the request of any party, such fax transmission or e-mail transmission shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.
11.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties.
All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than in respect of unasserted indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations that survive the termination of this Agreement or obligations and liabilities under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case, not yet due and payable) or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.
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11.12 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
11.13 Replacement of Lenders.
If the Borrower is entitled to replace a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender or if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 11.06), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 11.06(b), unless waived by the Administrative Agent;
(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and
(e) in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
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11.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, THE L/C ISSUER, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
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(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
11.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates understanding, that: (a)(i) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and any Affiliate thereof, the Arrangers and the Lenders are arms-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, each other Loan Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and, as applicable, its Affiliates (including the Arrangers) and the Lenders and their Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this Section, the Lenders), on the other hand, (ii) each of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) the Borrower and each other Loan Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (b)(i) the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the Arrangers) and each Lender each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary, for Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (ii) neither the Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates (including the Arrangers) nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (c) the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the Arrangers) and the Lenders may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates (including the Arrangers) nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates (including the Arrangers) or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transactions contemplated hereby.
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11.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.
The words delivery, execute, execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in any Loan Document or any other document executed in connection herewith shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary neither the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer nor any Lender is under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further that without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of any party, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.
11.18 USA PATRIOT Act Notice.
Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower and the other Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the Act), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Act. The Borrower and the Loan Parties agree to, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all such other documentation and information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
BORROWER: | EL POLLO LOCO, INC., | |||
a Delaware corporation | ||||
By: | /s/ Laurance Roberts | |||
Name: | Laurance Roberts | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
HOLDINGS: | EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC., | |||
a Delaware corporation | ||||
By: | /s/ Laurance Roberts | |||
Name: | Laurance Roberts | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
GUARANTOR: | EPL INTERMEDIATE, INC., | |||
a Delaware corporation | ||||
By: | /s/ Laurance Roberts | |||
Name: | Laurance Roberts | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: | BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |||
as Administrative Agent | ||||
By: | /s/ Erik M. Truette | |||
Name: | Erik M. Truette | |||
Title: | Assistant Vice President |
LENDERS: | BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |||
as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Swingline Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ John Coppedge | |||
Name: | John Coppedge | |||
Title: | Sr. Vice President |
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Steve Leon | |
Name: | Steve Leon | |
Title: |
Managing Director |
CITIZENS BANK, N.A., | ||
as a Lender | ||
By: |
/s/ Dan Agnew | |
Name: |
Dan Agnew | |
Title: |
SVP |
REGIONS BANK, | ||
as a Lender | ||
By: |
/s/ Scott C. Tocci | |
Name: |
Scott C. Tocci | |
Title: |
Managing Director |
FIFTH THIRD BANK, | ||
as a Lender | ||
By: |
/s/ Craig Wolf | |
Name: |
Craig Wolf | |
Title: |
Senior Vice President |
Schedule 2.01
Commitments and Applicable Percentages
Lender |
Revolving Commitment | Applicable Percentage of Revolving Commitment |
||||||
Bank of America, N.A. |
$ | 65,000,000.00 | 32.500000000 | % | ||||
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association |
$ | 50,000,000.00 | 25.000000000 | % | ||||
Citizens Bank, N.A. |
$ | 30,000,000.00 | 15.000000000 | % | ||||
Regions Bank |
$ | 30,000,000.00 | 15.000000000 | % | ||||
Fifth Third Bank |
$ | 25,000,000.00 | 12.500000000 | % | ||||
TOTAL |
$ | 200,000,000.00 | 100.000000000 | % |
Schedule 5.13
Subsidiaries
Subsidiary |
Parent |
Number and Percentage of Shares Owned |
Total Shares Outstanding |
|||||||
El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation |
EPL Intermediate, Inc., a Delaware corporation | 100, 100 | % | 100 | ||||||
EPL Intermediate, Inc., a Delaware corporation |
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation | 100, 100 | % | 100 |
Schedule 5.17
Intellectual Property
Licenses
Technical Assistance and License Agreement dated February 25, 1991, as amended by the Letter Agreement dated February 25, 1991, as amended by the First Amendment to Technical Assistance dated September 26, 1991, by and between Isla Holdings, Inc., a Philippine corporation and El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
United States Copyright Registrations and Applications
Title |
Reg. No. | Reg. Date | Record Owner | |||||||||
Loco head only. |
VA0001161490 | 30-Sep-2002 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | |||||||||
Loco, standing |
VAu000560774 | 30-Sep-2002 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. |
United States Trademark Registrations and Applications
Mark |
App. No. | App. Date | Reg. No. | Reg. Date | Registrant | Status | ||||||||||||||||||
BUFFALOCO |
77771068 | 30-Jun-09 | 3874391 | 9-Nov-10 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
CLASSIC CHICKEN BURRITO |
76337891 | 15-Nov-01 | 2639261 | 22-Oct-02 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
CRAZY YOU CAN TASTE |
85568517 | 13-Mar-12 | 4343728 | 28-May-13 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO |
78732922 | 13-Oct-05 | 3162229 | 24-Oct-06 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO |
73302431 | 23-Mar-81 | 1237518 | 10-May-83 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO and Design
|
78675568 | 21-Jul-05 | 3262641 | 10-Jul-07 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO and Design
|
76582035 | 15-Mar-04 | 2934591 | 22-Mar-05 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered |
Mark |
App. No. | App. Date | Reg. No. | Reg. Date | Registrant | Status | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO FLAME-GRILLED MEXICAN CHICKEN | 78732496 | 13-Oct-05 | 3288881 | 4-Sep-07 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO FLAME-GRILLED MEXICAN CHICKEN | 78675529 | 21-Jul-05 | 3262640 | 10-Jul-07 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO FLAME-GRILLED MEXICAN CHICKEN and Design
|
78732574 | 13-Oct-05 | 3320540 | 23-Oct-07 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO FLAME-GRILLED MEXICAN CHICKEN and Design
|
78675609 | 21-Jul-05 | 3331273 | 6-Nov-07 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EL POLLO LOCO FLAME-GRILLED MEXICAN CHICKEN and Design
|
78675634 | 21-Jul-05 | 3345387 | 27-Nov-07 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
EPL-TO-GO | 78910372 | 16-Jun-06 | 3455685 | 24-Jun-08 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered |
Mark |
App. No. | App. Date | Reg. No. | Reg. Date | Registrant | Status | ||||||||||||||||||
ITS MEXCELLENT! | 77326994 | 12-Nov-07 | 3466631 | 15-Jul-08 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
LOCOS POR EL SABOR | 85568499 | 13-Mar-12 | 4437151 | 19-Nov-13 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
POLLO BOWL | 75197417 | 13-Nov-96 | 2132185 | 27-Jan-98 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
POLLO TO THE PEOPLE | 78970443 | 8-Sep-06 | 3723911 | 8-Dec-09 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
TASTE THE FIRE | 78403532 | 16-Apr-04 | 3046949 | 17-Jan-06 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
THE CRAZY CHICKEN | 73302442 | 23-Mar-81 | 1237519 | 10-May-83 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered | ||||||||||||||||||
THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN CHAR-BROILED CHICKEN | 73650419 | 20-Mar-87 | 1498099 | 26-Jul-88 | El Pollo Loco, Inc. | Registered |
Schedule 5.20(a)
Taxpayer and Organizational Identification Numbers
Name of Loan Party |
Type of Organization (e.g. corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership) |
Jurisdiction of Organization / Formation |
Organizational Identification Number |
Federal Taxpayer Identification Number |
Address of Chief Executive Office (or for natural persons, residence) | |||||||||||||
El Pollo Loco, Inc. |
Corporation | Delaware | 2209410 | 33-0377527 | 3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 100 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | |||||||||||||
EPL Intermediate, Inc. |
Corporation | Delaware | 3141958 | 13-4092105 | 3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 100 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | |||||||||||||
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. |
Corporation | Delaware | 4029028 | 20-3563182 | 3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 100 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 |
Schedule 5.20(b)
Changes in Legal Name, State of Formation And Structure
Loan Party |
Date of Change | Nature of Change | ||
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. | April 22, 2014 | El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. from Chicken Acquisition Corp. | ||
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. | April 22, 2014 | Merger of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. with and into Chicken Subsidiary Corp., which then further merged with and into Chicken Acquisition Corp., which was then renamed from Chicken Acquisition Corp. to El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. |
Schedule 7.01
Existing Liens
Liens with respect to that certain account held at Bank of America, N.A. with account number 12334-63891 for the sole purpose of cash collateralizing outstanding obligations of the Loan Parties to Bank of America, N.A. with respect to corporate credit cards; provided that the amount of cash collateral will not at any time exceed $131,250.00.
Liens on leased equipment pursuant to lease agreements with Canon Financial Services, Inc.
Technical Assistance and License Agreement dated February 25, 1991, as amended by the Letter Agreement dated February 25, 1991, as amended by the First Amendment to Technical Assistance dated September 26, 1991, by and between Isla Holdings, Inc., a Philippine corporation and El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Schedule 7.02
Existing Indebtedness
Capital Leases |
||||||||
Unit # |
Location | Lessor Name |
Balance | |||||
5378 |
South Gate, CA | Tweedy Plaza, LLC | $ | 28,909 | ||||
5397 |
Pomona, CA | E. Holt LLC | $ | 43,161 | ||||
5835 |
Burbank, CA | Rancho Marketplace Gateway, LLC | $ | 214,608 | ||||
5937 |
Fresno, CA | Centro NP Arbor Faire Owner, LP | $ | 257,366 | ||||
5948 |
San Fernando, CA | 816 Partners, LLC | $ | 172,102 | ||||
6008 |
Cathedral City, CA | Canyon Plaza North, LLC | $ | 7,359 | ||||
3425 |
Reseda, CA | Yacov Sinai | $ | 140,737 | ||||
|
|
|||||||
Totals | $ | 864,242 | ||||||
|
|
Letters of Credit |
||||||||||||
LC No. | Amount | Expiry Date | Beneficiary | Issuer | ||||||||
SE450928 |
$ | 450,000.00 | 6/1/2015 | Southern California Edison Company | General Electric Capital Corporation | |||||||
SM238678 |
$ | 3,185,340.00 | 1/21/2015 | Ace American Insurance Company | General Electric Capital Corporation | |||||||
IS0120605U |
$ | 3,800,000.00 | 11/1/2015 | Safety National Casualty Corporation | General Electric Capital Corporation |
Schedule 7.03
Existing Investments
None.
Schedule 11.02
Certain Addresses for Notices
If to any Loan Party, to Borrower at:
3535 Harbor Boulevard,
Suite 100
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Attn: Edith R. Austin
Email: eaustin@elpolloloco.com
Telephone No.: (714) 599-5093
Fax No.: (714) 599-5593
Attn: Laurance Roberts
Email: lroberts@elpolloloco.com
Telephone No.: (714) 599-5234
Fax No.: (714) 599-5734
Website: http://www.elpolloloco.com/
With a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
4 Times Square
New York City, NY 10036
Attn: Rossie E. Turman III, Esq.
Email: rossie.turman@skadden.com
Telephone No.: (212) 735-2748
Fax No.: (917) 777-2748
If to the Administrative Agent:
Agents Office
(for payments and Requests for Credit Extensions):
Bank of America, N.A.
901 Main Street
Mail Code: TX1-492-14-11
Dallas, Texas 75202-3714
Attention: Ramon Gomez
Telephone: 972-338-3785
Facsimile: 214-290-8367
Email: ramon.gomez_jr@baml.com
Wire Instructions:
Bank of America, N.A.
New York, New York
ABA No. 026009593
Account No.: 1292000883
Account Name: Corporate Credit
Reference: El Pollo Loco, Inc.
11
Other Notices as Administrative Agent:
Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Management
Gateway Village, 900 West Trade Street
Mail Code: NC1-026-06-03
Charlotte, NC 28255-0001
Attention: Erik M. Truette
Telephone: 980-387-5451
Facsimile: 704-409-0015
Email: erik.m.truette@baml.com
If to the L/C Issuer:
Bank of America, N.A.
Trade Operations
One Fleet Way
Mail Code: PA6-580-02-30
Scranton, PA 18507
Attention: Charles P. Herron
Telephone: 570-496-9564
Facsimile: 800-755-8743
Email: charles.p.herron@baml.com
If to the Swingline Lender:
Bank of America, N.A.
901 Main Street
Mail Code: TX1-492-14-11
Dallas, Texas 75202-3714
Attention: Ramon Gomez
Telephone: 972-338-3785
Facsimile: 214-290-8367
Email: ramon.gomez_jr@baml.com
Wire Instructions:
Bank of America, N.A.
New York, New York
ABA No. 026009593
Account No.: 1292000883
Account Name: Corporate Credit Services
Reference: El Pollo Loco, Inc.
12
Exhibit A
FORM OF LOAN NOTICE
Date: ,
To: | Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement; capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement), among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrower hereby requests (select one):
¨ | A Borrowing of Revolving Loans |
¨ | A conversion or continuation of Revolving Loans |
1. | On (a Business Day). |
2. | In the amount of $ . |
3. | Comprised of . |
[Type of Loan requested]
4. | For Eurodollar Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of [1][2][3][6][12]1 month[s]. |
With respect to such Borrowing, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) such request complies with the requirements of the proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.01 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement shall be satisfied on and as of the date of such Borrowing.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this notice by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g., pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this notice.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
1 | An Interest Period of 12 months is subject to the consent of all Lenders. |
EL POLLO LOCO, INC., | ||
a Delaware corporation | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Exhibit B
FORM OF SWINGLINE LOAN NOTICE
Date: , 20
To: | Bank of America, N.A., as Swingline Lender |
Cc: | Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent |
Re: | Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, modified, supplemented and extended from time to time, the Credit Agreement), among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement. |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Borrower hereby requests a Swingline Loan:
1. | On (a Business Day). |
2. | In the amount of $ . |
With respect to such Swingline Borrowing, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) such request complies with the requirements of the proviso to the second sentence of Section 2.04(a) of the Credit Agreement and (ii) each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement shall be satisfied on and as of the date of such Swingline Borrowing.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this notice by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g., pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this notice.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
EL POLLO LOCO, INC., | ||
a Delaware corporation | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Exhibit C
FORM OF NOTICE OF LOAN PREPAYMENT
TO: | Bank of America, N.A., as [Administrative Agent][Swingline Lender] |
RE: | Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, modified, supplemented and extended from time to time, the Credit Agreement), among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement. |
DATE: | [ ] |
The Borrower hereby notifies the [Administrative Agent][and the Swingline Lender] that on , pursuant to the terms of Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower intends to prepay the following Loans as more specifically set forth below:
¨ | Voluntary prepayment of Revolving Loans in the following amount(s): |
¨ | Eurodollar Rate Loans: $ |
Applicable Interest Period(s):
¨ | Base Rate Loans: $ |
¨ | Voluntary prepayment of Swingline Loans in the following amount: $ |
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this notice by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g., pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this notice.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
The Borrower has caused this Notice of Loan Prepayment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
EL POLLO LOCO, INC., | ||
a Delaware corporation | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Exhibit D
FORM OF NOTE
, 20
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the Borrower), hereby promises to pay to or its registered assigns (the Lender), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Agreement; capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Agreement), among the Borrower, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g., pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
EL POLLO LOCO, INC., | ||
a Delaware corporation | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Exhibit E
FORM OF LENDER JOINDER AGREEMENT
THIS LENDER JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of , 201 (this Agreement) to the Credit Agreement referenced below is by and among each of the Persons identified as Lenders on the signature pages hereto (each, a Joining Lender), El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Holdings), the other Guarantors party hereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, modified, supplemented, increased or extended from time to time, the Credit Agreement), among the Borrower, Holdings, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders have agreed to provide the Borrower with the credit facilities provided for therein;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.02(f) of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower has requested that each Joining Lender provide a portion of the increased Revolving Commitment under the Credit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, each Joining Lender has agreed to provide a Revolving Commitment on the terms and conditions set forth herein and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement in connection therewith;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Each Joining Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Joining Lenders Revolving Commitment; provided that, after giving effect to such advances, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Facility, and (ii) the Revolving Exposure of any Joining Lender shall not exceed such Lenders Revolving Commitment. The Revolving Commitment and Applicable Percentage for each of the Joining Lenders shall be as set forth on Schedule 2.01 attached hereto. The existing Schedule 2.01 to the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to include the information set forth on Schedule 2.01 attached hereto.
2. Each Joining Lender (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all requirements of an Eligible Assignee under the Credit Agreement (subject to receipt of such consents as may be required under the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the date hereof, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other
Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
3. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Guarantors agrees that, as of the date hereof, each Joining Lender shall (a) be a party to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) be a Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (c) have the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
4. The address of each Joining Lender for purposes of all notices and other communications is as set forth on the Administrative Questionnaire delivered by such Joining Lender to the Administrative Agent.
5. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the various parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g., pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
6. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.
LENDERS: |
| |||||
By: |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
BORROWER: | EL POLLO LOCO, INC., | |||||
a Delaware corporation | ||||||
By: |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
GUARANTORS: | EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC., | |||||
a Delaware corporation | ||||||
By: |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
EPL INTERMEDIATE, INC., a Delaware corporation | ||||||
By: |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
| ||||||
By: |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: | BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |||||
as Administrative Agent | ||||||
By: |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: |
EXHIBIT F-1
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER]
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
|
Date: , 20
EXHIBIT F-2
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER]
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
|
Date: , 20
EXHIBIT F-3
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable, from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER]
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
|
Date: , 20
EXHIBIT F-4
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable, from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER]
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
|
Date: , 20
Exhibit G
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
[ ], 20[ ]
For the fiscal [quarter][year] ended , 20 .
To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement; capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement), among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Holdings), the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby certifies as of the date hereof that [he/she] is the of Holdings, and that, in [his/her] capacity as such, [he/she] is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to the Administrative Agent on behalf of Holdings, and that:
[Use following paragraph 1 for the fiscal year-end financial statements:]
[1. Holdings has delivered year-end audited Consolidated financial statements required by Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal year of Holdings and its Subsidiaries ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant required by such section.]
[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal quarter-end financial statements:]
[1. Holdings has delivered unaudited Consolidated financial statements required by Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter of Holdings and its Subsidiaries ended as of the above date. Such Consolidated financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP as at such date and for such period, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.]
2. The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Credit Agreement.
3. A review of the activities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries has been made under the supervision of the undersigned with a view to determining whether a Default exists, and
[select one:]
[to the best knowledge of the undersigned, as of the date hereof no Default has occurred and is continuing.]
[or:]
[to the best knowledge of the undersigned, the following is a list of each Default which has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof and its nature and status:]
4. The financial covenant analyses and calculation of the Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto are true and accurate, in all material respects, on and as of the date of this Certificate.
[If this Compliance Certificate is being delivered in connection with a proposed Permitted Acquisition for which Acquisition Consideration is greater than $10,000,000, use the following:
Set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto are true and accurate, in all material respects, financial covenant calculations demonstrating compliance with clause (b)(ii) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition in the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis.]
5. Attached hereto are such supplements to Schedules 5.13, 5.17, 5.20(a) and 5.20(b) to the Credit Agreement as are necessary such that, as supplemented, such Schedules are accurate and complete as of the date of this Certificate.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Certificate by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g., pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Certificate.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of , 201 .
EL POLLO LOCO, INC., | ||
a Delaware corporation | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Schedule 1 to Compliance Certificate
Computation of Financial Covenants
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement. In the event of conflict between the provisions and formulas set forth in this Schedule 1 and the provisions and formulas set forth in the Credit Agreement, the provisions and formulas of the Credit Agreement shall prevail.
1. | Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio | |||||||||||
(a) | Indebtedness as of such date | |||||||||||
(i) | Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, without duplication: | |||||||||||
(A) | all obligations for borrowed money (including obligations in respect of the Credit Agreement) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments | $ | ||||||||||
(B) | the aggregate amount due and payable on such date pursuant to letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments | $ | ||||||||||
(C) | all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) earn-out obligations that are not due and payable as of such date) | $ | ||||||||||
(D) | indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by Holdings or a Subsidiary (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by Holdings or such Subsidiary or is limited in recourse (provided that, for purposes of any covenant in the Credit Agreement, the amount of any such indebtedness (other than any such indebtedness that constitutes Indebtedness under another clause of the definition of Indebtedness in the Credit Agreement) shall be the lower of (i) the fair market value of such property and (ii) the amount of indebtedness secured) | $ | ||||||||||
(E) | all Attributable Indebtedness | $ | ||||||||||
(F) | all obligations to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment prior to the Maturity Date in respect of any Equity Interest or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends | $ |
(G) | all Guarantees with respect to indebtedness of the types specified in (A) through (F) above of another Person | $ | ||||||||||
(H) | all indebtedness of the types referred to in (A) through (G) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which Holdings or any Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, except to the extent that such indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person | $ | ||||||||||
(ii) | Indebtedness [(a)(i)(A) + (a)(i)(B) + (a)(i)(C) + (a)(i)(D) + (a)(i)(E) + (a)(i)(F) + (a)(i)(G) + (a)(i)(H)] |
$ | ||||||||||
(b) | Consolidated Rent Expense for the period of four fiscal quarters of Holdings most recently ended multiplied by eight (8): | $ | ||||||||||
(c) | Consolidated EBITDAR for the period of four fiscal quarters of Holdings most recently ended: | |||||||||||
(i) | Consolidated Net Income for such period | $ | ||||||||||
The following (without duplication) to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income for such period: | ||||||||||||
(ii) | Consolidated Interest Expense for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(iii) | Consolidated Amortization Expense for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(iv) | Consolidated Depreciation Expense for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(v) | Consolidated Tax Expense for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(vi) | Consolidated Rent Expense for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(vii) | the aggregate amount of payments made during such period pursuant to the Income Tax Receivable Agreement dated on or around July 31, 2014 entered into by Holdings | $ | ||||||||||
(viii) | the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses during such period relating to any of the following transactions (including, in each case, any such transaction undertaken but not completed): (x) any equity issuance (including any initial public offering, secondary offerings or related equity issuances), and (y) any Investment (other than Permitted Acquisitions), debt issuance |
(including any refinancing thereof, whether or not successful) or repayment of Indebtedness, recapitalization, amendment or modification, asset sale or other disposition (provided such fees, costs and expenses added back to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this clause (viii)(y) occurring after the date of the Credit Agreement shall not exceed $4,000,000 in the aggregate for such period) | $ | |||||||||||
(ix) | the aggregate amount of all other non-cash charges, write-downs, losses, impairments or expenses reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding (x) any non-cash charge, impairment or expense that results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges, impairments or expense in any future period or the amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period and (y) write downs of current assets) | $ | ||||||||||
(x) | the aggregate amount of all non-cash costs and expenses relating to any equity-based compensation or equity-based incentive plan or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(xi) | the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses paid or otherwise incurred or payable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including amortization or write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs, discounts and other fees and charges associated with the pre-payment of existing debt) | $ | ||||||||||
(xii) | the aggregate amount of all net losses from discontinued operations (that are accounted for as such under GAAP) incurred during such period | $ | ||||||||||
(xiii) | the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses incurred during such period in connection with any proposed or actual Permitted Acquisition (not to exceed $4,000,000 in the aggregate for such period) | $ | ||||||||||
(xiv) | the aggregate amount of all new restaurant pre-opening and opening costs incurred during such period and documented to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent (not to exceed $125,000 for each such new restaurant) | $ | ||||||||||
(xv) | the aggregate amount of all non-cash charges arising with respect to any mark-to-market adjustments or other charges incurred in connection with any hedging agreements during such period | $ | ||||||||||
(xvi) | the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses paid or accrued during such period by Holdings and its Subsidiaries in connection with (x) existing non-recurring litigation (including with respect to the accrual of the settlement thereof), and (y) future non-recurring litigation (including with respect to the accrual of the settlement thereof) and litigation in the ordinary course of business (not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate for such period under this clause (y)) | $ |
(xvii) | the aggregate amount of costs and expenses related to the administration of the Loan Documents and paid or reimbursed to the Administrative Agent, the collateral agent (if any) or any of the Lenders or other third parties paid or engaged by the Administrative Agent, the collateral agent or any of the Lenders or paid by Holdings, its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor of the Obligations during such period (not to exceed $200,000 in the aggregate for such period) | $ | ||||||||||
(xviii) | the amount of run rate cost savings and synergies projected by Holdings in good faith to be realized as a result of Permitted Acquisitions consummated after the Closing Date and during such period, based on specifically identifiable actions taken or expected in good faith to be taken within twelve (12) months following the end of such period (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions (provided that such cost savings and synergies (x) are reasonably identifiable, factually supportable and certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of Holdings and (y) shall not exceed the sum of 5% of Consolidated EBITDAR (calculated without giving effect to this clause (xviii) in the aggregate for such period plus such additional amount as is approved by the Administrative Agent in writing in its sole discretion) | $ | ||||||||||
(xix) | the aggregate amount of expenses or losses incurred by Holdings or its Subsidiaries relating to business interruption to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed or to be reimbursed (provided that any such expense or loss to be reimbursed is actually reimbursed within six months of incurrence thereof) or otherwise paid to or on behalf of Holdings or its Subsidiaries during such period | $ | ||||||||||
(xx) | the aggregate amount of non-recurring fees, costs, charges and Expenses (including, but not limited to, integration costs, search fees, relocation costs and severance costs for senior management, abandoned new site costs and restructuring costs) during such period (not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate for such period) | $ | ||||||||||
The aggregate amount of: | ||||||||||||
(xxi) | all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income (other than the accrual of revenue or recording of receivables in the ordinary course of business) for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(xxii) | any federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits and refunds, and other adjustments having a substantially similar impact as an income tax credit or refund including but not limited to releases of deferred tax assets, in each case received during such period | $ |
(xxiii) | the aggregate amount of all net gains from discontinued operations (that are accounted for as such under GAAP) incurred during such period | $ | ||||||||||
(xxiv) | all reversals of reserves established for closed restaurant liabilities | $ | ||||||||||
(xxv) | all non-cash gains arising with respect to any mark-to-market adjustments incurred in connection with any hedging agreements during such period | $ | ||||||||||
(xxvi) | Consolidated EBITDAR | |||||||||||
[(c)(i) + (c)(ii) + (c)(iii) + (c)(iv) + (c)(v) + (c)(vi) + (c)(vii) | ||||||||||||
+ (c)(viii) + (c)(ix) + (c)(x) + (c)(xi) + (c)(xii) + (c)(xiii) | ||||||||||||
+ (c)(xiv) + (c)(xv) + (c)(xvi) + (c)(xvii) + (c)(xviii) + (c)(xix) | ||||||||||||
+ (c)(xx) (c)(xxi) (c)(xxii) (c)(xxiii) (c)(xxiv) (c)(xv)] | $ | |||||||||||
(d) | Lease Adjusted Consolidated Leverage Ratio [((a)(ii) + (b))/(c)(xxvi)] |
_______:1.0 | ||||||||||
2. | Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio | |||||||||||
(a) | Consolidated EBITDAR for the period of four fiscal quarters Of Holdings most recently ended [1.(c)(xxvi) above] |
$ | ||||||||||
(b) | Consolidated Tax Expense paid in cash for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(c) | Consolidated Fixed Charges for the period of four fiscal quarters of Holdings most recently ended: | |||||||||||
(i) | Consolidated Interest Expense paid in cash for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(ii) | Consolidated Rent Expenses for such period | $ | ||||||||||
(iii) | Consolidated Fixed Charges [(c)(i) + (c)(ii)] | $ | ||||||||||
(d) | Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio [((a) (b))/(c)(iii)] |
_______:1.0 |
Exhibit H
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (the Agreement), dated as of , 20 , is by and between , a (the Subsidiary), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as it may be amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement), by and among El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. All of the defined terms in the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.
The Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary, and, consequently, the Loan Parties are required by Section 6.13 of the Credit Agreement to cause the Subsidiary to become a Guarantor thereunder.
Accordingly, the Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders:
1. The Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Subsidiary will be deemed to be a party to the Credit Agreement and a Guarantor for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, and shall have all of the obligations of a Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement as a Guarantor. The Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions applicable to the Guarantors contained in the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 1, the Subsidiary hereby absolutely and unconditionally, jointly and severally together with the other Guarantors, guarantees as a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely as a guaranty of collection, to each holder of the Secured Obligations, as provided in Article X of the Credit Agreement, the prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, upon acceleration, demand or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of any and all Secured Obligations strictly in accordance with Article X of the Credit Agreement.
2. The Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Subsidiary will be deemed to be a party to the Security Agreement, and shall have all the obligations of an Obligor (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) thereunder as if it had executed the Security Agreement as an Obligor. The Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Security Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 2, the Subsidiary hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in, and a right of set off against, any and all right, title and interest of the Subsidiary in and to the Collateral (as such term is defined in Section 2 of the Security Agreement) of the Subsidiary, to secure the prompt payment and performance in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration, mandatory prepayment or otherwise, of the Secured Obligations. The Subsidiary hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to prepare and file such financing statements (including continuation statements) or amendments thereof or supplements thereto or other instruments as the Administrative Agent may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate in order to perfect and maintain the security interests granted hereunder in accordance with the UCC (including authorization to describe the Collateral as all personal property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, all assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or words of similar meaning).
3. The Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:
(i) | The Subsidiarys chief executive office, tax payer identification number, organization identification number, and chief place of business are located at the locations set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto. |
(ii) | The Subsidiarys legal name and jurisdiction of organization is as shown in this Agreement and the Subsidiary has not in the past four months changed its name, been party to a merger, consolidation or other change in structure or used any tradename except as set forth in Schedule 2 attached hereto. |
(iii) | Set forth on Schedule 3 is a list of (A) all IP Rights registered or pending registration with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office that, as of the date hereof, the Subsidiary owns and (B) all material licenses of IP Rights (other than (x) franchise agreements and (y) off-the-shelf and other commercially available licenses) registered with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office as of the date hereof. |
(iv) | Set forth on Schedule 4 attached hereto is a complete and accurate list as of the date hereof of each Subsidiary of the Subsidiary, together with (i) jurisdiction of organization, (ii) number of shares of each class of Equity Interests outstanding, and (iii) number and percentage of outstanding shares of each class owned (directly or indirectly) by the Subsidiary. |
(v) | Set forth on Schedule 5 are all Commercial Tort Claims seeking damages on an individual basis in excess of $200,000 by or in favor of the Subsidiary as of the date hereof. |
(vi) | The Subsidiary does not hold any Instruments, Documents or Tangible Chattel Paper with an individual value in excess of $750,000, or when taken together with all other Instruments, Documents and Tangible Chattel Paper of all Loan Parties, with an aggregate value in excess of $2,250,000, required to be pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) of the Security Agreement other than as set forth on Schedule 6 attached hereto. |
4. The address of the Subsidiary for purposes of all notices and other communications is , , Attention of (Facsimile No. ).
5. The Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by the Subsidiary under Article X of the Credit Agreement upon the execution of this Agreement by the Subsidiary.
6. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one contract. Delivery of executed counterparts of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as an original.
7. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
8. THE TERMS OF SECTIONS 11.14 AND 11.15 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS, AND THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO SUCH TERMS.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Subsidiary has caused this Joinder Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officers, and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.
[SUBSIDIARY] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Acknowledged and accepted: | ||
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Schedule 1
TO JOINDER AGREEMENT
[Chief Executive Office, Tax Identification Number, Organization Identification Number
and Chief Place of Business of Subsidiary]
Schedule 2
TO JOINDER AGREEMENT
[Name Changes/Mergers/Consolidations/Tradenames]
Schedule 3
TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
[IP Rights]
Schedule 4
TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
[Subsidiaries]
Schedule 5
TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
[Commercial Tort Claims]
Schedule 6
TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
[Instruments; Documents; Tangible Chattel Paper]
Exhibit I
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
This Assignment and Assumption (this Assignment and Assumption) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the Assignor) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the Assignee). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as it may be amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignors rights and obligations as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto in the amount[s] and equal to the percentage interest[s] identified below of all the outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, Letters of Credit, Guarantees and Swingline Loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as, the Assigned Interest). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.
1. Assignor: |
|
|||
[Assignor [is][is not] a Defaulting Lender.] | ||||
2. Assignee: |
|
|||
[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]2] | ||||
3. Borrower: | El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation | |||
4. Agent: | Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement | |||
5. Credit Agreement: | Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014, among the Borrower, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent |
2 | Select as applicable. |
6. Assigned Interest: |
Aggregate Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders |
Amount of Commitment/Loans Assigned* |
Percentage Assigned of Commitment/Loans3 |
||||||
$ | $ | % | ||||||
$ | $ | % | ||||||
$ | $ | % |
[7. | Trade Date: , 20 ]4 |
8. | Effective Date: , 20 [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.] |
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:
ASSIGNOR [NAME OF ASSIGNOR] | ||
By: |
| |
Title: | ||
ASSIGNEE [NAME OF ASSIGNEE] | ||
By: |
| |
Title: |
[Consented to and]5 Accepted:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as Agent | ||
By |
| |
Title: | ||
[Consented to:]6
[BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as L/C Issuer][and Swingline Lender] | ||
By |
| |
Title: | ||
EL POLLO LOCO, INC. | ||
By |
| |
Title: |
* | Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date. |
3 | Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder. |
4 | To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date. |
5 | To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. |
6 | To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. L/C Issuer) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. |
ANNEX 1
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
1. Representations and Warranties.
1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any Collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
1.2 Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.06(b)(iii) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to the Assignee.
3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g., pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
Exhibit J
FORM OF SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE
Date: ,
To: | Bank of America, N.A., |
as Administrative Agent
Agency Management
[address
Attn: ]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
THIS SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE is made by , a (the Designor), to BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent under that certain Credit Agreement referenced below (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent). All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, El Pollo Loco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent have entered into that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2014 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which certain loans and financial accommodations have been made to the Borrower;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, a Lender or Affiliate of a Lender is permitted to designate its [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] as a [Secured Cash Management Agreement/Secured Hedge Agreement] under the Credit Agreement and the Collateral Documents;
WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement requires that the Designor deliver this Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent; and
WHEREAS, the Designor has agreed to execute and deliver this Secured Party Designation Notice:
1. Designation. [ ] hereby designates the [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] described on Schedule 1 hereto to be a [Secured Cash Management Agreement/Secured Hedge Agreement] and hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent that such [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] satisfies all the requirements under the Loan Documents to be so designated. By executing and delivering this Secured Party Designation Notice, the Designor, as provided in the Credit Agreement, hereby agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of the Loan Documents which are applicable to it as a provider of a [Secured Cash Management Agreement/Secured Hedge Agreement] and hereby (a) confirms that it has received a copy of the Loan Documents and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own decision to enter into this Secured Party Designation Notice, (b) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement), and (c) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the Loan Documents and will perform in accordance with its terms all the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a provider of a [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract]. Without limiting the foregoing, the Designor agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent as contemplated by Section 11.04(c) of the Credit Agreement.
GOVERNING LAW. THIS SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Secured Party Designation Notice to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.
[signature page follows]
DESIGNOR: | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
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Schedule 1
To Secured Party Designation Notice